Essential accessories for a newbie

[Brett_K]

We will be bringing home our new to us 2013 Salem 26tbud in a few days. Lots of things to buy. Excluding the obvious household items needed, i plan on starting off with the following purchases to get me started. I was hoping for recommendations for a particular brand or model for any of the following items...
Water pressure regulator with gauge
Sewer hose with 45 clear elbow
Wheel chocks and leveling blocks
12v air air compressor with long cord
First aid kit
Tool kit
Extra jack, not sure which style
Power tongue jack
Replacement rear stabilizer jack as one is bent

[Brett_K]

Just got back from Harbor Freight. I picked up a good assortment of hand tools , 4 rubber wheel chocks, a cola sable lug wrench, , and an 8 ton bottleneck jack. It's a start.

[rockhillmanor]

Halmfamily wrote:

linnemj wrote:
Patience and a good sense of humor need to be taken along on all trips!

My thoughts exactly.:)

and cold ones.

[Halmfamily]

linnemj wrote:
Patience and a good sense of humor need to be taken along on all trips!

My thoughts exactly.:)

[GordonThree]

tomkaren13 wrote:
Buy a Barker Power Tongue Jack. Somewhat expensive but they are one of the best brands.

x2 for Barker... but cut off that glass fuse holder and install either a blade type fuse holder or a Bussman 30amp resetable circuit breaker

Bussman Circuit Breaker Waterproof 30 Amp CB185-30

[linnemj]

Patience and a good sense of humor need to be taken along on all trips!

[tomkaren13]

Buy a Barker Power Tongue Jack. Somewhat expensive but they are one of the best brands.

[DiskDoctr]

An awning mat really helps keep the dirt out of the camper. Walmart has one about $50. Water won't hurt it, either.

[Cotay]

boosTT wrote:
Fuses. Misc cables if you plan to connect ipods, laptop and whatnot. Lots or rags.

X2 on the fuses! Our first trip out I dind't have them...and I definitely needed them. 🙂

[GordonThree]

good catch ... may every trip be trouble free 🙂

[westend]

GordonThree wrote:
I would add

* one or two extension cords that match your service (30 or 50amp)

* dog-bone electrical adapters depending on your service, for my 30 amp trailer I have the 15 to 30 the dealer gave me, as well as a 50 to 30 so I can use the bigger plug if the 30a plug is occupied or non functional

* broom for sweeping out the dirt you'll track in

* Service light with a long cord (either 12v or 120v)

* buy a 2x6 or 2x8 8-foot board from the home center, and cut it up into 6 or 8 inch pieces... small blocks of wood have so many uses when you're camping.

* trigger-light propane torch, lighter fluid and charcoal briquettes for a trouble-free camp fire and either your own charcoal grill or one the CG provides.

* big plastic boxes with lids (sold as under-bed storage) ... I have three, one for sewer, one for electrical, one for fresh water

X2 and fixed that one item for 'ya. We're not expecting any trouble are we?:B

[myredracer]

Since you asked about some specific items:

* I would get a good pressure regulator. The top of the line would be a Watts 263A. They have excellent flow rate and are re-buildable. Other regulators have low flow rates and aren't re-buildable.
* I would get a clear backflush sewer elbow like the Valterra one. You can connect a hose and flush water back into the tank for cleaning. You'll need a dedicated grey hose for this.
* X-chocks are a good choice to minimize fore/aft movement.
* get a good air compressor and make sure it can pump 50 psi okay. Also get a good pressure gauge (digital).
* get a toolbox and make up your own toolkit with some basic tools. A torque wrench would be good for tightening lug nuts.
* get two bottle jacks and some pieces of 2x4 and/or 2x6 and use them ahead of the axles to reduce bounce.
* leveling blocks can also be used to level picnic tables and BBQ. I'd get 3 packs total.
* I'd get a more powerful elec. tongue jack. Some are slow and some are noisy. Don't know which are better but I like our Ultra-Fab.

If you're also looking for other ideas, there's good ones above. Also search the internet and other RV forums for lists of everything and anything you could ever want.

I agree on extra sewer hose. Sometimes the inlets on the ground are ridiculously far away. We have 4 lengths. You can connect the ends of a length of hose together and store it in your pass-through. Also agree on the quality of the hose. Get a good brand. Hoses can also be a tough fit into a bumper and I think there is one out there that is slightly smaller diameter and fits in easier. You could get a sewer hose support. I don't bother with ours anymore and just lift the hose up off the ground starting at one end to move the waste along and into the sewer drain.

Other things that may not have been mentioned that come to mind:

* TPMS
* EMS power protection like Progressive Industries (not a basic "surge protector")
* If use internet a lot, look at something like Verizon 4G. CG wifi can be terrible sometimes.
* A portable 12 volt cooler may come in handy. Won't work well when it's warmer outside though.
* Outside area rug and picnic table cover c/w hold-downs.
* Selection of good DVDs for when OTA or cable TV reception is poor or not available.
* Get some extra potable water hose. You should have at least 50'. If you have space for more, I'd get 100' total. You may need it in a CG sometimes if you end up in a dry camping site and need to fill your holding tank.
* Pair of walkie-talkies for backing up, especially in to CG sites.
* A couple of decent recliners in addition to at least 2 folding chairs. If you want the ultimate in a comfy recliner, there's this one that I have: La Jolla recliner This is my favorite accessory, bar none! (Nobody else gets to use it either, lol.) I even found a large tote bag for it at an RV parts shop that is a perfect fit.

[Bumpyroad]

rockhillmanor wrote:
Do yourself a BIG favor, throw out the cheap stinky slinky sewer hose your RV probable came with and buy a Rhino Sewer Kit. Found at any Wall mart. A few bucks more but well worth it to make dumping a better experience.

then for step two, do yourself another big favor and throw out the Rhino sewer kit and buy a macertor pump or a sewer solution. 🙂
bumpy

[boosTT]

Fuses. Misc cables if you plan to connect ipods, laptop and whatnot. Lots or rags.

[rockhillmanor]

Do yourself a BIG favor, throw out the cheap stinky slinky sewer hose your RV probable came with and buy a Rhino Sewer Kit. Found at any Wall mart. A few bucks more but well worth it to make dumping a better experience.

It will come with 'all' the attachments that you will need that are required at some CG's. So you can avoid having to buy one from CG camping store before they will let you in! :W



And as far as the gloves go for dumping? Stay away from the industrial strength gloves!!!! First of all they are bulky and after using them you will then have to wash 'them' off and then store them somewhere.

Then go to Walgreens and pick up these latex free disposable gloves. Covers your hands not bulky and throw them away when done.



Know that you have the dumping stuff all covered, forget the list and just go have fun. Whatever you forgot trust me the CG store will have it for you to buy!

But DO remember to pack the before you leave! :B

Welcome to the forum and the wacky world of RV'ing! :C