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

[Jeanne_M]

Hey...it works! I like it! Necessity...the mother of invention! Good ol' fashioned ingenuity at work...Nice job! Thanks for sharing.

We kinda had the same problem with inside soap...it was usually stored under the sink when moving and I'd forget to put it back up on the counter when stopped...and we always had dirty hands when we needed it. Our local RV repair shop had those stick-on bottles of hand sanitizer...so I bought a couple..we used the sanitizer and saved the bottles for liquid soap. Now they are always stuck on the counter next to the kitchen and bathroom sinks...never have to go looking! Best part is that the bottles are removeable from the base for easy refilling!

[happy2rv]

I was looking for a liquid soap dispenser to go in the "utility" compartment by the outdoor shower, but everything I found was either $50+ or had "features" that made it inappropriate. For instance, Home Depot had a wall mount soap dispenser about the right size, but the lid just sat loosely on top.

So I finally gave up and made a bracket to hold a dial soap bottle. I used a Simpson Strong Tie L bracket from Home Depot, drilled and then punched a hole big enough for the threaded part of the the soap bottle to go through and then sandwiched the bracket between the bottle and the screw on top. Hopefully the top won't vibrate loose while traveling.

Total cost 51 cents...

[Yankee44]

Finaly made it through all 118 pages. Thanks to all that contributed to this thread, I will be useing alot of your ideas.

[Denise_in_Ark]

ArmySFCRet wrote:
Yep, DEAR WIFE or DEAR HUSBAND. Of course, the context may lead to some other assumption. :B

Uh...yeah. And in that case not only does the D not stand for Dear, but the H doesn't stand for Husband either.

Not that I've ever wanted to use it that way yaunnerstan...

Denise from Ark

[ArmySFCRet]

Yep, DEAR WIFE or DEAR HUSBAND. Of course, the context may lead to some other assumption. :B

[jonsisk]

Hello GoodSammies!

Long-time lurker, first-time poster.

First off, I just want to say how incredibly useful these forums have been and want to thank you more experienced types for taking the time to share your wisdom and tips.

Since I became a full-timer in February, I have really enjoyed the lifestyle and just love sharing my 26ft TT with my 13 year old, three-legged Lab mix. Great fun and she's a terrific and gentle ambassador.

My own dumb little contribution to this thread: I use the sticky earthquake goo that people in earthquake zones use to keep their chotzkes from falling during shaking in my medicine cabinet.

Tweezers, deodorant, razors, etc. all get their own little blob on the shelf or back wall to secure to when not in use.

With a gentle tug, they come unstuck for use, then a gentle push reattaches them. Every time I open my medicine cabinet, everything is right where I left it.

I have also had success with the yellow, Silly-Putty kind of stuff used for hanging pictures, but find it doesn't hold as well on slick surfaces.

I do have one question on your terminology here. I see "my DH" or "DW" used a lot and infer that the H means husband and W means wife, but what does the D stand for? I'll guess "Dear" for the sake of politeness, as my mind tends to wander towards some far less pleasant possibilities in the absence of the truth.

Thanks again, and Happy Trails!

Jon Sisk
My personal site and Travels With Shelby Blog

[foxface]

Another trick we used was replacing our RV stereo with a Car audio deck. this gives you the option to pick a deck that is 1, 1 1/2 or 2 din size and we chose one that would play DVD and Divx ( Divx being a compression format for movies. Akin to what MP3 is to music) we converted all of our movies into divx format and keep them on USB drives. SD card and portable hard drives as we chose to organize them. Saves a TON of room for people who travel with 2 kids and we have a surplus of movies available if we get rained in. although we try not to use our electronics as much as possible.. we didn't go camping to do what we can do at home. another advantage of these stereos is they will play mp3's as well for people who listen to music while they are camping.

[Puttin]

I have one of these to put my sewer hoses, mat, and metal step in...really saves the back.http://www.stowaway2.com/catalog.aspx?cid=59

[PenMan]

djbogue wrote:
Can someone tell me where the post is about the propane tanks is located in this topic?

A little more info might be helpful. Are you trying to refill disposable tanks? Are you trying to prevent theft of your tanks? Are you trying to relocate your tanks? Probably easier to ask your question than search this thread.

[djbogue]

Can someone tell me where the post is about the propane tanks is located in this topic?

[Shirl_V]

I have a problem raising and lowing my awning so do not use it most of the time. I do miss the shade so my solution is: A 7 ft beach umbrella inserted into an umbrella clamp for bleachers. I clamp it on the picnic table and tilt in any direction needed.

[journey15]

foxface wrote:
We don't drink the water in our fresh water tanks. Spoiled with bottled water too long or something. We bought this and just bring 2 18 gallon bottles of water with us and use a manual pump to pump the water out for drinking. http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/Summer/BBQsAccessories/BBQTanksBriquettes/PRD~0851429P/Tank%2BGenie.jsp
we also use the genie to hold our propane tanks since they won't fill them if you aren't storing them vertically.

Our son has a habit of waking up as soon as he sees light... at 5 am.. so for the bunkhouse we bought some earth magnets ( 20 bucks for 60 pieces on ebay) and some black out cloth and sewed the magnets around the edges. we'll let the magnets hold the black out over the window and it's easy to remove to let the light in during the day. no velcro or anything left around the window.

clicky

[foxface]

We don't drink the water in our fresh water tanks. Spoiled with bottled water too long or something. We bought this and just bring 2 18 gallon bottles of water with us and use a manual pump to pump the water out for drinking. http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/Summer/BBQsAccessories/BBQTanksBriquettes/PRD~0851429P/Tank%2BGenie.jsp
we also use the genie to hold our propane tanks since they won't fill them if you aren't storing them vertically.

Our son has a habit of waking up as soon as he sees light... at 5 am.. so for the bunkhouse we bought some earth magnets ( 20 bucks for 60 pieces on ebay) and some black out cloth and sewed the magnets around the edges. we'll let the magnets hold the black out over the window and it's easy to remove to let the light in during the day. no velcro or anything left around the window.

[_DJ_1]

Jeanne M wrote:

I have a manual beer can opener

You know, I think I've heard stories about those 'manual' ones...what do they look like! :W

Church Key!!!

[Jeanne_M]

I have a manual beer can opener

You know, I think I've heard stories about those 'manual' ones...what do they look like! :W