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Old 06-30-2015, 04:57 PM   #1
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BlackJack is going on a diet....

Recent posts about MPG economy and weight of the trailer got me thinking about stuff I carry but do not use or stuff that can be replaced with lighter material. I found a nice dinner wear set Coleman Melamine Family Dinnerware | Amazon.com: Outdoor Recreation
that will replace my metal porcelain dishes and bowls for 8 that I have been carrying cross country. I'm also eliminating 2 camp chairs bringing my total down to 4. I do not need 2 sets of leveler blocks nor 3 water hoses. My tools now fit in a small tackle box. Skip the extra set of linens and blanket, just the Travasak and a small 12v heat pad. Leaving the cast iron cookware except for one skillet home. No more electric skillets and griddles, just propane cooking. Pare down coffee makers to just one stovetop percolator.
There are a lot of items I have never used, put them back into the garage for a rainy day. Once slimmed down, I'll weigh the unit and report the new "Slimfast BlackJack" numbers. My goal is 200 lbs of weight loss.
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Old 06-30-2015, 05:02 PM   #2
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Hi: cpaharley2008... 200#s... That means you!!!LoL Alf
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Old 06-30-2015, 05:16 PM   #3
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Jim, all that extra cookware, serving stuff, chairs, etc. is one reason I menu plan (what cookware do I need to bring along?), how many people are going with me (extra chairs are nice in a group gathering, but not as a single), etc., etc.

Besides, I find it more relaxing not to be burden with STUFF. I hate crowded cabinets almost as much as totes... YMMV
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Old 06-30-2015, 05:45 PM   #4
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Be interesting to see how much 200lbs improves mpg. I'll bet not much with your truck cpaharley.
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Old 06-30-2015, 07:27 PM   #5
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Yeah, I wouldn't expect 200 lbs to make much difference. I'd see more benefit from less stuff to sort through, load, unload, etc...

Now swapping enameled metal for melamine is just gratuitous. Admit you're doing it just 'cause you want to, and be happy.

As for how many plates to bring, well, how often do you want to do dishes?
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Old 06-30-2015, 07:38 PM   #6
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Not only is this a good thing for weight savings, it also opens up more storage. We annually do a sweep of the trailer, and if something wasn't used in the last year, or there is something else that will do the job, out it goes.

Employing this thinking is what allows us more than enough storage space to easily forgo the storage box. Plus, we never suffer at all for missing something we wish we had.

We have place settings for 4, and if for some reason more is needed, they use a bowl or small plate.... no problem.

We have go rid of all but one bowl, as we just use our pots for mixing or serving if needed.

We only bring two chairs, Kermit Chairs that pack down real small. If we think beforehand we may need more, we will add them just for that trip.

Lots of things to do like this, without affecting the quality of the RV experience.
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Old 06-30-2015, 08:26 PM   #7
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We're going to employ the same tactic we use at my hunting camp, just enough cookware(aluminum) to get the job done and paper plates,bowls and plastic utensils..minimum to clean,the rest gets tossed.
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Old 06-30-2015, 08:37 PM   #8
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I have a box under the bed where I place things that I think we don't need. If after a couple trips nobody has missed the item, I can freely remove it without anybody objecting.
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Old 06-30-2015, 08:39 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo View Post
I have a box under the bed where I place things that I think we don't need. If after a couple trips nobody has missed the item, I can freely remove it without anybody objecting.
Reminds me of the garage
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Old 06-30-2015, 10:37 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Donna D. View Post
Reminds me of the garage
Let's please not talk about garages. As much as my trailer is outfitted near perfectly, my garage is not the same. Even after many major purges I have still go WAY to much 'stuff'. I just hate to waste.

Many years ago, I saw the perfect garage sale ad, that simply said;
"My wife is making me get rid of all my good stuff"

One of my favourite sayings, and one that has proven true for many over the years is;
"The last of good intentions is a clean garage"
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Old 06-30-2015, 10:59 PM   #11
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Yes, garages! Although my husband passed away over twenty years ago, I can still hear him referring to the stuff in the garage as "my treasures." Good memories.
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Old 06-30-2015, 11:08 PM   #12
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Okay, I thought something sounded familiar. What happened to this earlier diet?

http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f7...diet-4012.html
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Old 06-30-2015, 11:15 PM   #13
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Okay, I thought something sounded familiar. What happened to this earlier diet?

http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f7...diet-4012.html
Methinks Jim does his new years resolutions every June.
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Old 07-01-2015, 07:50 AM   #14
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I just could not remember where I put that post. maybe I'll combine the two. I can honestly say, I did everything I mentioned in that post, except for the radio antenna, still deciding on that.
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Old 07-01-2015, 09:14 AM   #15
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Jim,

This is funny. We are planning a cross country trip and doing the same thing as you except we are only taking two chairs - so hard to decide which ones (now you're making me think I should put 2 back, we usually have 6 - 2 lounge chairs, 2 bag chairs and 2 small Picos that fit int eh front box). We are not taking the Weber. As far as dishes go though, we do use the microwave and you cannot put melamine dishes in a microwave. GCI makes some nice lightweight plastic camp dishes but I may stick with the Corelle (Dave doesn't like plastic dishes)and paper plates. Good grief we had a lot of stuff under the front bed. All cleaned out, just a few 'essentials' in there now, same with the front box. I think we need to do this once a year!

Kathie
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