On The Road – Camping on the Pro Bass Circuits — Part 2

The professional bass anglers’ wives are so full of knowledge and tips and tricks about the RV lifestyle that I couldn’t confine their wisdom to just last week’s Part One. Here’s a second installment that should help us as we prepare for our retirement plan, and I hope will prove to be valuable to anyone who wants to hit the road, with or without a bass boat in tow.

Do you cook in the kitchen, cook out or bring frozen prepared items from home?

Becky Iaconelli - I do both, but I try to pack pre-marinated meat to make my life easier for grilling. I will pack homemade frozen lasagnas or pasta dishes if we are on the road in the fall. We also try to check out the local mom and pop eateries but we don't really do chains or delivery

Debbie Morgenthaler - Yes to all those items.

Kayla Jocumsen - We do all three! We have a microwave and a gas stove inside which are both used very often. We also have a travel size Traeger that we love to cook with outdoors. Over the years I’ve also realized how helpful meal prepping before you hit the road can be. That way you’ve got some ready to eat meals on big travel days!

Kerry Short - YES, all of these.

Jennifer Lowen - I cook just like I’m at home. This is one of many advantages of having the camper. You don’t have to eat out unless you want to. 

Randi Gleason - We love to cook. We are from Louisiana so it's hard to find food that tastes as good as home cooking. We use our Traeger Tailgater grill for A LOT of our meals, for us and others, on the road (check out our latest TikTok with the Swindles about this). Other than that, we cook everything we would at home in our camper, except for frying. I don’t fry fish, shrimp, or chicken in the fifth wheel because it takes a while to get the smell out of it, LOL.

Robin Howell - I cook a lot in the kitchen on the road but during the summertime I prefer having a crockpot, a rice cooker, a grill, etc. just for the simple fact of not overheating the camper in extreme summer heat. They tend to be harder to keep cool in the middle of summer. This makes me so happy. I cook all the time as it helps to keep our weight down.

Five items you can’t be without.

Becky Iaconelli - Washer/dryer...residential fridge.....hot spot....generator (We all have the horror stories of campgrounds losing power on tournament nights. The boats need to charge even if we don't have lights)...bug spray.

Debbie Morgenthaler - Large outdoor mat, black tank enzyme, comfy outdoor chairs, coffee pot, DVDs for when there's NO reception. Number six is  stick on hooks.

Kayla Jocumsen – Number one is our bed gear, mattress and pillows! We swapped them out once we got the camper to make sure we were extra comfortable. Number two, my caraway nontoxic cooking pans and pots. Number three, my dog Roo obviously! ❤️Number four, hiking boots. Number five, our Nutribullet!

Kerry Short - Portable grill, exterior rug, door mat, fly swatter/bug spray, ice chest/cooler, lawn chairs and a broom.

Jennifer Lowen – Water and electric.

Randi Gleason - Small Ninja chopper (salsa, smoothies, dips, to crushing Oreos for a dessert), Blackstone grill, my favorite camping chairs for chilling outside, popup fire pit, and room air filter. Bonus: mofi internet and range extender to work from camper.

Robin Howell - Rice cooker, outside fridge for extra drinks, home size fridge, king size bed with my own mattress.

Something you thought would be super cool and ended up being useless.

Becky Iaconelli - Outdoor TV

Debbie Morgenthaler - Decorations, useless items that have to be stowed every time you move.

Kayla Jocumsen - Satellite TV! It’s a waste of money when you have so much outdoors to explore!

Kerry Short - There have been several things over the years - a bungee cord/over the door, towel rack from the container store, induction cook top for cooking outside, sewer hose support rack, countless dish drying racks. I’m still in search of one that works well for us! I’m sure there have been other small things that I just don’t remember.

Jennifer Lowen - We got recliners in this new one that are useless when you recline in them as they take up too much room. I would rather have a couch. 

Randi Gleason - Vac Seal for storing foods. We typically only buy enough for the week so we used that once and haven't used it since. 

Robin Howell - I never used our outdoor kitchen, not worth it. 

Something you didn’t think you needed but actually were or would be lost without.

Becky Iaconelli - A big sink...you have to wash all of your dishes by hand in the camper...little sinks don't cut it. Solar panels on the roof....I don't have to worry about the batteries draining. A must-have is a second AC unit. You won’t cook in hot temps if you only have one unit. I learned this the first year of camping with only one AC unit in Zapata, TX. The camper never got below 85-90 in the middle of the day. The kids and I spent time in the car that week so we could cool off.

Debbie Morgenthaler - Bottle Jack....you'll understand first time you have a tire blowout.

Kayla Jocumsen - A good relaxation chair to sit outside under your awning in!

Kerry Short - I can’t think of anything off the top of my head but I would recommend a really good flashlight, compass, tools/toolbox, Trailer-Aid - have used them all.

Jennifer Lowen - We would be lost without a grill. 

Randi Gleason - Residential dryer and portable washer. We got these at Christmas and cannot imagine not having them now. We spend so many months on the road and doing laundry in your RV is awesome. The portable washer plugs in to any outlet and the dryer also saves us from having to iron clothes. 

Robin Howell - Definitely needs automatic leveling system, and in the rare occasion that you lose electricity, a generator is so awesome to have.

What is the most important item you’ve ever forgotten?

Becky Iaconelli - Underwear....why is it always underwear that I forget to pack!?

Debbie Morgenthaler - All of Chad's ice packs for the boat.

Kayla Jocumsen - Nothing I can think of. The good thing about camping is that if you forget anything you can pretty much swing into a store and pick up what you forgot!

Kerry Short - The black tank chemicals and corkscrew.

Randi Gleason - Nothing, we typically pack too much.

If you travel with your kids, what advice can you give to make sure they stay entertained and engaged?

Becky Iaconelli - We travel with card games, board games and two containers of Legos. These items stay in the camper so they are fun and new when they see them again. We also travel with their bikes

Kayla Jocumsen - No kids yet!

Jennifer Lowen - Yes, I travel with kids and most important with us is making sure you’re on the water so they can fish, swim or look for beach glass and a park. 

Robin Howell - We always traveled with plenty of outdoor toys like bicycles, scooters, one wheels, basketballs, etc. so that they had plenty to keep them busy and of course they loved to fish everywhere we went.

Do you bring your pets with you and what suggestions do you have for others on doing so?

Becky Iaconelli - Yup we have our beast with us. I bought a bunch of those dog play yard gates and create a big, fenced area outside our camper. This way when I open the door, he is in an enclosed area so he is safe and does not run off and I don't always have to have him on a leash.

Debbie Morgenthaler - Two cats. It requires getting really crafty with the litter box.

Kayla Jocumsen - Yes! Roo is always co-captain! First rule is pick up after your pets!

Kerry Short – Yes. Our pups travel very well but getting enough exercise is ALWAYS a challenge while on the road and in a campground. Also, there are soooo many new things for them (different environments, critters, other dogs, strange people - it’s a constant adjustment). For exercise we walk A LOT at the campgrounds but our dogs love to just run, so I’ll usually load them up and go find a fenced in area where they can romp. I’m not big on dog parks and highly recommend school playgrounds, baseball or football fields (always checking all the gates first). I have even gone to a fenced in church/cemetery to let them run. Of course, we ALWAYS clean up after our pups and usually leave the places better than we find them, because my dogs will find everything left behind by others, that they shouldn’t pick up, and I remove it. I would also recommend a dog-specific first aid kit, along with their grooming tools and some sort of tie out for at the camp site. Most campgrounds require dogs to be on a leash.

Jennifer Lowen - Yes, my yellow lab Sadie travels with us. Lots of poop bags, dog dish and couple different size leads and stake out depending on lot size. Handheld vacuum for dog hair. 

Randi Gleason - Follow campground etiquette (use leash and pick up poo), make them comfy on the drive with their favorite bed, bring their favorite toys in the camper, and I use his bowls and food from home so everything feels familiar for him no matter what state we are in. Be mindful of outside temperatures when leaving them in the camper.

Robin Howell - We have traveled with our small yorkie for the last 12 years and having your own camper and places to walk your dogs is perfect for anyone who owns a dog. Poop bags, another item always a must on the Amazon with list.

Do you make friends at the campsites and then keep in touch and see them elsewhere?

Becky Iaconelli – Nope.

Debbie Morgenthaler – No. In 15 years this has never happened. Probably because we travel together with so many people. Mostly people camping have their own families and friends with them or they just want to be left alone. I think this is probably different for full-timers staying in one location for a long period of time looking for friendship.

Kayla Jocumsen -Since we mainly camp for our fishing tournaments, we always get to stay with our friends which makes camping that much sweeter! But we also tend to meet new friends along the way as well!

Kerry Short - No, not usually.

Jennifer Lowen – Yes, we make friends usually everywhere we go and keep in touch.

Randi Gleason - Yes. Friends and clients. It's so fun to get to travel back to certain cities to get to see them again. You'll find some incredible people on the RV journey.

Robin Howell - We have met so many nice people over the years and yes, we have quite a few friends in different areas from staying at campgrounds.

What are some tips you would give first-timers from the purchase to stocking the camper to cleaning, cooking and organizing?

Becky Iaconelli - Visit lots of campers, walk through a ton of layouts, walk through campers and have people show you how they stocked it, or what they did to make it better or livable. As you do this take note of what you like or what you think you would need. Start to visualize yourself in the space and if it feels like a space you want to be in. I personally find campers cold and sterile when you first get them. I don't think they are homey at all. I like to decorate to make it my own. I have rugs, pillows, wallpaper (stick on kind), artwork, family pictures, etc.

Debbie Morgenthaler - Only take and stock the camper with what you really need, no sense loading it up with "crap" because what goes in has to come out eventually. Keep it simple. RVs are rolling tornadoes, so secure EVERYTHING!!! Rule of thumb -- if you're not a gourmet cook at home, you won't be one on the road either. Pre-plan a menu, leave some nights open for getting together with friends or eating out. Everything else stays home. You don't need the emulsion blender!!!

Kayla Jocumsen - Every camper is so different, but organization is key! Get lots of storage bins and tubs that fit to your space! Make a checklist when packing and unpacking.

Kerry Short - WOW - Let’s see. Go to an RV show and look at campers. It’s the best place to experience all the sizes, floor plans, brands, options, etc. IF you plan on spending a lot of time traveling, you will probably want to replace the mattress. We use a sleep number mattress because 1) they are comfortable and 2) they will save a lot of weight over other types of mattresses. When you are stocking the camper it’s really important to keep weight in mind. They all have max loads and EVERYTHING adds up (DO NOT listen to Becky Iaconelli when it comes to stocking the camper….hahaha) For cooking, as far as the camper itself goes, I would get a convection oven - much better than the gas ovens. When organizing just keep in mind items may shift during travel (just like on a plane - but worse) The bathroom, kitchen and food storage areas are probably the most important for keeping this in mind. Don’t try to move things back and forth from the house to camper….go all in and purchase everything you will need for the camper (kitchen utensils, plates, cups, glasses, cookware, silverware, kitchen spices, toiletries, linens, etc.). Otherwise you’ll drive yourself crazy trying to remember what’s in the camper and what’s not.  I would also recommend NOT getting a camper with carpeting - get vinyl and use rugs.

Jennifer Lowen – When purchasing make sure the layout will work for your family. Stock only what you need don’t bring a bunch of BS, you have limited space.

Randi Gleason - It's so important to look at your family's needs and number of people and look at MANY layouts. I love the 'dollhouse' walkthroughs on the manufacturer's websites. I narrowed it down to about 10 layouts and then went and walked through them in person. Before deciding on a dealer to work with, ask questions about service after the sale. All campers are going to have some service needs so be sure to ask about service. We chose Bayou Outdoors because they had the model we wanted in stock and their service department was top notch to their clients. Your first trip, go somewhere close and test it out. Start making a list of the things you don’t have. Then go on your first adventure. 

Robin Howell - It’s funny how over the years we have learned that we really don’t need that much stuff! I had all the extras in the early years and at the end of using it and selling the camper, we would unload it to find so much that we never used. I think being a minimalist is the best!

What is the maximum amount of time you could stay in your camper and why?

Becky Iaconelli - We have done it for months and I can't say it has ever gotten old.

Debbie Morgenthaler - The maximum time we spent in the camper was 10 months. We were homeless. The maximum amount of time I would want to stay in a camper is 6 to 8 weeks.

Kayla Jocumsen - As long as you want! There is no time limit. It’s whatever makes you comfortable. We spent 4 years straight living in our truck camper. We loved it!

Kerry Short - We have stayed on the road for 6 weeks and I have no problem going longer. Everything that I need would be with us.

Jennifer Lowen - I can live in my camper year-round, I tell Bill all the time let’s just sell the house. 

Randi Gleason - When on the road, I don't get homesick and could stay. Our longest stint is 3 months without touching home base. But once I know we are going home, I'm ready to get there. 

Robin Howell - We have stayed in a camper for nine weeks at one point and I think all of us were a bit stir crazy, but then again that was four people and a dog. I think if it was just the two of us, I could stay in it that amount of time and not have a problem.

Do you miss your home when you are on the road and why OR why not?

Becky Iaconelli - I do begin to miss the space of being at home, but really, I just miss my shower.

Debbie Morgenthaler – Ok, I'm going to decipher the hidden question: “If Pete and I sell our home and go full time on the road will we miss having a home?” YES YOU WILL!!! Personally, I don't advise RV long term living. 

Kayla Jocumsen -Everyone gets a little homesick sometimes. Depending on your space size you can have all the amenities of home with you if you’d like!

Kerry Short - Probably more so now than I used to because it is something that we have built together, post tournament fishing, and HOME means more to me now as opposed to when we traveled all the time.

Jennifer Lowen - I love traveling. When we’re home we feel like we should be gone. Only thing I miss about home is our family. 

Randi Gleason - The thing I miss the most is our friends back home and probably our shower, LOL. For both Darold and I, we cannot wait to take a long shower with never ending hot water. This is how we make our RV feel like home: cozy throw blankets, plush bathroom rug, the same sheets and bedding from home, lamps (crazy but they make a difference), and using our favorite laundry detergent. 

Robin Howell - The main thing I miss about home when I am in the camper a long time is being able to take a long hot shower. We have a great one now that has the longest shower we’ve ever had, however it does not compare to your home shower LOL! I can definitely see Randy and I traveling in our camper in future years when he retires from fishing and being snowbirds to avoid the cold here in Alabama LOL. I don’t think I would have a problem staying in our camper 3 to 4 months at a time especially at some of the beautiful Florida campgrounds we have seen in our travels.

I have spent hours looking at YouTube videos of different designs, styles and layouts of campers, motorhomes, toy haulers and fifth wheels. I thought I had the answer to a lot of the questions, but after Pete and I recently looked at some models at a local dealership I realized that I needed the bass wives as a further resource. That is what led me to all these questions.

What I need to spend time on is making lists and checking them twice to make sure all the excellent tips and tricks the ladies provided us are not overlooked when we decide to take the plunge.

For now, my two major takeaways: DON’T bring a lot of STUFF and have a supply of fly swatters.