What essentials should I take on a 6 week trip?

[Richard in Georgia]

Karen and I are planning our longest multi destination Escape yet. It will be from Atlanta to the Balloon Fest in Albuquerque next October and who knows where else in between.

We've all bought stuff we didn't need and discovered stuff we couldn't live without. I'm seeking EXPERIENCED input and advice as to what I should pack and what I should leave home. Not obvious stuff like toilet paper, but gear, gizmos, and gadgets that are either in the way or will make the trip easy.

We will pull our Escape 19 with an F150. We have a Roll n Lock cover so the bed is fairly well protected. We will be seeking sites with AC and H2O but want to be ready in case we have to dry camp.

As an example, in another board I read about a AC powered portable washing machine. It's available on Amazon for less than $150 and I'm thinking I'll spend that at laundromats. What I have to figure out is will I really use it or not.

So, your experienced opinions matter - let me hear from you!

[cpaharley2008]

We normally carry 7-10 days worth of clothing and after a week I start looking for a laundromat. I always have a rain jacket and a sweatshirt/pants for the occasional cold weather, but mainly shorts and t-shirts. Do not forget to pack some of those soap packets, they keep your clothes fresh smelling unused and a lot less expensive than the laundromat soaps. A couple of rolls of quarters should keep you in business for at least 2 loads. I'd take foldup bikes if you have them, great for getting around large camp areas. Your medicine and first aid kit with bug spray. That should allow you some space left in the truck bed, I'd take a small air compressor before a portable washing machine, also make sure your spare is full sized, not compact and you have Good Sam or some other road service that handles both your tow and trailer. AAA in some states does not.

[Donna D.]

I recently returned from a similar trip. I was a traveler, not a camper. For me the difference is I used my trailer as a moving hotel room and spent more time away from the trailer/site than in the campground. A large number of the night's were only overnight. Other than attending the Boler 50th Event, the longest stay was three nights. Consequently, I needed less "comfort stuff." For instance I took a 6x9 rug. Didn't use it (except at the Boler event). Could have left it at home. We had 6 laundry stops during the trip. Spent waaaay less than $150. AND got everything washed/dried quickly. That's not going to happen with a small RV washing machine...


As far as gadgets, get a water thief/water bandit and a small hose clamp for it. You may need it to hookup to a non-threaded hose bib so you can fill your water tank. (I needed it.)


Have a ton of fun in planning the trip. It REALLY is a big part of the experience.

[cpaharley2008]

Under $4 at Gander https://www.ganderoutdoors.com/produ...iABEgK06fD_BwE

[Jim Bennett]

A longer trip really is no different than a short one. Like Jim, we plan to do laundry once a week, though when camping often find our clothes usage stretches out way longer than when at home. Food wise, we just like to pick up more supplies when needed, and usually do about 3 days planning ahead with a couple backup meals (like Mac 'n Cheese with baked beans) unless we know we will be nowhere near a grocery store.

If you bring your credit card you can supplement whatever you might need as well.

[steve dunham]

If you take prescription drugs make sure you bring enough to last the trip plus a few extra days in case your plans change . Getting a prescription filled on the road can be a real hassle
There will be stores wherever you go so if you forget something all is not lost .
We’ve given up the notion that you can pack everything you might need for every possible situation.

[MyronL]

Keep a packet of spare hose washers for your white fresh water hose in your onboard tool box. Those always fall out. And, Roberts screwdrivers (square drive), long nose pliers, crescent wrench, duct tape, etc.... the usual things for fixing the unexpected.

[Vermilye]

If you are planning to stay in the Balloon Fiesta campground, get reservations now (if any are left). We managed to get 3 days in the dry camping area, but the weekends were already gone when we tried in August. We did find the Black Mesa Casino, about 20 miles north on I 25. $20.00 per night for an electric site in a parking lot (including a dump station. The Fiesta dry sites are a 20' X 40' piece of a dirt parking lot for $35.00 per night, but the advantage is a short shuttle ride to the gate & no $15.00 parking fee.

As to what you should take, I'm the wrong person to ask. I carry far too many tools & supplies. My excuse is I spend the winter in the desert, but there is a good hardware store in Quartzsite, so I could probably leave a couple of hundred pounds of stuff home. As to clothes, I try for 2 weeks between laundromats. I'd skip the portable washing machine - almost everywhere I've camped has a laundromat within practical distances (well, maybe not Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada).

One additional piece of advice. If you get prescriptions filled on the road, ALWAYS tell them that you don't want text reminders of refills, etc. I continually get refill reminders from drug stores that are 500 miles away by the time they send them, and they can be persistent!

[MyronL]

Jon is a virtual Ace Hardware store on wheels. Emphasis on the "Ace"

Another alternative camping area not that far (25 miles?) from the balloon fest, up I-25, is the US Army Engineers' run Cochiti rv park. A true bargain. Camping during the very popular balloon festival around ABQ is impossible without reservations.

[JStelly]

I second a couple of things mentioned already. A roll (or two) of quarters, laundry detergent. I will add condiments that you like to cook with that will be hard to find on the road, a checkbook for the rare occasion to pay for a campsite that won’t take a CC, an LED area lantern and paper maps. We will stop at every state welcome center when we cross a state line for a state map and a list of state parks for a backup and additional information.

[CADreamin]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Have a ton of fun in planning the trip. It REALLY is a big part of the experience.

Sometime, you'll have to give us a trip report of your journey. Route, best campsites, best tourist attractions, etc.

[Ron in BC]

Lot's of good advice and as Jim says, if you have a credit card then you can also get anything you need enroute.

The balloon festival was a bucket list item for us. If you can manage it volunteer to be on a balloon team. We did and it was a great experience laying it out and inflating it etc.

Ron

[Vermilye]

Originally Posted by MyronL

Jon is a virtual Ace Hardware store on wheels. Emphasis on the "Ace"

Another alternative camping area not that far (25 miles?) from the balloon fest, up I-25, is the US Army Engineers' run Cochiti rv park. A true bargain. Camping during the very popular balloon festival around ABQ is impossible without reservations.

That was the advantage of the Black Mesa Casino. It was never more than 1/3 filled the entire time we were there. The casino meals were cheap (but limited) but the travel center had good food. The advertised showers were not available due to construction at the travel center. Cochiti was sold out weeks before we arrived.

[Richard in Georgia]

Everyone, thanks for the input.
Check on reservations - they open tomorrow.
Check on the meds - easy thing to overlook
Check on the water thief - I never knew what one was, and now I do. Bought it and its on the way
UNcheck the washing machine. When I hear a unanimous 'NOPE" I get it.
TRIPLE check on washers. I have those suckers EVERYWHERE!

[cpaharley2008]

Check....enjoy your trip

[steve dunham]

I would suggest you carry two credit cards . We were in Florida one year and someone gained access to our account . The credit card company caught it and notified us .
They said they would not charge us for the fraudulent purchases , they would close our account and mail us a new card to our billing / home address . We were 1200 miles from home and thankfully we had a second credit card so we could finish our trip .

[Ruthe]

Originally Posted by CADreamin

Sometime, you'll have to give us a trip report of your journey. Route, best campsites, best tourist attractions, etc.

Donna, I’ve been thinking the same thing. I’ve been train and air traveling for the last month and haven’t checked the Forum as often as I usuallly do but I’ve been wondering how your trip went and whether I missed the report.

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by steve dunham

I would you suggest you carry two credit cards . We were in Florida one year and someone gained access to our account . The credit card company caught it and notified us .
They said they would not charge us for the fraudulent purchases , they would close our account and mail us a new card to our billing / home address . We were 1200 miles from home and thankfully we had a second credit card so we could finish our trip .

Excellent advice. I once arrived in Budapest, Hungary on a vacation trip and when I went to pick up my rental car I found Citibank had frozen my card due to an unusual charge. Good thing I had a 2nd!

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by steve dunham

I would suggest you carry two credit cards .

A great idea. We always carry two in Canada, and bring our US CC when we go south of the border. My card has been compromised 3 times in the last few years, and while my bank has always been great dealing with it, it is still a pain. When travelling one time it took nearly a week to get a replacement to me.

[Devil Dog]

A trip to the local hardware store must be terrifying … but you must send your butler. right ?
And he or her can be terrified for you . Just a wild guess..