Staying in a non-LQ trailer...

[IFG]

We are car campers, so I used to bring a tent and camp. Worked quite nicely. I have since learned about hammocks, and I might strongly consider one for the trailer if I were to overnight now.

https://www.rei.com/product/754769/eno-singlenest-hammock

You can get these lights that are solar powered:

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=luci+light&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=31656888157&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10058667756844517896&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_85kzfniy77_b

[Dance_To_Oblivion]

I have a Walmart futon mattress in my gooseneck, have a small extra battery charging thing for my phone, and this adorable lamp for light:

http://www.amazon.com/Fatboy-Edison-the-Petit-Lamp/dp/B007VX9CD0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1462849478&sr=8-1&keywords=petit+edison

I love sleeping in my trailer

[Outyougo]

In your first post you mention you have children. SO

Baby wipes (unsented)
More socks
More clean undies
Socks
a few big towels
baby wiper
V8
Granola bars
Socks
Socks

[Foxglove6]

Do any of you that camp in your trailers have trouble with condensation on the inside? I’ve considered camping in my tack room but the mat gets very wet with condensation when it’s the right temperature differential.

[pony_grandma]

You can get your tack areas insulated. It helps alot! Why I love love love the weekender pkg we have - everything can stay stored, no dampness, no mildew, even all the show tack, bedding it stays stored in the trailer yr round. It also helps keep it cooler in summer warmer in the earlier/ later months.

[fordtraktor]

I sleep in my trailer sometimes. The best things I’ve purchased is a battery powered fan! Not sure how hot it will be at this particular HT, but it makes an 80 or 90 degree night survivable. I am cheap and I like sleeping near the horses. And it’s come in handy a time or dozen – can’t tell you how many times I hear a lot of banging around and then jump up and go figure out whose horse is cast…so I prefer not getting a hookup because they are often far from the barn. You can often park a trailer pretty close to the barn at a lot of places, which works great if you have everything on battery.

I try to get my DH to watch the kids and just bring them for the day until they are a little older…it will be fun when they are a bit older but for now, pretty sure it would be total chaos.

[Robby_Johnson]

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not stay in your dressing room without proper ventilation. People suffocate in these more than you think. The open roof vent and small sliding bus windows do not provide enough ventilation - particularly if they trailer is aluminum as it is an excellent conductor of heat, and may be significantly warmer than the ambient nighttime temperature. If you’re going to do this, use a screen door and a fan to circulate air. Please do this for me, so I won’t worry about you! Otherwise, welcome to my worry list!

[soloudinhere]

[QUOTE=Foxglove6;8656698]
Do any of you that camp in your trailers have trouble with condensation on the inside? I’ve considered camping in my tack room but the mat gets very wet with condensation when it’s the right temperature differential.[/QUOTE]

My horse area is insulated, and that’s where I sleep, so no condensation.

[Stormers85]

[QUOTE=Robby Johnson;8656798]
Not to be a Debbie Downer, but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not stay in your dressing room without proper ventilation. People suffocate in these more than you think. The open roof vent and small sliding bus windows do not provide enough ventilation - particularly if they trailer is aluminum as it is an excellent conductor of heat, and may be significantly warmer than the ambient nighttime temperature. If you’re going to do this, use a screen door and a fan to circulate air. Please do this for me, so I won’t worry about you! Otherwise, welcome to my worry list! :)[/QUOTE]

Don’t worry! I was thinking about that…I’m planning on sleeping in the horse section on either a hammock or cot. That way I can lock both escape doors and lock the ramp, but have the top halves of the doors open so plenty of air. I don’t have a screen door on the dressing room, but would definitely not close myself in like that.

[Stormers85]

Thank you all so much for your input. You have no idea how much all the links, tips, and experience sharing has helped! I will definitely be making some purchases in the near future. Our original plan was to all go as a family, but the closest hotel that had an indoor pool (for the kids) was going to cost around $400 and was 20 minutes to the show grounds. Since I’m on my own that would mean driving back and forth nonstop to feed and check on P. It’ll be SO much easier to be on the grounds with him.

[Jeannette_formerly_ponygyrl]

[QUOTE=Robby Johnson;8656798]
Not to be a Debbie Downer, but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not stay in your dressing room without proper ventilation. People suffocate in these more than you think. The open roof vent and small sliding bus windows do not provide enough ventilation - particularly if they trailer is aluminum as it is an excellent conductor of heat, and may be significantly warmer than the ambient nighttime temperature. If you’re going to do this, use a screen door and a fan to circulate air. Please do this for me, so I won’t worry about you! Otherwise, welcome to my worry list! :)[/QUOTE]

Really??? Are you sure you’re not thinking of the people who die in the winter from improperly vented heaters??

[GotMyPony]

I horse-camped a lot of weekends for endurance and competitive trail. One thing that you might appreciate is called a “Luggable Loo” - you can order it on Amazon for under $20. It’s a plastic toilet-seat-with-lid that snaps on to the top of a 5-gallon bucket (like a sheetrock mud bucket - you can buy them empty at Home Depot). Put a kitchen trash bag inside then some lightweight kitty litter or shavings in the bottom and it’s great for middle of the night peeing (which seems to increase with show nerves). It beats walking around in the dark looking for the porta-potty.

Also, if you have any twin beds in the house, one twin mattress is pretty easy to carry and works well in a gooseneck. Have fun!

[enjoytheride]

[QUOTE=Robby Johnson;8656798]
Not to be a Debbie Downer, but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not stay in your dressing room without proper ventilation. People suffocate in these more than you think. The open roof vent and small sliding bus windows do not provide enough ventilation - particularly if they trailer is aluminum as it is an excellent conductor of heat, and may be significantly warmer than the ambient nighttime temperature. If you’re going to do this, use a screen door and a fan to circulate air. Please do this for me, so I won’t worry about you! Otherwise, welcome to my worry list! :)[/QUOTE]

This should really only be an issue for someone running a malfunctioning propane heater in their trailer.

Either way, a CO2 alarm stuck to the wall close to the floor is an excellent safety idea.

Condensation is due to lack of insulation, you can “easily” add insulation yourself.

This FB group has everything you need to know

https://www.facebook.com/groups/912876135499961/

[pony_grandma]

@GotMyPony;8657373

One thing that you might appreciate is called a “Luggable Loo” - you can order it on Amazon for under $20. It’s a plastic toilet-seat-with-lid that snaps on to the top of a 5-gallon bucket (like a sheetrock mud bucket - you can buy them empty at Home Depot). Put a kitchen trash bag inside then some lightweight kitty litter or shavings in the bottom and it’s great for middle of the night peeing (which seems to increase with show nerves). It beats walking around in the dark looking for the porta-potty.

or … http://geekologie.com/2016/01/restroom-on-the-go-car-tire-toilet-seat.php :lol:

[MtnDrmz]

@kelo;8655641

The showgrounds I go to have bathrooms (most with showers) but a camping loo could be made too (5 gallon bucket + super heavy duty construction plastic bags + kitty litter).

lol!!! I was literally camping this weekend and hate having to bundle up to walk to the toilets in the middle of the night. I think I will use this next time to save me the trouble! And that just means I can drink more wine around the campfire since I wont be trying to avoid midnight wake ups!

[fanfayre]

For the back of the trailer, get a tarp, a small one will do, and lay that on the floor of the trailer. That way your feet, clothes and bedding will stay shavings-free. Then place your cot or other bed over the tarp. If it’s going to be cool, go to a $ store and buy yourself an emergency foil blanket and use that between your cot and your bedding. It will help to keep you a bit warmer.
Also. see if you can find an inverter, then either take along another battery or connect to your trailer battery and you will have power for your cooler, maybe a kettle, etc. If you’re concerned about wearing down the battery you could also pack a solar charger. It’s how I stay at events in my trailer.

[vineyridge]

And one tip: the single most useful item for me is a good headlamp. They are invaluable.

[Feliz]

I’m another one who has camped a lot with my horses, both at events and more casual things. No power in my trailer but I live in a temperate climate and don’t camp in winter when it’s really cold.

Essentials:

• Headlamp & spare batteries
• Comfortable chair to relax on
• Appropriate clothing, footwear & bedding – warm & waterproof options
• Work surface for cooking etc – my new trailer has a great bench which has made a huge difference!
• Kitchen things: cutlery, plate, bowl, mug, wine glass, sharp knife, tiny chopping board

Organisational things that make it a bit easier:

• Pre-mix all horsey meals, but also pack some spare in case horse is really hungry (I do not want to be rummaging for supplements in the dark)
• Bathroom bag and flip flops – I use a mesh bag that fits a clean change of clothes, a towel & various toiletries. Everywhere I’ve camped has had some kind of bathroom/shower but often they’re fairly basic. Being able to hang the bathroom bag up off the wet/dirty floor and shower in flip flops is a Good Thing. And always try and shower before it’s gets late – so much easier to be motivated to do it before it’s 10pm and pitch dark!
• Meals that are nutritious but easy – I can’t exist just on snacks for a weekend away so I pre-make stuff that’s good either cold or quick to reheat eg rice salad with veges & nuts. I just use a smaller chiller & ice to keep things cold.
• Yummy food and drinks to share with my fellow campers! Don’t think I’ve ever been to an event where I haven’t made friends with my neighbours

[Watermark_Farm]

Mt gooseneck trailer tack room is my camping spot. I have a set of lights connected to a marine battery for nighttime use. Best investment I made. You can live well if you plan ahead!

[NMK]

I used to stay in the gooseneck all the time. Lots of great info. I just wanted to add that the solar shower is a really good idea. I just attached it to the upper part of the window in the trailer, and moved the shavings. One time the water got so hot I almost could not use it! Really, I don’t know what I would have done without it. Plus, it cleans the horse trailer too. Park on a slight slope and you will love it. Put it out on the trunk of your truck to head up. I think Walmart has them for cheap.