Thought it might be nice to have a repository of little tips and tricks that have worked out for us, the main idea being non-RV-related stuff we've found handy.
I'll begin with tarp bungees. At least four uses have presented themselves so far...
1) They help keep the umbilical and emergency brake cable snaked properly and neat:
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3865/14733865680_7d449b1d21_c.jpg)
2) I use one to support my sway control when I disconnect it for backing:
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3854/14920189552_e8f709d67b_c.jpg)
3) It was recommended that the awning supports be secondarily secured while in transit:
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5593/14920190862_389535697d_c.jpg)
(I use two per arm, one high and one low)
4) And finally, we used a couple with some "tarp clamps" to keep our awning ends from flapping (no photo).
Next...
...stainless fishing leaders!
Stainless steel fishing leaders are dirt cheap and available many places, including WalMart.
Very handy for securing hitch pins and the like, to keep them from walking off:
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3855/14733969797_b25e628121_c.jpg)Handy solution. Started using them years ago to secure pens and flight computers and the like to my kneeboard when flying - dropped items can be excruciatingly hard to reach otherwise.
Thanks for the tips and the pictures. I'm headed to Wally World to get some.
You're welcome!
On my 21BHS, standard wire shelving material fits perfectly to make a de facto platform for doing dishes:
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3914/14853259594_b1629f26a0_z.jpg)
Stores very easily in the pass-through storage, taking up virtually no room.
Like the wash station shelf idea. Thanks! Also noticed your holder for the hose sprayer. That's an add-on? Can you spec for me?
I guess the photo is deceptive - the nozzle was just hung on the access door.
I am contemplating a way to mount a faucet, probably with suction cups*. The ideal situation would be to control it with a foot valve, leaving both hands free.
The little plastic suction cup container was something Karen found, she thinks at WalMart. Handy for keeping the Dobie pad out of the dirt!
*Along those lines, does anyone know where to source the male portion that goes into the quick-release? Or a foot controlled water valve?
We have one of those plastic suction cup containers (also found at Walmart) in our shower. We also use a large suction cup hook attached to the outside of the trailer to hang a garbage bag up on..
Did someone mention suction cups?
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5587/14970859985_5efd497bfb_c.jpg)
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3919/14970517882_13d47a6b13_c.jpg)Worked fine, though certainly not the most elegant solution.
[quote source="/post/2773/thread" timestamp="1408465391" author="@fasteddieb"]Did someone mention suction cups?
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5587/14970859985_5efd497bfb_c.jpg)
[quote source="/post/2791/thread" timestamp="1408503586" author="@pinstriper"][p]
That is a cry for help.
[/p][/quote]Well, I would only see it as a problem if I worried about having all the little yellow drawers perfectly aligned and perhaps in alphabetical order.
But now that I think of it...
[quote source="/post/2798/thread" timestamp="1408534779" author="@fasteddieb"][quote source="/post/2791/thread" timestamp="1408503586" author="@pinstriper"][p]
That is a cry for help.
[/p][/quote]Well, I would only see it as a problem if I worried about having all the little yellow drawers perfectly aligned and perhaps in alphabetical order.
But now that I think of it...[/quote]It's ok, brother. I have the affliction, too. I was checking the spelling on your labels.
When I boondock at Wally World is just buy water and do not bother putting it in the fresh water tank. I keep a gallon by the toilette, flush and dump more water in the bowl. Works great, no fooling around. OK, so I skip a shower for an evening. Next night I am at destination.
We have a 13QBB so space is a premium. We put up a couple of very small tension rods between the air conditioner and the nearest cabinet. I think I bought the rods through Amazon. We use them to hang towels on. We use large but light microfiber towels so they aren't heavy.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-OiXjtxwj_HQ/U_rPJNmat-I/AAAAAAAADbg/a8ij90914lg/s144/IMAG0489.jpg)
I'm late to the suction cup discussion, but I thought I would mention a new (to me) suction cup product called "FrogsFeet":
http://www.amazon.com/FrogsFeet-Large-Suction-Hooks-4-Pack/dp/B00725E9KS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409073213&sr=8-1&keywords=frogs+feet
They will stick to any non-porous surface. That means cabinet surfaces, walls, ceilings, etc... The magic part is that they use a slightly sticky rim that conforms to surface contours, so the texture of the surface doesn't matter. Just make sure you run your finger around the edge to make sure it's fully "smooshed".
[quote source="/post/2950/thread" timestamp="1409073326" author="@tinkeringtechie"]
I'm late to the suction cup discussion, but I thought I would mention a new (to me) suction cup product called "FrogsFeet":
http://www.amazon.com/FrogsFeet-Large-Suction-Hooks-4-Pack/dp/B00725E9KS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409073213&sr=8-1&keywords=frogs+feet
They will stick to any non-porous surface. That means cabinet surfaces, walls, ceilings, etc... The magic part is that they use a slightly sticky rim that conforms to surface contours, so the texture of the surface doesn't matter. Just make sure you run your finger around the edge to make sure it's fully "smooshed".
[/quote]
They certainly get good reviews!
[quote source="/post/2952/thread" timestamp="1409073830" author="@djsamuel"][quote source="/post/2950/thread" timestamp="1409073326" author="@tinkeringtechie"]I'm late to the suction cup discussion, but I thought I would mention a new (to me) suction cup product called "FrogsFeet":
http://www.amazon.com/FrogsFeet-Large-Suction-Hooks-4-Pack/dp/B00725E9KS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409073213&sr=8-1&keywords=frogs+feet
They will stick to any non-porous surface. That means cabinet surfaces, walls, ceilings, etc... The magic part is that they use a slightly sticky rim that conforms to surface contours, so the texture of the surface doesn't matter. Just make sure you run your finger around the edge to make sure it's fully "smooshed".
[/quote]They certainly get good reviews! [/quote]Got a few uses for those.Got on my must have list.
Here's something I've found useful around camp,velcro straps
http://www.lowes.com/pd_40898-388-90441_0__?productId=1085819&Ntt=velcro+straps&pl=1¤tURL=%3FNtt%3Dvelcro%2Bstraps&facetInfo=
[quote source="/post/3120/thread" timestamp="1409499130" author="@vmcmn"]Here's something I've found useful around camp,velcro straps
http://www.lowes.com/pd_40898-388-90441_0__?productId=1085819&Ntt=velcro+straps&pl=1¤tURL=%3FNtt%3Dvelcro%2Bstraps&facetInfo=
[/quote]My Lowes has a roll of 1" double sided velcro (sticks to itself) that can be cut to length for any purpose for about $3. I found myself making wraps for every cord and hose around the house and camper.
How many times has your trailer cut you? I'm up to 3 or 4 now and each time I find a rough/sharp spot I try to address it before one of my kids gets hurt by it. I've found that sugru is extremely handy for this purpose:
http://sugru.com/
Here's a picture where I put a blob on the bunk corner (it's the black playdoh looking stuff):
[attachment id="359" thumbnail="1"]
Unfortunately in that case my son discovered it with his forehead :'(. He looked like he had battled Voldemort.
Anyways, the stuff sticks to just about anything and dries to a hard rubber in about a day.
[quote source="/post/2732/thread" timestamp="1408311261" author="@fasteddieb"]*Along those lines, does anyone know where to source the male portion that goes into the quick-release? Or a foot controlled water valve?[/quote]I found the brass, outside shower quick connector here
http://www.dwincorp.com/products/71/Brass-Quick-Connect-Adapter
My pre-owned Camplite came with no shower hose, so I am fashioning one myself.
Thanks for that source!
Here's a better link to that quick disconnect
http://www.dwincorp.com/products/71/Brass-Quick-Connect-Adapter
i updated my previous post. This can also, be used as a blowout plug to drive air into plumbing lines at the city water inlet.
I need pretty much total darkness to sleep. Even the microwave clock disturbs me (Tape fixed) However, getting up in the middle of the night presents a problem navigating to the head. I installed an 8 led motion sensor light at the floor level on my fridge. When I hop out of bed the lamp illuminates the trailer . Keeps me fro stubbing my toes.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0087GF8ZG/ref=sr_ph?ie=UTF8&qid=1412021014&sr=1&keywords=led+motion+sensor+light
One nice trick learned on my present journey: carry a section of vinyl or aluminum rain gutter. Cradle your sewer hose in it and raise one end on wood blocks in order to create the fall you need to the sewer connection. Works great. Light weight. Can be transported in the camper if necessary or the bad of a pickup truck tow vehicle.
Would post a nice pix if only android would let me.
It is a neat idea for sure. However, I have a rule that says "Don't keep anything related to the sewer system inside the trailer. Or tow vehicle." This rule is iron-clad.
I'm sure you could bungee or otherwise attach it under the bumper or something, though.
For some reason, much of the time the rear stabilizers on my 21BHS are coming up a bit short. Not sure why, because the trailer is level, but at least half the time I need a block under them.
An example here on my pad - admittedly there may be some slope involved:
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7287/16940016745_896275e965_z.jpg)
[img style="max-width:100%;" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7590/16939048141_dffb286859_z.jpg"]
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7654/16752331258_dc62a88549_z.jpg)Anyone else noticed a proclivity for the rear stabilizers to reach their limits before touching down?
[quote source="/post/8499/thread" timestamp="1427409656" author="@fasteddieb"]For some reason, much of the time the rear stabilizers on my 21BHS are coming up a bit short. Not sure why, because the trailer is level, but at least half the time I need a block under them.[/quote]
We have a similar issue but it can happen with the front or back depending on the slope of the site. I've always attributed it to the off-road package, but I think the camplite stabilizers are just mounted higher than most trailers because they're at the level of the top of the frame instead of the bottom (I like that they're protected though). Here's our solution:
[attachment id="665" thumbnail="1"]
These are just leveling blocks that I cut in half. They fit the stabilizers well and I can put them whenever they're needed the most. Usually I'll use all of them every time (even on level sites) because the stabilizers seem more stable the less they are extended.
Pretty sure I saw Short Round take the same block approach in IJTOD.
One shortcoming of our 21BHS is the claustrophobic feeling with the bathroom door closed.
I'm 6'1" with relatively long legs and that closed door is right there.
Karen bought a small spring loaded curtain rod. I notched the rubber tips and it holds well as seen here:
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8720/16786335118_804d82f444_z.jpg)
This towel is just what we had handy - Karen is thinking something more rustic.
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8725/16973092861_0636034895_z.jpg)
Anyway, with that in place one can keep the bathroom door open and still have some potty privacy.
Seemed to work as advertised!
https://www.amazon.com/Nelson-Industrial-Fitting-4-Inch-50578/dp/B0015ASX12/ref=sr_1_6?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1467549577&sr=1-6&keywords=hose+adapter
I used this little adapter. Just unscrewed the quick connector and screwed the new fitting on.
Now I can use a standard garden hose.