Camping Your Way Tips

02/01/2024

A couple weeks ago here it was under zero degrees at night here.. what’s the coldest weather you have camped in?

01/27/2024

Is it Tater Bites or Brocoli??? Get your act together Kroger..

11/17/2023

What RV upgrades are on your wish list? Tell us one big ticket item and one small item?

11/07/2023

For me pulling a trailer is a serious thing that should be done properly and responsibly. I try and make sure that I not only have the proper equipment, but that I am also very alert as I am going down the road.

I am thankful that I have never experienced the “fishtailing” that I see so many times on the road. Sure, the camper may occasionally move a bit when a semi truck barrels past me, but it always gets back to normal within a second or two.

But my question is this: Do you feel the fishtailing while you are driving? It’s not a snarky question. I am just wondering because it can eventually happen to anyone not matter the equipment and I want to know that if it happens to me, will I immediately feel it in my truck?

09/22/2023

Installed these in the shower because Mamaw kept slipping and they have been working out great! They stick on very well and are clear, so they are barely noticeable. Not a huge mod and there are probably many other options out there but thought I would share anyway..



https://amzn.to/4548Gd2

09/16/2023

I saw on a post somewhere that someone used these to put more shelves in the camper. So I found them online. They supposedly support 16 lbs each peg, so shelves should be sturdy. Next I am getting some shelving board at Menards that matches my cabinets (close but not exact). I will have to cut the shelves to size but I’ll post soon on how it went. No drlling or screws and the shelves are removable.

09/13/2023

This is an excellent night light (under $10) for the camper in our bedroom. It’s not super bright, can be clipped onto different areas with gooseneck to get the light in the direction you want and it’s rechargeable.. my wife got one first and I liked it so I got myself one too..

I’ll post the link in the comments..

09/11/2023

When I backpack weight is everything, because I have to carry everything on my back and so I try and keep it between 50-60 lbs depending on the season. Although it’s not the same when we go out with the camper, we still do have a weight and space limit we are trying to stay under.

One way we saved space and weight was by switching the types of water hoses we use. We switched to Zero G hoses and I can pack a lot more hoses in the same space and it’s not as heavy. They are not as cheap as regular hoses, but they are certainly worth the investment if space / weight is an issue. They don’t kink as easily either and they come with a 5 year warranty.

There are other brands out there, but I have not used them so I can’t comment on them. I did see something similar at Harbor Freight the other day. There is also the debate of whether you need the RV safe version or not.. not getting into that today..

Check them out, I will post the links to the hose I got in the comments.

09/11/2023

Monday Fun Day! What is your favorite camping tradition? My wife and I’s favorite is cooking and enjoying breakfast outside on a cool morning after a solid night of sleep.. my kids favorite is the almost daily trip to the ice cream stand..
Two favorite times in the campground.. breakfast when the bacon is cooking and evening when the fires are going..

09/11/2023

Mosquito Wars: Maybe it’s just me, but this year it seemed like it was a little better for us in the mosquito war while camping. Maybe it was the smoke that kept them away or the fan we have by our camper now. I don’t think the actual count is down (at home it’s terrible) but we have been trying different things over the years.. we have tried all kinds of things and the mosquitos still show up. I prefer not to use sprays but if I have to use spray, I use this stuff: Repel Lemon Eucalyptus spray (https://amzn.to/3sR2msb).

What do you do in your battle against mosquitoes?

09/10/2023

I always see people asking questions on how to deal with ants in their campers..

We try our best to keep them out, but it eventually happens. More likely to happen if you’re parked long term.

There are probably many solutions and for sure there are lots of opinions, but this is mine:

I use this at home and in the camper and it’s always done it’s job. One or two is usually all it takes and within a couple of days they are gone.

TERRO T300B Liquid Ant Killer, 12 Bait Stations

09/09/2023

Camp more, and do it easier..

We try to go camping at least once a month from May to September. If I had my way, it would be March to November. To make it easier, when a trip is over we clean the camper up and get it ready for the next trip.

Many things (no food unless it’s canned) stay in the camper all season long (or they get washed and put righ back in) to avoid long unpacking and packing chores. That means we have double of some things that we normally use in the house. The way we have done it with out breaking the bank is by always being on the lookout for things we use on a regular basis at garage sales, clearance aisles and Facebook Marketplace.

What kinds of things can you be on the lookout for? Pots and pans, camp chairs, camping gear and more at garage sales.. Items like outside items go on clearance at the end of the season in most stores. We found tablecloths for $1 at Walmart the other day. Before you buy parts or upgrades for your camper, check FB Marketplace to see if you can save some $$. Instead of getting rid of old sneakers, unless they are unusable, they become camp shoes.

Another thing we have learned is that you don’t need everything people say you need. Pack less, get things that have dual purposes, don’t bring the kitchen sink, you already have one in the camper.. in the beginning, I would take everything I would “possibly” need because that is what I was taught to do.. then I realized that I did not use 75% of it.. there is a difference between being prepared and packing everything you will never use.. figure out what you really need and take that. Almost everything else can be improvised.

That’s all for today. Hope it’s useful.

09/09/2023

Got the Haloview rear wireless camera installed on our camper that came with pre-wiring for the Furrion camera.

Here is the camera system I use & the adapter kit for the Furrion pre-wiring:
https://amzn.to/3qYeyXH & https://amzn.to/3PuvmyQ

09/08/2023

RV propane quick connect was not working on our new camper. After some troubleshooting, I got it working..

This is the adaptor I use to attach the blackstone to the quick connect on the camper: https://amzn.to/3Pv1txh

09/05/2023

Reposted because the audio in the last post was messed up..

I saw this install on another Facebook post and I adapted the idea for myself by moving it from under the camper as the original post had it to the front. It’s out of the way and there was no drilling into the frame required.

I had to make my own U Bolts and you can see that video here: https://youtu.be/LjO2caxjug4

Here is the hose and elbow I am using: https://amzn.to/3PnURAL

Please like and follow us if you found this video useful.

09/01/2023

When I bought my first camper, a Rockwood popup, I was not given a walk though and it was a used camper that was sold to us "As-Is".

We were super excited to get out there camping and when we got to the campground, I filled up the water tank and as soon as we turned on the water pump water started pouring out of the water heater area. I had forgotten to check the anode rod. It had been taken out as part of the winterization process and I never put it back in. Furthermore, I did not have a socket big enough to do the job. I tried using the basic tools I had but no success.

I had to leave the campground in search of a store that had a 1 1/16" socket and some plumbing tape. The store had a socket but not for the ratchet I had so I needed an adapter as well and it was a deep socket, which made it very difficult to put the rod back in because the weight of the rod kept pulling it down and throwing off the threading.

I still use the same socket, which is stuffed with a paper towel now so the anode rode only goes in as far as it needs to and it doesn't fall from the weight, with the same adapter for my ratchet. Every once in a while, I still forget to put the rod back in before I fill the tank.

As the end of the season approaches, remember to remove and inspect your anode rod from your water heater to see if it needs to be replaced. But don't forget to put it back in when the season starts up again :-)

08/31/2023

Check out the “Pre-Trip Checklist” on our group page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1772121843203989/

It’s still a work in progress but it’s a decent start..

08/29/2023

I am starting to build a checklist for RV / Camper Maintenance. You'll be able to access it on the Camping Your Way Group.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1772121843203989/

08/28/2023

What are some of the ways that you adapt so that you can get out and go camping?

One of our challenges when going camping is making sure that we plan for the special needs of our daughter with Cerebral Palsy. That entails lots of things from the camper we picked to the sites we stay at, and it also means modified bikes, mobility equipment, adapting the way we do walks or hikes, etc..

But it doesn't stop us as a family from going camping, it just means we have to do it differently at times. That is the whole idea of this page: Find ways to make the camping experience work around your wants, needs and circumstances, so you can get out there and enjoy creation.

08/26/2023

What do you really get with a 50 amp connection on your camper?

The simple answer is A LOT more power!! No more excuses Scotty!

Here’s why:

With a 30 amp connection, you get 3600 watts (30 amps x 120 volts) to power all of your stuff, which includes refrigerator 40 watts, air conditioner - 1600 watts, water heater -1400 watts, microwave - 1000 watts, lights, fans, etc.. most people experience the main breaker on the power pole tripping if they run too many appliances at once.

With a 50 amp connection, you are not just getting an additional 20 amps (6000 watts). Well you are, but because everything in a camper is still 120v and 50 amp connections are 240v (they combine two 120v connections to get to 240v), the camper is wired to use both 120v wires in the power panel to be able to get 12,000 watts (50 amps x 120 volts x 2). So now you can run all those appliances and not face the same issues that you face with the 30 amp connections.

08/25/2023

Does your p**p stink? For the last few years I have just been grabbing the tank treatment stuff that was available at the local box stores. I figured they were all the same, but man I was wrong!

The most common one you find is the Camco TST Max and we tried both the pod format and the liquid. By the middle of the trip, no matter what we did, we were smelling it every time someone opened the flush valve. We have a black tank flush and would have to flush so many times to clean the tank thoroughly after each trip. We also tried the Walex Bio Pak and got the same results.

The best option by far and I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to use it is the Happy Campers treatment. We’ve had no issues at all with smells or trouble dumping and flushing the tanks.

Take it from me, fork out the extra cash and get Happy Campers Holding Tank Treatment, its worth it!!

https://amzn.to/3OPWVB2

08/25/2023

Quick tour of our new KZ Connect 241BHK SE camper.

The two big modifications mentioned in this video already have videos that you can watch.

1) Shower Retractable Door Install. https://www.facebook.com/61550498962065/posts/122095442612016632/

2) Kitchen Faucet w/ Water Filtration Replacement. https://www.facebook.com/61550498962065/posts/122096354420016632/

08/24/2023

I was moving my Haloview side cameras from my old camper to my new camper and I hit a roadblock. Since I wasn’t ready to buy new one given that these were only 2 years old, I got creative.

https://amzn.to/44olPgL
https://amzn.to/47OEm8U

08/24/2023

🚐⛺️☕️ Comment Below: What’s your favorite way of making coffee when you’re out camping? ☕️⛺️🚐

I love coffee and I have so many ways of making it: campfire percolator, stovetop espresso, the “coffee sock”, french press, k-cups, “cowboy” coffee and instant coffee.. in the past I’ve had a regular ol’ coffee machine and a fancy espresso machine..

Please like and follow our page.

Just a regular guy, sharing what I’ve learned from years of camping with others.

08/20/2023

Well, the shakedown trip was a success. Sorta.. ran into a couple of issues, one was my problem and the other is still a puzzle. First night we sprung a leak as soon as I turned on the water pump. Turns out I used the wrong type of reducer when I installed the faucet. A quick trip to Home Depot and the problem was solved.

Another problem was the locks. Even though the camper is “new”, I meant to lubricate all the locks before I left and guess what, I didn’t. They were so bad that at the end of the trip one of the keys actually broke off in the lock. Thankfully I bought extra copies. As soon as I got back I was able to remove the broken price and immediately lubricated all the locks.

Last problem still needs more troubleshooting. The quick connect is just NOT working at all. Not with the griddle that came with the camper, not with the blackstone, two different hoses and connectors. Tried “resetting” the regulator, and the safety shut off in the tanks. All other propane appliances work except the quick connect, solution is TBD..

Other than those items, we had a great camping trip. The weather was nice and it was pioneer weekend at East Fork. We were able to get past all the issues and still enjoy our weekend.