New Camper, New Shakedown

As I mentioned here, the first trip you take in a new camper is usually your shakedown cruise.  Typically it takes place close to home.  The idea is to see if you’ve forgotten anything that you can’t live without and to make sure that everything works right.  So, after we got our new (to us) camper home and loaded, we headed off to our new favorite camping spot for a two night shakedown cruise.

When I made reservations, I had a chance to pick a pull thru spot.  I was tempted, but I also know that I need to learn how to back in.  Our camper is only 21 feet long (our pop-up was 21 feet when it was all opened up – I think it was only 10 feet when it was closed).  However, when I’m trying to back into a spot, it seems like it’s so much longer!  I realize that I just need practice thus the back in spot.  I actually did pretty good this time and the sites are pretty level so no leveling boards required.

Setting up this camper is so much easier!  The beds just fold out, the slide is a button.  No cranking it up!  We get all set up and then wonder if we forgot to do anything!  We did forget a few things, but nothing major (garbage can, dishcloth, hot pad, paper towels just to name a few).  Honestly though, we managed – plastic store bags make good garbage cans, a washcloth can work as a dishcloth and a hot pad, and we had plenty of hand towels, just nothing disposable.

We were very grateful for the air conditioning!  It was a typical Florida day – hot & humid!  We tried to get out early to do our bike riding and geocaching, but it warmed up pretty fast!  The bike trail was a lot harder than I anticipated – sandy & grassy (in my defense it started out as packed sand).  It was a three mile ride and the kids did awesome (even though my middle child was certain he wasn’t going to make it to the end of the trail).

We enjoyed our new camper and are planning our next trip – also close to home just to be sure we really have everything.  Then we’re planning a couple longer trips.  What about you – do you camp?