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

[PAUL3500HD]

Pic's please...

[Okla__5er]

I added additional storage space under the 5th wheel by takeing a sheet of 1/2" plywood and cutting it into 4 pieces. I took 1x4's and made sides. This makes 4 "drawers" that fit into a neat box that rides behind the hitch in the bed of the truck. When we get were we are going we just put the wheels on with wing nuts and roll them under the side of the trailer. They work even in deep mud (due to all the rains we have had they were tested and passed).
We use them to put fold up chairs, Ice chest, shoes. extra pop and beer or what ever on them. I will post pics as soon as i get a chance. If anyone is interested let me know.

[gon2dadawgs]

One must undo all the shortcuts the mfg. used in production. Here are the best ones I have done:

Home type kitchen faucet

Cabinet doors to allow full acess to cabinets...no reaching around corners

Full extension drawer slides

Large drawers under dinette seats

40 watt car stereo/cd player with better speakers

Replace shower curtain with GOOD accordion door

Flouresant lighting

VSD water pump

All compartment locks replaced with barrel key locks

Computer "muffin fan" in stove hood...less draw and more push

Fantastic fans, fore and aft

Digital thermostat

Copper tube from exterior to bath with GHT fittings to allow easy bathroom washing

Closet light

2-6 volt golf cart batteries

Screen door mod, flat alum to replace ugly plastic slide, clear polycarb to replace opaque panels. Screen protector.

Select comfort bed.

Under cabinet coffee maker

Telescopic flagpole with mount on tongue jack

Back up camera

***There is ALWAYS something that can be improved....but I enjoy the "work"

Michael

[lesmore49]

Get Sporks...part spoon..part fork...can't be beat.

[KrisinCO]

I replaced the flimsy clothes rod with this piece of angle iron from the Jimmie johnson store (Lowes for those non NASCAR fans) It keeps the clothes from traveling back and forth when goin' down the road.:)


The pic is not very clear, sorry, but the bar has predrilled holes the the hangers fit through.

[Dirtman]

We used to take a half dozen clothes pins, and write on them: ANTENNA, SEWER, ELECTRIC, SATELITE, JACKS, WATER LINE, then clip them on the shift lever when camped. No longer forgetting to lower or remove items before we left again.

[rocknrollpro]

Put a pet tag with my mobile phone number on my key ring.

[kired]

Here's one for all you popper out there.

You need:
1 cheap 3 tier hanging basket
1 plain smooth edged drawer pull (must not have any sharp edges at all)

Screw the drawer pull into the ceiling in a select location, hand the basket. Great for holding all kinds of light weight stuff. We have two, I use one as a place to toss my keys, and wallet, digital camera and we keep our toothbrushes and tooth past, vitamins, etc, in the other one.

[bamcote]

hone eagle wrote:

PAUL3500HD wrote:
I have posted this in the past but maybe some new folks would like to look at it.
It is an easy screen door opener that allows you to open the screen door with out opening the plastic slider and you can do this with one finger
There are more pictures and measurements in my pictures below.

Did this one in about 15 minutes,a bike spoke for a buck and a cork that was laying around,plus a bit of dremel 'tuning'

Wanted to let you guys know that DH and I added Paul3500HD's screen door opener today in about 15-20 minutes and love it. I don't know why RV manufaturers don't adapt his feature or how I lived without it the past 4 years of camping. It's great. Just hope my cat's don't get any ideas and hit the opener!

[klm]

For hothothot weather, go to home improvement store and buy a roll of 4'reflective insulation and cut to fit windshield. Had enough left over to take care of rest of windows. Wow, what a difference; MH much cooler. Course it looks like the lunar shuttle!!!!! Kathy

[HappyTrailsRVin]

Hello all, thought I would never get thou all the post, but stuck with it and got some good stuff. Here are a few to add.

Heard a few talking about the Plexiglas on door so AC could be on and still see outside, I got a clear shower curtain, cut it the size of screen door panels and used Velcro to hold it on when I needed it. It folded up when not in use and easy to store. Worked fine.

Another one I got from Quick Tips (Motor Home Mag) was we bought 2 oak medicine cabinets at home improvement store and mounted them upside down on wall by our table, use them for our canned goods.

I use the sun visors in our motor home for shelf's when parked,have the grandkids pictures on them.

We got one of the magic foam mattress toppers and it would slide around so took some extra rubber shelf liner and laid it between the two.

I didn't have a place to set anything when sitting on couch so hubby mounted 2 L brackets behind couch under window and got a board and painted it and presto a shelf for my drink, remote, book, etc.

We were always having to run back to RV when checking into a RV park to get Lic. number. Presto, went to Wal-Mart and used the dog tag machine and made tags with lic# of RV, and car. Hang it on key ring so always have it.

Guess that is a start, if I think of any more will post again.

HappyTrails:R

[rdean]

welsteach,

Before the truck it all traveled in the HTT, including the bikes. Now the bikes, Camp Chef stove and blue tote ride in the truck. PVC bike rack holds the bikes and the stove and tote go between them. The new fire pan rides under the bike wheels no problem. My guess now is the Camp Chef will be staying home more unless I'm cooking for a crowd. Dutch Ovens ride in front storage compartment till I find a better home for them. Now that we can keep the aisle free we like being able to use the Cub while traveling for meals and potty stops.

And the PVC bike rack lifts out for use at the campsite.

[KLO]

Time to bump this up again.

[welsteach]

wgtex, do you have a photo. I'm a visual gal, and this sounds like it raises my cooksurface a bit, which I need.

[welsteach]

Has anyone found a chuckwagon that is suitable for storing all that outdoor cooking stuff? Where do you store it for travel?