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Dedicated to those of us who still work for a living, RV on weekends and vacations, and dream of the day we can enjoy the RV lifestyle full time.
Sometimes it's the little things in life that bring us the greatest pleasure. This rings especially true in the world of RVing. The RV lifestyle is too often associated with the gargantuan, i.e. BIG rigs, LUXURY coaches, FULL timing, WIDE bodies, FULL hookup sites, SUPER stores, etc. Excess prevails; bigger is better. Why settle for 30 feet when you can have 40? Why be 96 inches wide when you can be 102? Why exist in a living room, galley, bath, and bedroom when you can stretch out in one, two, or sometimes even three slide-outs? You get the idea.
Our experience with the RV lifestyle has blessed us with an appreciation for small treasures. We have learned to understand the importance of the tiny wonders that add convenience and enjoyment to traveling and camping. We love those gadgets and gizmos that get the job done without breaking your bank account.
This week we want to pay tribute to a few of our personal favorites - items we've accumulated over the years to enhance our enjoyment of the RV lifestyle:
"Fridge Friends"
We have four small but powerful tools for our RV refrigerator that we could never do without. They combine to keep our refrigerator cold, level, and smelling good:
1. The Fridge-Mate Fan is a small, battery powered fan encased in a plastic cube designed to circulate the air inside the refrigerator, thereby keeping the space cooler while using less energy. Simply pop in two batteries and set it on any shelf to keep those chilly breezes blowing for over a month.
2. Our RV Refrigerator Thermometer is less than five inches long and designed to hang from any wire metal shelf. It's an inexpensive way to head off cooling problems before they become serious.
3. We use a Fridge-It odor absorber to keep our refrigerator smelling good. It uses activated charcoal in a small plastic shell that hangs conveniently from any shelf as it soaks up food odors.
4. Finally, we wouldn't park our rig without first leveling our refrigerator with our tiny one-inch-square Bubble Level. It fits perfectly within the confines of our refrigerator or freezer to guarantee that the only appliance that really counts is always operating "on the level."
These four simple items, costing less than $25 combined, work together to guarantee years of trouble-free refrigerator operation. |
"Awning Savers"
One of the most dreadful sounds an RVer will ever hear is the crunching and tearing of an RV awning and its supports as it is lifted from its mounts by powerful storm winds. We use two inexpensive tools to dramatically reduce the chances of losing our awning:
1. Awning Saver Clamps come in pairs and are used to prevent flapping of your awning in high winds. They are easily hand-screwed into place to hold your awning fabric and tension arms tightly positioned together.
2. An Awning Tie Down Strap combines a nylon strap, cinch, tension spring, and stakes to secure your awning and hardware to the ground. The strap runs the length of your awning and attaches easily to the stakes.
We have used these two tools for years. The peace of mind they afford when camping in windy areas or seashore locations makes them well worth the $24 you will spend to buy them. |
"Plumbing Pals"
Your RV's water systems are an integral part of your rig's lifeblood. If they leak, freeze, clog, or become contaminated, you have a major problem. We maintain our plumbing system in tip-top shape by using our own version of the "magnificent seven":
1. A good Water Filter will go a long way toward keeping your water system clean and sanitary. We use a filter that blocks bacteria, viruses, cysts, chemicals, chlorine, lead, pesticides, herbicides, sediment, bad tastes, odors, and discoloration.
2. In order to get that filtered water flowing smoothly into our RV, we employ a Water Hose Entry Elbow. This 90-degree brass fitting prevents the water blockage often caused by a crimped hose connected directly to your inlet.
3. We also place in our system a Water Pressure Regulator. Never trust the water pressure you may encounter in any campground. It doesn't take much to damage the internal components of your plumbing system.
4. We also take great care in getting the used water out of our system. One of the best tools we've found for dumping our waste is the Prest-O-Fit Ultimate Sewer Kit. The kit is comprised of two 10-foot sewer hoses, a straight hose coupler, and a universal elbow. After years of struggling to attach stubborn hoses and clamps, we absolutely love the easy slide-on connectors and the heavy-duty hoses. We even purchased an extra five-foot hose for short-run connections.
5. When dumping, we like to rinse the inside of our black-water tank. A handy tool for doing this is the Holding Tank Rinser Wand. The Wand now comes in many shapes and sizes, but the concept remains the same --attach it to your rinsing hose and insert it down your toilet drain. Once in the black-water tank, turn on the wand and give that tank a thorough rinsing. It's great for keeping those monitor panel sensors clean, too.
6. If you tire of holding that toilet valve open while you rinse with the Holding Tank Wand, then we recommend you invest in a Johnny Chock. It inserts perfectly into an open drain to maintain the opening without wearing out your foot or foot pedal.
7. Finally, when the time comes to put your rig to bed for the winter, don't tuck it in without draining and filling your plumbing system with RV Antifreeze. The "pink stuff" will prevent freeze damage to your pipes, drains, and traps.
There you have it. At an average cost of just $17, you can pamper your RV's water system. |
Whether it's for your refrigerator, awning, or plumbing system, this baker's dozen will make sure you have problem-free fun wherever you go.
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