Need recommendations for outfitting my camper van

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TxGypsy

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I'm taking my new camper van on a short camping trip with my best little buddy next week. &nbsp;I'm sure that will show me some of the areas that I need equipment in. &nbsp;LOL....it will also probably make me glad that I will be solo most of the time too!<br><br>I'll be pulling a 14 foot cargo trailer with a motorcycle and 4 wheeler in it, so I'm going to have some extra space to haul things that I will want when I get to my destination and get set up. &nbsp;I won't be staying in towns except as I am traveling to my destination.<br><br>I'd like a recommendation on a 12 volt coffee maker. &nbsp;I have a stainless steel percolator and will be taking that with me, but I don't have a stove in the van and would like a way to make a cup of coffee without setting up some sort of camping stove.<br><br>I have this camping kitchen&nbsp;<a href="http://www.cabelas.com/product/Camp..._l=SBC;cat104795280;cat104754780;cat104248980" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.cabelas.com/product/Camp..._l=SBC;cat104795280;cat104754780;cat104248980</a>&nbsp; It does fold down and fit into it's own bag, but it is a heavy, bulky piece of equipment and I'm wondering if I wouldn't be better off with a sturdy folding table.<br><br>Recommendation for a comfortable folding camp chair? &nbsp;Anything that you wouldn't be without in your camper van? &nbsp;<br><br>Though I'm going to be pulling a trailer, I'm trying to keep the volume of stuff down to a minimum. &nbsp;I will be carrying 4 or 5 of the blue water totes. &nbsp;I'll also be carrying several gas cans. &nbsp;Non-perishable food items in totes(beans, rice, salsa, canned goods, rice milk, spices, etc.). &nbsp;I know how expensive everyday things are when you are in a 'tourist' area. &nbsp;So I'm not wanting to add a lot more to the weight in the trailer.<br><br>I'm trying to purchase all the things that I might need to order online while I'm still at home rather than trying to do so on the road. &nbsp;Thanks y'all!
 
Sounds like fun!&nbsp; For me,the must haves:&nbsp; 2 solar showers, camp chair(from walmart), solar outdoor lights (walmart), solar and battery powered radio, my small backpacking stove and a cast iron pan.&nbsp; oh, and a cooler.&nbsp; some other stuff too but once you get on the road you'll find out what you need and don't.&nbsp; <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; That kitchen from Cabelas looks nice <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">
 
Hey TxGypsy , what'd your mechanical problem turn out to be? Wasn't it you that posted yesterday that you were waiting at a shop for the diagnosis?
 
Yes, I had the van in the shop yesterday. &nbsp;I had the transmission serviced, an oil change and had them check out the rear end. &nbsp;I was afraid I might need a new fuel pump because my gas gauge doesn't work. &nbsp;They checked out the fuel pump and said it was fine. &nbsp;It is the sender unit that isn't working. &nbsp;Fixing this would require dropping the gas tank and be a fairly spendy repair. &nbsp;I opted to just continue resetting the trip meter and make sure I fill up every 300 miles or less. &nbsp;That should leave me with a nice margin of safety.
 
Thanks for mentioning a radio Katelynn! &nbsp;I almost forgot. &nbsp;I bought a life time subscription to Sirius satellite radio and I need to get a new 'car kit' so that I can have it installed in my van. &nbsp;<br><br>Solar showers....that will fix a problem I'd been pondering on. &nbsp;My shower in the van is a small shower pan with the toilet sitting in it. &nbsp;There is a shower curtain that surrounds it at about shoulder height. &nbsp;I have long hair and I was thinking that trying to wash my hair was going to make a big mess. &nbsp;There is no room to bend forward and wash my hair that way. &nbsp;I'll wash my hair outside with a solar shower! &nbsp;Thanks!
 
Buy quality. Buy heavy usage and higher weight capacity. No rust. Everything else is your style. Tell us what you want to use and maybe we can help.<br><br>James AKA Lynx
 
A tray on which to place your furry friend's water bowl (you will spill it, I guarantee!).
My Mr Buddy heater.
A battery operated fan.
A collapsible basin, available from The Container Store online (unless you have a sink).
A few bunjie cords.
Some rope.
Tools (at least the basics, including scissors).
An assortment of screws (including self tapping, I used one to drill holes) and washers.
A cork trivet (used as a cutting board, too).

Have fun!
 
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