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I thought I would make a list of stuff, products that have worked well for us.  Some of the items are fan favorites, tried and true and widely used and accepted across the LOA spectrum of members.  Others are little known, sleeper products if you will.  Some have been passionately debated and others, not so much.  Hope this list can be of use to somebody.

To start things off simple, toilet paper.  White Cloud Green Earth available at Wal Mart.  Broke down more quickly than every other TP I tested, even special RV TP.  And yes, I actually conducted tests.  Also, it passes the DW test........  It's made from recycled paper but it is not junk TP......

Image result for white cloud green earth toilet paper

Next up is the Progressive Industries EMS PT-30-C surge protector.  Enough said....

Image result for ems pt30c

Rolling in at #3, numerical position on the list has no significance by the way, the Air Bake non stick baking sheet.  This light weight non cracking gem is the cats meow.  Solved the uneven heat problem when baking biscuits, cookies etc.  To get the right size I had to order a 2 pack from Amazon which included a larger one.  The big one was a welcome addition to our house cooking implements......

Next, the Valterra Dominator sewer hose kit.  I know the Camco Rhino Flex is likely the most popular choice but I went with this one.  2 10' sections and a nice see thru elbow/dump station hole connector thighy.  Also, no tabs that need to be cut off to make it fit in storage space.......  Note, the pic shows a solid red elbow, all the ones I have seen have a clear elbow.  Note #2, the elbow probably wont fit in the storage tube etc......

Image result for valterra dominator

Thetford Campa Chem toilet chemical/deodorizer.  The dreaded blue liquid.  This version of Thetford Aqua Kem is available at Wal Mart in a 6 pack for $7 and change.  When researching it I compared the MSDS for both products and they appear to be identical.  This product has worked extremely well for us.  We even found it to solve a problem in our grey tank following an unfortunate bacon grease incident......

Image result for thetford campa chem

The Camco Olympian 5500 Grill.  Made to hook directly to the propane quick connect.  I have had this grill for over 4 years and 2 different campers.  I pretty much like this grill better than my big back yard grill.  One big benefit is the "smoker plate" that goes between the grill and the burner.  Almost completely eliminates flare ups.  Mine isn't shiny and pretty any more like the one in the pic, but boy does she cook......

Image result for camco 5500 grill

Tri-Lynx leveling blocks.  The orange legos.  I carry 2  10 packs along with the top caps.  Haven't cracked any yet......

Image result for tri-lynx levelers

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Victron battery monitor.  Provides valuable data about battery usage.  Especially nice if you like dry or boondock camping......

Image result for victron bmv700s

TST TPMS.  Tire pressure monitoring system.  If I had installed this sooner it may very well have prevented the tire blow out that resulted in $4500 in damage to my truck.....

Image result for TST tpms

Indoor/outdoor are rug made from recycled water bottles.  6' x 9' which is perfect for behind our camper.  Usually available at Costco for about $20, sometimes on sale.  Ours has been in use for over 4 years. Sorry the pics is sideways, but you get the idea.......

Image result for outdoor rug made from recycled water bottles at costco

Anyway, hope somebody finds this useful.  These certainly aren't the only choices, and maybe not even the best.  Just the ones that have worked for us.  

                      Enjoy.......

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Original Post

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Nice starting list.  reminds me i need a tps system, victron and grill...

I never even thought to look at non "rv" toilet paper.  I might have to give that one a go.

I have the dominator hose as well (only 1 10' section though) and like it.  never tried the camco rhinoflex.

for our blue tank stuff we found some drop-ins, basically packets of concentrated stuff similar to the ones for washing machines or dish washers.  it's more $ per dose but takes up less space and no need to measure.  Got it at Walmart locally, i think this might be it.  https://www.walmart.com/ip/Cam...ge-Drop-Ins/14504340

I'm really torn on the grill.  We had an R-Pod before the Lance and it had one that worked "ok".  it was super convenient but sometimes where the camper was and where the table was weren't all that close together so I'm not sure if I want one that connects directly to the trailer or something free standing like the weber q1200 that I can move around more.  it would mean having to carry a second tank but it would be more flexible in use.

I'm searching for a good outdoor mat that covers both the doors on my 2185.  leaning towards this but it's kinda pricey.   https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00T...coliid=IQSHCFR2VBI4R

 

Hi Erick,

Great idea for this "basics" list.  The air bake sheets work well for those home bakers, too.

One question about the leveling blocks.  I have one 10-pack of the Lynx levelers.  I do not recall seeing anything about the cap blocks.  Why and when do you use that block?

Thanks.

Nutman posted:

Erick, great post, thanks for sharing. The only thing I would add is a comfortable chair, a steak for the BBQ, and a beer or three.

I would add:

Chairs (as Nutman--Larry) alluded to:

zero gravity chairChair

And with the latter, one needs an ottoman:

ottoman

A propane fire pit for this times where open fires are prohibited as discussed in a recent thread:

51d-aV6aCHL

Along with my water hose, I take a garden hose for a black tank spritzer.

water hose

I also take this "Y" connector and hook both hoses to it so I can easily add water to our black tank:

BrassYwShutoff

I have a bunch of hose washers. For some reason I had several fall out early in our camping career. Since buying 10, I've lost none. 

hose washers

Water regulator:

Watts263AwGauge_small1

And of course, a water filter. We use the following. I thought about going more elaborate, but we use bottled water to drink out of anyway, so the following are sufficient.

Unknown

Always take our Krueg. It's easier than making a pot and makes great coffee. When we plan on boon docking, we take a tea pot and thermal coffee pot like below.

kruegmelita

And I always take my set of tools. No picture for that.

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Great list Erick...I only have room for one pack of lynxs....want to get some caps....I have not cracked any but I have damaged some using them on large stoned site in State forest that had my camper tilted hard on a side hill...but I have had them since my first 5er and they have served me well....going to get another set to replace the damaged ones, and then carry some extras with the caps if I can get them shoved in somewhere..... 

imageimageimageI'd add an inflater. Giles and I both have an18V battery operated one that I love for its portability and digital setting capability. I also pack an 18V trouble light - small, portable, and has built in stand. Also it operates off normal house current. Finally I carry disposable rubber gloves. The best I've found are nitrile heavy duty black rubber. A ten pac costs about five dollars at HD.  

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Last edited by Mike and Sue
Leemom3 posted:

Hi Erick,

Great idea for this "basics" list.  The air bake sheets work well for those home bakers, too.

One question about the leveling blocks.  I have one 10-pack of the Lynx levelers.  I do not recall seeing anything about the cap blocks.  Why and when do you use that block?

Thanks.

Hi Lee Ann.  The cap blocks are just a nice addition to the Lynx Levelers.  They provide a flat surface for the tire to rest on instead of the 4 raised lego bumps......

Image result for lynx leveler top cap

Here is the Amazon link for your shopping convenience........

https://www.amazon.com/Tri-Lyn...eywords=tri+lynx+cap

Big E posted:
Leemom3 posted:

Hi Erick,

Great idea for this "basics" list.  The air bake sheets work well for those home bakers, too.

One question about the leveling blocks.  I have one 10-pack of the Lynx levelers.  I do not recall seeing anything about the cap blocks.  Why and when do you use that block?

Thanks.

Hi Lee Ann.  The cap blocks are just a nice addition to the Lynx Levelers.  They provide a flat surface for the tire to rest on instead of the 4 raised lego bumps......

Image result for lynx leveler top cap

Here is the Amazon link for your shopping convenience........

https://www.amazon.com/Tri-Lyn...eywords=tri+lynx+cap

The Amazon cart is filling up again. You might want to ask them about a commission! Thanks.

I use Lynx blocks for my tongue and the stabilizers as well as leveling the trailer, so I have 3 sets plus the caps.  The caps are useful for adding a half inch of height, and I've sometimes needed to go 3 blocks high to get level, and I've usually made a ramp up and a level parking surface for both wheels.  It takes more blocks, but it seems easier to me.  I also have the Lynx chocks that work with the blocks.

Got them from Amazon, the Lynx system seems better than the yellow ones I've seen at Camping World.

 

Mike and Sue posted:

imageimageimageI'd add an inflater. Giles and I both have an18V battery operated one that I love for its portability and digital setting capability. I also pack an 18V trouble light - small, portable, and has built in stand. Also it operates off normal house current. Finally I carry disposable rubber gloves. The best I've found are nitrile heavy duty black rubber. A ten pac costs about five dollars at HD.  

I bought some of them gloves they where all the same....no pairs.....!

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I like the list and the additions later on.  The lego blocks are good i have used mine well so much so I have ruined two...have a new stack now.   

Now when it comes to toilet stuff, good old Costco TP works well, and i have not used a chem for at least 5 or 6 years...just have not had the need.  Extra cost and got to carry it someplace and hope it doesn't spill, ever tried to clean up the blue stain after it dries?   Why gloves, just wash your hands!  it is your stuff, why worry!  

I carry electrical adapters for 15 to 30 to 50, extension 30A cord with an LED light so I know I have power.

All sorts of water stuff so i can get water from almost any tap.  

Quick connectors for city and flush different heads so they are not mixed.

IMG_0194IMG_0195

in line shut off always handy/

IMG_0196IMG_0198IMG_0199IMG_0200IMG_0201IMG_0202

Short flex with pressure reducer in line makes it real easy to fit on almost any tap.

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What are these called, slip it over a tap with out threads.

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four way key, any good plumbing supply has them.

IMG_0205IMG_0208

tank fill long enuf so it stays in place with shut off.

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All my hoses have new cast brass fittings, not stamped, so they will take abuse plus they just work better and do not cross thread.  

Plus a fitting that goes inside a tap that had inside threads...they are anti tamper hose bibs and the thread on the outside cannot get destroyed.   

Hose to hose coupler...3/4"

IMG_2561

Carry a Weber BBQ and the hose to feed from the low pressure LP.

IMG_2137IMG_2138IMG_2139IMG_2141IMG_2892IMG_2896

It was easy to remove Weber reg and replace with good airhose fittings.

 

 

 

 

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Big E posted:

Not difficult at all.......

When I installed the inverter I put a batt monitor in as well, I wonder how I got along without one before, but still have not figured out everything it call tell me and why I need to know!  it easy install and are not that expensive.  Check with Bestconverter.com.   

Mike and Sue posted:

imageI'd add an inflater. Giles and I both have an18V battery operated one that I love for its portability and digital setting capability. I also pack an 18V trouble light - small, portable, and has built in stand. Also it operates off normal house current. Finally I carry disposable rubber gloves. The best I've found are nitrile heavy duty black rubber. A ten pac costs about five dollars at HD.  

I have the smaller Ryobi inflator - handy little tools - works great for my air shocks, and an 18 volt, Ryobi drill that I use to raise/lower the stabilizers

Ryobi Inflator 

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Last edited by sequoia464
Les1 posted:

Thanks Big E  

I have most of that stuff, but not the legos.  Just use 2X lumber pieces.  Is there an advantage to using the legos?  

The only real advantage(s) I can think of, they are light weight, stack for storage and take up little room.   Quite possibly no better than lumber.......

Capt PJ posted:

Why fully cooked, part of the enjoyment is the wonderful smell and driving your neighbors insane!       

Simple, fully cooked bacon when camping cuts down on cooking time and more important, cuts way down on grease to dispose of. Bacon grease can be a problem as one can not simply pour it down the drain so that leaves disposing outside as the only option. Unless you're able to have a campfire, the grease usually winds up on the ground somewhere and that can attract Bears when boondock camping.

Costco sells the exact same stuff (re-badged as Kirkland) and we like the taste.

R&V Spiker posted:
Capt PJ posted:

Why fully cooked, part of the enjoyment is the wonderful smell and driving your neighbors insane!       

Simple, fully cooked bacon when camping cuts down on cooking time and more important, cuts way down on grease to dispose of. Bacon grease can be a problem as one can not simply pour it down the drain so that leaves disposing outside as the only option. Unless you're able to have a campfire, the grease usually winds up on the ground somewhere and that can attract Bears when boondock camping.

Costco sells the exact same stuff (re-badged as Kirkland) and we like the taste.

We always fry 1 or 2 # of bacon early in the trip, save the grease, refrigerate it, and use it for frying eggs, pancakes, etc.  Nothing beats the taste of breakfast fried in bacon grease.  If we have extra grease we put it in an empty tin can, let it solidify, and dispose of it in a bear proof bin in the campground. 

Dale L. posted:
R&V Spiker posted:
Capt PJ posted:

Why fully cooked, part of the enjoyment is the wonderful smell and driving your neighbors insane!       

Simple, fully cooked bacon when camping cuts down on cooking time and more important, cuts way down on grease to dispose of. Bacon grease can be a problem as one can not simply pour it down the drain so that leaves disposing outside as the only option. Unless you're able to have a campfire, the grease usually winds up on the ground somewhere and that can attract Bears when boondock camping.

Costco sells the exact same stuff (re-badged as Kirkland) and we like the taste.

We always fry 1 or 2 # of bacon early in the trip, save the grease, refrigerate it, and use it for frying eggs, pancakes, etc.  Nothing beats the taste of breakfast fried in bacon grease.  If we have extra grease we put it in an empty tin can, let it solidify, and dispose of it in a bear proof bin in the campground. 

The aluminum can would be my solution, as was done when I was a child.  However...I do not recall the use of it for frying eggs. I suspect it tastes much better than my no-cal cooking spray for frying eggs.

Last edited by Leemom3

I will, and do cook bacon, when camping (good bacon, as Jacster will agree)....but I will start the day before I leave, and broil about 3 lb and not totally finish it ,and let it cool and wrap it in a paper towel and put it in a bread bag or zip lock bags and keep in the fridge....then when It's time to start the Genny for a battery boost in the morning, I will Micro some ....cost far less(well maybe not) then buying the pre-cooked, and (but) is usually better. once it is all though I will cook some.... as Capt said the smell is some of the whole picture when camping.....

Last edited by setters

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