The Cost of Outfitting our Hornet

Today I made the second to last purchase to get us campground ready! Since we've always borrowed instead of owned, it was quite a bit to buy to get c.g. ready. Exactly what you need will depend on your own needs, but there's the basics that everyone needs. Since our purchase included the special sway hitch, we didn't have to buy that extra. I know they run a few hundred dollars.
   
Total to outfit our new rig I've probably spent $ 150.00. YES! It CAN be done that way.
     Last summer I started a rubbermaid tub in my laundry room with camper items in it. I started with some stacking mixing bowls with lids at the local Walmart. As the late summer and winter progressed I started purchasing items along the way that I knew we would need for our camper. None of my items match each other either, like sheets and towels. I used items I already had on hand, and plan to purchase some newer items for my home. If you regularly use it at home, chances are you will want/need it while camping. It's perfectly ok to buy items of lesser quality as far as plastic plates, cutlery, and even a 29.99 set of pots and pans if you need them. Thankfully, for us, I was given several items that my family and friends were donating to Goodwill. I truly needed twin sheets! My house only had 4 total and I have 4 bunks. I found twin sheets in the package still from Walmart at my local Goodwill for $1.99 each. I have an extra set of queen sheets for the master bed, that don't fit b/c we have a deep mattress. They're perfect for the camper. I found a bag of 8 bath towels in my attic. When we moved here I bought new bath towels and just put the older kind of worn ones in a bag in the attic. Towels sometimes get fonkey camping, so these are perfect for the camper. I found pot holders for .25c at the dollar store on clearance. I don't care that one has a Christmas tree on it.

 You will need sheets, towels, blankets, pots, iron skillets, pot holders, plates, bowls, cups, cutlery, kitchen knives, a dish drainer, dish towels,pillows, rags, table cloths, all toiletries {I totally simplify my beauty routine at the c.g. I use just bar soap and some 2 n 1 shampoo and conditioner. I for sure take my facial moisturizer, with an spf in it though} Everyone needs a tooth brush, dish soap, cutting boards, cleaner {I make my own with white vinegar and water}. I'm using hospital blankets for the bunk beds that I've aquired along the way. The quilt on the master bed is one we used to use all the time, but got a new one for our bed a couple years ago. It's just an extra I had laying around. You will need entertainment items as well, I have not yet purchased anything like that except a deck of cards and a board game. You have to customize your needs to suit your family. I don't care that nothing is matchy matchy. I went for practical for me.

    The outdoor and technical items is where I've been most challenged in no clue what to buy or even what we need. Thankfully my fil is a wealth of information and you can find a ton of outfitting list in a simple google search. I bought a sewer hose, fil says you need at least 20 ft., I found it at Walmart for $29.99. You also need leveling blocks. Campsites are all different, and a level camper is a must. I bought Camco brand blocks from Amazon for 26$, along with wheel shocks for $2.99. I bought 4. Amazon has a ton of gear and on some items, like the leveling blocks , the best prices. I purchased a white rv water hose at my local Big Lots for 9$. You also need rv toilet paper. Some say you don't need the special paper, just septic safe, but b/c our rig is 8 years old, I'll stick with the rv paper. The cheap stuff is $2.50 for 4 rolls at Walmart. You also need toilet chemicals. I purchased some Camco brand that breaks down waste at Walmart today as well. It's $5.47 for a large bottle.

A large rug is suggested, but not a need to tear out camping. It helps keep dirt and mud from getting inside. Our awning is 20 ft. long, and I plan to purchase a large piece of astroturf at my local Lowes. The rug size I really want is almost 60$, but for now I'm purchasing a 17$ small one. I also bought a set of string lights for the awning at Big Lots for 12$. String lights are handy to have b/c most c.g.'s aren't well lit. 

Outfitting your rig can be as cheap or as expensive as you make it. Since I'm the Frugal Happy Camper, I went the frugal route. I wouldn't just buy something, like a sewer hose, just because it's cheap. There's cheap and inexpensive. You DO get what you pay for. 

I booked our first trip today and can't wait to get out there to test the "Mammoth" out!