The best memories are made under the stars. You can upgrade your next family camping experience or weekend away with friends by using a tent trailer instead of dealing with the hassles of traditional tents and sleeping bags. Tent trailers are fun and comfortable. You definitely won’t hear any grumbling when you announce that your next big adventure in nature will be spent using a camping trailer instead of tents.
Are you looking for tent trailer camping tips? There are some smart tips and tricks that can help you love every minute of your next visit to a campground, beach, lake area or national park. These tips are especially important if you want to be safe, comfortable and happy while tent trailer camping with a family. Check out how to make amazing memories while enjoying a fun and affordable vacation or weekend trip.
Tent Trailer Camping Advice
You don’t have to be an expert on the outdoors to have an amazing camping trip with a trailer. However, it does help to know a few basics before you hit the road. The biggest piece of advice to follow has to do with packing. Being a smart packer can help you fit all of the essentials you need to enjoy a happy, comfortable trip. Be sure to create a labeling system that allows you to glance at bags and know exactly what’s in them without having to open everything and create a disorganized situation while you’re at your campsite. Use transparent bins or portable drawers for clothing, cookware and other essentials. You can even create a blueprint of the interior of your camper trailer that maps out where every item is.
The second big piece of advice to follow has to do with keeping your trailer stable while it’s parked at your campsite. Most campsites aren’t perfectly even. Your site may be sloped or set on a small cliff that overlooks great views. You may need to stabilize the tires of your trailer using wooden boards, shims, tire levels or wheel chocks that can stop everything from slipping downward into a ditch, neighboring campsite or body of water. This is especially important if you’ll be tent trailer camping in bad weather because the slippery, wet ground could cause your trailer to slide away if it’s not properly anchored down.
Don’t Forget The Extras
The final important tip to remember when you’re using a tent trailer to camp is to bring extra bedding and pajamas. Many people incorrectly assume that they will be warm and toasty at night just because they aren’t sleeping on the cold, hard ground inside a tent. Trailers do tend to be much warmer than regular tents. However, they don’t have the same level of insulation as traditional RVs. You’ll want to bring extra blankets to use at night if temperatures are expected to dip.
A Look at the Essentials
Everybody camps using their own style. However, there are some items that are universally essential when you’re using a tent trailer. Take a look at the easiest tent trailer checklist for camping:
- A small level for setting up your trailer
- Trash can
- Flashlights and headlamps
- Lighter
- Spare batteries
- Medicines, bandages, tweezers, calamine lotion, aloe and health essentials
- Rubber gloves
- Broom and dustpan
- Towels
- Kitchen sponges
- Hand wipes
- Bedding
- Cups, dishes and cutlery
- Skillet
- Stock pot
- Measuring cup
- Colander
- Skewers
- Ladle
- Chef’s knife
- Can opener
- Oven mitt
Items like spices for cooking, games to keep kids occupied and swimming essentials will also have to be considered as you personalize your checklist. The right time to start making a checklist is days or weeks before you leave for your trip. Be sure to have every person you’ll be traveling with make a list to ensure that nobody is assuming that others are already bringing along important essentials.
The Best Tent Trailer Camping Sites
Tent trailers can be used anywhere that travelers can use tents and RVs. There are definitely some places that are better for tent trailers than others. Be sure to look for a campsite that’s relatively even and level when choosing your spot at a campground. This will help you avoid the issue of dealing with a trailer that slides or rolls. You’ll also need a spot that has enough room for you to maneuver your trailer when you arrive and when you leave. It’s also nice if your campsite allows enough room for you to park your trailer and still have space to put out folding chairs and run around and play a bit. You can typically look at campground maps to discover spots that can comfortably accommodate trailers when booking your site.
Tent Camping vs Trailer Camping
Are you having a hard time deciding between tent camping and trailer camping? Both offer some great perks for people looking to enjoy the great outdoors and spend time bonding with friends or family. While both camping methods offer the experience of sleeping under the stars and waking up to the sounds of birds chirping, they aren’t completely identical.
Tent camping can require a bit more grunt work than sleeping inside of a trailer. You’ll need to set up your tent and prepare a mattress or sleeping bag before you can get some rest on your first night at a campground. There’s also the issue of having to sleep on the ground. Thick sleeping bags or air mattresses can definitely make the experience of sleeping on the ground more comfortable. However, people dealing with back problems or camping with young children may not feel good about spending the night on the ground.
Overall, Trailer Camping is a Compromise
Trailer camping is a nice compromise between sleeping in tents and dealing with driving a full RV. You’ll enjoy a nice indoor space that provides a relaxing place to rest and have meals. Different tent trailer manufacturers offer different features. However, some comforts are basically universal when it comes to what you can expect when renting or using a trailer. Trailers made by Coachmen, Aliner, Bunkhouse Trailers, Chalet RV and Cricket are known for providing tons of comfort and room for relaxation for travelers staying in very petite and efficient spaces.