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

[Kim_G_in_MO]

This is my very first post on this sight!! I LOVE this thread, learning all kind of cool things to help with our camping trips.

Kim G

[beemerphile1]

I carry the motorcycle a couple times per year on an open trailer. To secure the extra strap length I use double sided Velcro. Fold the strap back on itself and give it a wrap.

Buy it in the office supply department, it is sold for securing computer cables.

[popeye59]

dcmac214 wrote:
Ratcheting tie-downs - especially in open trailers:
For the last few 'clicks' when tightening down on the ratchet, capture the end of the tie-down strap. Will prevent end from fraying and, unless you've got really long straps, hold them pretty much out of the way.

My wife sewed the ends into a small loop and I use a small bungie to attach the free ends to either another strap or the anchor point for the strap. Of course this isn't needed when used out of the wind, but on an open trailer keeps them from flapping around.

[Chuck_thehammer]

JimBollman wrote:

dcmac214 wrote:
Ratcheting tie-downs - especially in open trailers:
For the last few 'clicks' when tightening down on the ratchet, capture the end of the tie-down strap. Will prevent end from fraying and, unless you've got really long straps, hold them pretty much out of the way.

I use a ball bungie to keep my rachet straps neat when I'm not using them, so when I have them in use I bunch up the extra length and use the ball bungie to tie it to the strap over the rachet handle to keep the strap from flapping around and make sure the rachet doesn't move.

I have used duck tape backwards (sticky side out).. but I like the ball bungie ... will pick some up.

[JimBollman]

dcmac214 wrote:
Ratcheting tie-downs - especially in open trailers:
For the last few 'clicks' when tightening down on the ratchet, capture the end of the tie-down strap. Will prevent end from fraying and, unless you've got really long straps, hold them pretty much out of the way.

I use a ball bungie to keep my rachet straps neat when I'm not using them, so when I have them in use I bunch up the extra length and use the ball bungie to tie it to the strap over the rachet handle to keep the strap from flapping around and make sure the rachet doesn't move.

[dcmac214]

Ratcheting tie-downs - especially in open trailers:
For the last few 'clicks' when tightening down on the ratchet, capture the end of the tie-down strap. Will prevent end from fraying and, unless you've got really long straps, hold them pretty much out of the way.

[Tvov]

HurtinAlbertan wrote:

Throw 4 or 5 charcoal briquettes in the fire. When they are glowing toss them in a tin coffee can, and put under your lawn chair. Voila, no more campfire butt.
We modified a garage sale deep fryer basket to put the briquettes into. Gave it a longer handle.

That almost sounds like a college prank... but, on a cold night, with a high enough chair, and no booze, that could be quite toasty!

[HurtinAlbertan]

I am just starting to figure out this forum, and it looks like I am making the first post of 2014??
We wont start our full timing till the fall of this year. So I'm not sure how needed butt warmers are south of I40, but where we camp now, they are definitely the answer to the "crawling into bed with frozen butt and freezing out DW".

Throw 4 or 5 charcoal briquettes in the fire. When they are glowing toss them in a tin coffee can, and put under your lawn chair. Voila, no more campfire butt.
We modified a garage sale deep fryer basket to put the briquettes into. Gave it a longer handle.

Truely enjoyed this forum. It answered many of the questions I had.

Not quite sure if this is going to end up in Handy Hints, Gadgets, Products & Gizmos , but I’m going to push “send” anyway….

[Bobbo]

no2tracks wrote:
Here's 99 hints, helpful tips, etc.

http://seriouslyforreal.com/seriously-for-real/99-life-hacks-that-could-make-your-life-easier/

Made it a clicky.

[no2tracks]

Here's 99 hints, helpful tips, etc.

http://seriouslyforreal.com/seriously-for-real/99-life-hacks-that-could-make-your-life-easier/

[2dogtravellin]

For those who travel with dogs and want to give them access to water all of the time, I've come up with a "less spill bowl" (because nothing is nonspill). Get an appropriately sized Tupperware style bowl from Walmart or any grocery store. For our collies, the 2 quart sized works best. Cut out the center of the top, leaving an @ 1-1 1/2 inch ledge around the opening. Put in water and replace the top. Unless you are driving on really bumpy roads or your dog likes to tip his water dish, the water rarely sloshes over the sides. We sit this in the bathroom on a plastic non-slip mat. The dogs can drink whenever they want. The bowls cost about $5-6.

Also, whenever we park to camp we like to let the dogs out of the MH to get some air as we get things settled. We have 2 30ft runners made from rope. We've tied loops in both ends and at 5 foot intervals down the length of the ropes. One end attaches to the dogs' collars by a spring clip. The other clips to either the bumper or the rail outside of the door with a caribiner attached to another small loop of rope. Depending on the amount of space we have, it's easy to adjust how much length to give the dogs by quickly clipping into one of the pre-tied loops.

[yeabuddy]

We use this backpack cooler every time we go to the beach, pool, hiking, etc. Plenty of space for enough beverages for an afternoon, usually a 12 pack to share ;), ice and a ziplock bag full of snacks. Good pocket storage on the outside for keys, wallet, phone, walkie talkie/two way radio, camera...
Good insulation, ice lasts. And of course comfortable and easy to carry being a backpack, even with all that weight.

[dcmac214]

(Not original, BTs have been discussed in other threads too)
My latest addition to the 5er is a dual-battery Battery Tender I bolted to the battery compartment wall. When the 5er is parked at home I open the battery circuits (blade switches on the neg terminals), hook up the BT with the spring clips, plug it in and forget about it until the next time we go camping. Been using BTs for years for motorcycles, boat and farm machinery and they definitely add years to battery life.

[Veebyes]

Got this idea from friends onboard their boat. For the shower stall, or drying off gel coat outside, use a squeegee. One with a very soft gel type blade from Bed Bath & Beyond. Works just like a windshield wiper blade.

[imgoin4it]

We wipe the shower down with an "absorber" after each and every time it is used. Can get an absorber at Wal-Mart for about $10. Shower is always clean