Stocking Up For Camping

Two posts, Stocking Your RV, and Stocking Your Camp Kit dealt with what to put in your RV or camp kit.  This post deals more with the process -- the mechanics and timing -- of stocking up to take advantage of sales or bulk purchasing and to have what you need on hand when you need it without having to make a last minute trip to the store.   By stocking up in advance you can spread out your camping costs and can often also take advantage of special pricing to further reduce the cost.   Stocking up makes sure you have what you need on hand for each outing.  It also helps you keep your RV or camp kit ready for spontaneous outings and to meet your emergency preparedness needs in case of a disaster scenario.   You should definitely consider emergency preparedness supplies as you determine what provisions you want in your RV or your camping bins.  You may be able to take advantage of buying in bulk and re-packaging just what you need for each trip.  Large sizes are usually not necessary or convenient when camping, but purchasing things that have sufficient shelf life in quantity and in advance can save time and money.  You may be able to "go in" with a fellow camper to make bulk purchases to reduce costs and simply repackage the supplies in appropriate sized containers for your individual use.

Stocking up for camping can help you take advantage of sale prices and coupons and have things on hand for repairs and for spontaneous outings.   But you must consider the shelf life of the items you purchase.  It doesn't do a lot of good to stock up on perishable items. They are likely to go bad before you have a chance to use them.  For example, no one in their right mind would buy a whole case of bananas and put them in their RV for future trips.   But there are other things that do make sense to stockpile so you can replenish your RV or camping tubs as needed without an extra trip to the store.   If you wait until you're ready to go on a trip and have to restock, it can be time consuming and sometimes expensive.  Buying things on sale and spreading purchases over time reduces the over all cost makes the financial impact less focused.

What should you stock up on?  It doesn't always make sense to stock up on things.  Stocking up on seldom used items is usually just a waste of space and money.  However, stocking up on frequently used or expendable items has several advantages.  The first, at last in my mind, is convenience.  Having what I need when I need it without having to make a trip to the store is priceless!  In close second is the opportunity to save money.  I like to take advantage of sale prices to stock up on camping supplies and gadgets.  You also usually save money by buying articles at your local Walmart or other department store instead of paying inflated prices at small stores in resorts or other remote areas.

Non-perishable foods can be usually be safely stockpiled.  Canned goods do well unless you leave them in your RV in freezing weather.  Be sure to check them regularly and discard any that show signs of leaking or bulging.  Dry goods do best when re-packaged in waterproof plastic containers. Things like cooking oil, syrups, and honey have a pretty long shelf life but you'll want to check them regularly to make sure they're still good.  Cooking oil does go rancid after a while, especially in hot weather.  Syrups usually last a long time and honey has an almost indefinite shelf life.  It may crystallize, but you can warm it up in a pan of warm water and it will be good as new.  Don't microwave honey.   It damages its nutritional value.  Viable honey has been found in 3000 year old tombs in Egypt.  A good way to build up camping or emergency provisions without breaking the bank is to simply buy one extra can of something (soup, chili, stew, tuna) each time you do your normal grocery shopping.

Most cleaning supplies have a fairly long shelf life.  Things like dish soap, furniture polish, window cleaner, etc. are among the things I often stock up on.  I find an aerosol can of carpet cleaner is also good to have in my RV for quick cleanups.  I live in a rural area so it makes sense to stock up when we go to town.  Some toiletries also last a long time, but I've noticed degradation in lotions when they are exposed to extreme temperatures.  I have read some liquid cleaning supplies may begin to loose some of their effectiveness after about a year, so be sure to check them periodically.  Shampoo, hand soap, toothpaste, and deodorants usually last pretty well, although I have observed separation or thinning in some lotions and liquid soaps.

Some medical and first aid supplies are long lasting.  Things like gauze pads and triangle bandages pretty much last forever in sealed storage (unless insects or vermin get into them), but things with glue like adhesive tape and Bandaids don't fare so well, especially if it gets hot where they are stored. The glue either dries out and won't stick or gets wet and slippery and the Bandaid won't stay where it belongs.  Some medications have a long shelf life, others do not.   Aspirin will develop a vinegar smell as it gets old, but it is still probably safe to use although perhaps not quite as effective and would be better than nothing.  I usually don't store a lot of extra medications, even though an Army study found that most meds are good for at least 15 years after their expiration dates!   I do try to keep my on board medicine cabinet fully stocked between trips but having duplicate bottles of medication just takes up space and may go bad before you will ever use it, especially since we seldom get to enjoy our camping trips as often was we'd like to.  Most everything will last several months, but extreme heat and cold may dictate checking things more often.  To be on the safe side, when in doubt, throw it out.  When disposing of medications, do so responsibly.  Some should be taken to a pharmacy.  The FDA recommends that some be flushed down the toilet.  But the most common way of disposing of them is to mix them with an unpalatable substance such as coffee grounds or kitty litter (smashing or grinding them before mixing is a good idea, just don't inhale or ingest any of the dust!), then sealing the whole mess in a plastic bag or disposable plastic container before putting them in the trash.

Spare parts for camping equipment is a good thing to have on hand.  Most have an indefinite shelf life.  I like to keep a "bunch" of things like bungee cords, grommets, back-pack pins, lashing straps, and sleeping bag cord locks on hand.   There always seems to be a need for them.  I lost track of some of my stash when we moved and ended up paying something like $3.00 for two cord locks when I needed them in a hurry for an outing.   Then I stocked up on about 50 of them for $2.00 on eBay, so I'll be set for a while, if I can keep track of them this time!   Small, expendable and inexpensive items like this are perfect candidates for stocking up on.  I like to have spare repair kits for the pumps and generators on my Coleman stoves and lanterns, but they are a little pricey and they don't often go on sale.  Tent repair kits will come in handy and they are usually seasonal enough that you'll find them at end of season clearances.  I look for the ones with self-adhesive nylon patches. They usually include a variety of colors and can be used to repair jackets and riding gear as well as tents, sleeping bags, and back packs.  More comprehensive kits may include netting for repairing screens and metal sleeves for fixing shock-corded poles.  I've found it useful to keep a grommet kit on hand to add grommets to my RV "grass" mat or tarps as needed and for repairs to tents and backpacks.  They are fairly inexpensive and you only need a hammer and solid work surface (even a piece or two of firewood) to install grommets.

Lubricants and fluids for your RV, tow vehicle and/or OHVs are good to stock up on.   They usually have a very long shelf life so you don't have to worry about them going bad.  Since they are used often in routine vehicle maintenance they tend to get used up pretty quickly so it is good to have some extras on hand.  Also watch for good buys on Brake Cleaner.   I find it handy for lot of parts cleaning tasks when working on my RV and OHVs.  However, if you live in an area subject to cold winters, you may find that some aerosol lubricants will freeze up during cold weather so you may want to move them to your garage or workshop.  Aerosol cans can also clog up as they age so test them periodically and replaced items that can't be reclaimed.  If just the spray head is clogged you might be able to soak it in solvent to reclaim it.  Sometimes you can also purchase replacement spray heads where spray paint is sold.

Spare parts for OHVs and other toys are good to have on hand, especially those items that are frequently damaged like brake and clutch levers on dirt bikes and ATVs.   Spare master links are always handy for chain-driven vehicles.  Spare spark plugs are a must have for vehicles powered by 2-stroke engines.  Having extra throttle, brake, and clutch cables can also save you a trip to town -- and your weekend of riding.  Tire patches and extra tubes for your OHVs are good to have on hand -- along with the right tools and the know-how to use them.  I find that hot-vulcanizing patches work better than the simple "peel and paste" patches typically used for bicycle tires.  They may be a bit more expensive and take a little longer to use but given the quality of the repair are more than worth the extra cost and extra effort to install.

Tools are always good to have.  No doubt you will identify new tools you might need or want during your outings.  You may see something someone else is using or encounter a situation where you don't have the right tool.  Take advantage of sales and clearances to improve your tool box.   Tools to consider should include camping tools and kitchen utensils as well as traditional mechanical hand tools.  The right tools can make almost any task fairly pleasant while the wrong tools can turn the simplest task into a frustrating disaster!  And tools aren't going to do you much good if you don't know how to use them.  Adult education classes in basic auto mechanics are available in most communities.  Of course there is always the trade of between weight /space and utility.  Is it worth the extra convenience to lug around a lot of specialized tools?  When they are required for difficult and necessary tasks the answer is a resounding "YES!" but if there is any question and you have acceptable alternate ways of getting the job done you may not want to further burden your tool box.  I find Harbor Freight is a great place to get inexpensive tools to supplement my RV and motorcycle tool kits but I also try to take advantage of sale prices on Craftsman and Husky tools when I can find them.  You can often find good deals on tools on web sites like ebay and craigslist.  And don't forget your local garage sales.  They can often be a great source of slightly used tools at great prices.  Shop early in the day for the best selection; shopping near the end of the day will sometimes let you negotiate better prices.

General camping supplies are one of the things I watch for on clearance.   Propane cylinders and lantern mantles get used up pretty fast so I like to stock up when I can get a good price on them instead of having to pay premium prices in camp or on the road when I run out.   Other things like plastic egg carriers, metal camping mirrors, individual first aid kits, individual mess kits, tent stakes and just about anything else that might show up on a camping clearance are candidates for stocking up, especially things that tend to be disposable (though usually not by intent).  I sometimes take advantage of clearance prices to try out camping gadgets I don't have.  I am hesitant to pay full price for something I'm not sure about, but if its on sale for a couple of bucks it may be worth adding to my supplies so I can try it out.

Batteries are good to keep on hand, but they don't last forever, so be judicious in how many you buy at one time.  I like to keep at least a half dozen or so of each popular size (AAA, AA, C, & D) in my RV and in my motorcycle trailer.  I also keep a few extra 9-volt batteries for the smoke detectors. You'll want to test the batteries in your stash from time to time so you can toss out and replace any that are failing.  The last thing you need is to look into your supply and think, "I've got six D cells", then find they're all dead when you need them!  If you leave batteries in your flashlights between trips, turn one of the batteries around.   That way, if the switch gets bumped, the light won't go on and drain the batteries. Just remember to turn them back around at the beginning of your next trip.  I can usually find most common batteries at my local Dollar Tree, so keeping them up to date is not expensive.  While these are not premium quality batteries, I have found them to be adequate for camping and the low price keeps the cost down even if I do go through a couple of battery changes in an outing, which would be quite unusual.

I sometimes consider stocking up on larger camping items like tents, canopies, and sleeping bags when I find a particularly good price on them, like year end clearances or garage sales.   It isn't like I expect to need to replace these items regularly, but my penchant for emergency preparedness drives me to supplement my survival supplies from time to time.  Not only might I need them for family or friends, but they could be used to barter for things I might not have.  In some cases I have found it useful to have options when it comes to tents and sleeping bags . I loved using my little pop-up tent for overnighters with my sons' Boy Scout troops, but there are also times when a larger family tent is more appropriate and convenient.  I've begun to eye some new "front porch tents" that have a built in screen room on one end, just for the novelty and convenience and fun of using them.  I can't count the number of times my grown kids have needed to borrow camping equipment and it is always good to have some extras on hand -- and to have choices to fit their differing and changing individual family needs.   I find it good to have a choice for my own outings.  I picked up a little 2-man pup tent at a year-end clearance a while back and it was perfect to toss into the trunk of the car on a road trip last summer, giving us the option to stop overnight along the way. I would probably not ever use it for a regular camping trip, but it was really handing for a quick overnight stop.  Not every trip or destination is the same and having appropriate equipment for a particular outing enhances each experience.  Besides that, sometimes its fun to tryout different tents etc.  I sometimes justify purchasing extra equipment to have on hand for emergency preparedness . I'll either have stuff to for my family, stuff to share, or stuff I can use to barter for things I may need.

Camping appliances, like stoves, lanterns, and heaters tend to be rather expensive and they also have long useful lifetimes so they are also things I usually only buy extras of if I find really low prices.  I was tempted by a half price sale on a Coleman Dual-fuel lantern, but for a long time I couldn't quite justify the cost yet, even at half price . Dual-fuel lanterns run on Coleman fuel (white gas) or ordinary unleaded gasoline, making them ideal for home emergencies.  If I had to I could siphon some gas out of one of my cars to fill the lantern if I ran out of Coleman fuel.   The regular price is over $80 so even at half price they're more than pocket change.  I kept hoping the price would go down some more, but it never did.  I finally snagged the very last one at the end of the season at 50% off, figuring it is part of my emergency preparations as well as for camping.  I pretty sure it would have been gone if I'd waited one more day or maybe even one more hour!

Lighting options continue to expand as more and more LED and solar powered lights are coming on the market.   I look for innovative variations that will expand my options and enhance my camping experience.  Solar walkway lights are handy for marking tent stakes so you don't trip over them in the dark.  I've seen some at dollar stores, making them quite cost-effective. You can also remove the stakes and had a bail or handle to hang them in your tent.  I found some solar "patio lights" at a dollar store too and they make excellent tent lights. Just be sure to take any solar lights out in the sun each day to recharge.  If you've been lucky enough to set up your tent in the shade, you may have to move your tent-stake markers out into the sun during the day to keep them charged and functioning.  Seems like I can always use and extra flashlight or camp light!

Towels, linens, and bedding for your RV are some more things that it is convenient to have extras on board.  For many years we got by with old stuff we borrowed from the house and usually only had one set on board that had to be laundered. It is really nice to be able to change towels and linens without having to do laundry.  Microfiber dish towels have recently showed up at my local Dollar Tree.  Not only are the good for drying dishes, they work really well for cleaning windows and mirrors without leaving streaks.  If you are low on towels and linens you can usually find plenty at your local thrift store.  You might have to settle for unmatched sets, but what does that matter out in the boonies?

Camping clothes usually go on sale along with other camping equipment at the end of the season. That might be a good time to stock up on jackets, sweat shirts, caps, gloves, etc.   I started buying "hunter orange" clothing when I was riding a black and orange KTM dirt bike and I still like it because it makes me visible on the trail and I don't easily confuse it with my regular stuff.   You may want to watch clearance sales at the end of different seasons for the best selections for various climates. "Windchill" clothing, good for cooler weather, will probably go on sale in the spring or summer. Light clothing suitable for summer use will probably show up in the fall or winter.  I like having warm cozy gloves for winter tasks but for summer they would be too hot and clumsy so I try to make sure I have both kinds available.   I find it convenient to keep a pair of warm gloves in the pockets of every jacket.  If its cold enough to wear a jacket, its probably cold enough for gloves and I like having gloves that match my jacket and having them readily available.  Surprisingly enough, a lot of my gloves come from Dollar Tree!

Stocking up on camping equipment and supplies is also a good way to hedge your bet for emergency preparedness.  If things go bad in your neighborhood you'll probably find your camping equipment and supplies will be your best and perhaps your only way to survive.  If you have more than you require for your immediate needs you may be able to help your family, friends and neighbors, or use the excess to barter for things you run short of.

When and where to buy.  Always be on the lookout for camping supplies whenever you go shopping, but pay special attention to seasonal sales.  Year end closeouts usually yield the best prices. Season openers will probably have the best selection and sometimes offer special introductory pricing too.  I have found farm and ranch stores and department stores like K-mart and Walmart as well as sporting goods stores to be good sources of bargains at year end.  You can usually stock up on cleaning and supplies and basic OTC medical items any time at your local dollar store.  Military surplus stores can be a good source of sturdy clothing and equipment.  I am sometimes surprised at the variety of camping stuff I often find at my regular grocery store.  I once picked up a folding picnic table with an umbrella for $25 at year end closeout at Thrifty Drug (now RiteAid). Of course, don't forget garage,  yard, and rummage sales!

Online resources are becoming more and more popular and more and more competitive.  Ebay and craiglist are good places to look for used equipment and vintage items.  Amazon has an amazing assortment of goods and, with Amazon Prime membership, you get free shipping and often next day delivery.

Keep an eye out for sales and coupons that can help you stretch your camping dollars.   Coupons can sometimes be annoying to use but appropriate use can save you lots of money.  Also watch for "double coupon" days so save even more.  Some stores, like Walmart, will honor coupons from other stores, allowing you to maximize savings while minimizing running around.  Home Depot will not only match competitor's prices, but give you an additional 10%  off.

Have fun stocking up!