I only tent camp so I don't have any advice for the camper (I do know if you put too many lights on it and keep them on all night, you will annoy other campers), but I could give you some ideas on what to take (also look around at previous posts on this forum, lots of good advice around here). Make sure you keep your dogs on leash, so they don't scare other people and you should reconsider taking them if they are barkers (all campers have nightmare stories about the dog that never stops barking). Always bring the essentials: first aid kit, compass and map if you will be doing any hiking, rain gear, plenty of food, warm hat/gloves/clothes, matches in waterproof container, sleeping bags & sleeping pads (unless you have an actual bed in the camper), flashlight with extra batteries.
I always bring a stove, as I don't want to have to make a fire for every meal, but cooking on the fire is good in the evening when you want to get one started anyways. Bring wood if you don't want to go find it (some places restrict gathering wood also). Fire starters are helpful, we bring lint from the dryer which we collect in a ziplock bag, and I have also read that cotton balls coated in petroleum jelly (vasoline) makes a good starter.
Bring some "fun" things too like cards, a book, a game, etc. Always bring plenty of garbage or plastic grocery bags, ziplocks, napkins or papertowels, I can never get enough of any of these while camping. Hand sanitizer is nice so you don't have to find water every time you need to wash your hands. I always bring extra drinking water, even if there is drinkable water available.
I almost always bring tarps and string to tie them up, in case it rains (if I'm not backpacking), and duck-tape, you can always find a way to use it.
That's all I can think of off the top of my head, will add more if I think of anything. Most of all, enjoy nature and have a great time :)

Well, for one thing, i'm quite sure your new-found fellow campers will be just overjoyed, when you unload those 2 BIG German shepherds! Oh, Yes, just happy as all get out!
That said, take food, water, rope, tools, hammer, shovel, plastic bags, deodorant, money, full propane tank-s, fully charged battery, plastic sheeting (for the leaky canvas on the camper),rain gear, hand lanterns,(not Coleman lanterns, just battery powered, flashlights, foot wiping mat for outside the door, towels, for dishes and swimming and face/hand washing, and bathing.
Something to pick up doggy doo-doo, baggies to put it in, and a sealable can to keep it in! Campground owners hate to find doggie doo-doo in their dumpsters! Chains to tie up the dogs, a good attitude when it turns out that not all of the other campers will be dog lovers, first aid kits, for yourselves and the other campers, in case your dog bites some kid or adult! Don't bring those bright strings of outdoor lights to string around yer camper-bothers others when they want to look at the stars, and, above all, turn them off when you go to bed! If you have to play your favorite music on yer radio, tape, CD player, please play it quietly--maybe the other folks don't need to be entertained, or don't care for your musical tastes!
Oh, make sure your property and life insurance, and liability insurance is in good force! Never know when a doggie will get loose and bite someone, or a little tyke may wander too near, and thats when you'll find out how good your insurance is! And, if those 2 hounds bark and howl all night, yer insurance might not be enough to cover your losses! And, i've never yet heard from any dogs that said they love camping out!
That all said--enjoy camping!!
By: Rusty Jones
p.s. We have a camper in our group whose main thrill in life is collecting flamingos, and he is looked at by others, who then make the circle sign along-side their heads, when he has his back turned!
p.s.! Above all-be friendly to others-smile, speak when spoken to-not many people are out to steal anything, or yer husband or wife, Lord knows-one is enough! Walk around, talk to others, ask questions of others, related to camping--you'll learn a lot! And, probably, nobody will remember your name, where you're from, or much of anything else, after they leave! Unless yer doggie bites somebody--and then even the news casters will remember it for quite a long time, as will yer insurance company, when it sends the bill for the payments stretching far into the future!
by: Rusty Jones

We just had our first camping trip as well (with two large dogs) and I found some good info at the attached link.

(We used to have a GSD - they are such smart, amazing dogs. Now we have Labs - loveable, but about as smart as a bag of hammers, LOL).

It's too bad, Rusty, that you've had such bad experiences with dogs and camping.

Here is a link that might be useful: link to above info

rustyj, cool it already about dogs. I miss my lab, had to put her down in April, never went camping without her, we would take 3 tents and my daughters would take turns having Rosie in theirs. and yes, my daughter did get bit
once...it was her fault, not the dog's.

Duck work tape. I remember using it many times. First aid kite. sun block. Everthing but the kitchen sink is what my hubby said I always packed. LOL

Mary

Goose, i don't have anything to say about dogs, good or bad! Some folks don't seem to care what their mutts do, be it pooping on my camp lot, or barking all night at the campground! If your dogs can keep quiet all night and not bark at every sound, well, thats o.k.! But, you probably know thats not the case a lot of times! And, if you keep them in your site, thats o.k. too! Some people never tie their dogs up at camp-just let them roam around, and relieving themselves on my camper tires, or even on somebody's tent! And, my idea of a fun weekend in the campground is walking in somebody's doggie doo-doo, that they were too wimpy to pick up after their mutt! NOT!!
I like dogs! I think dogs have a place in our lives, where they become great companions, and friends! I especially like Labs-our next door neighbor has one- and i like it ! I'd dearly like to have a Lab of my own, but, alas and alack, i'm terribly allergic to dogs, and can't stay in a room with one for more than a half hour, or i start wheezing, and have to go outside to get the fresh air!
So, take yer dog camping all you want! I was just pointing out some of the things that inconsiderate people do when they think everybody should like their dogs in camp!
by: Rustyj

Have a good time with your camper! Our first time out with our camper we found that it was easier to keep a small ice chest for drinks outside, so we didn't open the fridge as often and purchase one of those little fans for the fridge to circulate the air. No cold and warm spots in the fridge and no lost food. I precook and freeze many of our dinners to avoid using water for cleanup. Those tanks fill up quickly! We camped with our dog and she slept on the floor inside the camper, no barking at night, and on a leash with us during the day. Don't overpack the first trip. It gets crowded inside and out with too many 'toys.' Have fun and enjoy!

We have a 31' travel trailer and go camping all the time. Before you leave pack it with all the essential of your normal kitchen/home so that you have everything handy. I bought stuff to leave in my trailer so I wasn't raiding my own house for stuff.

Before we leave I always plan our meals and make my grocery list and go right before we leave and then come back and pack up the camper.

Take plenty of blankets and sheets. My DH likes to leave the camper a/c at about 65 since he says he's not paying for electricity so our camper is very cold at night.

Bring lawn chairs and a plastic table cloth. Campsites usually have picnic table, but they are not very clean.

We have 2 strands of white christmas lights that we string up on our awning for light at night. They provide plenty of light for dinners after dark and if you just want to hang out and talk outside. We always unplug the when we go to bed.

We also have to dogs that we always bring camping with us. One of them is a lab and she loves going swimming in the lake while we are camping. Any places we have ever camped required dogs to be on leashes at all times. We bought both of our dogs stakes to put into the ground and they have a 6-8' chain so that they have plenty of room to roam. Bring a small shovel and ziplock bags to put their poop in. You definately want sealed bags because if not your trash will be stinking very quickly. Both of our dogs sleep on the floor in our trailer at night.

We have a small trash can inside and a larger one outside so that we aren't running to the campsite dumpster constantly.

Most of all have fun and take a pen and paper to jot down things you forgot and will want with you next time.

You and your dogs will have a ton of fun!!

we have a pop up but the above advice is all good. a piece of that indoor outdoor carpet for outside your door will be a LIFESAVER! also a plastic bin with lid to leave outdoor shoes and a pair of canvas or flipflops to use to just hang around the campsite.
INSECT REPELLENT!!! Baby wipes....lots of duct tape and little inexpensive tarps.
i take my dogs too. they stay inside with us. one fell out the side of the pop up twice the first time we took her- heck of a way for the old girl to wake up!
citronella candles- firewood- we like to get the duraflame logs and take them camping also. you can cut them up for firestarters or use as is.
extra cover!

new to the forum, but wanted to add something about camping with dogs. We tent camp, and our 6 yo Dalmatian loves to go with us. She sleeps in her bed in the tent, and only barks when provoked outside. Please remember to pack first aid stuff for your dog, pretty basically what you need, maybe include some kling in case you need to make a muzzle, and I have some ointment for dog injuries. A hint from a good friend who learned the hard way was Douche, just cheap Douche, plan on 3 bottles per dog if good size. That way, if your pooch meets up with the Black and White camp kitties, you are prepared and not trying to find a store! Walmart has a four pack for under $2, I bought one and leave it in the camping gear in case Lucy ever needs it! OH, and dryer sheets for bugs! We tie one on Lucy's harness, it worked wonders!!! Have fun!
Lisa

I am also a tent camper. But there are plenty of State and Nat'l Parks that cater to those with RVs. Many wayside rests are also large enough to park one of those bad-boys while you hike around with the puppies.

Well now, my pups go with me, and if they could talk, they would tell you that yes, indeed, they love to camp-they like to get out of the city, too! And my dogs are better behaved than some kids at the campgrounds! They sleep in the popup at night, and under the camper during the day. I love tent camping, also-but when you hit a certain age,sleeping inside is more comfortable. Don't forget rope for a clothesline or to hang up a solar shower. And how about wire hot dog sticks-instead of killing trees for sticks :o And BEWARE!!! At one campground we camped at, a little child BIT MY DOG!!! Maybe leave the kids home and bring the pets instead? (just kidding-bring the kids or you'll never be forgiven!) But most of all, HAVE FUN! (Bt)

Bring lots of matches and maybe consider bringing fire starters. If you have some firewood at home that you can fit in the camper that may be a good start. I usually look for wood (until I met my husband, he likes to buy it at expensive campgroung rates!). Sometimes it is nice to have some wood to start with the first day. Also, I am a tent camper myself and I do not have a dog but I must say if I had one I would certainly bring him along! Dogs love camping and I never mind when there is a dog in other sites. It makes me feel safe because a dog will always know something is approaching the site before a person does. If the dog at the next site scares away a racoon or a bear that is okay with me. Have a great trip!!!