What to pack and where to put it...

[kymoonshine]

I've spent the last four days in the garage finishing up the TT...I installed an A/C today for the summer heat and finished all woodwork and wiring..all I have left is to purchase a mattress and figure out where to mount a spare tire(which is harder due to me running 15 inch wheels)....

Anyway I remember an awesome post I saw when I first joined where someone had broken down everything she/he had in their Teardrop and where/how they stored it...I am going to take out the camper in a week or so and know I will forget to pack the most basic of things...I've lived/camped in my Airstream for many years and have it down but I am outfitting the Breadbox from scratch...if anyone can remember that post or know where to find it please direct me there...Thanks



Of course I may have read it on Tear Jerkers....not sure

[PKCSPT]

Beautiful tear

[mary and bob]

Looks like you may have room on the tongue for the spare. Our teardrop also uses 15" tires, and they are narrow due to clearance issues. I haven't found a suitable rim yet for the spare so just carry a new unmounted tire in whatever tow vehicle I use, a couple tire irons, and a 12 volt compressor. But if the situation arises I'll probably just call AAA as I have the RV addition. When using our Uhaul fiberglass camper I carry the spare in the tire well of our Honda CRV because it has an outside mounted spare.

[pete42]

I've been camping since the 60's I can tell you first hand what you need when camping is the one thing you left at home.
kidding aside if you know what you need for your other trailer it will be close to what you need for your good looking tear.
congrats: on the build have fun go small.

[stumphugger]

It depends what climate I'm heading into. Our part of the country has totally different weather all within a couple of hours. I'm heading to a very wet place so lots of fleece clothing goes in. I took out the ice tea pitcher and put in the shoe dryer. I'll throw in another raincoat.

I have an A-frame trailer but I still have to be conservative.

One hint: Don't cut the grass in front of the trailer door when you know you'll be going in and out with stuff.

[Kharn]

Pack what you think you need, then spend a weekend in the tear in your driveway (or garage if the neighbors would think you'd finally lost your mind). If you find yourself wanting anything or grabbing it from the house, add it to the list. Then spend a weekend at a campground near civilization so you can just run to the store if you find yourself short a critical item.

My most memorable were running out for a carwash sponge (1/2" of water in the bottom of our tent due to setting up in a gigantic storm, cleaning it up with a beach towel did not go well) and a tent fan (it felt like 95deg with zero wind our first night at the site) on a different trip.

[S. Heisley]

It depends what climate I'm heading into. Our part of the country has totally different weather all within a couple of hours. I'm heading to a very wet place so lots of fleece clothing goes in. I took out the ice tea pitcher and put in the shoe dryer. I'll throw in another raincoat.

I have an A-frame trailer but I still have to be conservative.

One hint: Don't cut the grass in front of the trailer door when you know you'll be going in and out with stuff.

Stumphugger said it pretty well. It depends on the weather and how long you're going to be gone for some of it, like clothes and food. Pack the basics for a sun + rain weekend and then add and subtract from that as you need to. Needs for kitchen utensils and bedding doesn't change much; so, whatever you need for the weekend will pretty much do it for longer, too.

[Backroads4me]

I'm working on my check lists, and am weighing every darn thing that goes into the TD. Bob thinks I'm nuts and gives me the when I ask him to "Stand on the scale and hold this for a second"----sorry, but I want to know how much weight we're adding and how it will effect tongue and trailer weight. (I bought one of those Sherline tongue weight scales too--found it online, on sale).

Besides the usual camping stuff, I bought a 24 page 4 x 6, photo album for $1.00 at WallyWorld today to keep in the tow vehicle when we go camping. In it I will have both inside and outside photos of the TD and gear, as well as photos of our two Border Collies, photocopies of their microchip numbers paperwork, rabies certificates and vaccination info. That way, if we drive back to our campsite, and the TD is gone, we can get that identifying info. to the local cops right away. That info. will be useful for insurance claim purposes too. While the dogs are ALWAYS with us, the likelyhood of one or both of them getting lost is quite low, but should it happen, or someone swipe them, we have photos and info. to pass out to the local authorities or animal shelters. And, of course, emergency contact info. for us as well.

[Roo Dog]

We sold our caravan (trailer) last year after building the Teardrop.

The biggest problem was cutting down on what to carry. Some of out trips prior to the Teardrop had been up to 6 months of wandering around Oz in the caravan so changing to the Teardrop has meant a totally different mind set to previous.

Our trips are now short and we carry little, a step or so above tenting is it. I do like a comfortable bed though and the Teardrop definitely has that.

We have no cupboards inside. Just specially made bags on hooks for clothing and personal items.

All the cooking gear and food stowage is around the back.

Makes for a very open interior.

Take it easy.

SD

[Shadow Catcher]

Our tear has lots of storage so everything goes in a chipboard or in the tongue box. I could not figure out where to put a spare so I bought an adapter so that I can use the spare from the tow vehicle

[S. Heisley]

I'm working on my check lists, and am weighing every darn thing that goes into the TD. Bob thinks I'm nuts and gives me the when I ask him to "Stand on the scale and hold this for a second"----sorry, but I want to know how much weight we're adding and how it will effect tongue and trailer weight. (I bought one of those Sherline tongue weight scales too--found it online, on sale).

Besides the usual camping stuff, I bought a 24 page 4 x 6, photo album for $1.00 at WallyWorld today to keep in the tow vehicle when we go camping. In it I will have both inside and outside photos of the TD and gear, as well as photos of our two Border Collies, photocopies of their microchip numbers paperwork, rabies certificates and vaccination info. That way, if we drive back to our campsite, and the TD is gone, we can get that identifying info. to the local cops right away. That info. will be useful for insurance claim purposes too. While the dogs are ALWAYS with us, the likelyhood of one or both of them getting lost is quite low, but should it happen, or someone swipe them, we have photos and info. to pass out to the local authorities or animal shelters. And, of course, emergency contact info. for us as well.

...Been there, done that. Wait a couple months and you'll be adding things and forgetting to check the weight. If you go through everything at the beginning and ending of the summer season, you'll probably be okay. Keeping photos and such in the car is a good idea!

[S. Heisley]

Checklist info to use, modify, or scratch your head about (There are some duplications):

IN SPRING OR BEFORE LONG TRIP:

BEARINGS checked & re-greased
Lug nuts tight & Tire wear checked
Tire pressure checked on Trailer and Tow Vehicle
Tow Vehicle Oil Changed
Tow Vehicle Check-up

READY & STOWED DAY BEFORE:

Trailer and Tow Vehicle Tire Pressure checked
Trailer Battery Charged
Propane canister full or full enough
Ice in Freezer for Cooler
All liquids cooling in refrigerator day before
Drinking Water on board
Flashlight & extra batteries on board
Fan & extra batteries on board
Trailer Tool Bag on board
Cell Phone battery Charged
Camera battery charged
GPS battery charged
All Groceries purchased - people food
All Groceries purchased - pooch food
Vitamins, people & pooch's ready
Gray Water Tank/hose
Electrical tester, cord, adapter
Steps included (if used)
Sheets, Mattress Pad, Pillow, Sleeping Bag
2 Bath Towels
Kitchen towels & hot pads
Kitchen Sponge
Toiletries
Shower Sandals
Clothes
People & Dog Rain Coats
Extra pair of shoes stowed
Dog protected with heartguard & flea/tick drops
Poo Bags for Pooch
Dog tie-out & neck chain
Lighted leash & batteries
Dog water & food bowls
Cooking pans
Dishes
Cup
Paper Towels
Cutlery & cooking tools
Extra stove & fuel
Books selected
Medicine kit
Britta Water Pitcher
Radio & Batteries
Cards
Pen & Note Paper
Shower Water Bag & Tent (? - optional)
Ice Chest in Kitchen, ready to be filled
Maps put in Tow Vehicle
Copies of Insurance papers in Tow Vehicle
Dog/Person emergency papers in Tow Vehicle
Cell phone in Tow Vehicle
GPS in Tow Vehicle
Full Gas Tank & Tire Pressure good in Tow Vehicle

ON TRAVEL DAY:

Chairs stowed
Electric cord & attachments stowed
water tank & hoses stowed
Drawer bolted shut
Cabinets latched
Potty cabinet top latched
Loose objects stowed
Sink stopper secured
Roof Vent closed
All Electrical off & battery key off
Propane turned off & lines bled out
Windows closed
Curtains open
Doors locked
Roof locked
chocks stowed
Steps stowed
Stabilizer Jacks up & folded in
Sunbrella stowed, if taking
Sunbrella table stowed, if taking
Rug stowed, if taking
Ice chest filled with ice/food and stowed
Cell Phone, Camera, & GPS in Tow Vehicle
Extra Eye Glasses in Tow Vehicle
Extra Drinking water in Tow Vehicle & bottle filled
Dog/Person emergency papers in Tow Vehicle
Cell phone in Tow Vehicle
GPS in Tow Vehicle
Maps in Tow Vehicle
Pet & leashes secured in Tow Vehicle
AAA Card & Charge cards on person
Jack up and secured
Hitch secured with locks in place
Hitch chains connected to Tow Vehicle
Trailer electrical connected to Tow Vehicle
Trailer lights tested


TRAILER HITCH-UP (Leaving Camp):

All windows closed
Vent Closed
Curtains pulled back
Trash can emptied
Water tanks emptied
Propane tank turned off & lines bled
Roof locked down
Potty cabinet top locked down
All cabinets & drawers secured
All Utility outlets closed and locked
Electrical stowed in place
Hose stowed in place
Drain hose & tank stowed
All electrical off
Battery key off
Wheel chocks stowed
Corner stabilizers up and stowed
Hitched and locked in place
Safety Chains attached
Hitch electrical plugged in & lights checked & working
Tongue Jack up & secured

[Vedette]

Holy Cow Sharon!
After all that you need to come home for a rest!
You are definitely organized.
For me if I have the cooler and the keys for the truck we are pretty much ready for another adventure.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[Roo Dog]

Sharon,

One last item for your very comprehensive check list.

"Cleared for Take Off."

Take it easy.

RD

[Roo Dog]

We are off tomorrow for a few days.

Check list done.
Gear packed, such as it is.

Just been for a quick lap around town so as to shake out the the resident spiders. Item no 31D Amdt A on the check list. This is an important item, if it is overlooked it can produce girlish shrieks from the male driver at inappropriate moments en route.

Take it easy.

RD