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

[larry_barnhart]

I decided the cabinets jack I made would work so it is just smaller. I give them away each winter and have 4 made for give aways. I gave one to a TT couple with 2 entrys. No thanks you but we have 2 sets of steps. Home for Christmas and made another for him. No thank you again. O-well chevman

[Cummins12V98]

larry barnhart wrote:
something I made years ago to stop the feeling an elephant was going down the steps,

chevman

Finely crafted as I would expect from you! Just don't let your wife read this. 😉

[larry_barnhart]

something I made years ago to stop the feeling an elephant was going down the steps,

chevman

[ro_sie]

We drilled holes thru the wood, threaded thru some good rope, put a handle on the pull end of it and it is so easy to pull out. You don't have to get under the unit to pull. The handle we put on was a length of PVC threaded on and then it was tied off so it looked like a D ring on the pull end.

[Pangaea_Ron]

Thanks. . . as I said, it made my job easier.

[Cummins12V98]

Pangaea Ron wrote:
I'm a retired architect that did my own structural calculations.

Your intuitive structural sense was pretty good, but as it should be. . . over engineered!

I like it when contractors propose solutions that make sense. It made my job easier.

I worked with a few engineers in my career that were good at their job but also were not arrogant. They were a pleasure to work with. Sounds like you fit in that arena.

[Pangaea_Ron]

I'm a retired architect that did my own structural calculations.

Your intuitive structural sense was pretty good, but as it should be. . . over engineered!

I like it when contractors propose solutions that make sense. It made my job easier.

[Cummins12V98]

The 4 small boxes are 10x10x8" high and the long two are 10x16x10" high.

It took one 4x8 sheet for the project.

[Cummins12V98]

Pangaea Ron wrote:
Doing a quick calculation of the compressive strength of each plywood box, it looks something like this.

Assuming a 8" x 12" box, the vertical sides are:
12+12+8+8+8+8 = 56 lineal inches of 3/4" plywood
56 x 3/4 = 42 square inches
Compressive of strength of plywood parallel to face = 4,500 to 6,000 psi
42 x 4,500 = 189,000 pounds

There are other factors too consider, but the boxes certainly seem adequate for his needs.

Thanks for the calculations!!!

Also thanks everyone for the compliments.

[Cummins12V98]

dcmac214 wrote:

Useful & the plywood is rather attractive.

Question: How easy (right word?) is it to handle the boxes with the D-rings? Think I'll do something very similar but would prefer a pull handle kinda like this, big enough to get all my fingers around.

I use an old awning metal handle to pull them but most of the time I just grab them. I originally had drilled a hole on opposite ends to hook with the awning handle then I thought that was stupid as nastily little creatures would inhabit them and possibly bite one of us. So I found the D rings to fix my FooPah. The handle idea would be ok but I like all the surfaces flat.

[Pangaea_Ron]

Doing a quick calculation of the compressive strength of each plywood box, it looks something like this.

Assuming a 8" x 12" box, the vertical sides are:
12+12+8+8+8+8 = 56 lineal inches of 3/4" plywood
56 x 3/4 = 42 square inches
Compressive of strength of plywood parallel to face = 4,500 to 6,000 psi
42 x 4,500 = 189,000 pounds

There are other factors too consider, but the boxes certainly seem adequate for his needs.

[dcmac214]

Useful & the plywood is rather attractive.

Question: How easy (right word?) is it to handle the boxes with the D-rings? Think I'll do something very similar but would prefer a pull handle kinda like this, big enough to get all my fingers around.

[Cummins12V98]

Carpenter/Construction Superintendant for 35 years so you get to know how to support things. Long boxes go to the front incase RV moves fore or aft. Smaller square boxes are for the back 4 jacks. RV is a 39TKSB3 Mobile Suites with MANY options and carrying a lot of weight, it's weight is 23k with 25% pin weight.

Look at the diagram there are center vertical dividers to fully support the pads. I have been using these for 1.5 years.

[ddndoug]

Great idea Cummins12v98.

Doug

[wannavolunteerF]

cummins12v98, these are beautiful boxes. what kind of RV are you using them with? seems like they would be pretty heavy, hope they are strong enough to support what you are using them with. Not saying you didn't consider this, just curious as to how you decide they are sturdy enough?