Handy Hints, Gadgets, Products & Gizmos

reinita wrote:
We have our TT serviced at the same Camping World where we bought it, and since we've gotten excellent service, we've worked with the same folks for the past few years.

We spent all winter looking through the forum and keeping notes of all the things we wanted to do to our TT. I kept a (long) list on a Google doc.
We don't have the "handy" gene, but I inherited the "I-can=write-a-check-to-make-up-for-it gene," so I called Camping World and spoke with one of their awesome service department people. She helped me think through the pros and cons of several of the items on the list so that I could prioritize.

We ended up with a much-shorter list for what they're going to do for us. She saved us hundreds.

Yeah, I still have a shorter list of things we want to do later on, but the check I'm writing when we pick up the TT is much shorter. (Translation: More money for camping!).

In our case, it's paid to build a relationship with a dealer/service department that has done right by us. And I'm sure it didn't hurt that we brought fresh donuts from a very well known spot the last time we were through. ;)

Another tip that I'm wondering if anyone finds helpful is that on the rv.net board that talks about camping in Canada or the one that talks about campgrounds and state parks, I have been sharing the list of campgrounds we're staying at during longer trips. I do a ton of research before booking (yeah, I also inherited the plan-to-death gene), so hopeful my obsessive behavior helps someone else. I'm even going to share info on sites and places to visit for a trip we researched to death but can't take from Michigan to the Grand Canyon.

Reinita, if your "plan-to-death" gene is like mine, hopefully you see the blessings along with the curse. The term "Bucket List" may not be used by everyone but sure enough everyone has some type of I wish... dream. I find those who plan follow through - and therefore get to express Been there - done it & LOVED it more frequently than the average Joe/Josephine.

I'm new to the forum, and this thread "Handy Hints, Gadgets, ..." is just what I was wanting to find (wisdom from those who know/learned/witnessed). I've filled a sheet of paper with ideas either I never heard of before or of things I used to remember but forgot. I've read all the 2007 posts and a portion of 2012 - just another 4 years and I'll be caught up:E

EVERYONE, thanks for posting all the helpful info.