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Veteran
Posts: 243
 
Location: Maine | I made the the jump up to a small living quarters 2-horse trailer.(Bison Trail Hand) --- I have never owned an LQ before. My husband and I are reviewing all the literature it came with and learning what we can, in preparation for my first big trip. (Big for me, 8 days!) I am looking for any hints, tricks, ideas to help make my trip pleasant and easy, and also any suggestions that will help keep my trailer in good shape.The LQ area is quite compact, this is most definitely an entry level trailer! It came equipped with a fridge, sink with small counter top and a microwave. It has a shower stall and a toilet. Looking for accessories that are specifically designed for RV - coffee maker, etc? Are there some nifty gadgets I should look for? Thanks! |
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Expert
Posts: 3802
  
Location: Rocky Mount N.C. | First thing I would do is set everything up at home and live in it a couple of days at home before you make the first camping trip. Make a list of the things you need for the trailer. Don't run in the house a grab what you need, make the list, go to the store, purchase the products, leave them in the trailer... Soap, towels, plates, silverware, salt, pepper, etc, etc... Only then will you know first hand what the do's and don't's will be... Try to keep up with your fresh water usage, when it's all gone, it's gone!! What you going to do when the black and grey tanks are full, some things to think about... |
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 Veteran
Posts: 197
Location: AZ | Welcome!! I call our LQ the 'BunkHouse' since we basically sleep and eat in it..most of the time we are on 'the front porch' under the canopy chatting with friends or napping. Some appliances will need a generator: Microwave and AC while others will run off of battery. Check the power needs of your coffee maker, toaster, etc. I use a camping auto drop coffee maker on the single burner, makes a pot in about 10 minutes-enough time to feed the horse, clean up, etc then it is done. Ditto to the above poster about having doubles of everything. We have been at it a year and are still finding little things to get for the LQ.
Edited by AZgrulla 2013-06-04 5:02 PM
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Regular
Posts: 73
| IF there is no cooktop in your LQ, you will need a camp stove. I recommend a Coleman with Instastart, so you don't need to dig out matches every time. Get the kind that uses the little propane fuel bottles, but get the adaptor to run it from a larger propane tank. Also suggest a camp stove table to put the stove on. I keep paper towels, cookware, etc on it, plus, it gives you something to put the ingredients on while you're preparing food. There is one similar on Kmart's web site, called "gigatent Pack N Go Prep Station", it's 69.99. |
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Veteran
Posts: 243
Location: Maine | Thanks. These are all great suggestions. I am totally green when it comes to this stuff. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 736
Location: Western WA | Ditto on the trial run at home in your driveway. Only you will know what you will need, and a trial run is the only way to find out what you don't know. Have fun!I recently acquired a Verisimo Starbucks latte machine for my LQ horse trailer. Its less than 6" wide. Travels on the floor of the LQ but when camp is set up takes up just 6" of counter space. If lattes are part of your daily routine, I highly recommend a Verisimo. Pod-type latte machine. |
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Veteran
Posts: 243
Location: Maine | Oh, how fancy! A Latte Machine! I will have to give that some thought  |
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Veteran
Posts: 243
Location: Maine | We hooked up the water to make sure the water heater works,which it does, but discovered the shower head is cracked :( We can fix it with super glue, but I am going to contact the dealership for a replacement. We also cannot get the fridge to run on the propane. You can hear the electric ignition on the for the pilot clicking and smell propane, but it won't ignite  |
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Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA | If the LQ has sat unused for any length of time, it may take several attempts to ignite the refrigerator. The heater uses a relatively little volume of gas to warm the ammonia, and any air in the line takes a bit of time to work its way through the burner. You can pull the exterior body panel off the back of the fridge and remove a protective plate that allows you to view the burner. Sometimes bugs and dirt will obstruct the gas flow from the orifice. Using a vacuum cleaner and soft brush, these can usually be restored to an operating condition without any mechanical repair. Accessing the burner will also allows you to view the igniter's operation, to see if the spark is sufficiently strong enough to ignite the fuel. If there is an initial flame and it goes out, the thermocouple may not be accurately placed and may only need to be tweaked into place. Once there is a flame, it can be verified that the air/gas mixture is correct by the size and shape of the flame and its colour will determine if the mixture is correct. |
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Veteran
Posts: 243
Location: Maine | Thanks - great information. I will have my husband take a look. He's an electrician and is semi-competent with this sort of thing. And yes, it was a leftover 2012, so sat around for at least a year before I got it.
Edited by barstow 2013-06-05 8:45 AM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 368
Location: Georgia | With regards to getting your fridge to run on propane...make sure your trailer is level. Not only will it have difficulty lighting if the trailer is not level, it can damage the fridge if ran while not level. (Goes for using on electric as well.) |
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Veteran
Posts: 236
Location: Little town in Pa | MY LQ is small also so minimal is the word to live by. For instance, when packing medicine, you don't need a whole box of benedryl, just a dozen tablets should do. And you and your horses can share most first aid. One towel a piece is enough, just remember to hang it to try. Also try to share as much as you can with your husband, get a shampoo and soap dispenser in the shower and then just leave it in there, everything you pack in your trailer should do at least two things. For instance, your tack box can be a step stool as well. A horse cooler is a great lawn blanket, Bring one good pair of riding boots and one pair of around the camp shoes, that is enough, bring a light coat that is a rain coat as well, I like the prepacked Maxwell house coffee packets, they are expensive but are convenient for the trailer. I just use a couple old rags to wipe up the floor at the end of the day, Windex cleans everything. You will drink more fresh water than you think so pack plenty. Don't kid yourself thinking that you need to pack nice clothes, your are camping, not going to the white house. Pack a hammer, vice grips, duct tape , voltometer, screwdriver with several bits, wire ties, stretchable leak fixing tape for pipes, grill lighter, flashlight. When you get back, think of the things that you did not use and get rid of them. Oh earplugs. A small spray bottle of bleach for the nasty septic hose chore. Sunscreen, people bug spray, hat, cell phone charger, broom to clean out the horse compartment so you can use it as a mud room for boots and coats while you camp. I am sure I will think of more. |
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Veteran
Posts: 197
Location: AZ | All great advice!! Another trick we have learned is that we no longer take an entire case/flat of water bottles. rather, we have one of those 5 gallon jugs from HD (igloo and coleman make them too), buy 4 gallons of water and one bag of ice...we refill water bottles off that and I use it for cooking/coffee too. Also, when done camping, whatever is left over, I water the closest tree/bush. All we take home is the empty jug. |
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New User
Posts: 3
| We've found that having a laminated list of items to keep in the trailer is handy as well. Keep the list in a closet or somewhere handy. A grease pencil or dry erase marker to mark on it. Then before you leave you've got a check list of items to verify that you have them onboard. Also, make sure you've got all your tire changing tools. |
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Member
Posts: 12
Location: Naugatuck, CT | I too, will be getting my 1st ever LQ! So excited, but I have horsed camped for the past 12 yrs and the last 5, at a privately owned horse camp. I have a 27 ft travel trailer there, so I leave stuff in there and only bring food and clean clothes back and forth. The easy thing with the trailer being home to pack, is its 2 less trips from house to truck! You can also start up the frig the day before, by plugging into the your house. You will need a "dogbone" adapter to plug into electrical outlets, toilet and sink drains need the RV sewage neutralizer, toilet paper made for RVs, extra fuses for everything! all those can be purchased at walmart! I also have the water filter that attaches to the hose before it comes into the trailer, where your "city water" goes, theres a separate hole for the holding tank fresh water. It too comes from walmart, much cheaper than RV stores. you may need a adapter to attach the waste hoses to your waste outlet, also walmart. when it is home stored, mouse bait, and the hanging dehumidifier packets, keep windows cracked to keep air flowing, except in winter months. Be sure you get someone knowledgeable to winterize it, or you'll have a issue in the spring, that is if you live in that kind of area. you'll need small garbage cans for inside, with bags, and an larger one for outside, but if you can where there's lots of wildlife, it needs to be out of their reach! FLASHLIGHTS and batteries are a must! Save all burnables for the campfire to save on trash, paper, food, etc. one easy trick for breakfast is to crack some eggs into a zip lock bag, put what you want in, cheese, peppers, ham, etc. place in boiling water and waa laa omelette! Coleman makes a great fold up grill Roadtrip. You can get accessories for the top to covert from grill to burner for reg. pots/pans. you can get the rubber type storage containers and pack coolers, sheets extra gear and keep in the shower when traveling. I'll think of more!
It is soooo much fun! |
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Member
Posts: 12
Location: Naugatuck, CT | also, purchase a water hose that is drinking water safe! The green ones are not! I only used these for my horses also! |
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Expert
Posts: 1723
Location: michigan | I also keep another set of stuff in my trailer. I prefer paper plates and plastic forks/knives/spoons. I have a espresso machine in the trailer-one must be civilized even while camping. A keep all toiletries,make up,hair products etc in there. However- keep in mind you have only so much storage space. I don't like clutter so I have figured out what I really need and what i don't. Only time and experience will guide you. |
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Veteran
Posts: 243
Location: Maine | So Much Good Information! Thank you all! We have been trying things out. Ordered a new shower hose thing from the dealer. We are going to try out the toilet today. Got the fridge going (thanks Gard!) --- More questions. Should I get those little stick on level things to put on the trailer to make sure I park it level? And if so, where is the best place to put one? Here's a towing question. This is a very small LQ with no mid tack -- The walk through door from the bathroom opens right into the first stall. I am only traveling with one horse for this trip. Would it be ok to put my horse in the second (back) stall rather than the first stall, so that I can use the walk through? |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 342
Location: MS | Someone said tire changing tools...make sure you have one of those cross wrenches. The wrench that comes with your tow vehicle probably won't fit the lugs on the trailer tires. And one of those drive on trailer jacks, like Jiffy Jack, are wonderful!
I also carry some nails, screws and a small ratchet set. Extension cords, ropes and spare snaps. Bungee cords.
I think I am going to get one of those retractable clothes lines, too! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 656
Location: Rayne, LA | Most of us use the first stall for our stuff even if it is a 2,3 or4 horse. |
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Veteran
Posts: 243
Location: Maine | I have one of those tire change things- that lifts one wheel off the ground -- but good to know about the lug wrench.Leaving a week from today! Cannot wait! |
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Veteran
Posts: 197
Location: AZ | We carry two lug wrenches...one for the truck tires and one for the trailer tires. The jiffy jacks are great...they not only can be used for changing tires, but it can be used to level the trailer.
Edited by AZgrulla 2013-06-09 8:07 AM
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 Veteran
Posts: 218
Location: Ohio | I would invest in a torque wrench and a socket to fit your trailer. Trailer tires need to be tightened to a specific amount of torque, too much or too little and the lug nuts will loosen up. I have talked with semi drivers that have said they have seen horse trailer tires come off going down the road. You should periodically check the torque on your wheels just like you do the tire pressure. Most RVers will carry a torque wrench in their tailer tool box.
We also bought a portable air compressor that will run off the truck battery. If you have to put some air in a tire, it can limp you to a repair shop. You don't want to mess around with the wheels and tires, literally, your whole investment is riding on them. |
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Veteran
Posts: 243
Location: Maine | I have an electric compressor that will hold a small amount of air, -- I plan to bring that. Dumb question. Will the outlets in my trailer operate off the battery if it's charged??Sorry I really don't understand all the systems. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 656
Location: Rayne, LA | By saying outlets I assume you mean the 120 volt. They will only operate with shore power or a generator. I do have a little air compressor that operates on 12 V ( truck / trailer ) batteries |
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Expert
Posts: 1723
Location: michigan | Using that first stall for extra storage is the best thing ever. I'd add a stud wall to keep dirt ( read- manure) straw,shavings..etc from getting in there and eventually into the LQ ( if you don't already have one.) |
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Veteran
Posts: 243
Location: Maine | Would a stud wall have to be a proprietary thing? Or are there after market studwalls, or do I have to have one custom made? I sure like that idea of making that front stall into a mid-tack when not being used for a second horse. |
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Veteran
Posts: 218
Location: Ohio | You can get them both ways. Some are soft sided as well. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 399
Location: Ottawa, Illinois 61350 | If you have a two horse Bison; the divider should be a telescoping divider; which makes it impossible to use the standard lower half divider, due to the telescoping feature of the divider. You would have to have a fab shop make you something that would telescope along with the divider. We have used hanging rubber mats that move when you telescope the divider, but this method isn't ideal. |
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Expert
Posts: 1723
Location: michigan | we just made them out of stall mats. Drilled the holes, placed the mats on the divider and used carriage bolts to secure. Heavy enough not to allow something to roll under. |
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