Best Options/Accessories for 6.0?

[montedtrotter1]

[font size="4" face="trebuchet ms"]We're downsizing from a Viking popup to a QS6.0.  We're in our early 60's and prefer the lighter weight of the QS6.  (We're very excited about it.)  We're reading everything we can to inform what we order.  We think these are the options we'll choose:  A/C, rear storage deck, awning, 7-way plug and privacy drapes.  We want to get a gizmo (wind/temp help) for it, too.  We're thinking to install our own carpeting.  Electric mattress pad and either the Laz-Z boy slumber air mattress or a memory foam mattress.  We'll use a ceramic heater if we camp in very cool weather.

Feedback?  Any other "essentials"?  We realize preferences vary with individual needs, but just interested to hear what others consider essential on the 6.0.  Thank you.
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[admin]

If it doesnt get included already I recommend an interior light. Flashlights and lanterns are great, but I like the bunk light/fan combo for when I'm in bed. Might also consider a good size fan if you do any warm weather camping. I'm in a 10.0 and I know the little AC unit just cant keep up in some of the hottest months, but a simple box fan helps a lot. I assume a 6.0 should not have the heat issue to the same degree though.

Something else I've missed is a simple exterior light near the door. In fact there is zero exterior lighting on mine, so you might look into getting something near the entrance. Other than that it a great camper and I'm sure you'll love it.

-Sean
PS. Welcome to the forum

[montedtrotter1]

[font size="4"][font face="trebuchet ms"]Thanks, Sean.  We'll add the fan/light to the list!
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[chuck893]

We have well-used 8.1. This thread got me thinking about the lack of an exterior light. We are in our 70's and my wife in particular is pretty shaky on the step at night, so I just ordered one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Beams-530-Battery-Operated-Motion-Sensing/dp/B00196WS6S/ref=sr_1_6?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1421157363&sr=1-6&keywords=rv+exterior+lights&pebp=1421157403549&peasin=B00196WS6S#Ask

It says it is sealed and weatherproof, delivers 20 lumens, runs a year on three C-cells, is motion detecting and does not go on during daylight hours. The only thing that concerns me is, is it bright enough, but I promise to report on that as soon as I know. I plan to mount it alongside the door using Velcro rather than the supplied mounting tape. Reviews suggest the supplied tape is pretty useless, and also to replace batteries you need to be able to get to the back, so Velcro makes the most sense.

[pinstriper]

[p]I quite like the idea of a mattress-sized electric heating pad. This is an idea whose time will come, this spring.

However, on those really cold nights, remember the adage: "dog heats best". Nothing like snuggling up with one dog on your feet and another pretending to be a full body pillow.

Since our 14DBS has the bed in "sideways", and I got the inside, which is right up against the forward bulkhead, one thing I consider essential is a hip flask with decent bourbon or brandy, for overnight buzz management...err...purely medicinal purposes, as it were, or is. I'm sure.

Also, you can never have too many LED flashlights. I have several hung from the walls on 3m command strips. They make [a href="http://www.command.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/NACommand/Command/Products/Catalog/~/Command-Cord-Bundlers?N=5924736+3294529207+3294780016&rt=rud"]these with a sort of loop/strap [/a]that you can hang anything that you can put a loop/strap through it to, umm, hang up with.

We also put one of those scrunchy foot/boot/shoe scrubber thingies on the ground by the step. You clean your shoes before stepping into the camper, then take your shoes off. Keeps the dirt and debris to a minimum. Get 'em at harbor freight, or elsewhere.

Those cylindrical pop-up trash can thingies are also cool but - and this is important, so pay attention here, because I had to learn this one the hard way - do NOT leave this outside with food scraps, especially shrimp shells and tails and other pungent delectables, as this may attract raccoons, bears, and other scoundrels who will chow down on your garbage and then leave WITHOUT CLEANING UP AFTER THEMSELVES !!! I can't stress this enough. Bears. Seriously. Bears.

One accessory that we recently availed ourselves of, which is also not model-specific, is a little connector/adaptor that allows you to recharge those 1# propane cylinders from your main LP tanks. Since we cook almost exclusively on a campstove instead of the cooktop, this can be a trip-saver if you run out of cooking cans. For the rest, we only use the onboard propane for the water heater. We have both a campstove and a small bbq grill that use the little cans. Also Harbor Freight. Use the 20% coupon because these go like $15.

We also consider as indispensable a complete set of tacky decorative electric camp lights. A real conversation starter. If people see these, all lit up on your camper, and don't stop by to say "howdy neighbor", let's just say you don't want to know those people anyway. [a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012H6HMK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1"]Here's what we got.[/a]
[/p][p]
[/p][p]Harbor Freight also provides cheap tire chocks, tool sets that are so cheap they are disposable, and various cords and adaptors that are just fine.
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[quicksilverbill]

We have a QS6 and love it. The stock mattress, however, proved to be just too thin for us. I really recommend adding a good mattress topper or some similar supplement to the original mattress.

I'm sure you'll really enjoy your new camper.

Cheers,

Bill

[gnies]

100 mph are you crazy omg

[chuck]

BAL Leveler the best addition IMAO: http://www.amazon.com/BAL-R-V-Products-Group-28050/dp/B000BH5MAA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1429979281&sr=8-1&keywords=bal+levelers

[rcarter1776]

[quote source="/post/5947/thread" timestamp="1421086702" author="@revmarion"][font face="trebuchet ms" size="4"]We're downsizing from a Viking popup to a QS6.0.  We're in our early 60's and prefer the lighter weight of the QS6.  (We're very excited about it.)  We're reading everything we can to inform what we order.  We think these are the options we'll choose:  A/C, rear storage deck, awning, 7-way plug and privacy drapes.  We want to get a gizmo (wind/temp help) for it, too.  We're thinking to install our own carpeting.  Electric mattress pad and either the Laz-Z boy slumber air mattress or a memory foam mattress.  We'll use a ceramic heater if we camp in very cool weather.

Feedback?  Any other "essentials"?  We realize preferences vary with individual needs, but just interested to hear what others consider essential on the 6.0.  Thank you.
[/font][/quote]Agreed preferences do indeed vary with individual needs, I am an avid camper of 25 years of age with 30 years of experience (grin) and I find that most essential is a really good nights rest.  For me in a qS 8.0 that means a 2.5 inch memory foam mattress and an excellent sleeping bag, mine is a two person bag rated to 23 degrees F/-5 degrees celsius.  The added comfort of the foam on top of the mattress along with the loft of the sleeping bag (plus the warmth of my lovely wife in the bag with me) makes for a wonderful nights sleep and a great camping experience.  A lot of other things will flow into your camping style organically as you are out enjoying the great outdoors and then coming home to reflect on what you had with you and what you wished you had taken along.  This, I feel, creates an overall camping experience which is fun, flexible and fits your own personal style, taste and needs.  

I realize aside from the memory foam and sleeping bag not much in the way of individual items were mentioned but this is how I have been creating my personal, individualized camping accoutrements list while still having fun in the process.  hope this helps


 

[chuck]

BAL leveler is a nice have. We put down foam interlocking pads vs. carpeting. Very nice on a cool morning.  Also adding a zipper to a tarp to tie into the zipper above the door is a great add too.

[chuck]

Folded up foam topper fits right on top of the fold down table length wise of the trailer. 

[gawin]

1 must I have found is a fan that you can direct as the A/C on the floor needs to be blown up into the camper area. Cold air sinks so with out the fan to move it off the floor it never really cools well in the sleeping area.

I also am set up with a Zamp 40 watt suitcase solar panel. This is great for all 12 volt needs. Even on a rainy day your battery will stay full if you are not on shore power. It folds up into a small case and will fit under the couch bed very easy. Also for a few dollars more when you get it you can get a plug that you mount on your battery box so you can just plug in and your set.

[stevesanders]

We have a 6.0 that is very similar to what is described in the original post.  We have the Slumber-Air mattress and use an electric mattress pad with it when it is very cold.  The mattress is great and the heated mattress pad is much better than an electric blanket.  After all, heat still rises!  I added some cords that allow me to tie the devlated mattress to the bed frame before closing the camper.  I used Closet-Maid shelf attachment brackets and some curtain rod cord.  The only issue with this is that this make the bed rather heavy to open and close.

You might want to add the little table that attaches to the outside of the camper.  We have found it to be very useful.

About the only thing mentioned that we don't have is the inside privacy curtain.  As small as the 6.0 is, I don't see where that would be helpful.

I added a TV mount for a 19" flat screen TV.  I used two flat screen TV wall mounts and a 4 foot cheap aluminum level.  Without going into a lot of detail, one mount is used to attach the level to the short wall and the other mount is attached to the top of the level to hold the TV.  I'll provide more detail if people want to read it, but it works very well.

I also added an outside electrical outlet on the rear corner of the camper, to the far left of the door.  That's a great addition!

Steve

[husaberger]

All of these are great, I use almost all of em except with the outdoor light - its something I should need myself - I think 20 lumens might be bright enough in the darkness.

What I really feel is important for my camper, kids, and my aging hands is a zipper pull added to some areas of the camper, especially the door.

sometimes the zipper itself disappears in the folds.

[peislander]

[quote timestamp="1429979315" source="/post/9969/thread" author="@chuck"]BAL Leveler the best addition IMAO: http://www.amazon.com/BAL-R-V-Products-Group-28050/dp/B000BH5MAA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1429979281&sr=8-1&keywords=bal+levelers
[/quote]I agree. BAL Leveler Number One. BAL Leveler Number One. It's a chant.