Extras

Step Ladder and Extension Ladder

We have one of those collapsing ladders to reach the top of the RV – i.e. hanging over the edge of the roof isn’t safe. If you have to make multiple trips to the roof, like installing solar, a regular ladder is much more safe than hanging off the back of the RV.  The step ladder is useful in the RV as well as outside; we found it at a big box hardware store.

Connect Kit for Attaching Portable Propane Tank or Fire Pit

When we knew we were headed to temperatures in the teens in Wisconsin for an unknown period of time (turned into two+ weeks), one of the things we did was add ports to connect portable propane tanks to our main propane supply line.  These ports could also be used to supply a firepit that has its own regulator.  We used these, refilling our portable tanks several times as we only had 15 amp service and depended heavily on our propane for heat.

Aluminum Platform Step

About half the campgrounds we have visited we have needed an extra step for the main door. In unlevel campgrounds or where parking pads are literally on a hill, the step down from the RV steps can get pretty big for us old folks. This platform has adjustable height and we have used it a lot and was quite useful for us on our years of travels.

Tire Covers

Class A RV motorhome tires cost a lot – like $800+ EACH!  Internet wisdom says they should be replaced every 5, 7 or 9 years depending on who you listen to.  We cover our tires whenever we will end up in a spot for more than a few days. At under $100 for these, it is cheap insurance. If we can get a few more years, then it’s worth it.  Just watch for the nasty kind of bugs when removing them.

Heavy Duty Wheel Chocks

You can buy those yellow plastic wheel chocks they sell for trailers, but I’ve seen what happens when someone drives off without putting them away; they just crush like a pop can without the driver even noticing. If you really want them to do their job, you need to get heavy rubber ones like these.

Leveling Lego Blocks for Jacks

These heavy-duty leveling pads are useful for putting under jacks. I don’t use them to drive on – opting instead for 2x12s.  Also, these pads need to have a piece of wood fastened under them as they, like legos, are hollow and sink into gravel, or dirt that isn’t quite hard. I fastened 1/2″ plywood to four of them and leave the rest available for stacking.

2×12 Wood Leveling Blocks

I have 6 2×12;s and 4 that are doubled up and have their edges beveled to make them easier to drive upon.  I have been to places where an axle or side needed to have three boards deep. Most places are not that bad. I drill through the 2x12s sideways and run allthread through them and put nuts on. The boards like to split and the allthread keeps them together.

Tools

Lots and lots of tools. Over the years, I have actually cut back a bit based on what I used or didn’t. There are almost always hardware and auto parts stores around, so that one tool you didn’t bring can be bought, but a complete set of common tools is a must.

Parts

Too Many it seems, but then there is always that one odd part you need and don’t want to run to a hardware store just to get. So I have several bins worth of parts, screws, bolts, bits of plumbing and hoses. But each year, I go through and cut back a bit more. I will always feel like I don’t have enough but never use most of what I have.

Repair supplies

Dicor, silicone lubricants for seals, steps, slides and so forth. FIberglass treatments, polishes, Eternabond tape for emergencies, Gorilla tape and duct tape for quick repairs, and so on and so forth.

Step Pads and covers

We make our own step covers with outdoor carpet and grommet tools. We cut them long enough to go around with a bit extra – then fold over 3 inches of the end and install 4 grommets on each end. Then I use tie-wraps to fasten them. They last longer than any store bought covers. For the inside steps, I buy a rubber door mat and cut a piece for each of the two steps. They stay in place and be be lifted out and shaken. One more mat is put inside next to the steps – all of this helps catch dirt on the way in.

Front Door Mat

We have a heavy mat we put on the ground beneath the steps.  It takes a pretty good wind to start blowing it around.

Clock

Hanging in the living room is a standard analog face clock. It is WWVB connected so it stays accurate so long as we remember to change the battery once a year or so. We also have a projecting alarm clock in the bedroom. It sits on the counter next to the closet and projects the time on the ceiling – much more convenient to see the time at night.

Art and Nicknacks

– Live in a spot and decorations become inevitable. Here is a sampling.

Calendar

Despite having two computers, two phones and an iPad – a paper calendar or two seem to be a requirement.  One in the kitchen and one in the bathroom.

Coffee Pot

We used a coffee maker for several years. Recently we’ve dropped coffee and just use various teas now. We found this electric kettle which quickly comes up to temperature and has a range of temperature settings.

Induction burner

We have a “nice” propane stove, which we tried to use but gave up. Even on their lowest setting, the burners were too high. Food wouldn’t simmer, it always burned. So we bought a single “burner” countertop induction and have never gone back to propane. We plan to remove the propane stove and drop in a two-position induction top.

Air Fryer

We use this mostly for Chickens – legs, wings or whole chickens.

Heated Water Hose

We tried one hose – and it failed quickly.  I’m not naming names, but it was one of those solid hoses with the heating element molded into the hose.  I know of two of them that failed quickly.  And they are incredibly stiff, especially when cold.  We went to this model instead and it worked fine and continues to work fine for us. It houses the hose and heater within a separate cover.

50 Amp Extension Cord

Only once have we needed a 50 amp extension cord.  But we planned to stay at that site for two weeks, so it was kind of a must-have.  This is the one we now have.

30 to 50 Amp Adapter

Sooner or later those of us who have 50 amp RVs will find themselves at a 30 amp only park (some state parks for example).  This 30 to 50-amp adapter will get you some power at least.  Remember your 50 amp connection is really two 50 amp connections and the 30 is a single 30 so power management is critical.

15 to 30 Amp Adapter

and for those times when the RV  is in your (or someone’s) driveway and you just need to keep the batteries charged or the refrigerator running, a 15 to 30 (and maybe plus the 30 to 50) adapter will get you very limited power in the RV.  Turn everything off that you can – no electric water heater, no AC, no small heater etc.

Insulated Curtain for Cab Area.

When it has been really cold – like 15 to 20 degrees outside, we find that the front cab area lets a lot of cold in from places we can’t entirely track down.  One trick we have is to put a spring-loaded curtain rod across the RV right behind the front seats with a heavily insulated curtain hanging on it.  I don’t remember where we bought ours, but they were something like these. Check your dimensions.  The curtains don’t seal off the front completely but they did, for us, make about a 20-degree difference between the front cab and living space.