Yup, first one that pops up... a 2-burner Colman $59.95 which could easily fit in the bottom of a suitcase. Then you'd only need to pick up fuel upon arrival.

Before you proceed further..
Check www.rv.net full of info and the "forum" has personal advice..

We have a 2 burner Coleman stove and cook all sorts of things on it. It is pretty thin and definitely can be put in a suitcase without taking up much room. If you are going to be doing multiple trips like this, I would buy one and take it with me rather than buying one for each trip. The fuel canisters can be purchased just about anywhere - most stores in areas in which camping is popular have them, even gas stations and mini-marts.

I'll mention one more time the butane stoves I posted about. You can buy two of them for less than a Coleman stove, and have use of them afterward if you want. No liquid fuel.
The other possibility is to buy a gas grill at WalMart Walgreen's and use it for grilling or cooking. They are about $20--use butane canisters.

We have a table top propane grill. It works great for grilling, but pretty much sucks for cooking things in pots and pans. Even boiling water takes a long time - I think it is because the flame is so far from the bottom of the cooking vessel that they just don't get hot enough.

BKP - We bought our double hobo pie maker at Bass Pro Shops. We love it and now never use the single. For our annual camping trip I order this great chicken Indian rice dish from the local Indian place and then reheat it in foil in the woods. Everyone is always so jealous!

REI rents cookstove along with other camping needs at most locations.

I have been camping all my life and I can get by with two decent pans and a supply of tinfoil, paper plates, napkins,etc and a few condiments to add to what's in the cooler. I make a variety of tinfoil packets to put on the bbq with vegies, meat, etc. Also, if you are traveling in between camping, don't pass up the local diner or pizza place that looks good. You really only need one major meal a day. Then we have cold cereal, fruit, yogurt, sandwich stuff, cookies and snacks and some milk for breakfast and lunches. Most of all, have a great time seeing the USA on the scenic back roads.

You guys are great- I posted this question last night and I have so many replies- I am so grateful for all the help.
I spent 33 years working 15 hours a day in my own restaurant business- I feel like a bird out of a cage or someone out of a prison sentence--lol. I am finally able to have weekends- see the world- and sleep as late as I want = etc etc etc.
Looking forward to the future and glad I found this site that can help me make good choices in my travel experiences- thanks!!!

Are you sure the place you're renting the RV from, doesn't rent equipment as well?

Read this thread yesterday morning and last night heard radio ad for local social services agency for homeless. Camping equipment was one of the requests. So if you buy a stove at your destination, you might be able to donate it to the homeless. Some of the campgrounds we've visited have a swap area. You can ask the campground hosts. I bet there is always some camper who needs a replacement or a new camper with borrowed equipment who would appreciate a free stove. It doesn't have to be thrown away. You'll have a great time visiting local supermarkets and farmers markets. I love being able to cook with local ingredients. We combine restaurant visits with cooking on our own. Happy trails!

We've done lots of camping, including flying in and renting an RV and flying in and tent camping out of a rental car. Here are my thoughts:

The one burner stoves that screw on top of a propane bottle weigh very little and you just buy the propane bottles after you get there. I took 2 and was glad to have both. Lightweight pans don't weigh much and you pack things in them so they don't really take up al that much room.

Not every Wal Mart lets you "camp" on their parking lot--ours does not.

REI, and maybe some other places rent equipment but that can be hard to find.

There will be MANY places where you will not have electricity. IMO, if you only camp where you have elec. you are missing the most beautiful places to camp. There may also be places where you can't have a fire if they are in a high fire danger time.

Here's what I took:
COFFEE POT
FILTERS
HOT PADS
CUTTING BOARD
SKILLET
PANS
KNIVES
NALGENE BOTTLE FOR COFFEE CREAM
(Nalgene is sold in camping depts--doesn't leak)
SPATULA
RUBBER SCRAPER
SERVING SPOONS
EGG HOLDER
CAN OPENER

Here's what I bought after I get there:
FIRE LIGHTER
PROPANE
LANTERN FUEL
PLATES
PLASTIC CUTLERY
PAPER TOWELS
FOIL
GALLON OF WATER
WASH TUBS -2
ICE CHEST(S)
SALT AND PEPPER
DISH SOAP
FOOD

Of course, you will have made meal plans and lists so you will stop at a store and buy groceries and your paper/plastic goods and you are set.

The best website I have ever found for any kind of camping is www.rv.net/forums----very nice, helpful people there.

Even if you do have to pay luggage fees, remember you are saving a ton of money not staying in hotels and doing lots of your own cooking. A lot of people don't think a thing about spending $150+ a night to stay in a hotel but are screaming about paying $25 for a piece of luggage/duffel bag with things you are going to use for your whole trip.

Here are a few good websites for ordering things:
www.rei.com
www.rei-outlet.com
www.campmor.com
www.walmart.com

You should be able to get just about anything you need at your local WalMart if you don't want to have to pay for shipping.

We love doing our own cooking. It's part of the camping experience and saves tons of money.

We had no trouble transporting our well used one burner stoves. I think the only camp stove that would have fuel residue is the kind where you pour liquid fuel into it versus the kinds that use a bottle. Nobody had any idea what was in the duffel bag.

If you rent an RV, it will come with a stove and probably with rudimentary cookware.

Regardless of what you're camping in, in most campgrounds you'll be able to have a campfire and cook foil packets of whatever; just like using parchment packets in an oven. he scouts have lots of great recipes for these.

Another thing you might want to bring along is spices. If you plan out a menu of things you'd like to cook before you go, that will make shopping much easier and you'll know what spices you need. Just put the amount you'll need in a baggie. If a recipe uses a combination of spices, you can mix the spices together and label it.