If you’ve read any of the articles here you know that my husband and I don’t exactly travel light. We want the adventure but aren’t keen on discomfort. So if you are wondering what to have in the camper so you can just jump in and go (assuming you are glampers like us), then read on.
Getting started
I keep a master list in Apple Notes of all the standard things that we need for a trip, whether it is left in the camper or not. I’ve broken that list down into 8 categories; logical groupings of things we need to have on hand in order to have a great trip. To start the prep process, I copy the master list and put it in a folder on Apple Notes that is specific to the new trip, go through the list and delete the things that we don’t need to take. For example, if the dogs aren’t traveling with us, I will delete that section. That way I’ve got a list that is tuned for the trip we are about to take and I can be as efficient as possible in making sure we are good to go.
Cooking & cleaning
Cooking and cleaning items are things that we keep in the camper. If I bring something in at the end of a trip, I prioritize cleaning it and returning it to the camper as soon as possible. These things are dedicated for camping-only, so we aren’t carting them in and out of the house each time we are ready to hit the road.
Cast iron skillet and pot - Cast iron is perfect for cooking over a fire, it heats up fast and honestly, I cannot imagine cooking with anything else when camping. I like this set from Lodge. Be aware that cleaning cast iron can be a challenge on the road. I use a chain mail scrubber like this to do the job. Also be aware that when you cook over a flame the bottom gets soot on it, so be careful where you put it after you use it. I store our cast iron sitting on paper towels to minimize the risk of it getting everywhere. There is probably a better solution for that so post in the comments below if you’ve got something better!
Camp stove - in the morning, we heat water for coffee and tea on the camp stove to save the effort of building a fire. Check out this article to learn about the options we looked at and have.
Enamelware - our set includes plates, cups, tumblers, coffee mugs and a small saucepan. The brand we have is called Best Made and it is beautiful! Enamelware lasts forever and won’t break if you drop it, so while it can be a bit pricey, I think it is worth it.
Silverware - I bought a cheap set and a small bamboo box to keep it in. Perfect for the two of us and enough if we have someone over to our site for a meal.
Cutting knives - You need to have good ones that you leave in the camper. I recommend a paring knife as well as a knife to cut vegetables or meat. I also have sharpening stones that we travel with to keep the knives and axe sharp (but even I will admit that these may be a bit over the top!).
Cutting board - I think that HC includes one in both the HCT and in the kitchenette in the HC1, but if you don’t have either remember to bring one along or you will be using a picnic table and pulling slivers out of your food before it goes into the pan.
Kettle - Yup. My husband is English and he has to have a cup of PG Tips to start each day so we travel with this kettle. And it’s also great to help in my morning coffee…
French Press - I know… it is completely impractical. Ours is glass and even though we’ve yet to break it, I’m thinking of buying this one which is stainless. My company is less than desirable without my morning coffee and there is something lovely and civilized about a French press on a picnic table.
Stirring/serving spoons - I took a couple of trips without this essential item before I realized I was just making my life difficult. Dedicate some to the camper.
Burger flipper and tongs - these are obvious but again, I forgot these on several trips and had a major headache preparing meals so they are always on my list to check.
A tray - I know… But we have found that it can be super handy to move cups, plates and silverware about with a tray. Glamping, yes. Critical for everyone, no.
Aluminum foil - I’m paranoid about not having enough so I travel with like 3 rolls. Great for storing leftovers or making hobo packs that can go right on the fire. Don’t leave home without it.
Cleaning stuff - this includes large green trash bags for waste, paper towels, spray cleaner, a dust pan and brush (I love this vintage inspired version at Food52) as well as dish detergent and scrubber sponges. Pretty much everything you’d need at home and remember - never, ever, ever leave your trash at the campsite. Leave it better than when you got there.
Dishtowels - I always have 2 that I leave in the camper. I love the ones that Anthropologie offers - they are eclectic and mine are made from a nice cotton which is absorbent. Good for wiping dishes and acting as an oven mitt.
Bedding & linen
I’ve made mention in a few articles that I am a real baby when it comes to sleeping in the Happier Camper. Believe it or not, we travel with…
2 bed toppers
1 pillow for my husband and 5 for me
A fitted queen size sheet for the bed
A wool camp blanket & a down comforter or in the summer a cotton blanket
2 towels
I know it’s ridiculous and that this is not camping. I embrace my glamper nature and honestly, if I sleep well then I’m going to have a great day. My husband will tell you this is the smartest stuff we travel with :) and everything stays in the camper. At the end of the trip the linen and towels come in for a wash but they go right back out again.
Campfire stuff
I love a campfire… Is there anything better than sitting around a fire with a cup of your favorite beverage, watching the flames ? I think not. If you are camping in a state or national park, you will need to buy your firewood at the camp store but we also travel with one cube full of firewood for places we can use it. Things we do bring with us are:
Kindling - our spring clean up tends to put us in kindling for the season but we also have a fire pit at home that can go through the supply fast. If we can’t bring our own wood and kindling to a site, we will split some of the camp store wood with the axe.
Fire starter - camp stores have them too, but I like to keep some with us for back up. I like this article on how to make your own (super easy) and you can also buy fatwood to get your fire started.
Paper & lint - Even with a fire starter, I always use paper and that old Boy Scout stand-by, lint.
Matches - of course. Or a lighter.
Axe - I bought my husband an axe so he can use our wood to create kindling and to maybe fight off a serial killer should one visit our campsite. And because I love the Best Made brand, I bought him one of these.
Security stuff
First of all, if you are traveling with someone you should each keep a set of keys to the camper on you. That’s our rule anyway which we created right after we managed to lock ourselves out of our camper on a weekend camping trip which ended up costing us $200 for a locksmith to come visit us in a state forest. I’ve talked with people who keep a spare set in a magnetic box that sits under the camper somewhere but I’m honestly too chicken to try this. With my luck, someone would immediately check in my hiding spot and have access to everything in the camper or we would hit a bump and it would dislodge somewhere on the highway.
There are two locks on both the door and if you have the HC1, the hatch, and we have found them to be very good. In fact, we are pretty sure someone tried to pop the back hatch with a crow bar when we were away from the camper and they didn’t get in.
I do want to say that the question of security is very personal and you should research this topic thoroughly (and by thoroughly I mean lots of sources other than this article) and choose the things that make you feel safe and confident. I’m probably going to do an article dedicated to this topic, but for now, here is what we have in the camper, ready to go for our next outing:
Proven Industries Coupler lock - this fits over the trailer coupler and it prevents anyone from being able to attach your camper to their tow hitch and ball and to drive off with your baby. Yes, they could still push it on to a flat bed truck, but we feel that is low risk.
Brake Controller - Maybe not strictly a security item but it is definitely a safety one. Check out this article on towing to get the low down on why you want one.
And that is it. We used to travel with a wheel clamp but every video I’ve been able to find shows that almost all of them are ridiculously easy to break off, so it doesn’t seem worth the hassle. And besides, we got lazy and stopped using the one we were bringing with us. Proven Industries has one that looks very robust, but based on how we camp it doesn’t feel like it’s something we need.
Connecting stuff & Fuel
This is a category of things that we keep in a cube so they are close at hand.
Extension cord - in case we are at a campsite with shore power
Hose - in case we need to top up water, we have this one from Terrain which is extremely light weight and they come in great colors
Fuses - never know when you might need those…
Toilet inserts - we keep 2 spare packs in the camper
Chargers - this includes two iPhone chargers and an Apple Watch charger - dedicated to the camper because I think we might come to blows if we didn’t have the right device chargers for both of us to use simultaneously
Propane - Yes, we have one in the camper mount but we keep at least one extra if we are camping for anything more than a weekend. Make sure you top it off before you hit the road! The HCT mount is for a 10lb Flame King.
Toiletries
We keep body wash, shampoo and conditioner in the camper. We each bring a small toiletries bag with us for toothbrushes, toothpaste, pony tail holders, etc. There are a couple of things extra that we keep in the camper that you might not think of…
Shower shoes - I cannot recommend strongly enough that you keep a pair in the camper. It’s great to be at a campground with a shower block but I’ve seen some weird colored grout at those places so be safe and wear a pair.
Quarters - There is nothing worse than getting into the shower and you start to undress only to realize that it takes quarters if you want water, which as you know is foundational to taking a shower.
Hair dryer - I don’t bring one on weekend trips but if we are going for a week or more, I bring this along. Getting that hot shower is so sweet and being able to engage in some proper personal grooming feels awesome when you have been camping for a couple days.
Outside the camper
I’ve seen some amazing set ups out there but we are pretty minimal on this piece (although I know a certain FB group member who will roll his eyes at that statement - he is the perfect minimalist). Here is what we keep in the camper to use… outside it.
2 deck chairs with pillows - Having comfortable chairs to sit in is really important. I love these and they don’t leave the camper until end of season. I’ve seen a couple of people post about a heated chair and it looks pretty awesome, so we may have to try it this coming year.
A low table - I got a table on Food52 that rolls up into a bag, is super easy to stow and is the perfect height to sit between the deck chairs. They aren’t offering it right now but I will update this link if I see it come back.
Bug zapper - this needs no explanation.
Candles - I love candles and have a bunch I leave in the camper.
Plastic rug - I’m not sure what we will do this coming season, but previously we camped with a very bright blue, yellow and orange striped plastic rug. I definitely like having something that helps keep muck out of the camper but this is a little visually overwhelming so I may swap it out this coming year.
Dog stuff
Last but not least, if you are camping with dogs you need to be prepared. The only things that we leave in the camper are stakes with a long lead, dog waste bags and a copy of their vaccination records as most campgrounds that accept dogs want you to show these when you check in. And just as we pack our food the night before, we pack the dogs’ food along with ours. The last item we bring when the weather is warm is this cold mat for our big girl. She gets hot fast!
Any questions about what we bring camping? Post in the notes below and I will let you know!