How much is too much??

[tinksdad]

I know it's been said here before; but it doesn't hurt repeating it. If you have taken it camping with you before and never used it, leave it home next time.

I'm driving to Smyrna, TN tomorrow to pick up my "new" teardrop. In case you haven't figured it out, I'm the one buying Mark and Pat's '47 Modernistic. In the meantime, I have been pulling all the "stuff" out of Itty-Bitty to make the change over when I get it home.

It's amazing how much can be packed into such a little space. And I don't keep it all in there all the time. I have two camp boxes that I will put one of in the trailer before I head out. One I have stocked with things that I use when I know I have electricity available and one that is for non-electric use. But just the essentials still makes quite a pile. (Does one person really need 4 pillows to sleep?? Well, there are two of us now.)

One example of overkill..... the last time we went out together, I had three coffepots set up in the galley. My Mr.Coffee, a vintage avacado gold electric percolator, and her Keurig. Two I can see, she drinks decaf and I drink real coffee. But three??

I'm sure I'm not the only one who over-packs. Or am I??

[Shadow Catcher]

I am struggling with this my self and part of it is by design. Compass Rose has been outfitted in a some what "modular" fashion, parts not needed for a specific trip i.e.the AC or inverter, can be left home. However things like tools and spares there is definably a question.
One of the main considerations of this is the never ending battle with Murphy and his underlying principles and the corollary that Mr. Murphy was an optimist.

[GuitarPhotog]

I generally use the "I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it" rule.

But it's easy for that to get out of hand, so now I figure if I don't have it, I'll either go buy one, or I'll improvise and make one, or I'll do without.

I try not to stuff the teardrop full of stuff when I'm traveling because I don't want to have to unpack a bunch of stuff if I arrive at camp after dark or in the rain. I want to be able to just crawl in and stay dry. So I'm limited by what can fit in the back of my Forester SUV, which is just about enough



<Chas>

[Corwin C]

I know it's been said here before; but it doesn't hurt repeating it. If you have taken it camping with you before and never used it, leave it home next time.

This is a good rule, but remember that some items really should be with you and you hope you never use them ... fire extinguisher, first aid kit, a small assortment of basic hand tools, and so on. I've often been surprised how well I get along even when I leave something behind. It's just part of the experience.

[pete42]

I started camping in the 1950's with the Cub Scouts then the Boy Scouts and on my own in the 1960's
the Scouts motto "be Prepared" has served me well

I have found that the one thing you decide to leave home is what you will need on the trip your on
and what ever you take will not be needed and could have been left at home.



it's as simple as that.................