This forum has a great mix of new owners, veterans and everybody in between. I thought it might be a fun thread that some of the newer TT owners may benefit from. So what products do think are a waste of money and which ones are must haves?

Any product intended for the HOLDING tanks of an RV, with the exception of the products defined in the GEO method.Kil-A-Watt - useless.

funny Vic the black tank deorderizers are on my list

Non-Snake OilDish or DirectTV setup.... sit out in the middle of no where and get movies, sports and TV.Cordless power toolset.... Mine has a circular, reciprocating and sabre saw plus hand vacuum and drill motor. The saws come in handy for repairs and DIY projects plus cutting up firewood.A portable generator... charge batteries, run air conditioning and use it at home when the power is out.Thetford Deoderizing toilet chemical. We have never had a smelly or clogged holding tank.

K-9 HANDLER wrote:funny Vic the black tank deorderizers are on my listX2 GEO does not work for me in the summer

Anathema- Big screen tv and satellite dishes, scare lights (I mean really), outside stereo speakersMust have- 18V cordless Dewalt, Taurus .38 Special, good chair, big awning, shade tree, water hole to swim in, A/C (air conditioned gypsy).I will add to the list later

Snake oil rv products vs must haves | Good Sam Community

wmoses
Explorer
Jun 24, 2014
12thgenusa wrote:
Just reading the list so far, I think you will have to decide for yourself. You will find no consensus here. Some of the must haves mentioned I would never use and some of the "useless" items I use all the time.

Like toilet chemicals - works for us. I do agree on the RV toilet paper though. Useless AND expensive. Definition of snake oil, that is.
dave17352
Explorer
Jun 24, 2014
RV toilet paper, pretty much agree, RV toilet additives are not needed. Totally disagree on the linx levelers, I totally love those and I use to use lumber all the time and I thought the linx levelers were a waste until I bought some. They are lite and cleanup easy and very easy to adjust. I also like the kill a watt meter.
dadmomh
Explorer
Jun 24, 2014
Agree on the TP....cheapie, single-ply is perfectly fine. Odorlos for the black tank. Gotta love our newest addition....a portable, table-top ice maker. LOVE IT!! No more messing with a cooler full of crushed ice or finding someplace to buy it near the CG....1 gallon of water to start and it kept up with a party of about 20 at our mini-reunion. Ebay, $148.

Don't want/don't need the thing that holds the stinky slinky when at a full hook-up site....whatever that thing is called. Don't want/don't need rope lights.
bpounds
Nomad
Jun 24, 2014
Plastic levelers = useless
memgrove
Explorer
Jun 24, 2014
Snake oil = Dutchmen Denali with Lippert components ez-lube axles

Must haves= electric tongue jack, lynx levelers, proper size extension cords, (wife says) little fan for the inside of fridge, place to keep wet clothes, stove cover (stock or aftermarket), flag pole, vent covers (love the vent covers!),LED light conversion, battery and charger upgrade if dry camping.
n7bsn
Explorer
Jun 25, 2014
Priceless == lynx levelers. Anyone that thinks they are worthless either has power levelers or only camps at flat, paved, "RV" resorts.
Every summer we have at least one trip where we park in a field. Without one type of leveler or other, we would be camping at a considerable slope.
Huntindog
Explorer
Jun 25, 2014
n7bsn wrote:
Priceless == lynx levelers. Anyone that thinks they are worthless either has power levelers or only camps at flat, paved, "RV" resorts.
Every summer we have at least one trip where we park in a field. Without one type of leveler or other, we would be camping at a considerable slope.

I NEVER use blocks of any type. You haven't lived until your TT has fallen off of the blocks due to the ground giving away in a rainstorm. Then the TT wants to roll.

I dig a hole for the high side. A shovel is a mighty handy tool to have with you. You can throw dirt on a fire, scoop up dog crap, and level your TT by digging a hole. Make gravity work for you. A TT can't fall out of a hole.
sbowman871
Explorer
Jun 25, 2014
Here is my snake oil list.
Bolt on bike rack receivers that attach to your standard 4 inch square bumper.
No water needed RV wash and wax.
Swift hitch to be used as a rear camera. Hitch up, ok.
Strongback camp chairs- JUNK
Not something you would buy: believing that your tanks sensors are reading accurately.
m4reel
Explorer
Jun 25, 2014
Must have: Cordless drill for stab jacks; electric tongue jack, Fantastic Fan, vent covers, battery disconnect switch, good set of tools, back up camera, webber Q120.

Forget-about-it: Bal-x chock, cheap chairs, low pressure propane for BBQ hookup, Outdoor shower.
Drbolasky
Explorer
Jun 25, 2014
Yes, I think your list of "must haves" and "snake oil" will be different that the next guy's. For us it may depend on whether it's a weekend trip or an extended voyage of up to a month. My "basic must haves" =

basic hand tools, toilet chemicals, latex or nitrile gloves, "Johnny chock" for holding open the toilet for cleaning, black tank spray wand, Sewer Solution, power tongue jack, leveling blocks (we use lumber), voltage meter/circuit tester, spare water heater plug, spare fuses, spare bulbs (interior & exterior), pair of FRS radios, food, clothing, wife, & kids (if they are home).

If we are on an extended trip I carry a torque wrench to keep tabs on lug nuts and a laser thermometer for getting temperature readings on tires & wheels.