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

[popeye59]

Sounds pretty cool but wish they were available in sizes larger than 6-1/2' x 6-1/2'

[RaenMark]

bullmastifflover, that looks great. Can't wait to hear how it works.

[bullmastifflove]

Found this CGear Mat developed for the Australian govt to keep under helicopters to resist sand kicking back. The reviews on Amazon were pretty good, but what really sold me was the video (included in the link below). Only problem, we haven't had a chance to use it.
http://www.cgear-sandfree.com/how-it-works

[Tothill]

wolfcat1 wrote:
Not an idea, but a question...What can be done to stop tracking in sand and dirt in to your coach...we camp in an area that has a lot of fine white sand, between us and the gurls, our two fur babies, we are constantly sweeping...
thnks, wolfie

Awning mat, then foot bath outside and a couple of rugs inside.

I find a piece of astroturf on the steps (inside and out) helps with sand too.

You may have to relax your standards and only plan to sweep once or twice a day.

[Tvov]

wolfcat1 wrote:
Not an idea, but a question...What can be done to stop tracking in sand and dirt in to your coach...we camp in an area that has a lot of fine white sand, between us and the gurls, our two fur babies, we are constantly sweeping...
thnks, wolfie

Do you have a large outdoor carpet spread out outside next to your coach? Just having a shoe mat by the steps (maybe 2ft by 3ft) helps, but using a large (maybe 8ft by 12ft or more) outdoor carpet makes a big difference.

And yes, we constantly sweep also, lol!

[JayWalker2009]

wolfcat1 wrote:
Not an idea, but a question...What can be done to stop tracking in sand and dirt in to your coach...we camp in an area that has a lot of fine white sand, between us and the gurls, our two fur babies, we are constantly sweeping...
thnks, wolfie

The only thing I have found that works for this scenario is taking the shoes off at the steps before coming in. And that usually works since we mostly are wearing flip flops all camping season.

[wny_pat1]

Wolfcat1,
I have two steps leading up into the motorhome. I have attached a piece of Clean Machine® Scraper Door Mat on each step using velcro tape. Works great and if we are camped in a sandy area, I find myself "emptying" sand from the mats daily. The Clean Machine Door Mat is like astrotruf. You can find them at Ace Hardware. Just cut to fit the area you want the coverage at.

[CanadianCampers]

popeye59 wrote:
You said your TT had a vinyl accordion door but isn't a Flagstaff 8528BHWS a FW? Or did you have a different TT and just got the FW? Not a big deal, just curious.

Yes, the Flagstaff is a 5th Wheel. We just got it and I was referencing the change we made to our old Terry travel trailer shower. 🙂

[wolfcat1]

BUMP. Sticky request for a really cool thread we all want...wolfie

[holstein13]

wolfcat1 wrote:
Not an idea, but a question...What can be done to stop tracking in sand and dirt in to your coach...we camp in an area that has a lot of fine white sand, between us and the gurls, our two fur babies, we are constantly sweeping...
thnks, wolfie

In addition to the foot washing basin outside and the towels just inside the door, I highly recommend a painters brush to dust off excess sand. It also works great in places a duster or broom can't get to.

[StanleyandIris]

wolfcat1 - nothing. You can take your shoes off outside and have a foot rinse basin to step in, then a towel to dry off before going inside, but the dogs won't do it. So. . .

Iris

[wolfcat1]

Not an idea, but a question...What can be done to stop tracking in sand and dirt in to your coach...we camp in an area that has a lot of fine white sand, between us and the gurls, our two fur babies, we are constantly sweeping...
thnks, wolfie

[popeye59]

You said your TT had a vinyl accordion door but isn't a Flagstaff 8528BHWS a FW? Or did you have a different TT and just got the FW? Not a big deal, just curious.

[CanadianCampers]

Whew! That was a LONG read but I did it! 🙂

A couple other posters mentioned this but I will say it again that when we camp we get a brochure for the campground with the map and while the kids are riding their bikes and we walk around we note preferred campsites for next time and I keep all of them in a small binder in the trailer.

Our TT had a thick vinyl accordian door (nearly pitch black in shower when closed and very little elbow room) so I took it off and installed the Extend-A-Shower rod from Camping world and used just a regular shower curtain....night and day (pun intended!)and plenty of elbow room now!
Extend A Shower Rod

I too use varying sizes of Rubbermaid Rough Totes to keep everything organized (from kids toys to sewer connctions) in my under storage and have all the bins labelled on all sides so I can see at a glance what is in them no matter how I have them shoved under there.

Probably been said a hundred times but I still love my Lynx Levellers and my BAL X-Chocks.

[suerover]

Instead of an accordion file taking up 8" of drawer space, I use lids as protectors between stacked pots and pans.