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

[profdant139]

When we were newbies, we could never remember how to deploy and retract our awning -- it is a balky manual model, with a lot of moving parts and steps that had to be performed in a certain order. So I typed up a step by step "cheat sheet" and printed it in a small font and then laminated it -- we used to take it outside with us to do the awning. We don't need it anymore, but we did for the first couple of seasons!

We then did the same thing for our "sewer solution," which also had a series of steps that had to be taken. The same thing for our generator, and for getting the trailer ready for towing.

Folks with perfect memories will not need these cheat sheets, but we sure did.

[alstont]

ctpres wrote:

scootsk wrote:
2011 Sea Eagle 385ft inflatable kayak

ctpres a 385 foot inflatable kayak, how long does it take you to blow it up?? LOL

Good catch, ft is part of model#. Guess I better make it CAPS or spell out Fast Track.

That was good...

[ctpres]

scootsk wrote:
2011 Sea Eagle 385ft inflatable kayak

ctpres a 385 foot inflatable kayak, how long does it take you to blow it up?? LOL

Good catch, ft is part of model#. Guess I better make it CAPS or spell out Fast Track.

[reinita]

It was a surprise to me, so I'm sharing here. I found a bunch of the white wire and plastic organizers, as well as tons of the Command-brand hooks and shelves at Lowe's. Also saw bunches of the Command-brand shelves and hooks at Jo-Ann's. You can even use your 40 percent off coupons at Jo-Ann's.
I'd already bought several of each online, but wish I'd known about these other local options.

[popeye59]

LOL

[scootsk]

2011 Sea Eagle 385ft inflatable kayak

ctpres a 385 foot inflatable kayak, how long does it take you to blow it up?? LOL

[ctpres]

Becky33850 wrote:
. I also email them (documents)to myself at my gmail account so they are on the web.

BINGO. Now I personally call that the "IDEA OF THE MONTH" Before we hit the road again I will have my RV digital library tucked away in Gmail

[popeye59]

Yep, it's getting to be that time of year again:

Time to break out all the owner's manuals and reread them to refresh my memory as to how they work and the limitations of the equipment. Time to look over the pre and post trip check lists, again for a refresher and to determine if there were issues and update them as needed. Almost time to loosen the storage cover and check all the exterior light bulbs too.

[bakerkids]

A wonderful gadget for campers without an on-board potty is theLuggable Loo. I only purchased the seat with lid
because we already had many buckets.

You can purchase double-zip lock bags that come with Bio-Gel gelatin powder, or you can use kitty litter or saw dust.

The bags biodegrade and can merely be thrown in the trash.

Very handy for nighttime potty runs, and since you use bags the bucket is always sterile. Can be used to store things in during transit.

[horseylady]

Becky, I do the same thing and back up to Mozy although I have to admit that, using a Mac, I've had a few problems with Mozy. I also back up to an external hard drive the size of my cell phone using Time Machine on the Mac. I keep all my insurance policies, rental agreements,copies of bills, everything I can, on my laptop. I also carry a ScanSnap with me and a small printer and it works great when someone needs a signature from me or a form filled out. It is also a great time saver when I need to find something!

[Becky33850]

To reduce our paper consumption, I keep all documents on my laptop. I also email them to myself at my gmail account so they are on the web. In addition, I use Carbonite to back up my system. If my laptop ever crashes and burns, I just download all my info from Carbonite. I found a 20% off coupon for Carbonite, and the same price was honored (without me asking) when it renewed.

Becky in FL -- leaving on Sunday to fulltime in Texas

[Pghwizard]

Fantastic thread and I'd love to see pics and make one for myself, that has to be a blast.

Boozecamp wrote:

PUCampin wrote:
Our smoke alarm will go off pretty much any time we turn on the stove. Boiling water sets it off. Since it is easy to access, I drop the cover which is on a hinge, and move the battery out of the contacts. The cover reminds me to put it back when done.

As a side note, the proper detector to put in a home kitchen is a "Heat Rise" Detector, not a smoke detector. A heat rise detector senses a fire by measureing how fast the temperature is rising at it's location, not by measuring the particulate concentration like a smoke detector. Cooking will not cause a rapid temperature rise like a fire does, so you will not get nuisance alarms. A smoke detector will ALWAYS give nuisance detections in a kitchen.

it don't matter where we are, when our smoke alarm goes off, it's time to eat!;)

[dcmac214]

Scrub brushes at the sink (house too). Seem most of us have a vegetable scrubber brush at the kitchen sink. We also have a stiff-bristle 1" paintbrush and a couple of used toothbrushes to scrub into hard-to-reach places like the slots in the colander. One toothbrush used only to scrub under & around fingernails.
DC

[dcmac214]

slownse wrote:
If painting somthing to stand on. Mat paint and springle a littel sand on or mix in paint to make anti slip

Great point, works great. No idea where my head was when I just painted it. I've used sand on several wheelchair ramps and the plywood ramp of my initial MC hauler. Also to wooden hammer handles. My experience, paint needs to be good quality oil base enamel and a couple of coats on top after brushing off the unstuck sand gives you a finish that'll scrape the hull off a battleship.
DC

[Slownsy]

If painting somthing to stand on. Mat paint and springle a littel sand on or mix in paint to make anti slip