We finally bought our first Travel Trailer!

[BeerBrewer]

Well we finally did it.....we (my wife and I) bought our very first travel trailer! A Grand Design Transcend 26RLS. We are supposed to pick it up in the third week of April. We really liked the layout of the trailer. It seems to fit our needs exactly.

So now we need to pick up the other RVing essentials like sewer hoses, water hoses, surge protectors etc. Your recommendations and suggestions are welcome and appreciated!

I was thinking of getting a 20' and 10' sewer hose. Is that enough? What is the best brand to use? Waste Master? Rino? Other?

I'm planning to install a hard wired surge protector. What type?

Are there any other must haves?

[BeerBrewer]

Where do you folks store your sewer hoses and fittings? I've read a lot of folks use the bumper, but I'm not sure that I want to do that. Some say that it causes the bumper to rust from the inside and the fittings like elbows don't always fit inside either so they put them in a tote and store it in the storage bin. I've also seen some DIY and after market hose and fitting storage solutions. Do these work well and if so you folks have a favorite? I'm not crazy about the idea of putting the sewer hoses and fittings in a tote and storing them inside the storage bin with my lawn chairs and such. The odds are that my wife, also a Public Health Nurse would veto any such plans anyway, so need a good solution.

The Rino hose kits (Extreme $46 and Flex $41 on Amazon) seem very popular. Is the extreme really any better? I do like that it's crush-able. Does anyone use it?

As for modifications, I'm very handy. I can mig weld, do electrical, plumbing and carpentry. I don't plan on doing any mods until we've camped awhile and we know the trailer better. All that said I am planning to install a hard wired surge protector and maybe some sort of sewer hose/fittings storage solution.

I can't wait to tel my wife that our first camping trip might be in the back yard! Another funny but really good idea!

Wow, a lot of really great suggestions! I started a must have list.

[ppine]

Furniture for outside, tools, shovel, wire, duct tape, axe, rope.
RV camnpground directory, charts.
Dutch oven, good woman and some dogs.

[Tvov]

Oh, and get level indicators to put on your camper. Set it up in your driveway, and level your Stovetop (if the stovetop is level it is much nicer to cook on, an your frig will be level), then secure the level indicators to the corner of the camper or to the hitch frame.

[Tvov]

We've been fine with just one sewer hose of 8-10 feet (I guess 10ft if fully stretched), but that is mostly for dump stations - we rarely camp at full hookups.

What I do highly recommend is two 15ft freshwater hoses and two 25ft grey water hoses.

Electric cords - our TT came with a 30ft 30amp cord, I picked up a 25ft 30amp cord, and we are set. I've only had to use the 25ft a few times, but it sure was nice having it. As mentioned previously get the adapter plugs for the cords.

I bought one of those economy "tool kits" that come in a plastic folding case from Walmart. Has hammer, screwdriver, wrenches, pliers, wire stripper, some wire connectors and fuses, etc. Low quality, but it has worked fine for me.

Try to make your first few camping trips to be near Walmart or other big store so you can run out to get what you need. Either way, make a list of things you need/want as you camp.

And yes, a few years down the road you will be pulling out of the camper all the stuff you swore you would need....

[DrewE]

I think most of the essential basics have been covered: the sewer and water hoses, #2 Robertson screwdriver, duck tape (though I would strongly recommend Gorilla tape instead; it's superior in every respect). Maybe also some power adapter dogbones as appropriate for your shore power cord: if you have a 30A trailer, 15A to 30A and most would say also a 50A to 30A. Toilet paper is likewise pretty nearly essential (though you don't need to spring for "RV toilet paper"; ordinary paper is just fine).

Your first camping "trip" should be, if possible, about ten feet from your house. Your goal is to make sure you understand how things work, make sure they do indeed work, and find out what household necessities you require but do not have. Some of those vary from person to person.

[ken56]

Make sure you pick up a #2 Robertson screwdriver, the square one. I picked up one at Lowes that is the 7 in one with the #2 and Philips and regular bits. Very handy. You will find a few loose screws all over the new rig. I like my Rhino sewer hose. Its a bit more rigid and collapses onto itself so it takes up less room to store. I keep mine in a plastic bin, not the bumper. I have 2 grey tanks so I do keep 3 10ft. sections and a wye to be able to hook up both tank take-offs..but your rig looks like it has only the one dump point. You should be able to get by fine with a 20 ft. kit.


As you go camping you will discover how you want to outfit your rig for your needs. Ours is always ready to roll. We set it up with its own pots and pans, small appliances like waffle maker, coffee maker, electric skillet etc. I keep other things in bins in the pass through like electric extension cords and lights, picnic table cloths and outdoor lantern. Basic tools and extra lock pins for my hitch, extra electric fuses, a small inflator compressor, a couple small 6x8 tarps. Things you may not use often but would be handy when you need them.


Now go camping and enjoy that nice unit.

[philh]

OP, best thing to do is GO CAMPING. My father in law was talking to us this weekend and we were equipping and outfitting our new TT with a LOT of modifications and how he loaded up his first camping rig with way more than he needed... and then took 80% of it out 🙂 Except, we have some experience and know what we want!

[philh]

tragusa3 wrote:
Congrats! Hope you love it!

In hundreds of campgrounds, I have never needed more than a 15' sewer hose. Rhinos seem to last me about 2 years. They work well, but the connectors are too big to fit in a bumper.

Two TT and they fit fine. You have to align the connectors to the corners.

[Piddlers]

BeerBrewer wrote:
Well we finally did it.....we (my wife and I) bought our very first travel trailer! A Grand Design Transcend 26RLS. We are supposed to pick it up in the third week of April. We really liked the layout of the trailer. It seems to fit our needs exactly.

So now we need to pick up the other RVing essentials like sewer hoses, water hoses, surge protectors etc. Your recommendations and suggestions are welcome and appreciated!

I was thinking of getting a 20' and 10' sewer hose. Is that enough? What is the best brand to use? Waste Master? Rino? Other?

I'm planning to install a hard wired surge protector. What type?

Are there any other must haves?

You should join the Grand Design Forum. Lots of great info their also.

[LanceRKeys]

Bring some basic tools, even a new trailer may need minor repairs while camping. Also rope, tape, a tarp and bailing wire because stuff happens. Get a pull through spot your first time out unless you are already adapt at backing a trailer. Bring plenty of snacks and coffee!

[gbopp]

Congrats!
Don't forget duct tape. I would say beer but, based on your screen name, I think you have that covered.

Enjoy your travels.

[Yosemite_Sam1]

Get the two-piece sewer hose.

Best decision I ever made.

A long one snaking around is too cumbersome and have issues in draining.

Two short ones are easy enough to connect to each other when the sewer drain inlets are a distance away.

And happy trails!

[tragusa3]

Congrats! Hope you love it!

In hundreds of campgrounds, I have never needed more than a 15' sewer hose. Rhinos seem to last me about 2 years. They work well, but the connectors are too big to fit in a bumper.

[Hondavalk]

https://www.progressiveindustries.net/ems-hw50c

https://www.progressiveindustries.net/ems-hw30c