New Sunline Owner

[The Hohmans]

Hello All, I am a pround new owner of a 2001 27' Sunline camper that I purchased from my Uncle. I always wanted a camper and with the excellent care they have given to this camper it was a no brainer. My question is I have been out of the camping loop for about 7 years now and was looking for a little checklist of some must haves to make our first Memorial Day trip as smooth as possible. Would love to hear your ideas.

[Sunline Fan]

Welcome! What type of checklist are you looking for? Packing? Set up? Things to do?

Jon

[Poppy & Nana]

Hi Hohman's - Welcome to the "bestest" forum on the net.

Hope you enjoy your Sunline as much as we all do!

[The Hohmans]

I am looking for a nontraditional checklist of some of the things a first timer would forget...rugs for the entry way, citronella candles, lights for the awning, ect. I have the food and regular supplies all taken care of.

[Gene]

Everyone is different so a list would vary from person to person. After countless years in a tent, about 5 years in a pop up and now about 7 years in our Sunline, I am still working on my list.

+ Some 2x8 boards or plastic blocks (Lynx levelers) for side to side leveling.

+ Carpenter's level.

+ Wheel chocks for both sides. Put them in place BEFORE you unhitch.

+ Water hose and a pressure regulator. Some campgrounds have high water pressure and most trailer water systems don't like high pressure.

+ Small broom for sending the sand back outside.

+ Ice cream in the freezer. (ok, that varies with the person)


etc. ......

[clueless campers]

This checklist is very extensive. Look it over to see what you want or need. Be sure to pack supplies for indoor activities in case of bad weather.

If you're fortunate enough to store your Sunline at home, many suggest spending a night or two at "camp driveway". If you forgot to pack something, you can quickly retrieve it from the house or make a list of needed items.

Maybe you could ask your uncle what items he removed.

Welcome to SOC and TT ownership. Enjoy your "new" Sunline!

[Jim-Bev-2363]

I always enjoyed the impulse buying while camping. For instance, we'd always find our way into some camping supply store for killing time looking around, before going back to the campsite to sit and do nothing, I would usually find something to buy. We didn't need no stinkin list, LOL!

[Poppy & Nana]

Gene - that website is fantastic!!!!!

I will need to work on it when I have a bit more time!!!

Thanks!

[rebellious78]

Welcome to the forum!!!

I have never used a premade checklist. I just make my own and add/delete items as I go. After a while I find myself not needing a list anymore. If I forgot something, chances are we didn't really need it to begin with.
The only problem we have now is since we bought a second camper...I tend to leave something in one when I need it in the other. LOL. Just gives me a reason to go shopping and get new stuff.

[Jim-Bev-2363]

God made shopping to get us off our ....... couches.

[Gene]

Originally Posted by Poppy & Nana

Gene - that website is fantastic!!!!! .....

I think you mean the link from clueless campers. Yes it is a great checklist.

[Poppy & Nana]

Originally Posted by Gene

I think you mean the link from clueless campers. Yes it is a great checklist.

Opps my mistake!!

[awellis3]

Originally Posted by The Hohmans

Would love to hear your ideas.

Main thing: Pad and pencil to write down what you should have brought but didn't.
Odd items: 1)After an infestation that took a year to clear out, we always carry ant spray. We spray everywhere the trailer touches the ground; tires, stabs, front jack.
2) Carpenter's shims (wood wedges) used to level cook stoves and grills on picnic tables. I use them to level the RVQ on the side of my pop up as well.
3) Pruning saw to cut firewood.
4) Garden kneeling pad to use while working dump valves.
5) Several old bath towels.
6) Y-connector with shut offs to hook to the water spigot. Allows you to draw water w/o unhooking trailer.
7) Disinfectant wipes to clean public toilet seats before use.
AND - Assorted document clips (black spring clips with silver handles). Use to hold trash bags in cans, hang patio lights, reseal potato chip bags, clamp table cloths, hang towels - endless uses.

Bon voyage!

Teach

[The Hohmans]

Wow!!! Thanks to everyone. This is exactly what I was looking for. Memorial Day Weekend can't come soon enough.

[JohnB]

Originally Posted by awellis3

Odd items: 1)After an infestation that took a year to clear out, we always carry ant spray. We spray everywhere the trailer touches the ground; tires, stabs, front jack.

Teach brings up a good point for those new to camping with a 120 VAC power line running into your camper. Especially around this time of year.

I did not have the infestation but I found them in time before that.

There is something about electric power cords on the ground that attrack ants to crawl up them right into your camper. I was shocked to see this as I never knew it. There was a convoy going on.... one by one single file up the cord and in the camper. I just made it in time.

Now at the start of every campout I spray that cord where it touches the ground and a good 2 feet up the cord all the way around. Now since 2004 I have not had the issue return. And I have a back up can.

Son last year did not spray all the way around on his Pop up. Yup they got him. Came over at 11:00pm and said, Dad you have any ant spray? Mine ran out and hey are all over inside. I said oh boy did you forget? He said no but did not go all the way around the cord as I ran out before I could soak the cord. Thought I would be OK. Dealing with that at 11:00 at night and can't see, he will never forget. Mine learning experience was at least in full sun.

So history does not repeat itself... for sure spray the cord all the way around. And no tree branches touching the roof either. They come from above and below... In our area, end of May and June are the worst for ants.

Good luck and have fun

John