Tell me about your teardrop gear.

[S. Heisley]

OK I thought about this while I was away and realised what was a really useful bit of gear!

Nappy (daiper) wipes
they are a disposable cloth wipe pre moistened with antiseptic cleanser
We used them for wiping the kids bums after nappy changes..
Bloody handy for cleaning your hands without water

http://www.walmart.com/browse/baby/baby-wipes/5427_486190_1096134?grid=false&

Good one, Felix. Some things that long-time campers take for granted need to be suggested to new-to-camping campers.

[felixx]

Thanks mate!
We carry them everywhere coz we have small kids.

Another thing I think is vital is a really good lighter. I use one similar to this:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Jet-1300-C-Butane-Lighter/32221057466.html?spm=2114.031010208.3.20.rvBQ6J&ws_ab_test=201556_7,201527_4_71_72_73_74_75,201560_9

They do not blow out making it easy to light cookers or your pipe in a breeze

[Talia62]

I like this little guy.

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/silicone-stainless-steel-collapsible-40-oz-tea-kettle/3270210?skuId=44162641&mcid=PS_googlepla_nonbrand_coffeetea_&adpos=1o1&creative=43742634109&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CMGCpNSGwsgCFUyAaQodTE0NMQ

[felixx]

I purchased a really cheap pump action 12ga for mine.
So far we have managed to shoot rabbits or hares for the pot on 75 percent of trips.
It is good for the kids to do this and learn to process the catch

I have a goal that by the time my son and daughter are 10, they will be able to catch or shoot our meat and prep it and cook it for me.

However another more mainstream item I got was a camp clothesline
Similar to this:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Pegless-Travel-Clothes-Line-Clothesline-Washing-Camping-Hanging-Airer-Rope-Drier-/321899376523

No pegs required and things like teatowels and kids PJs air nicely

[Wolffarmer]

I purchased a really cheap pump action 12ga for mine.
So far we have managed to shoot rabbits or hares for the pot on 75 percent of trips.
It is good for the kids to do this and learn to process the catch

I have a goal that by the time my son and daughter are 10, they will be able to catch or shoot our meat and prep it and cook it for me.

However another more mainstream item I got was a camp clothesline
Similar to this:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Pegless-Travel-Clothes-Line-Clothesline-Washing-Camping-Hanging-Airer-Rope-Drier-/321899376523

No pegs required and things like teatowels and kids PJs air nicely

Cool. Just do not mention this in some of the forums I am in. They will hang you out to dry. So to speak.

But I am all for teaching the youngins to shoot and clean game. Then they will know gun control. As in, how to aim, shoot, clean and store.

Looks like we can not get those clothes lines in the USA.

Randy

Edit. did some searching. Coghlans has something like it. Ebay

Even more. More

[Shadow Catcher]

I do understand the must have AC and yes we do when we need it. This is a hacked 5,000 BTU which I modified, that is written up on the forum.

[felixx]

A spare set of keys to your TD
My kids were playing in mine and locked both doors with the keys inside.

I keep another set stored nearby

[mjewell5]

^This!

I keep a complete set hanging in the galley as well as a full set in the Jeep. I also have a spare galley key tucked into the tongue box, along with a spare set of door keys. You see, I have this irrational fear of being locked out of my creation, and have gone to great lengths to ensure it doesn't happen. Even put a spare tongue box and galley key in my wife's purse, just in case!

I recently welded a couple pieces of 1-1/2" angle to the bottom of my trailer, sort of like this: I_ _I. I spaced them so that a couple of Rubbermaid bins could slide into them for keeping shoes in overnight, like drawers. Keeps shoes dry and out of the tear. I have one on each side, and one in the middle where I could keep various loose items out of sight (maybe a good place for a spare set of keys!).

Between trips, I keep everything stowed inside the tear so that I don't forget it in the haste to get on the road. That's one of the nice things about having a teardrop...a place for everything!

[Tomterrific]

White paint. Extremely white paint on our camper keeps it as cool as a basement in the sun.
A pop-up canopy with bug screen sides. The canopy is for shade and rain, the screen is so my wife thinks there are no moskitoes after dark.
We have a florescent battery powered lantern that provides a nice diffused light inside the camper.
No bag chairs! Our trip last year had both of us complaining about how uncomfortable those awful chairs can be. I just restored a directors chair, made a camp chair of questionable usefulness, and am designing another comfortable director's chair. Comfort is the whole idea of our bedroom on wheels.
Build light. More mass does not mean more strength.

T

[booyah]

@tom

I agree with you on the white paint, but my friends tease me about my camper having all the aesthetic appeal of a soviet era apartment building.


One thing I think I need is a piece of outdoor carpet to put under each door, so the bin that holds the shoes doesnt get dirty on the bottom, and then you get a place to stand and put shoes on/off. We use the shoe bin as a step as well to get into and out of the camper too, so the carpet could easily fit inside during travel.

Otherwise, hooks. I cant get enough of em lately it seems. Hooks in the galley for utensils, hooks in the cabin for flashlights, hooks on the outside to hold towels, hooks, hooks, and more hooks!

[felixx]

I have found the last couple of trips that having a small bottle of meths inside the TD Is good
that way when you go to light your kero stove the meths is warm enough to light after a heavy frost

[felixx]

I leave a good book I have read a few times in my td.
Then if I forget a book/ Kindle I can still read a book I like.

Also a roll of toilet paper incase I forget to pack a roll.