Must Do's for a Newbie?

JLH

Hey there, T@G Family!

This board is amazing, and I've been reading non-stop since I bought my 2023 T@G Boondock (5 wide). I brought her home yesterday and I am so excited to get started.

So here's the dumb question: what are the MUST DO's to tackle in the beginning? When reading the board, as a newbie, I'm not sure I can distinguish between what I SHOULD do right now and what would be an upgrade or tweak for later. Is there a list or thread you could point me to for the first MUST DO's? I didn't see one in the Newbie channel.

For instance, is it urgent to buy a moisture-barrier for the floor right away? Can a solar upgrade or battery change come later? Do I need a pressure regulator for the water? What do I need to do to launch? What will I screw up if I don't do it right away?

Thanks in advance for any guidance!

Sharon_is_SAM

I’ll start…

A water pressure regulator is essential for use at home or while camping with city water. Usually it is recommended to see how you camp before investing in too many upgrades like solar, lithium, etc. If you typically camp with hook ups, you may not need any or much solar. Some kind of leveler (Bal or Anderson vs blocks), chocks, stabilizer pads, water hose/jugs, extension cord(s), volt meter to check the battery, a surge protector/EMS of some kind for use while on shorepower.

ras

and 15A male to 30A female adapter and maybe 50A male to 30A female in case there's no working 30A power at your camp site. The 15A M to 30A F and a 10 or 12 Ga extension cord also allow you to plug in at home. Both normally available at Walmart or Northern Tool. I've never installed any moisture barrier. Keeping a window or two cracked and ceiling fan on low exhaust when we're in the teardrop has always reduced the humidity to a comfortable level.

JLH

@Sharon_is_SAM said:
I’ll start…

(Bal or Anderson vs blocks)

This is all great stuff. I'm checking out these now!

The_Rigger

Water pressure regulator is mandatory - I've always felt they should be included with any camper purchase. A 25' food-grade water hose is also a must-have.

Leveling blocks or wedges of some sort should be addition #2. I use the Andersen curved wedges and like 'em a lot.

A surge suppressor couldn't hurt, but a voltmeter or power checker of some sort is also a must-have. Get in the habit of checking the electrical power on the campsite pedestal (assuming you're not camping off-grid) BEFORE you plug the camper's umbilical in! Better to find electrical problems with a meter than with a fireworks display in your WFCO...

Bedding & cookware should be somewhere on your list, but in my mind they take a back seat to the above-mentioned items. YMMV...

ras

If you're not handy with electricity, a device like this can be a handy addition.
I have a CAMCO version that is also a surge protector for quite a bit more money, but just for testing, there are several manufacturers of testers like this: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Valterra-A1030CTVP-30A-Rv-Circuit-Tester/1883123306?from=/search

JLH

Thanks to you all! Working on it as we speak.

MrGneissGuy

Extra fuses.

JamesDow

Here is a post of the things I have purchased for my T@G.

Out of all, my lithium battery upgrade was the most beneficial.

https://teardrop-trailers.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/1665/listing-of-items-purchased-for-t-g#latest

https://teardrop-trailers.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/1278/changing-to-lithium-battery-with-standard-2018-t-g-non-boondock#latest

drsukie

I bought one of these right away for power pole protection, and it has served me well for 1.5 years now

https://amazon.com/gp/product/B098BBVJ53/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

JLH

Thanks, all!

JLH

@MrGneissGuy said:
Extra fuses.

@JamesDow said:
Here is a post of the things I have purchased for my T@G.
Out of all, my lithium battery upgrade was the most beneficial.

https://teardrop-trailers.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/1665/listing-of-items-purchased-for-t-g#latest

Holy cow, what a list!

JamesDow

@JLH - Below is one of my first posts.

While it may not be a "Must do", I have experienced no problems with the addition of indoor/outdoor carpet and would recommend. ( see below) Easy on the knees, saves the wood, especially when stacking the mattresses for a solo trip.

As far as must do, I would highly recommend an adapter plug. A 30 Amp cord is way over kill in my mind.

ABN 15A to 30A RV Power Cord – Male to Female 3-Prong 125V AC Camper Generator Cable Adapter Electrical Converter Plug

https://teardrop-trailers.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/558/indoor-outdoor-carpet-in-t-g#:~:text=Outdoor%20Carpet%20in-,T%40G,-Options

Lynnie_Barry

As a "Geezer" with a knee replacement, this gardening pad has been an essential aid when connecting and disconnecting our T@G, as well as when leveling the wheels. It conveniently stores in front of the battery box. It's currently on sale at Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EQFBZ7G/ref=twister_B07WGXVNBN?_encoding=UTF8&th=1

The_Rigger

+1 on the kneeling pad! If you don't want to feed the Amazon Monster, you can find them cheap at your local Home Depot/Lowe's/Menards, in either the gardening department and the flooring department (or both).

JamesDow

Yep, I use them (knee pads) too. Home Depot almost always cheaper than Amazon.

JamesDow

Just ran across a previous post of what I would think is a "Must Do"

Stove windscreen.

Cheap, lightweight, use often.

Below is a posting on making the windscreen.

I also have a backsplash that I made of wood, to mainly insulate the back wall from heat. I found that it can easily double as a taller windshield as necessary.

Again another cheap addition and easy to carry. (See photos below)

By the way, having some clamps comes in handy for many situations.

https://teardrop-trailers.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/824/backup-camera-stove-windscreen-galley-latches#:~:text=Backup-,Camera_Stove,-Windscreen_Galley%20Latches

_______________________

JLH

Thanks, all! I've already bought--and used--much of this.

CharlieNY

As for extra insulation under the mattress, cardboard has worked well for us. We got a battery-powered cooler to replace the YETI, that draws power from the truck or the shore power. The solar unit isn't enough the keep it powered, though. We use the YETI, too, since a sack of ice lasts a long time. If you are cooking outside in windy places, there are cloths available to shelter both sides of the galley when the hatch is open (I'm forgetting the name of the nice woman who makes them for T@G owners). An awning that you can spread out from one side (and stronger suction cups to attach one side to the roof) are a good investment, as is a portable table and portable chairs. A portable urinal is a good idea for us guys, as are flip flops for anyone who needs to run to the bathhouse in the middle of the night.
The big thing to remember, in my experience, is that you are traveling with a wonderfully cozy queen-sized bed with heat, AC, and music, and an outdoor galley. That's all. Everything else will be outside. Gracious! We could sleep for 24 hours in that cozy camper, but everything else will be outside.