General gear suggestions

[MrsOlney]

What are some things you wish you needed when you started, that you had to learn later either through experience or "the hard way"?

We aren't "new" to camping but have never done more than a weekend and I am concerned about being far from anything and needing "something" and not being able to get it. We have a 11 day trip (just recalculated it...ELEVEN DAYS) coming up and I would like to minimize inconveniences as much as possible.

Sorry if I am posting too much...I'm just really digging the forum.

 

[Akdare]

A memory foam mattress topper. We have the 3” one from Walmart.

 

[MrsOlney]

A memory foam mattress topper. We have the 3” one from Walmart.

That’s a good one. we need a new one for the new trailer since it has a bigger bed.

 

[RKins]

If you don't have one, get a vacuum bagging system so you can buy meat in bulk, season it, maybe par cook some or all of it and then vacuum bag and freeze them. You can bag them in portion size so they'll be easy to defrost. You can pack like 10-15 days of meat in a small freezer (like mine) plus have room for all the veg and klondikes. Anything vacuum bagged packs much closer because the original packing is gone. I am thinking of getting another for the coach so when we're on extended trips.

 

[MrsOlney]

If you don't have one, get a vacuum bagging system so you can buy meat in bulk, season it, maybe par cook some or all of it and then vacuum bag and freeze them. You can bag them in portion size so they'll be easy to defrost. You can pack like 10-15 days of meat in a small freezer (like mine) plus have room for all the veg and klondikes. Anything vacuum bagged packs much closer because the original packing is gone. I am thinking of getting another for the coach so when we're on extended trips.

We always remove meat from the original packaging and place in baggies to freeze. What is the added benefit from vacuum sealing over using baggies that you can squeeze the air out of? Let me be clear, I'm definitely not opposed to vacuuming, lol. I'm just curious.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Vacuum sealing significantly reduces freezer burn (dehydration), especially in meat. We have long used vacuum sealing for that reason.

TJ

 

[MrsOlney]

Vacuum sealing significantly reduces freezer burn (dehydration), especially in meat. We have long used vacuum sealing for that reason.

TJ

SOLD!

OK, so now I need a vacuum sealer.... ? ? ?

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

SOLD!

OK, so now I need a vacuum sealer.... ? ? ?

We use a FoodSaver vacuum sealer that we got at Costco. I think it may be available for less money via Amazon. Here's a link to some highly-rated vacuum sealers.

Top 5 Vacuum Sealers That Keep Your Food Fresh

These machines are the kitchen appliance you never knew you needed.

www.goodhousekeeping.com

TJ

 

[MrsOlney]

We use a FoodSaver vacuum sealer that we got at Costco. I think it may be available for less money via Amazon. Here's a link to some highly-rated vacuum sealers.

Top 5 Vacuum Sealers That Keep Your Food Fresh

These machines are the kitchen appliance you never knew you needed.

www.goodhousekeeping.com

TJ

Thank you so much!

 

[Akdare]

We’ve got a FoodSaver also. Use it all the time for breaking down family packs of meat into meal-sized portions, same when we make mass quantites of chili, spaghetti sauce, casseroles, etc. No freezer burn...I recently found a steak in the bottom of our chest freezer that was 3 years old. Just as good as if I just froze it.

 

[RKins]

If you only want to use baggies you can get the air of the baggy by lowering the baggy (with food inside) into a deep container of water and vertically lower until the water is at the zipper (you'll see the baggy compressing around the contents). Then you close the zipper on the baggy take it out of the water, dry and freeze. Don't forget to mark the date on the bag. Baggy materials usually aren't as thick as vacuum bags and may let air in/out over time.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

I recently found a steak in the bottom of our chest freezer that was 3 years old. Just as good as if I just froze it.

We do try and use our frozen foods within a couple of months of freezing, when possible. That said, I too have found something that is more than a year old and it had no freezer burn. When we vacuum-bag food, we always write the packing date on it to help keep our food rotation on track.

TJ

 

[DorisA]

For the last two years I have been wanting a comfortable camping chair because the ones we had were soooo uncomfortable. So we finally bit the bullet and bought the Strongback Elite for my husband and the Strongback Guru folding chairs (smaller one fits me). Great purchase, costly but highly recommended!

 

[Neal]

@ARD got me to get one of these zero g chairs - Lafuma Futura. I also bought the bag and side table from Lumens.com as it was hard to find otherwise at that time.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BHSDDMX/?tag=rvf01-20

Lounge Chair Storage Bag by Lafuma at Lumens.com

Purchase the Lounge Chair Storage Bag by Lafuma today at Lumens.com. Free shipping on orders $75 or more and guaranteed low prices.

www.lumens.com

Clipmaid Tray/Cup Holder by Lafuma at Lumens.com

Purchase the Clipmaid Tray/Cup Holder by Lafuma today at Lumens.com. Free shipping on orders $75 or more and guaranteed low prices.

www.lumens.com

 

[ARD]

@ARD got me to get one of these zero g chairs - Lafuma Futura. I also bought the bag and side table from Lumens.com as it was hard to find otherwise at that time.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BHSDDMX/?tag=rvf01-20

Lounge Chair Storage Bag by Lafuma at Lumens.com

Purchase the Lounge Chair Storage Bag by Lafuma today at Lumens.com. Free shipping on orders $75 or more and guaranteed low prices.

www.lumens.com

Clipmaid Tray/Cup Holder by Lafuma at Lumens.com

Purchase the Clipmaid Tray/Cup Holder by Lafuma today at Lumens.com. Free shipping on orders $75 or more and guaranteed low prices.

www.lumens.com

Ohhhhh nooooo! You yourself YOU bought A LaFuma Chair. I take no responsibility. ?

 

[Neal]

I was under duress!! [emoji40]

 

[FLPeterson]

Tools, flashlights, cordage, extra fuses, gas can (I got one of those large green military cans and a funnel), matches (or a lighter but matches can be used to cover up the stink coming from the bathroom), rain suit, warm suit, good pans for fire pit cooking (no electric or propane required), firewood, engine oil, septic drain hoses, water hose, septic chemicals. I just know something ALWAYS happens and I try to be prepared as possible! I am after all, a girlscout I know this is a few months late but I hope it helps

 

[BGMAC]

Twila does a lot of canning, so most of our food can be stored in a cabinet somewhere opening up the fridge/freezer. She even cans some meats as well. One thing we needed was ice trays. Always good to have.

 

[Jim]

matches (or a lighter but matches can be used to cover up the stink coming from the bathroom)

lol

 

[FLPeterson]

lol

Have one of those! Still....sometimes....you know....Tequila and Enchilada's!