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

[tvman44]

A dab of epoxy to fill the hole and put a decal over it.

[livingaboard]

traydon wrote:
Iwasn't trying to hi jack the thread I did actually put up a key rack and a magazine rack but I know there are alot of creative people with good ideas on here Sorry

No harm done. You will get better answers in the repair section rather than here, though. I like the screw idea. Sounds like it isn't a big deal to repair

[traydon]

Iwasn't trying to hi jack the thread I did actually put up a key rack and a magazine rack but I know there are alot of creative people with good ideas on here Sorry

[beemerphile1]

traydon wrote:


...I drilled through the bedroom wall I ended up witn a 1/8" hole in the outside fiberglass wall What does anyone recommend for a fix that will last

I would probably put a small white screw in the hole and call it good. Seal with a little caulk and it will last as long as the RV does.

BTW, this thread is for Hints, Gadgets, Products & Gizmos. A question about repairs would be best in the tech section with a new thread.

[4u2nv]

traydon wrote:
OK I have spent the last 4 days skimming this site and it is great I am currently about page 170 but couldn't wait and figured i may get an answer while i finish looking. Here is my dilemma, While trying to attempt a cool mod of my own i made a big mistake.I was installing a key rack just inside the door to hang keys on and as I drilled through the bedroom wall I ended up witn a 1/8" hole in the outside fiberglass wall What does anyone recommend for a fix that will last

oh man now there's a mistake you don't want to make. You probably need some type of fiberglass to fill the whole then sand smooth and paint.

[traydon]

OK I have spent the last 4 days skimming this site and it is great I am currently about page 170 but couldn't wait and figured i may get an answer while i finish looking. Here is my dilemma, While trying to attempt a cool mod of my own i made a big mistake.I was installing a key rack just inside the door to hang keys on and as I drilled through the bedroom wall I ended up witn a 1/8" hole in the outside fiberglass wall What does anyone recommend for a fix that will last

[helperzack]

Handy Hint:
Problem:( Screws working out of the inside wall, ones that hold the decorative curtains.

Solution:)
Having tried several times to fill the screw holes with wood filler/putty using a putty knife. Having no lasting success as I could not get enough putty into the little hole.

DW suggested I use one of the syringes (no needle) that we get from the pharmacy for giving the kids medicine.

I removed the plunger, filled the syringe with putty, then replaced the plunger and proceeded to "fill" the stripped holes. Some had more space behind them than others. Let it dry a day then screwed in the screws.

All holding tight!
Count your blessings!

[DiamondDan]

Baby wipes to clean the Fantastic Fan vent screens w/o having to remove them.

[rolling_rhoda]

If you need good packing material when boxing up things for storage, moving or shipping, try this.

Call an area newspaper and ask if they have "end rolls" available. This is leftover of newsprint paper, still on the roller tube, that went unused so there is no print. Ours are as wide as the newspaper page and vary in length - usually many, many yards. Just take a butcher knife and slice off a sheets and get packing. The paper is more flexible than bubble wrap, cushions better than flimsy tissue paper, and you'll be recycling. (PS, at my newspaper, they're free.)

[Suescasa_Mycasa]

Thanx for all the great tips will stay tuned

[popeye59]

Guess we haven't used our trailer enough to wear the clips out as they hold out vent flap quite securely when traveling. I do however get annoyed by it flapping at night, so we just leave it clamped in place until we use the range hood vent, which really isn't that often. We cook outside most of the time.

[wiskeyVI]

Tvov wrote:
Do you have a good way to secure your range vent? Mine just has two little plastic thingys that are supposed to hold the vent closed for travel, but they always slip down.

I can't stand the vent flapping when it's windy.
The little plastic tabs would fall during moves also.
The best thing I found to solve this, without messing with the clips, is a cloths pin that has a paperclip taped to the end of it.
I just clip it one the little center bar in the vent, or to the edge.
The clip doesn;t reach the flap, but the paperclip does. It's fast and simple. I can clip it to keep the flap closed or open, or just slide it a bit to let the vent open it when it is on.

[pasusan]

livingaboard wrote:
Not sure if this fits the category but I was having storage issues. I have a closet in the hallway with two sliding glass mirrored doors. The problem is that the doors might be 20 inches wide but by the time you open the door you could only get about 14 inches of width in the opening to move things in and out and it was a real pain in the butt.

I took the doors off and threw them away. I then got a metal baker's rack that took up most of the space inside. The rack has adjustable shelves. I used a few screws and big washers to go through the shelving into the walls. This holds the rack very securely. I was then able to put two of the larger ,clear storage bins, with the snap on lids, on each shelf and then on the floor beneath the rack. The closet now has room for ten of these bins plus I have several inches on each side between the rack and walls to put other items.

I use bungy cords to secure the bins and it works great since the rack has all kinds of attachment points for the bungies.

So now, when we are going on a trip, we take the empty bins we need into the house, fill them up and put them back on the shelf.

The bins I use are the three pack bins at Costco for about $18.

Unfortunately, I had to use a sliding accordion door from Lowe's. Cost was about $20 and it does look cheap. I might try some type of curtain option but for some reason the wife was against it at first.

I will take a picture and post it here soon.

GOOD! Because without Pics.... Well, you know.

[livingaboard]

Not sure if this fits the category but I was having storage issues. I have a closet in the hallway with two sliding glass mirrored doors. The problem is that the doors might be 20 inches wide but by the time you open the door you could only get about 14 inches of width in the opening to move things in and out and it was a real pain in the butt.

I took the doors off and threw them away. I then got a metal baker's rack that took up most of the space inside. The rack has adjustable shelves. I used a few screws and big washers to go through the shelving into the walls. This holds the rack very securely. I was then able to put two of the larger ,clear storage bins, with the snap on lids, on each shelf and then on the floor beneath the rack. The closet now has room for ten of these bins plus I have several inches on each side between the rack and walls to put other items.

I use bungy cords to secure the bins and it works great since the rack has all kinds of attachment points for the bungies.

So now, when we are going on a trip, we take the empty bins we need into the house, fill them up and put them back on the shelf.

The bins I use are the three pack bins at Costco for about $18.

Unfortunately, I had to use a sliding accordion door from Lowe's. Cost was about $20 and it does look cheap. I might try some type of curtain option but for some reason the wife was against it at first.

I will take a picture and post it here soon.

I see that these are 11 gallon tubs and could go bigger on some of the shelves.

[dcmac214]

In addition to springy clothespins we carry a double handful of two sizes of spring clamps - $1-2 anyplace that sells tools and hardware. They've got a bigger bite than the clothespins and are considerably stronger. Some are available that have a stronger grip than a rat trap.