We've been RV camping for almost 15 years, but I learned a valuable lesson last week that I wanted to pass on. The lesson is always go prepared. I always bring a cordless drill with me when camping and almost always bring my 201 piece mechanics tool set. We had a 5 day trip planned, but we were really busy the days leading up to our departure. I decided not to bring the tool set.Unfortunately, that was a mistake. When I emptied the hot water heater last, I did not fully tighten the drain plug (we have a Suburban, so no Anode Rod). Sure enough, it leaked from the drain plug. I didn't notice it right away and had a nice size puddle under the camper. The campground was pretty quiet, so not really anyone to ask if they had a wrench and I could never pin down the host (we were out of the campground each day). I was able to hand tighten it to keep the water from really leaking, but never got it tight enough. I did have a gallon bucket to catch the leaking water when we needed the hot water heater. I left the hot water heater in bypass most of the time to keep it from getting pressurized. The only time it leaked a lot was when there was pressure in the tank. Once the pressure was relieved, it only dripped every so often.Like the drill, I will always bring my tool set, even when in a hurry.-Michael

This is why I keep little toolkits in everything I own.Vice Grips and a multy bit screwdriver stuffed in an old sock.They never leave the vehicle or trailer.YES. I do have a proper tool kit but I also have left it behind.

I also have a cheapo set that lives in the camper. I suspect you should as well.

mgirardo wrote:We've been RV camping for almost 15 years, but I learned a valuable lesson last week that I wanted to pass on. The lesson is always go prepared. I always bring a cordless drill with me when camping and almost always bring my 201 piece mechanics tool set. We had a 5 day trip planned, but we were really busy the days leading up to our departure. I decided not to bring the tool set.Unfortunately, that was a mistake. When I emptied the hot water heater last, I did not fully tighten the drain plug (we have a Suburban, so no Anode Rod). Sure enough, it leaked from the drain plug. I didn't notice it right away and had a nice size puddle under the camper. The campground was pretty quiet, so not really anyone to ask if they had a wrench and I could never pin down the host (we were out of the campground each day). I was able to hand tighten it to keep the water from really leaking, but never got it tight enough. I did have a gallon bucket to catch the leaking water when we needed the hot water heater. I left the hot water heater in bypass most of the time to keep it from getting pressurized. The only time it leaked a lot was when there was pressure in the tank. Once the pressure was relieved, it only dripped every so often.Like the drill, I will always bring my tool set, even when in a hurry.-MichaelIf you have a Suburban, you do have an anode rod, no drain plug

Are you a former boy scout? Always be prepared. Good advice. Often I can loan items out to neighbors who are in need. Batteries, lantern mantles. What do you use the cordless drill for?

Murphy's law at it's finest moment! (my favorite soap box subject: About the time you get ready to fix mashed potatoes, you'll realize you forgot the potato peeler! ... Always be prepared! Keep a potato peeler in your camper!)

Always go prepared... | Good Sam Community

19 Replies

mgirardo
Explorer
Mar 22, 2017
Oasisbob wrote:
Are you a former boy scout? Always be prepared. Good advice. Often I can loan items out to neighbors who are in need. Batteries, lantern mantles. What do you use the cordless drill for?

Actually, I was not a boy scout. I am a firm believer that chance favors the prepared.

Almost everything in the camper is held together with screws and staples. If I need to get to the fresh water pump, 4 screws on the access panel. 4 screws on the access panel to get to the Converter, the inverter, the transfer switch and the back of the fuse panel and breaker panel. 4 Screws on the access panel for the furnace. Most of these are 2 inch or longer screws.

I always have a screw driver with me (always in my laptop bag), but having a cordless drill is much more convenient. I have a cordless screw driver, but it is not as powerful as the drill and does not have a removable battery.

-Michael
mgirardo
Explorer
Mar 22, 2017
Jim-Linda wrote:

If you have a Suburban, you do have an anode rod, no drain plug

I could be wrong about it being a Suburban, but I'm pretty sure it is. I know for a fact it does not have an anode rod, just a drain plug.

-Michael
K_Charles
Explorer
Mar 22, 2017
Nothing goes in and out of the camper except food and clothes, and some of that stays in there too.
WNYBob
Explorer
Mar 22, 2017
I bought a torque wrench from Aldi's, I think it's a Work Horse brand, $12! It came with a short extension and a couple of sockets, and bought socket one for the WH. I keep it in the TT for lug nuts and WH.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Mar 22, 2017
Murphy's law at it's finest moment! (my favorite soap box subject: About the time you get ready to fix mashed potatoes, you'll realize you forgot the potato peeler! ... Always be prepared! Keep a potato peeler in your camper!)
Oasisbob
Explorer
Mar 22, 2017
Are you a former boy scout? Always be prepared. Good advice. Often I can loan items out to neighbors who are in need. Batteries, lantern mantles. What do you use the cordless drill for?
Jim-Linda
Explorer II
Mar 22, 2017
mgirardo wrote:
We've been RV camping for almost 15 years, but I learned a valuable lesson last week that I wanted to pass on. The lesson is always go prepared. I always bring a cordless drill with me when camping and almost always bring my 201 piece mechanics tool set. We had a 5 day trip planned, but we were really busy the days leading up to our departure. I decided not to bring the tool set.

Unfortunately, that was a mistake. When I emptied the hot water heater last, I did not fully tighten the drain plug (we have a Suburban, so no Anode Rod). Sure enough, it leaked from the drain plug. I didn't notice it right away and had a nice size puddle under the camper. The campground was pretty quiet, so not really anyone to ask if they had a wrench and I could never pin down the host (we were out of the campground each day). I was able to hand tighten it to keep the water from really leaking, but never got it tight enough.

I did have a gallon bucket to catch the leaking water when we needed the hot water heater. I left the hot water heater in bypass most of the time to keep it from getting pressurized. The only time it leaked a lot was when there was pressure in the tank. Once the pressure was relieved, it only dripped every so often.

Like the drill, I will always bring my tool set, even when in a hurry.

-Michael

If you have a Suburban, you do have an anode rod, no drain plug
Jebby14
Explorer
Mar 22, 2017
I also have a cheapo set that lives in the camper. I suspect you should as well.
Fizz
Explorer
Mar 22, 2017
This is why I keep little toolkits in everything I own.
Vice Grips and a multy bit screwdriver stuffed in an old sock.They never leave the vehicle or trailer.
YES. I do have a proper tool kit but I also have left it behind.

Forum Discussion

Always go prepared...

19 Replies

About RV Newbies

Related Content

ALWAYS something!

Pre trip preparations...

Time to prepare

Springtime Preparations

Camping in an EV.... Always charging...