Handy Hints, Gadgets, Products & Gizmos

[GizmosMom]

Another member suggested a new forum section with new products but it doesn't look like it will be feasible. So I thought I would post this here under General RVing Issues. If enough people post (even if you have mentioned it before in another post) we can keep it near the top?

Do you have a handy hint, a new product or an old product that makes your RVing or Camping much better?

(Sorry, no commercial advertising allowed)

I'll start:

Someone in the Camping Van posted a reference to using a Super-Chamois to wipe down their shower. I have been using an icky old thick sponge and I like the chamois idea so much more.

Now I want to hear what works for you

[knparker]

This is a great thread, I love everyone's ideas and bookmarked at least a half dozen sites for more cool stuff, thanks all. Here's some of my favorites:

1. Garmin SP7500, know where I'm at and where I'm going. Has A/V input for rear view camera to see where I've been. One monitor, multiple uses.

2. Hard time starting a fire? Keep a bag of 20 min. road flares in the rig. Just one will start any fire without the accompanying mushroom cloud I've seen with white gas. Yep, I've seen it done.

3. To keep ants from crawling up the hookups sprinkle a little baby powder on the cables and lines where they touch the ground. The little buggers hate the stuff. And it's non toxic.

4. Reflectix cut to fit the cab windows exactly helps to insulate the cab from the coach on our C and virtually eliminates condensation up front. If you don't have dual panes in the coach it might help there too but probably a PITA to put up every night.

5. A great folding hand truck called Magnacart with countless uses from http://welcomproducts.com/.
I primarily use it to haul firewood from the host site back to our's . A couple rubber bungee cords to secure the wood and you're good to go. Very sturdy.

6. Last but certainly not least, accessories for the dogs. A great kennel that folds completely flat for storage called Port-A-Crate from http://firstrax.net/product.php?b=2&id=14. I keep Bags on Board attached to their leashes http://www.bagsonboard.com/. To me leave no trace means the dog poop too. An awesome lighted collar to see your dog at night from http://auroralites.com/.

Some of this stuff I purchased locally at various retailers like Costco but I thought the links might be helpful as well.

[In_The_Dawghous]

crazyoldcoot wrote:

Went to Office Depot and got a box of these. Great for hanging awning lights.

I use them to hold the garbage bag in our outside popup garbage can.

[crazyoldcoot]

Went to Office Depot and got a box of these. Great for hanging awning lights.

[crazyoldcoot]

NewMexicoCampers wrote:
I feel like I should get a certificate for making it through this post!! Many thanks to those who contributed to the great ideas. Like others, my list is a mile long and we're heading to Lowes tomorrow.

How's this?

[rocknrollpro]

bump

[NewMexicoCamper]

I feel like I should get a certificate for making it through this post!! Many thanks to those who contributed to the great ideas. Like others, my list is a mile long and we're heading to Lowes tomorrow.

[JimBollman]

lc-12 wrote:
I may have missed this since there are so many great ideas here, but here is my offering.........
My wife bought a new car and had an extra storage "net" that goes across the trunk for placing items that may roll around the trunk. Well, I am too cheap to throw away anything useable so I took this net and hung it underneath our bed's storage area. We store rags, fishing tackle, and miscellaneous items that might get lost with the items on the floor. I hung this net with screw hooks, and through the eye of the screws I also place a 3/8" wooden dowel that I use to prop the bed up when opened. The gas struts were not strong enough to keep the bed up and I got tired of getting hit in the head!
Thanks to all for your great postings, and I hope my small contribution will help someone as yours have helped me!

I ended up with an extra cargo net from one of our cars and can't throw anything away either. A previous hint I gave for putting hidden tie downs in is usually used with the cargo net to hold gear on the front seat.

Jim...

[lc-12]

I may have missed this since there are so many great ideas here, but here is my offering.........
My wife bought a new car and had an extra storage "net" that goes across the trunk for placing items that may roll around the trunk. Well, I am too cheap to throw away anything useable so I took this net and hung it underneath our bed's storage area. We store rags, fishing tackle, and miscellaneous items that might get lost with the items on the floor. I hung this net with screw hooks, and through the eye of the screws I also place a 3/8" wooden dowel that I use to prop the bed up when opened. The gas struts were not strong enough to keep the bed up and I got tired of getting hit in the head!
Thanks to all for your great postings, and I hope my small contribution will help someone as yours have helped me!

[StanleyandIris]

For those cold mattresses. . .

It takes a lot of body heat to warm up a cold, slide out bed - if ever. Brrrr.

I use a plush throw (man made fibers, fake leopard plush) on top of the bottom sheet. Cozy and oh so warm right away.

[crazyoldcoot]

StanleyandIris wrote:

Cinderella wrote:
Enjoyed reading everyone's tips. Does anyone know how to keep a runner rug which I've put down on the carpet in our fiver from creeping up. Not sure how to keep it laying flat.

I know of nothing that works for rugs, however, I found a very simple alternative. I bought some of those cheap cotton Mexican blankets. I spread them out evenly over all the carpeted areas and they stay put until you are ready to shake them out. They collect dirt, spills, etc that would otherwise stain the carpet and fold up for travelling into very small bundles.

About the runner. My wife bought a new one and I kept stubbing my toe on it for a few days but now it lays flat. I think it just takes a little time.

[StanleyandIris]

Cinderella wrote:
Enjoyed reading everyone's tips. Does anyone know how to keep a runner rug which I've put down on the carpet in our fiver from creeping up. Not sure how to keep it laying flat.

I know of nothing that works for rugs, however, I found a very simple alternative. I bought some of those cheap cotton Mexican blankets. I spread them out evenly over all the carpeted areas and they stay put until you are ready to shake them out. They collect dirt, spills, etc that would otherwise stain the carpet and fold up for travelling into very small bundles.

[gwtriker]

ak_traveler wrote:

HappyTrailsRVing wrote:
Last summer I bought myself an IPod and downloaded all my CD's on it.

We do the same thing! I love my iPods (I have two of them - long story!) and they are the best thing for long drives up here because we run out of radio for a good portion of our trips. I can just plug into the truck stereo and have music whenever and wherever. Just be careful HappyTrails...your iPod can get addictive!

I do the same using an MP3 player. To have background music outdoors while camping, rather than using the cab radio or the RV surround system, I use the speakers that come with a computer system ... one speaker has power transformer and lead that normally goes into computer (plug this into MP3 player); connect to source of 110, set speakers on ground, volume on low and have music. Speakers are light weight and don't take up much room ... sound isn't too bad either>

[daveasch]

Great thread. Bump
😉

[kihutson]

bump

[GizmosMom]

Folding Basket

We have a Coleman basket like that. We put our condiments, plates, silverware, cups, milk,etc. into it and then tote it back and forth to the picnic table at our campsite.