cancel
Showing results forย 
Search instead forย 
Did you mean:ย 

Handy Hints, Gadgets, Products & Gizmos

GizmosMom
Explorer
Explorer
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
Marilyn w/ Joe, 2016 Class C Sunseeker 2430 SF, often pulling a Ranger bass boat. Traveling with Trigger
Smudge & Gizmo are waiting at the Rainbow Bridge
3,560 REPLIES 3,560

popeye59
Explorer
Explorer
One thing to watch for if you use the extension cord while it is still on the roll, is they can over heat.
Frank and Jean
EM1 USN ret
DAV Life Member

'09 Rockwood Roo 233S
'03 1500 Silverado LS

The things that come to those that wait will be the junky stuff left by those that got there 1st.

Remember; never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

ArmySFCRet
Explorer
Explorer
BIL had one of those roll up flat hoses in a similar casket. He threw it away and I removed the hose and replaced it with 50' of 12 guage extension cord. Works just fine and keeps it stored nicely. Left about 2 inches of the female end hanging out in the center and just pull out enough of the male end to reach to where it needs to plug in. Keep one of the three way splitters handy if I need more than one plug in.

'04 Cross Country 35' w/300 Cummins
'14 Ford Escape on KarKaddy 460SS
'09 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 Crew 5.7 Hemi MDS
'51 & '53 Hudson Hornets 308 6cyl w/

TWIN H-POWER


&
5 lbs of BG the Yorkie
Members of:
Grand Canyon Chapter of Hudson Essex Terraplane Club Inc

popeye59
Explorer
Explorer
We have something similar from Sears. I wish it were bigger than 16 gauge wire though:

Craftsman Multi-Outlet Reel
Frank and Jean
EM1 USN ret
DAV Life Member

'09 Rockwood Roo 233S
'03 1500 Silverado LS

The things that come to those that wait will be the junky stuff left by those that got there 1st.

Remember; never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

thestoloffs
Explorer
Explorer
JayWalker2009 wrote:

2. Another useful gadget I bought at the beginning of the season is an extension cord that rolls up neatly and quickly into a round housing and has four outlets on it. I actually bought two of them at ten bucks each at walmart. The two outside outlets tend to get used too fast with our radio, tv, light, and whatever else we are using. I had been using long outdoor extension cords that had to be wound up and unraveled every time we went. These things have been worth their weight in gold. They are so easy and I am someone who likes to store my things away neatly, and I didn't like cords draped everywhere under the awning. I usually only have to use the one, but its nice to have two just in case, for the times my son pitches his tent and camps with us and he has a fan he likes to use at night and his own radio inside the tent, and a light.

5. I added a simple three dollar two way hose valve to my white fresh water hose with on/off valves for each side. Keeping it attached to white hose permanently allows us to hook up the green hose with sprayer or just have water outside for a quick hand wash much easier than disconnecting the white hose.


One tip for 5.: I'd put a backflow preventor (check valve) on the open side of the Y valve, to ensure that anything from the other side doesn't get into your fresh water flow.

For 2.: Where did you get that extension cord? A picture would be a help.

Cheers!

tvman44
Explorer
Explorer
DW uses one of the plastic baskets (the kind you get at the dollar stores) about the size of the wicker one mentioned maybe a little larger to put the needed things for outside eating and cooking in.
Papa Bob
1* 2008 Brookside by Sunnybrook 32'
1* 2002 F250 Super Duty 7.3L PSD
Husky 16K hitch, Tekonsha P3,
Firestone Ride Rite Air Springs, Trailair Equa-Flex, Champion C46540
"A bad day camping is better than a good day at work!"

tvman44
Explorer
Explorer
DW uses one of the plastic baskets (the kind you get at the dollar stores) about the size of the wicker one mentioned maybe a little larger to put the needed things for outside eating and cooking in.
Papa Bob
1* 2008 Brookside by Sunnybrook 32'
1* 2002 F250 Super Duty 7.3L PSD
Husky 16K hitch, Tekonsha P3,
Firestone Ride Rite Air Springs, Trailair Equa-Flex, Champion C46540
"A bad day camping is better than a good day at work!"

lasparrot
Explorer
Explorer
The basket on the stove is a good idea.

Along those lines I have a rubbermaid drawer unit (just one drawer not the stacked one) that I keep on the seat of the picnic table. It stores the salt & pepper, napkins, cutting knife, cutting board, paper towels, etc. This saves a lot of trips in and out. It can stay outside regardless of the weather as it gets no water in it when it rains.
Laura and Carm traveling with 3 dogs & 1 African Grey Congo parrot in a 2010 Titanium 30e35sa 5th wheel - love it!
Blog: pursuitofidlepleasures / A dog's perspective: Spike's Journal

Gotago2
Explorer
Explorer
Well I have read the first 34 pages. I am a newbe and was so into the reading I forgot to take notes or make a list. So I'll start my list when I pick up again tomorrow or the next day.

What a great topic..
Norm
2011 Itasca Sunstar 35F (35')Ford V-10, pulling 2011 Honda CRV

JayWalker2009
Explorer
Explorer
Something else that I do that simplifies eating outdoors when we get to camp...I bought a wicker basket that is rectangular and I'd say about 16 inches by 8 inches . I keep it on the stove in the kitchen (we rarely use the stove, so its a good place to store it as it fits perfectly). I have it filled with pretty much anything I need for cooking outside on the grill, so that at dinner time, all I have to do is carry that to the picnic table. Inside I have paper plates and plastic cups, a wire utensil holder with our utensils and salt/pepper and meat seasoning, a cutting knife, small cutting board, aluminum foil, dish towel, table cloth and clamps, papertowels, Pam cooking spray, a few ziplock baggies, and the grill light that clamps to the grill, and other misc. items. SO MUCH easier to take that to the picnic table vs many trips for these items.

ol_Bombero-JC
Explorer
Explorer
Great suggestions/ideas!

Compliments on your Christmas gift request!.:C

Now if only *all* women would make those kinds of requests, LOL!

~

JayWalker2009
Explorer
Explorer
bob-lori-scout wrote:
Cinderella, we bought a long runner rug to cover the carpet in front of the jacknife couch and on the end that sits on the linoleum in the kitchen area, DH added 2 pieces of the adhesive back velcro, and two matching pieces on the linoleum. Now the rug stays put. But if you have it only on carpet not sure that would work for you.


An alternative to using adhesive on your floor is put rubbermaid cabinet liners under them. Cut a piece a bit smaller than the rug and place underneath. I only have small throw rugs in my camper and have this under each and they rarely move.

Other useful gadgets I LOVE at the camper:

1. I know this might sound strange to some, but I camp at a lot of sites with concrete pads. I like them clean, but don't like to sweep. And when we don't have the concrete pad, it is useful to do the same quick clean on the awning rug. In the fall you wake up to a whole lot of leaves and stuff all over. I carry a small electric leaf blower in my TT storage closet. About five seconds, it is clean.

ONe of the more useful gadgets I have ever bought for my camper. I don't even put the long tip on it, works fine without it and makes it more compact. It isn't on long enough to be a noise problem for anyone and i only use it when most families are out for the day anyway.

My SO said I was the only woman he ever knew who asked for a leaf blower for Christmas. LOL

2. Another useful gadget I bought at the beginning of the season is an extension cord that rolls up neatly and quickly into a round housing and has four outlets on it. I actually bought two of them at ten bucks each at walmart. The two outside outlets tend to get used too fast with our radio, tv, light, and whatever else we are using. I had been using long outdoor extension cords that had to be wound up and unraveled every time we went. These things have been worth their weight in gold. They are so easy and I am someone who likes to store my things away neatly, and I didn't like cords draped everywhere under the awning. I usually only have to use the one, but its nice to have two just in case, for the times my son pitches his tent and camps with us and he has a fan he likes to use at night and his own radio inside the tent, and a light.

3. I always wanted to hang things inside, but couldn't bear to put a hole in the wall. 3M Command strips are a TT owner's friend! I discovered them recently and am so glad I finally found them.

4. I have not modded the new camper as much as my old one, but the only thing I have added that I really like is the long mirror behind the bathroom door. Not in the bathroom, on the outside. It actually makes the interior look bigger and gives a full length view (i am a female, so sue me that I like to see how I look LOL). And i have a small thermometer suction cupped to the mirror, so I always know the temp inside the TT. ๐Ÿ™‚

5. I added a simple three dollar two way hose valve to my white fresh water hose with on/off valves for each side. Keeping it attached to white hose permanently allows us to hook up the green hose with sprayer or just have water outside for a quick hand wash much easier than disconnecting the white hose.

I am sure some of this has been mentioned, but I have not read through all 230 pages! LOL

Blackoctaupus
Explorer
Explorer
๐Ÿ™‚
Jacques
Itasca Spirit 29B 2005
We call it Mima!

skrams
Explorer
Explorer
๐Ÿ™‚
2007 Four Winds Hurricane 34B (Ford Chassis) Bunkhouse
2007 Chevrolet Cobalt LT (5-speed manual)
SMI Stay-In-Play & Blue-Ox Aventa LX

scootsk
Explorer III
Explorer III
phays wrote:
The canned goods storage area in my MH is tall enough for two cans but if I stack the cans two high they always fall over while traveling. I now stack two cans, then use masking tape to hold the two cans together so the top one can't fall off the bottom one. I then use the 'refrigerator rods' to hold every thing in place. If I have a recipe, like black bean & corn salsa, I'll tape a can of beans and a can of corn together so I just grab one 'stack' for the recipe. You would think that someone would make a plastic ring that would hold two cans together.


Phays, you just touched on how people make millions on simple items that no one has thought of before. Hurry to the patent office!!
Don, Kathleen
2014 Ram 3500 Crew Cab 4x4 Dually 6.7 CTD/AISIN
2019 Montana 3791 Fifth Wheel

phays
Explorer
Explorer
The canned goods storage area in my MH is tall enough for two cans but if I stack the cans two high they always fall over while traveling. I now stack two cans, then use masking tape to hold the two cans together so the top one can't fall off the bottom one. I then use the 'refrigerator rods' to hold every thing in place. If I have a recipe, like black bean & corn salsa, I'll tape a can of beans and a can of corn together so I just grab one 'stack' for the recipe. You would think that someone would make a plastic ring that would hold two cans together.