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Our camping gear list
...The whole thing!
INTRODUCTION:
This is a work in progress that I will try to keep it current.
It's a list of what we bring camping. I'll say it right now, we don't travel light, we believe in being prepared. As the camping pages introduction says we are car campers and we pull a gear trailer behind an Aerostar so you might have to pick and choose based on you vehicle. I hope this list helps some of you develop your own list of gear to make packing easier and more successful. The biggest secret we've found is keeping as much of your stuff packed for the season as is possible. This minimizes the work you have to put into each outing. Some of this will first appear in outline form. This will at least offer you topics to consider even if I haven't had the time to collect all of the details. Be sure to read my entire camping page, much of it describes our gear and packing methods. The Camping page describes most of this stuff in a more narrative form so I urge you to review both.
MY (DADS) DUFFEL BAG
Based on a 2 night Maine summer weekend
For longer trips we pack for 4 days and launder as needed
- Socks, white athletic, 3 pr.
- Undershorts, 3 pr
- "Good" tee shirts, 2
- Old tee shirts for sleeping in ,2
- Jeans, 1 pr.
- Shorts, 3 pr.
- Shirts, short sleeve polo, 3
- Shirt, long sleeve, 1
- Hard sole slippers
- Extra pr. of shoes
- A decent sweatshirt
- Top and bottom sweats for late night "excursions" and early mornings
- A drawstring laundry bag
- A belt if I'm not wearing one
- A smaller duffel for shower trips and daytrips
- Bath towel
- Wash cloth
- "Baseball cap" For sun and bug protection
- Rain coat
- Rain hat
- My shaving kit, including:
- Soap in a case
- A small shampoo bottle in a zip lock, just in case
- Comb
- Deodorant
- Shaving cream
- Razor
- Styptic pencil
- Tooth brush
- Tooth paste
- Dental tape
- Mouth wash
- Nail clippers
- Neutrogena
- Blistex
- A travel clock (mostly for non camping trips)
- Any daily medications
- Some quarters for metered showers, a 35mm film container makes a nifty coin container
- For cold weather we adjust towards long sleves and jeans, add a hooded sweatshirt to the sleepwear and carry long johns
MY WIFES DUFFEL BAG
- UNDERWEAR
- BRAS
- SOCKS
- SHORTS
- PANTS
- SWEAT PANTS
- SHORT SLEEVE SHIRTS
- LAUNDRY BAG
- SWEAT SHIRTS
- SWEAT PANTS
- SWEATERS
- HOODED SWEAT SHIRT
- HEAVY SOCKS
- LONG UNDERWEAR
- SLIPPERS
- BOOKS
- TOWEL
- WASHCLOTHS
- SHOWER BAG
DAUGHTERS DUFFEL BAG (2)
- UNDERWEAR
- SOCKS
- SHORTS
- PANTS
- SWEAT PANTS
- SHORT SLEEVE SHIRTS
- SWEAT SHIRTS
- HOOD SWEAT SHIRT
- LONG UNDERWEAR
- HAT
- LONG SLEEVE SHIRT
- T SHIRTS
- TOWEL
- WASHCLOTH
- SHOWER BAG
COSMETIC BOX
I carry my toiletries in my duffel, this stuff is for the Gals. It all fits in a plastic tool box that's a little bigger than a shoe box.
- A POUCH FOR THE DENTAL ITEMS
- 3 TOOTHBRUSHES
- 3 TOOTHBRUSH HOLDERS (We've had good luck with the type that is made of 2 mating cylinders)
- TOOTHPASTE
- KID'S TOOTHPASTE
- MOUTHWASH
- CHAP STICKS
- FLOSS
- KID'S FLOSS
- SHAMPOO
- CREAM RINSE
- HAIR SPRAY
- SPRAY CONDITIONER
- BRUSH
- COMB
- DEODORANT
- RAZOR
- RAZOR BLADES
- SHAVING CREAM
- FACE WASH
- WASHCLOTH
- SOAP CASE
- SOAP
- LIQUID SOAP If the site has a spigot this gets bungeed around the tree, along with a hand towel. Germs don't take a vacation, neither should hygiene.
- GOLD BOND POWDER
- Q-TIPS
- SAFETY PINS
- HAIR PINS
- CHANGE PURSE, (With quarters for metered showers)
- BLOW DRYER
- SMALL KLEENEX PACKAGE
- MIRROR
- TYLENOL
-
JACKET / RAIN GEAR DUFFEL
We keep them in a separate bag because we often go on entire trip without needing them. This saves a lot of wear and tear on these garments.
- Spring weight jackets
- Rain Coats & hats/hoods
"DRESS CLOTHES"DUFFEL
On long trips we will bring some casual but nice clothes in case there is someplace halfway fancy we would like to visit.
FIRST AID KIT
In a "red plastic toolbox" that stays in the van all year.
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Calamine lotion
- Solarcaine spray
- Sunscreen
- Antibiotic ointment
- Gold Bond cream
- Instant cold compress
- Oral thermometer
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Antiseptic wipes
- Bandage tape
- 2 good-sized gauze bandage rolls
- An ACE bandage
- Assorted "Band-Aids"
- Rubber gloves
- Imodium AD
- Tylenol
- Children's Tylenol
- Tongue depressor
- Q-Tips
-
FLASHLIGHTS
3 D-cell MAG_LITE (2)
4 A-A cell flashlight with variable beam (Yellow Eveready) angs from the peak inside our tent and illuminates things nicely.
4 D-cell lantern with variable beam
2 D-cell flashlight
All of the above have RAYOVAC "RENEWAL" rechargeable batteries
Little Tikes 2 D-cell light (with automatic shut-off)
BEDDING
- 4 sleeping bags
- Therm-a-Rest pad for my wife
- Ridge-Rest pad for me
- 2 Foam pads for the kid's
- Pillows, we treated ourselves to a new set for home and keep our 6 old ones in a big duffel for camping.
- An old comforter for cooler weather. Also good for extra padding on a rough site.
- 2 old blankets for picnics, play space for the kid's or whatever
- A few old towels for moping up wet tables or whatever.
BACKPACK
Don't get all excited you bigtime hiker types. Our idea of a hike is usually about a 1 hour excursion. Nonetheless we do bring a few things along. We just have a small pack, not unlike what the kids wear to school.
- A small first aid kit
- Some insulated bottle slings that take regular water bottles
- We throw a few snack items in.
- Toilet paper, just in case
- The game bag is kept in the pack when we are not using either.
GAMES
FOOD COOLER
BEVERAGE COOLER
Obviously what you carry has a lot to do with your tastes. As a starting point here is what we carry in the beverage cooler. We always bring along extras of those 12oz spring water bottles. If something like milk is getting low we will transfer it to 1 or 2 small bottles and save cooler space. We also wash and refill the water bottles with either bottled water or the campgrounds water if we trust it.
- Milk
- Water
- Orange Juice
- Lemonade
- Soft Drinks, usually cans
- Mountain Dew, the caffeine content helps keep the driver alert on long driving days
- Apple juice
- V8
KITCHEN TOTE
- Gas stove, 2 burner
- Propane bottle
- Matches
- An old propane lighter that makes a great stove igniter.
- Large stock pot, for Corn on the cob, heating dishwater, popping popcorn, etc.
- Small sauce pan
- Medium Sauce pan
- Small skillet
- Medium straight side skillet with lid
- Griddle
- Cooking spray, we like the non aerosol spray can
- Toaster, The popup wire frame type for the stove or fire
- Pot holders, one square, one mit
- Colander for pasta etc., it also nests into our big pot and makes a great steamer
- Silverware container
Knives
- Spoons
- Forks
- Steak knives
- Several "chip clips"
- Scissors
- 4 corn holder spikes
- Paring knife
- Dish towels
- Dish cloths
- 2 wash tubs, wash & rinse, rectangular!
- Rescue scouring pad
- Squeeze bottle of dish soap
- 6 Blue porcelain plates
- 4 plastic "soup" bowls
- 2 big insulated mugs
- 2 small insulated mugs
- Paper towels (squeeze flat)
- A flat Tupperware container good for marinating a few steaks
- Tablecloth
- 6 tablecloth clips so you don't have to argue with the wind
- 2 cup measuring cup, plastic
- 3 assorted stainless steel mixing bowls
- 6 plastic cups, Like fast food places give with kid's meals
- A zipup bag with assorted ziplocks and trash bags
- Straws
- Plastic spatula for cooking at the stove
- Metal spatula for hot cooking
- 3 big spoons
- Vegetable brush
- Cheese grate
- Straining spoon
- Measuring spoons
- Jar opener
- Big fork
- 2 butter dishes with lids for leftovers
- Wisk
- Twist ties
- Can opener
- Tongs
- Cutting board, solid plastic
- Long fork
FOOD TOTE
- PAM (non aerosol pump can)
- Squeeze bottle of olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Celery salt
- Chives
- Other spices in small containers; mustard, ginger, oregano, lemon herb, marjoram, cinnamon
- "White sauce" mix
- Vinegar
- Worcestershire sauce
- Teriyaki sauce
- A-1 sauce
- Soy sauce
- Tea bags
- Equal
- Sugar
- Powdered sugar
- Brown sugar
- Swiss miss hot cocoa
- Non dairy creamer
- Spaghetti
- Small jar of Prego spaghetti sauce
- Spaghettios
- Macaroni & cheese
- Rice
- Stove top stuffing
- Ginger ale (can)
- Bisquick (pancakes)
- Pancake syrup
- Snack bars
- Popping corn
- Oreo cookies (one sleeve)
- Graham crackers (smores)
- Crackers
- Chips ahoy cookies (one sleeve)
- Small cans of fruit
- Dinty More beef stew
- Mixed veggies (canned)
- Canned mushrooms
- Spam
- Corned beef hash
- Cereals in plastic containers
- Canned corn
- Canned peas
- Canned green beans
- Tomato sauce
- Tomato paste
- Sloppy Joe seasoning
- Peanut butter
- Marshmallow fluff
- Assorted breads
- Clear wrap
- Assorted zip lock bags in a zipper pouch
- Marshmallows
- Waxed paper
- Heavy duty aluminum foil
- Napkins
MAPS
Under the drivers seat in a canvas briefcase.
- Brochures for the trip
- Confirmations of any reservations
- Gazeteers or atlass of states we will be in
- Pen & paper
TOOLBOX
Jumper cables
Webbed tiedowns
Bungee cords
Spare vehicle fuses
PICNIC BASKET
Everything we need for a roadside lunch except for the food. Also our disposable dishes when we want to break camp early and don't have time for dishes. It's a case for a years worth of TIME magazines. It's a soft zippered case and slips right under the kid's seat in the van $2. at a yardsale.
- A canvas tote for the food
- Each in ziplocks
- 9" thin paper plates
- Styrofoam bowl
- Paper cups
- Plastic cutlery
- Napkins
- Small plastic cutting board
- A good slicing knife in a hard plastic box.
- A paring knife
- Plastic table cloth..... You really need this at some rest areas!
- Table top clips in case it's windy
- Straws
- Matches
- Chip clips
SOFT COOLER
- Just a softside cooler big enough for 6 soda cans. Handy when going somewhere at the campground like the beach or a dance. Just enough to keep the heat away from a round of drinks.
NEWSPAPER
- A canvas tote with a supply of plain black & white newspaper. For fire starting as well as wicking moisture from wet footwear when the sun's not shining.
DRINKING WATER
BEACH DUFFEL
- Swinsuits for all, 2 for each of the kid's
- A towel for each of us.
- Sunscreen
- A T-shirt of cover up for each of us, for cool breezes or to escape some of the sun.
- Insect repellent
WATER SPORTS DUFFEL
- Assorted masks /snorkels
- Fins
- Anti fog for the masks (yes the stuff does work)
- Tissues for the anti-fog stuff
- Water wings...These may be history judging by the girls swimming skills.
ODDS & ENDS
- CHAIRS
- 2 Folding chairs for my wife and I
- 2 Resin chairs for the kid's
- A small plastic table to go between us by the fire
- RADIO...We carry a GE Super Tuner AM/FM radio. It pulls in the stations wherever we are. What's a Saturday night campfire without "A Prarie Home Companion". And we always play it at a private volume.
- LAUNDRY SUPPLIES
In a liquidlite tote
- Liquid detergent
- Pre-spotter
- Fabric softener
- WATERSHOES...In a tote bag. Watch where you stow them. They can reek.
- CAMERA BAG
STASHED IN THE VAN ITEMS
- Duct Tape
- Extra bungee cords
- Extra batteries
- A Box of baby wipes
- Binoculars
ON OUR CAMPING TRAILER
The forward dock locker
- Our old tent as a backup & for guests
- The dining shelter
- 2 ground cover tarps to fit the tents
- 3 assorted larger tarps for various shelters as needed
- 2 square pails
- Coleman propane lantern
- 20LB propane hookup post/lantern support
- Propane hose to connect the post to the Coleman stove
- Several citronella candles
- A sack of tent pegs
- 1/2 gallon bottle of bleach for sanitizing the next item
- Empty Hershey syrup jug (for late night bladder relief)
- 2 bottles of charcoal lighter fluid (for briquettes and hopeless firewood)
- Several standard propane bottles (in case we come up short on the 20LB tank or for excursions away
from camp and for the torch
- 2 50 foot hanks of rope (for clotheslines and/or supporting tarp structures)
- Dustpan and foxtail for sweeping out the tent and brushing dried mud from the gear after a rain
- 2 umbrellas
- 5 foot garden hose with a nozzle (just enough to rinse off mud splattered gear if that's what happens),
- Pump bottle of glass cleaner a clean windshield is a nice treat!
- Hatchet
- Camping maul
- Wood splitting wedge
- Frisbee.
- A nice sign I made that tells folks who we are and where we're from
Then in the top of this box the tray up top contains the following;
- Standard claw hammer
- Tent stake puller
- Plastic jar of nails (sometimes you end up on a tent platform)
- Grommet repair kit (for all those tarps)
- Set of those snap on instant grommets
- Bundle of ready to use tiedown ropes (3/16 nylon with the ends melted solid to prevent fraying)
- Several Bic lighters as a backup ignition source
- 7/8 wrench for the propane distribution post
- Spray can of WD-40
- Silicone spray
- Leather work gloves
- Small bottle of fast orange hand cleaner
- Handfull of bungee cords
- Propane torch for belligerent firewood, finishing rope ends and lighting stubborn citronella candles
- Jar of lantern mantles
vTube of Seam Grip seam sealer.
The Cage
- 20LB propane tank
- Fire extinguisher
- Garden rake (so we can groom the spot where our tents will go)
- Camp shovel (used mostly for fire tending, also handy for ditching if needed and permitted)
- Small plastic table that sits between our chairs in front of the fire
- Bucket of beach toys
- 2 pool noodles
- Fireplace grate
- 2 plastic chairs for the kids
- Baseball bat,
- A "kick" ball,
- Jugs of bottled drinking water
- Spare tire for the trailer
- Crossbar lug wrench (the van's jack works fine
The Rear Dock Locker
- Our 2 tents
- Inflatables for the beach
- Extra softdrinks
- On shorter cold weather trips it might serve as a secondary woodbox.
Out In The Open
- 4 bicycles
- 2 jackstands for the back of the trailer
- Support boards (painted orange) for the jackstands and the front dolly jack
- A wooden post for when we form a vestibule fly on the tent
- 2 sealed pails of charcoal briquettes
- 2 wheel chocks
- Vinyl covered cable and padlock that I lace through all of these items if we have to park in an
unsecured area as we journey between campgrounds.
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