Anyone have a list of some cool gadgets to add to a toy hauler?

Cool as in what? Electronics or mag wheels?

Reaching 62 years of life, and having owned a few campers myself now, and having been into camping all my life, even as a kid, I have found that "gadgets" end up at Goodwill. I have found, sticking to basic items really works best. Anything that is mechanical (uses batteries or electricity) is doomed to failure at the worst possible time. Been there, done that over and over again in my lifetime. Just when you really need to use something, the batteries are dead, or the device just corroded, or it got dropped and broke. So I have found, non-mechanical devices still work the best, especially when camping and it's not so easy to get to a store immediately to get a replacement.A simple potato peeler is always the top of my list, as we use a lot of potatoes. Second is a non-electric can opener. Third is a set of normal kitchen knives, and real silverware. Next are normal, non-electric, pots and pans and frying pans with lids, something that can be used over a fire and not melt. Tools for break-down, travel? Hand tools. Screw driver, adjustable wrench, C clamps, channel locks, T wrench for lug nuts, and a few sockets and socket wrench. Rope, bungie cords, and a tow chain I carry. You see the point. Gadgets just turn into clutter eventually, and eventually are tossed out. That hatchet I've had in all my campers, including tent days, is now 40 years old and I still have it! And use it not only for wood, but as a hammer for pounding in tent stakes, or anything that needs pounding.... including breaking up bags of store bought ice (when we need it).I don't do everything 100% primitive, far from it. We take advantage of modern conveniences and electricity as much as possible too. We have an electric griddle and an electric skillet that we do about 99% of our meals in. We have an electric coffee pot maker, but we also have an old style, stove top percolator too. Our "modern gadgets" include our laptop computers and cell phones, DVD player and DVD's. In the end though, we've been through 6 lap top computers in the last 15 years. We've been thorough a dozen different types of cell phones during that time. We've had multiple different kinds of flashlights and lanterns. We've been through all kinds of different styles of outside lighting, and finally came to the conclusion after spending tons of money on outside illumination, that campfire light is really all we need, with a very, very simple $1.00 flashlight and Ray-o-Vac cheap-o batteries.We've been through so many different kinds of lawn chairs it's ridiculous. We finally have some simple, back to basic lawn chairs that seem to work pretty good for us. Got rid of all the Coleman camp stove equipment, bottles and bottles of 1 pound propane tanks, fishing poles (only need 1... really).I think you get the idea. Our "gadgets" are now based on simplicity. I suppose it's because we are old enough to have already "been there, done that." and know what really works for us now.But, I don't want to bust anyone else bubble. You will have too much fun busting your own bank (like we did, on really "glitzy" items and turned out to be real duds over time.)I'm such a "downer" aren't I. :(

DutchmenSport wrote:I'm such a "downer" aren't I. :(Actually you make a good point. If you have fewer gadgets, it will give you more room/money for important things, like Beer. :)

DutchmenSport wrote:Gadgets just turn into clutter eventually, and eventually are tossed out.Agree - "gadgets" are nothing more than clutter. Amazing how one can get along just fine without all this C***. :W

Ditto on all the above.What has worked best for me is to slowly add those things that I discover I really need to have. The first I find I need something (or something could really be great to have), I make a mental note. The second time it happens, I add it to a wish list. The third time, I go out and get it. This way, I only add those things I find I am really needing.

Cool gadgets | Good Sam Community

punomatic
Explorer
Feb 22, 2017
We don't have a satellite dish, and we often camp where there is neither cable TV nor good OTA reception. So, I got a Raspberry Pi computer, installed OpenELEC operating system on it and added a couple of 128GB USB thumb drives. On the thumb drives I recorded a bunch of our favorite movies. Now when we are without a TV feed, we can simply click on "Movies" in the "Kodi" Media Center app on the Raspberry Pi, and voila! Entertainment. (I also installed fairly extensive music and photo libraries accessible via Kodi.)

If you are not familiar with Raspberry Pi, check it out (here). It's a powerful little computer in a package about the size of a deck of cards. I have another one at home that I use for a Plex Media Server. With that one, I can access all my movies, music and photos via the internet, even when I'm away from home.
Dusty_R
Explorer
Feb 22, 2017
I like to carry a radiant thermometer to check tires at rest stops.
johnm1
Explorer
Feb 22, 2017
fulltimedaniel - I would love to hear more about this upgrade. Such as, what is the 50A fuse and where to get it? Did you seal the boxes afterwards? Are they water proof? Tips opr tricks you learned while doing the job?

If you can't tell, I've wanted to tackle this but haven't gotten to it yet.

To the original question ... I bring along an extendable pole (like used for washing windows on the 2nd floor of a house). I can add different attachments to it so I can free the toy/Frisbee/airplane/darts, etc that the mean trees take from my kids. Dang trees, it's all they're fault! :)
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Feb 09, 2017
atwowheelguy wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:

What happened there? Bearing failure? Did you add those blocks under the Trailer Aid? Was it not tall enough?

The sealed bearing was never fully seated so the "C" clip was not in it's slot. We were on California highway along coast south of Carmel in the winding roads. It caused the Rotor to slide inwards and it contacted the Caliper mounting plate. Things got VERY hot. Lucky we did not loose the brake fluid. I cut a pc of wood to fit between the pads and strapped the caliper to the suspension and re installed the wheel/rotor and traveled another 125 miles to camp. Contacted Kodiak they made it all good.

With the CenterPoint suspension yes the blocks are needed with the TrailerAid.

The Mobile Suites weighed 18-19K, IMHO the TrailerAid Plus is plenty strong and more safe than a bottle jack!
atwowheelguy
Explorer
Feb 09, 2017
Cummins12V98 wrote:

What happened there? Bearing failure? Did you add those blocks under the Trailer Aid? Was it not tall enough?
fulltimedaniel
Explorer
Feb 06, 2017
How about some cool gadgets like...oh I don't know...Shock absorbers, adding disc brakes, redoing your electrical connections on your pigtail for easier maint. and troubleshooting? And maybe a "real" 50 Amp fuse at the battery instead of the standard one?

See the photo below

This will get you farther and do more than all the "Cool" gadgets money could buy.
jwandvassie
Explorer
Feb 06, 2017
The best gadget that we have ever purchased is our ice maker.
beemerphile1
Explorer
Feb 06, 2017
My best advice is to go camping and determine for yourself what would make life better. While in camp and on forums look what others are using.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Feb 06, 2017
mobeewan
Explorer
Feb 05, 2017
Texasghoul wrote:
Anyone have a list of some cool gadgets to add to a toy hauler?

There is a thread under the "General RdVing Issues" sub forum category called. Handy Hints, Gadgets, Products & Gizmos that might help you.

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