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

[ol_Bombero-JC]

The "double use" dowel rod - is the wood (or plastic) handle
for a broom or a sponge mop - which reside in the basement.

Mark for the length of your slide.

~

[Duck]

LuckeyUs wrote:
To measure the distance of an obstacle in the way of our slides, we have a piece of pink string in the truck, cut to that length.

Similar but I have a wood dowel rod marked for the make sure I have room for opening the slide all the way out.
Don

[LuckeyUs]

To measure the distance of an obstacle in the way of our slides, we have a piece of pink string in the truck, cut to that length.

[tomman58]

Turner, P wrote:
We have a fold out couch in our rig that has frustrated us for a couple years. No place to set a drink! We have been using a TV tray, which works but ........ So I finally realized there a large gap between the back of the couch and the wall. I cut a maple board to fit the space and installed with angle brackets and now I have s small shelf to set a drink on. The next trip will test it for noise or vibrations (I don't expect any) and how well it works.

They make a tray that has feet that go under the couch and the top is adjustable for a lap top.
Ikea has a table that works for my side that has the lazy boys on it. The table is only about 14" wide and 38" long with a tempered glass top.. It is made for a lap top and being small it works great with my chair. Also I can put it on the couch with a bungee for transport.

[path1]

Not exactly high tech but got tired of finding end of elec cord to plug it in.

Picked up some white elec tape and now no longer is the end camouflaged.

Didn't think of this idea myself. Not sure where I saw or read that handy hint. Maybe even on this thread somewhere.

So far, the end now sticks out like sore thumb making it easy to find.

[Turner__P]

We have a fold out couch in our rig that has frustrated us for a couple years. No place to set a drink! We have been using a TV tray, which works but ........ So I finally realized there a large gap between the back of the couch and the wall. I cut a maple board to fit the space and installed with angle brackets and now I have s small shelf to set a drink on. The next trip will test it for noise or vibrations (I don't expect any) and how well it works.

[MagillaGorilla]

Free flashlights from HF. i always seem to have a coupon for the work light type that they sell for a few bucks. So I collect them and have a bunch of them in my MH.

I use them for night lights, work lights, basement storage lights, patio lights and so forth. They have a strong little magnet on them so I keep 2 on my stove cover so they are always on the ready. They brighten up things and don't cost me anything.

[MagillaGorilla]

collapsible cooler (I got one few with a case of Coors Light).

I use it to keep all of my fire making tools in one place. I put a lighter, a torch, lighter fluid and mini propane tanks in it. Then when it time to light a campfire, I pull it out of a basement storage bin (I keep in a bin with no power going to it) and I am ready to light my fire. Simple and neat.

It also gives me an extra cooler fro taking to the beach if I need one.

[MagillaGorilla]

Large Binder Clips - good for lots of stuff.

Keep chip bags closed

Keep table cloth on picnic tables.

Hang towels on awning rails to dry

keep garbage bags from falling into garbage cans

hang lights onto awning rails

[MagillaGorilla]

Cubicle coat hangers (the kind that hand over a work cubicle) are great for the shower. You can hang a towel outside the shower while you take a shower and then you can reverse it and store the towel inside the shower to be used the next day. Just be sure to wipe down the shower before you put your towel in it.

[MagillaGorilla]

elliott-Maine wrote:
It would certainly work well, but sometimes they can send out sparks, and flares cannot be put out with water.

A flair lasts for about 15 minutes. I don't recommend lighting any campfires that need to be put out in less than 15 minutes. If for some reason you do need to put it out, sand or dirt will do the trick.

I also keep a self lighting propane torch in the MH. That too is excellent for lighting fires.

[Dtank]

peirek wrote:

restlesswind wrote:
"Small tape measure" = easy to loose."

I use a tape measure (carry a couple of them)they are cheap if you lose one.
I've used the same one for nine years now.

When you have 2 you will always have 2. If you have 1, you will shortly have none...........

*Never* run out of tape measures!..:S

As in.....endless (free) supply!

If you frequent HF, and use a 20% off coupon (they're everywhere), many have the/a *free* 25' tape measure giveaway attached.
(They all have a freebie attached for "something")

In short order you will go from one, to two, to "some".

How many "some" is - - is up to you.

Yes, may be easier to use a broom/mop handle (or?) to measure slide.

However the tape measure/s are handy for lots of other stuff...;)

.

[elliott-Maine]

It would certainly work well, but sometimes they can send out sparks, and flares cannot be put out with water.

[MagillaGorilla]

Lighting campfires the easy way.

Buy road flairs for your RV. They are good to have for an emergency. Buy some extras.

When lighting your fire, stack your wood (wet or dry it does not matter) then put a lit road flair under the wood and sit back. The flair burns super hot and for a long time. It will light almost anything on fire.

I have been doing this for 20 years now and never needed a second flair for lighting the fire.

[Just_Jeff]

Haha - "Two is one and one is none." And six is ready for the zombie apocalypse! 🙂