I have questions about camping for any who camp

My advice is not to tent camp in a place in which bears are present. I have lots of bear stories, including tent-related ones, from camping in a state forest which was full of bears, many habituated to humans. I found out about the bears, and rented a cabin instead.
I agree.
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Here's my latest camping vehicle. That's a Four Wheel Camper shell model pop-up truck camper. It's got a huge bed, and a 20 gal water tank. Power is supplied by Li batts and solar. Other than sleeping we do our camping outside.

2 weeks ago NE of Ely, NV.
Thats awesome ! šŸ‘ Even an RV is overkill.
 
That really depends on who, or how many you're traveling with. In our case, 9 rescues and us would have a problem fitting in a truck camper. ;)


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Well yes! I meant if there’s only two people.
You have a huge family so require extra room. ā¤ļø God bless your soul.
P.S. that’s an adorable picture by the way.
 
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We’re booked at Douglas Tailwater Campground, about 3 hrs away in Kodak Tennessee, from next Friday 7th to Sunday 9th June.

Douglas Tailwater Campground

This is our site, and surrounding views…or it at least approximates this (the site photos when we booked were all the same for a lake front view).

We are inexperienced campers, hence the site has electric and water and the campground has basic personal amenities. (communal shower, toilet etc) We have basic camping equipment, but this is going to be our trial run so we know what we have too much of vs not enough or none of.

I’ll report again once we get there.
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We’re booked at Douglas Tailwater Campground, about 3 hrs away in Kodak Tennessee, from next Friday 7th to Sunday 9th June.

Douglas Tailwater Campground

This is our site, and surrounding views…or it at least approximates this (the site photos when we booked were all the same for a lake front view).

We are inexperienced campers, hence the site has electric and water and the campground has basic personal amenities. (communal shower, toilet etc) We have basic camping equipment, but this is going to be our trial run so we know what we have too much of vs not enough or none of.

I’ll report again once we get there.
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This looks perfect for your first camping experience. Hopefully they have canoes to rent so you can fully enjoy the pond/lake but even swimming in this lake would be fun. Have fun Ron & Ronnie. You deserve it.
Bring water toys. Something I forgot to add to the list I made.
 
View attachment 347994

Here's my latest camping vehicle. That's a Four Wheel Camper shell model pop-up truck camper. It's got a huge bed, and a 20 gal water tank. Power is supplied by Li batts and solar. Other than sleeping we do our camping outside.

2 weeks ago NE of Ely, NV.
A nice wagon. They're called 'Dismountables' or 'Demountables' here, but they're not very common in the UK. For smaller campers, we tend to go for a 'Panel van conversion'.

This is mine.... It has a hob / oven, fridge, hot water, blown air heating, toilet and two berths. Designed by a boat builder who knew how to make use of every inch of space.

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A nice wagon. They're called 'Dismountables' or 'Demountables' here, but they're not very common in the UK. For smaller campers, we tend to go for a 'Panel van conversion'.

This is mine.... It has a hob / oven, fridge, hot water, blown air heating, toilet and two berths. Designed by a boat builder who knew how to make use of every inch of space.

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I just sold a similar, but not as well built van built on a 4x4 MB Sprinter van, but it was not my style of camping. We do everything, but sleep outdoors and I much prefer the American made monster pick up over the MB chassis. The trucks range is about double that of the van which is key for Nevada where it might be 100 or more miles btwn gas stations.
 
againsthegrain,,We had slide in Camper back when gas was cheaper.

We took it to Canada for the 'fair' outside of Toronto,, than went over to an amusement park.
Took youngest son & his friend on that trip.

I think we used it 3 times.
The camper was used & it's corner over the bed started to leak.
Bought it home & parked it,, think someone took it away for junk.

Didn't start 'camping ' till when we got the the first ATV & went with son.
I think those first trips were in the upper peninsula of Michigan.

Always something different interesting to see when we travel with him. 🄰
 
Here in the UK, many roads are not suitable for American size RV's, 5th wheelers etc.. but even so, I've noticed more bigger caravans and motorhomes on UK sites. We use to visit the NW of Scotland until someone decided to designate the road round the north coast as the 'NC500'. Suddenly this appeared on everyone's bucket list and the problems began. Some of the roads are single track with steep and/or winding sections. It is not suitable for towed caravans or large RVs, but that doesn't deter some inexperienced drivers from attempting it.

Local residents along the route are justifiably angry at the inconsiderate and disgusting behaviour of some tourists from idiots in sports cars seeing how fast they can complete the route, to campers leaving rubbish and human waste by the road side - even camping overnight in graveyards to avoid paying for a campsite.
 
I think one of the things Not mentioned with Any camper is the fact IF you don't use the camper often.

Sooner or later you have critters in the drawers ,slipping out of places you didn't think about.

And Irish Spring soap does not work!

I found chew marks on the bar of soap.

Peppermint does work,, just the hard candies work.

Son uses the peppermint oil in his 5th wheeler.

Though it didn't stop a raccoon from moving in!

Hope all that will be camping this year have a wonderful time.

We certainly have great memories of our travels with our son & meeting folks.
 
Well my husband’s F150 just broke down. It’s what we were going to drive to our camping site. Don’t think we’re going to get it back before we leave Friday. We’re trying to figure out how to fit everything in my SUV with the seats down.

The dogs’ crates take up so much room. So does everything else….tent, two camp chairs, EZ UP screened room, large cooler, Coleman stove and propane, air mattress, fan sleeping bags, a bin of kitchen ware and another bin of miscellaneous (hatchet, folding shovel, dog tethers, 2 lanterns, tarp)

We did a packing trial run, and I think we’ve figured out how to get all of it in. Unless we’ve forgotten something.
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At least it broke at home.

Not like us,, clear up a Colorado Mountain,,,& BANG!

Blew a tire.
If I remember correctly it was the inside tire of the duals.

Son & husband changed it in the dark,, added by 2 of us holding flashlights.

That was just the first of bad luck for the night.

Road we were was wet,, somehow we ended up in ditch.
Far enough into the ditch that we could barley open the door.

So we spend the night sleeping at odd angles.

No cell service in morning had to go up mountain to find service & call a wrecker .

It was good that the RV was used because we put it in places that other folks wouldn't drive something that a big .
 
It was good that the RV was used because we put it in places that other folks wouldn't drive something that a big .
That's like us. I've put the motor home and 24 foot trailer in places it should never be. Like out in New Mexico. Was a little white knuckle-ish when it came time to leave and turn that rig around.


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Didn't mean to side track you with RV pictures.

Think we all posted ours to encourage you & Ron to have a good time camping .

I will admit camping with son's enclosed trailer was easier .

Once that big 'bus' was parked was nice to get out & see the country side.
I was chief cook & bottle washer,meaning cooking breakfast,, doing dishes.

IF we didn't find a restaurant before we got back ,, repeat of morning .

I could plan & freezer a few things ahead to take with us.
 
At least it broke at home.

Not like us,, clear up a Colorado Mountain,,,& BANG!
.
Wow this is very true! We aren’t going to be in the conditions you found yourself in when you broke down, but regardless being stranded several hours from home with an uncertain repair timeline would be very stressful.

I’m doing everything I can to reduce my stress, not add to it, hence this trip.
 


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