Teach me how to CAMP out of the RV.

[philip_g]

I would look for an ultralight backpack setup list. That should fit in an RV.

Something like this https://www.greenbelly.co/pages/ultr...ckpacking-gear
Obviously tailor to your needs. Don't forget some kind of folding chair and something to cut and split wood
Unless you have a -10 then take everything you can imagine

[BillL]

Originally Posted by philip_g

I would look for an ultralight backpack setup list. That should fit in an RV.

Something like this https://www.greenbelly.co/pages/ultr...ckpacking-gear
Obviously tailor to your needs. Don't forget some kind of folding chair and something to cut and split wood
Unless you have a -10 then take everything you can imagine

I used an MSR Hubba Hubba NX tent at OSH this year and right out of the box. It stayed in place and did not leak a drop. I would get the larger version though, that can keep your gear inside and dry. A vestibule is ideal for getting shoes on and off protected. Having camped with the Boy Scouts nearly a hundred times in all weather, this tent was appreciated.

I also use a coleman liquid gas stove, but the back packer two piece style is better. My backpacking son uses the little butane bottles style. The fuel is heavier than the stove. Light is good, and b'packer gear is durable and light, and in the aviation unit $ category as expected. What you carry with for personal gear falls in the same category. Remember, isopropyl alcohol is a good deodorant. :-)

I might move up to an air mattress though, sleeping on rocks is not as much fun as 50 yrs ago.

[PhatRV]

Originally Posted by roofus4

I am taking the month of May off. I want to do a long trip in the RV, but in this time of Covid19, I?m worried about where to stay and whether any hotels or lodges would even be open. Camping comes to mind.

I?ve never considered it before now. I would be starting from scratch. I have absolutely nothing in regards to camping. I need ideas for everything! Tents, sleeping equipment, how to eat, how to pack it in the RV, and even suggestions on things like camping etiquette.

Then where to go? I live in TX. I?m thinking Idaho, Washington, or Oregon.

I know I?m asking a lot of questions, but thanks for your suggestions.

My suggestion for a complete novice is to try car camping for one or two nights in your local national forest using the various lists posted in thread. Try and fit all your gear/food inside the trunk of your car as though it is the RV baggage compartment. If you find that you are missing something, put that in your list before embarking on an airplane camping trip. If you find things you don't use, then leave them out.

Personally, I used to backpack a lot so my camping supply list is very minimal and light weight compare to most people.

[philip_g]

When I had a sr22 I dropped my backpacker friends off in the rocks here in co a few times and picked them up later on through hikes. They like the big Agnes tents and the tarp tents

Op didn't mention what rv he has so I'm working under the assumption it needs to fit in baggage.

Costco locally had the boxes of mountain house freeze dried food for about 80 bucks, that would be nice to have in a pinch.

[BobTurner]

+1 on the advice to try it out locally first. Everyone is different. As a long time backpacker I?d be happy with a sleeping bag (synthetic, not down, if there?s any chance of rain), closed cell foam pad, and a gor-tex bivi sack. The wife, otoh, wants a tent large enough to stand up in, air mattress, two burner stove.
BTW, someone else mentioned the -10 and airplane camping. In 2017 we flew to OR to see the eclipse, and camped at the airport. Carried the standing room 4 person tent, another very small tent for privacy around our port-a-pottie, two burner stove, sleeping bags, air mattresses, ice chest, etc. And 4 adults. Had to only take 50 gal of av gas, and watch cg with loading, but the -10 flew fine. This is one of the things it was made for! Felt sorry for all those stuck in traffic as we left to fly home. As to carrying gas: I?ve used the aluminum bottles made to backpack gas, never any issues in the plane or backpacking to 14,000?. Just keep in mind not to throw them in the plane unrestrained. In an ?off airport landing? you don?t want these things flying around the cabin.

[catmandu]

From your profile, it looks like you have a -7? If so, plenty of room for most comforts for a few days, especially if it is just you. Lots of good advice, mine is to get a tent sized one person bigger than the occupants (3 man tent for 2 people, etc,), and get a quality one that will stand up to the weather. Enjoy your VSTLOA!

[Pilot135pd]

Originally Posted by Bcone1381

....I think the best advice I can give is to experiment in your back yard. When you think you have it down, go camping someplace near by. I mean cook, and purify water, and sleep. You will bring stuff you don't need, and leave home stuff you do need.

I'm here in East Texas if you want to test your skills. www.facebook.com/vacamooairport/

Once you get everything sorted out in your back yard and in the RV you could fly here since it's close and in a controlled friendly environment. Although we have toilets and showers, you don't have to use them for your test camping, but then you might and that will tell you where you want to camp in the future, with or without showers. It's all free too so it would give you an idea of what to expect and go back home before you take on a long far away trip.

[Berchmans]

I have some experience with camping and I would recommend using a Go-Kot and Thermarest pad over any type of on the ground air mattress or pad. Works on sand, gravel, rocks, tundra...you name it...I also recommend a 4 season tent, Northface VE25 or Cabelas Alaska Guide Model 4 person...

this is my camping list abridged...

Tent
Stove
Cooking & Eating Untensils
Bottles of Propane
Water Bag & Filter
First Aid Kit
Tarp
Water Proof Matches
Small chairs
100 Rope (Parachute cord)
Sleeping Bag
Hiking Boots
Rain Gear
Head Lamp
Binoculars
Day Pack
Jacket
Shirts
Pants 1
Underware
Gloves
Socks
Water Bottle

Personal
Tooth Brush
Tooth Paste
Comb
Soap
Book
Towel

[swjohnsey]

Another thing to consider is that some tents require staking which might be difficult/impossible on a ramp.

You can go very light with some effort. My entire base load, everything except food and water came to 10 lbs, enough stuff to live in the woods for days at a time. This included the pack.

[aturner]

Do you know about the Airfield Guide project?

https://airfield.guide/pilots.asp

Or the Recreational Aviation Foundation?

https://theraf.org/

-Andy