My husband and I just bought a 25 foot travel trailer. We are so newbies at this. He has been studying up on everything related and this includes hours with Youtube. He has already named it The Cottage. I would love any hints and helps at setting up the kitchen, tips on what you cannot manage without. I am looking forward to our first trip and want it to be a success. Thanks for any tips and help.

Congratulations on your new home away from home Hope you have lots of fun. Talk to Carolyn,bet shell make some glamping towels for you/Lillian

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by 02kar 12 Jun 2015

Thanks Carolyn has given me the incentive to do some towels. I have some simple and quick designs picked out. Now to get the time to get them done.

Well congrats to you.I have a very large camper 39ft. with push outs and i camp most of the summer as the bugs black flies are terrible at home.Mine has a full refrigerator and stove .We don't use it to travel but thats what it was meant for.We park next the water 1,5 hours from home
Since mine don't move i got everything i need here even a washer lol
Enjoy yourself hugs Carolyn sitting in my camper:):)

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by 02kar 12 Jun 2015

Thanks I am looking forward to trying out our new home away from home. Our plans are to use the trailer visiting friends and family and to see places on our bucket list.

by noah 12 Jun 2015

good for you may our God travel with you hugs

Oh My! I am not a happy camper. When i meet my sweetie , he had a RV and it was old and nothing worked and a few years later he bought another old one that had been a first class in it 's day,but the refrigerator only worked when we were hooked up at a site, which meant it was useless!!!! Keeping things in a iced cooler is the pitts!!. I don't want to be negative,so i will say the most wonderful thing is to sleep on a mattress that is not bed bug infested as the motels are!! Kay

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by 02kar 12 Jun 2015

And that is one of the reasons we bought this trailer. Yes, sad to say we have experienced the awful bed bug infestation. I am pleased to tell you that everything works on this trailer, thank goodness.

When we had a caravan it was only 10 1/2 ft long. But boy was it great.
I learnt that a short handled broom is great for cleaning up and a dust pan & brush set that will fit in all the spots you are going to need to clean and where it is stored. The storage area was why the broom handle was shortened. A broom works well on carpet as well as the vinyl type flooring.
And solid pieces of wood (not too heavy) to put the extendable feet down on in case of rain soaked ground when setting up - saved us a lot of trouble.

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by 02kar 11 Jun 2015

Thanks. My husband is already on the prowl for a collapsible handle. Good to know the broom works on carpeting too.

any one that plans on going and doing any RVing need to watch the move with Robin Williams.. I think it is called RV or something like that.. funny and you reallly learn alot and laugh alot..

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by 02kar 11 Jun 2015

I saw that. So funny! Hopefully, we will be a bit smarter.

You have some good advice here, but I'll add my two penn'orth!
If there are two of you you don't need four of everything and what you do have needs to be securely stowed so that it doesn't wander as you travel. We carry quite a bit of dried food rather than cans. We do cook proper food from fresh ingredients where possible, but most meals use only one or two pans. We have a Remoska Cooker for when we have electricity available, but other electrical appliances are not really worth the space they use up to only use once or twice.
Here in UK we have strict regulations about weight limits so we are very careful only to pack what we need. (We even went to the trouble to go to a weighbridge before our last trip - all was within the limit.)
Many of the items suggested below are heavy and assume you will have electricity available. Quite frequently we are in places with no electric hook-up and we rely on bottled gas for cooking and heating. Solar panels top up our batteries for lights, water pump etc.

Have fun in the Cottage!

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by 02kar 11 Jun 2015

Thanks so much for the kitchen tips. We will have electricity available much of the time and batteries whenever needed. My husband has seen solar panels and wondered how effective they are on a camper.

How very exciting for you both Karen! As a matter of fact we just bought one stationary too, we have a seasonal spot already bought & paid for lol. I see no list with can opener on it lol & scissors. I also will bring garbage bags( grocery bags) for whatever it is that you can't burn. I will bring my crock pot as well it is a huge time saver when we are on the go & doing other fun stuff I plug it in outside & cook whatever we want & then when it's dinner time we can have a hot turkey dinner or whatever you like! Ribs are amazing in the crock pot too! We have named ours the Cottage too. I will also add baby wipes to our camper they are so handy to have & convenient too. A cutting board is really good to have & lots of tin foil too. Have a great time seeing all the new places. I also pack some fun games (cards Yathzee etc..) for rainy days when you just want to stay in. We have a outdoor carpet too & plastic tablecloths too. I noticed that DeVon has added elastic to hers on both the table & the bench's too so that is on my to do list, such a good idea!

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by pldc 11 Jun 2015

we pick up our new trailer next week & we are very excited!!!

by 02kar 11 Jun 2015

I love it! We both have Cottages. Thanks for the tips. I hadn't gotten to things like foil and plastic wrap. I hope your new Cottage will be everything you have dreamed for and you have many years of enjoying trips.

One thing I found important, that I hadn't thought of with ours (34 foot RV) ... learn how to drive your car or truck with the trailer attached. At some point, your husband is going to be tired (at the most windy time possible on a busy interstate) and you will need to know how to drive it. If you find that you can't - not to worry - just take shorter trips!!! Have fun! Laura*

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by 02kar 11 Jun 2015

Good advice indeed! We do plan on teaching me to drive it. But I know I will never be able to back the thing up so we have to hope and pray I never need to do that.

by jrob 11 Jun 2015

Sure you can. Just follow him and watch several times.

Well as a unhappy camper, the only thing I will tell you, when traveling get off the road before 4 O'clock in the afternoon, I know the place you want to go is just down the road and hour or two, but just get off and enjoy the nite. Believe me I know. It caused many of fights and they (men) are not the ones who have to get the meal and everything ready for the nite. Just get off and enjoy a drink and the evening. The rest are to numereous to mention and I don't want to spoil your new adventure. Sorry, I tried to love it for 30 years, we did go to alaska and spent 5 weeks, that was a vacation of a life time, but we were in a camp most of the time. Good luck and enjoy!

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by dailylaundry 11 Jun 2015

Oh, my - we have been there... my DH always says - just a little farther and before your know it, we have to set up in the dark!!

by pldc 11 Jun 2015

THAT IS ONE OF THE REASON'S I SAID NO ( a big fat NO) to a driving one! they don't like to stop till they get there even in the dark! So mush more work to cook it all in the dark if you need a campfire to cook by!

by 02kar 11 Jun 2015

Thank goodness my hubby believes in stopping in time to get dinner. I'm so sorry that you had a bad time it. but the trip to Alaska sounds wonderful!

You've gotten a lot of good advice here. We have a Trail Manor that's 18ft closed and 27ft opened. I have a toaster oven I use outside and I use those rubber baking pans that weight less and easier to store. I also have regular cooking pans. I store a small Jamone sewing machine for the rainy days. We buy our food when we get there, unless it's something I made ahead time. Enjoy your cottage

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by 02kar 11 Jun 2015

And you have added to the good advice. Good advice to purchase perishables upon arrival rather than hauling it all.

mosquito repellant and bug spray

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by pldc 11 Jun 2015

sunscreen & a good hat too lol. mud boots it will rain & the ground will be a soggy pile of mud lol

by 02kar 11 Jun 2015

OH my goodness, I never thought of this. Thanks

I am of no help. Never had the luxury of a trailer and I am a bit envious. My father and I would put the tent and some supplies on the bicycles and off we would go. Enjoy the time on the road. Maybe you will add an item to this list of something you wished you would have had with you.

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by 02kar 11 Jun 2015

My family loved tent camping but all I remember was rain, thunder and lightning. I want a roof over my head and a flushing toilet. Yes, call me princess, diva or spoiled.

by jrob 11 Jun 2015

You are just a "Glamper".

Congratulations to both of you. I am afraid that I cannot give any tips as I am not a camper. I wish you many happy hours.

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by 02kar 11 Jun 2015

Thanks for the support. This is a whole new world for me.

We had one for many many years but finally gave up about 3 years ago. My one hint is before you put anything in the shelves buy some of the rubberized shelf liners. This will keep your dishes , pots and pans, and food from bouncing around and helps to prevent breakage. Enjoy your new travel trailer. Just go relax and enjoy, it is a fun way to spend together. Hugs, Mary

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by 02kar 11 Jun 2015

I wondered if the rubberized shelf liner would work in the trailer. Thanks for that helpful hint.

by Patricia109 11 Jun 2015

Of course it does. It is sold in caravan (trailer) shops for that purpose.

Buy 2 of almost everything from now on. You don't want to be moving when you want to take a short trip. You will need, to completely stock the kitchen ware, toothpaste, tooth brushes, hand soap, bedding, paper towels, etc. But don't overdo at the beginning. Basics and learn as you go. Anything that you can leave in the trailer and don't have to take inside the house.. I only take my clothes, medicine and food when we leave. Forget the special toilet paper. Cost way too much and you will be dumping before you get home anyhow. BUT it does help to have a dump station at your home. Easy, just cut a hole in the drain line. And leave the non perishables in the trailer when you get home. Make a firm rule that you don't rob the trailer. Put an electrical outlet near where you're going to park it at your home. And a separate 30 amp breaker in the box. (The trailer will also make a super guest room.) Don't even have a real plate in the thing. Foam. I do have an electric skillet. And real silverware. If I think of more, I'll let you know. OH. Batteries. Remember when you replace to not get one for your car. You don't need starting amps. You need running amps. Salesman called then a work horse and a race horse. And we only get about 2 years out of one.

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by 02kar 11 Jun 2015

Keep thinking please. My hubby has already contacted a contractor to put in the special electrical outlet to charge the batteries. An electric skillet is a super idea.

by brittanycooper 12 Jun 2015

You need to check about the batteries. Some say leave it plugged in during the winter months, some say don't. A couple of more handy things. Slow cooker. Rice cooker. And microwave. And a small toaster oven. One of the best things I have. Still thinking. Looks like you're getting good advise.

I don't have a camper (wish I did), but just visited my SIL while they were in the area. She uses a good many disposables, but also has a set of Corella dishes. They are thin, lightweight and stack easily in her cupboards. They are on sale often, or check Goodwill. She uses Ziplocks, but also has some of those new collapsible storage dishes and a strainer. She has different colored towels for the whole family so they can hang them up to dry and use them again without mixing them up, which would freak out some of her peeps. :o) Hope you have fun with you new toy.

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by 02kar 11 Jun 2015

Thanks. I wish you could go camping with us too. You have certainly given me some good ideas.

How exciting for you! The name is perfect and you can embroider it on everything.

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by 02kar 11 Jun 2015

You made me laugh. I already have embroidered towels to go into the bathroom and kitchen towels to be embroidered.

Karen, I love camping, but as someone else stated, tent camping was not for me. I especially enjoy resting, listening to steady raindrops inside a camper, but relaxing in a comfy foldup reclining chair underneath the canopy on sunny days with a cooler of drinks on ice nearby is great, too! I am always sure to keep a good supply of paper towels for cleanups, when you are cooking. I keep a large bag filled with the small plastic grocery store bags handy in a cabinet to use for everyday trash throw away. Breakfast is the easier meal to fix in such small space, so be sure to have the correct size pan to fit your oven for toast or canned biscuits. The inexpensive aluminum foil pans from the grocery store work well and reusable. Paper plates cut down on cleaning dishes. I also have a few regular plates/dishes for heavier foods, such as potatoes baked in the microwave, or canned soups. Plan easy quick meals. Homemade sandwiches with deli meats are so good, easy and less cleanup. I always stock the camper frig with a few deli meats, lettuce, tomatoes, and needed condiments for sandwiches. A jar of peanut butter and box of crackers stay in my cupboard, along with a few boxes of Debbie cakes, for quick snacks. I keep a supply of towels and washcloths on hand for bathing; laundry the dirty ones once I get home, and return them clean and folded to the camper for next trip. Keeping the camper supplied with a few nonperishables, clean linens, and even a few sets of clothing help in alleviating some of the work involved in preparation for the next trip. I learned that I try to take too much, so learned to downsize. I have found it is sometimes easier to go to a local grocer near where we set up the camper and buy a few things, than the rushing to do it before leaving home. Hope you enjoy your "Cottage"! One does not have to go far from home to camp, and each place is different and like another "world"!
Hugs, Angel

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by 02kar 11 Jun 2015

You have been a great help thanks

A bucket with cleaning supplies and such. This way if the cleaners leak they are contained and if you need the bucket you have it. Anything that can leak I do something like this, I use those velco wraps and velco the dish soap to the pipe under the sink, it looks like a little hostage, but never had a problem, A good first aid kit comes in handy from time to time. Enjoy! We love ours.

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by 02kar 11 Jun 2015

More good ideas. Thanks

I am sure youns will enjoy every camping trip, even with small disasters, one thing I did when we had our 5th wheel, was to keep plenty of zippy storage bags available, different sizes. Because when we left the camper after a trip, my utensils and anything I used regularly went into plastic bags, for clean keeping. Also, anything I cleaned at home after use, went into bags & back into camper ready for next use. So all I had to do to be ready to leave home was get clothes & food ready, and go. It saved a lot of hurrying around and forgetting things. Also when I thought of something I wanted in the camper, I put it in at that time, rather than waiting and possibly forgetting it next trip!!! I wish we were still camping, but thats kinda hard with him in Heaven... Hugs, Judy...

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by 02kar 11 Jun 2015

I wish you could come with us. I hadn't thought of doing the prep for the next trip while cleaning up for home. Good ideas

I've always heard take it for a trial run, short hop to get the kinks out (of your thinking). Congratulations on your new adventure.

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by 02kar 11 Jun 2015

Yikes! My hubby has already committed us to a week of camping next month.

by jrob 11 Jun 2015

It's called a shake down. Shake down and out all of the problems. Take one even if it's overnight and 5 miles from home.

Congrats on your new camper. We camped for 30 plus years and loved it. Wish we were able to continue, but health comes first. Enjoy your camping days ahead and be sure and post pictures of your travels. Hugs Lynn

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by 02kar 11 Jun 2015

Thanks

don't have one but wishing you lots of fun on your new adventures,
happy and safe travels

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by 02kar 11 Jun 2015

Thanks

It really depends on how you want to cook while camping. When we go my darling husband mostly does all of breakfast (outside) and any meat we are going to have on the grill. I have a large griddle for him to cook bacon or sausage and eggs on. A fry pan, 2 medium pans with lids to cook on the stove. My motorhome has a convection/microwave combo, but I also have a 20x12 approx toaster oven. That way I can bake potatoes in it outside and it won't heat up the inside. Get one of those drying mats to put under your dish drain to use while washing dishes, since sink space is so limited. I also pick up my Keurig and take it with me for coffee. I have a pretty good bit of storage space so I have a drainer, chopper, cutting blocks, peeler, toaster pan, and I can't remember what else. Just work through your meals in your head step by step and include all of your seasonings you use. You will figure it out after you take one trip and "need" something. Have fun, we do! (Don't forget a hamper for laundry)

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by jrob 11 Jun 2015

Oh, take a vinyl tablecloth. Most of the picnic tables aren't very clean......birds and stuff.

by designgirl 11 Jun 2015

Also folding camp chairs for sitting outside and an outside door mat for when it rains to wipe your shoes on.

by 02kar 11 Jun 2015

Whoohoo, more great ideas.

Welcome to the world of trailers! Hubby and I have had a small trailer (17 feet) for about 10 years and I love it. Since my space was extremely limited, I could only take bare necessities. A good heavy frying pan, 1 large pot and a couple of small ones (for veggies, etc.), a coffee pot and a toaster are all that I have had, along with my mis-matched dishes :-) I know many more experienced campers will be able to give you much better ideas. I know you will enjoy this trailer for many years to come! Vida

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by 02kar 11 Jun 2015

Thanks You have been more of a help than you realize.

Congratulations, Karen...although we don't have a trailer or an RV...I know you will get lots of helpful tips from other Cuties....you will have a wonderful time!

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by 02kar 11 Jun 2015

Thanks I think we will because as much as my husband loves tent camping, I hate it. I told him before we married that I refuse to have to get dressed to use a bathroom. And I want a roof over my head when it rains.