What else do I need?

[JudyJB]

My son found a storage lot for three months for the motorhome I am picking up on Saturday, so we (me) are going to drive it home. (He is going to follow me.)

I was wondering what else I need to get and if I should pick these things up from the dealers, or if I am just being my usual over-planning self and should wait to get these from a Camping World?

- extra fuses
- extra light bulbs
- converter plug to go from campground 50A service to coach 30A service
- extra water filter insert for the coach water filter
- 25' or 50' electrical hookup cord
- 10' or longer (?) dump hose extension

Any other suggestions?

[Birdie]

Judy, you will find better prices at your local Wal-Mart. The dealer and Camping World will be higher. Just saying...

If your light bulbs are LED's you probably won't need more than one spare as a "in case something happens to it". They will last forever. If they aren't you might want only 1 or 2 spares with the idea of replacing them with LED's.

My Class C, I never needed an extra length of sewer hose, but I have needed it twice in the Class A. I have a standard 20' and got a 10' extra length. I think Liz just got new sewer hose(s) for Sport. She might have some ideas with the new hoses. My hose is 3 years old and will be up for replacement next year (my standard).

I have one 20' extension for 30 amp electric cord and have used it 2 or 3 times. I have a 50 to 30 amp downer, but my manual says to not use those. I haven't figured that out yet. You should consider a pole surge suppressor or EMS (electrical management system) to protect your rig from over and under power as well as incorrectly wired poles.

Consider emergency flares or markers for setting out if you have problems while traveling. Couple of strong flashlights and of course your tool box.

For every suggestion I have made, there will be a disagreement. Research, research, research then make your own decision.

[longdog2]

Birdie's advice is right on. Always try Walmart first. You will often find the same things at much cheaper prices. First think, is this an RV item or just an item I will use in my RV. Example, the rubber webbed shelf liner. This is an item you will want for your RV but it is an item used in homes as well--much cheaper at Walmart. 30 AMP extension cord--RV item but usually available in RV section at Walmart--cheaper at Walmart. Same for the sewer ext--usually available in Walmart RV section at cheaper prices for quality item.

On the 50 AMP to 30 AMP item--if you had 50 AMP on your RV, I would say you definitely need the downsizer to 30 AMP for those parks that only have 30 AMP available. Just remember that if you have 2 A/Cs, you won't be running both on 30 AMP. You may also need to keep a really close eye on using the A/C and the microwave. There is a big surge of power needed when they both start up. On the other hand, so far I have not run into a park that has 50 AMP only. So if your motorhome uses 30 AMP, you will probably never need the 50 AMP park to 30 AMP motorhome extension.

Agree with Birdie on the light bulbs too but you need to know what type base your bulbs are as well as whether they are LED or not (lucky you if they are LED). Some RVs use the the round base bulbs just like an auto bulb--you can get those any place they carry auto items. If they are the wedge type, you may need to pick up at an RV supply.

Do you have a white water hose? Need that--Walmart.

Have fun. Glad to see you are driving it home yourself.

[Rufflesgurl]

Gloves especially a pair of BLACK (or any color that you would not use for anything else) ones for sewer hookup. Latex gloves for fueling, etc. and just regular gloves for other jobs. Enjoy

Linda

[Sandersmr]

Hopefully they will give you a starter kit with some things in it. But I agree with Wal-Mart - it's your friend.

As far as the 30 to 50 amp dogbone - you have 30 amp on your RV correct? The reason to plug into the 50 amp if it's available is that the 50 amp plugs tend to have less wear than the 30 amp plugs (the park had to change out the 30 amp plug when I was camping a couple of weeks ago). I also use a 30 amp to 15 amp (normal house outlet) to plug my trailer in at home to keep the battery charged and to cool the refrigerator when I get ready to go out. And this week with me working on it, I also run a fan inside (not while I have the fridge on).

I did have to get a bulb on one of my trips on the road because I had a tail light go out, so yes I recommend some of the 1141 or 1156 bulbs - which ever your running lights are. Fortunately, they also fit my inside fixtures but I'm planning on going LED.

I keep some basic tools - hammer, pliers, wrench, channel locks, screw drivers.

Water hose - if you are going to do any camping soon, I also have a pressure regulator and RV water filter that I got at Wal-Mart.

Wal-Mart also has all kinds of things in the Housewares section that you can use as you start loading your RV - strorage baskets and bins and such. I use them both inside and outside. I even have a stinky slinky in a bin in my outside storage instead of storing it in the bumper. I had heard it was too easy to end up with pin hole leaks storing in the bumper. And I got my sewer hose at Wal-Mart as well. They sell the Rhino flex hoses. I probably got the white water hose there and I keep a regular garden hose in the outside storage bin as well. You don't want to use your white drinking water hose for any clean up, especially around the sewer end.

[Bethers]

I don't use gloves when dumping my tanks - wash my hands after. That's me.

As to the things you already listed - I have never needed an extension on my electric. Have on water - so have two water hoses - which is great anyway for the times when I want water other than connected to the rig when I don't need both.

I totally agree with Colleen on the 30 amp - if that's what your rig is - I have never needed the conversion to 50 for a park. The few places that had only 50 on the post had the connections (free) for those of us 30 amp. If that day comes (after 7 years full time) when one wants me to buy one, I'll find another park unless they are truly so exceptional. LOL Kind of like they have to accept my dog or I move on.

I've also never needed a fuse in 7+ years (knocking on wood now) - so don't have those handy - as I'd need a few kinds - probably should have them, but don't.

Mostly - you're going to hear totally different from each of us as to "must haves" and "don't needs". You really need to go pretty basic to begin with - then find out what you need for YOU. We are all different in our rigs, same as we would be in a sticks and bricks. So read our musthaves with yourself in mind. Take in what works for you.

[Sandersmr]

I tend to wear work gloves when hooking up or disconnecting just because I have manual everything so I'm doing a lot of cranking - tongue, stabilizers, scissor jacks that I put under the front end of my trailer (helps with trailer bounce inside). And I do wear the latex or nitrile disposable gloves when dumping just because there are times when I'm not sure I want to wash my hands using the water source at the dump station.

[JudyJB]

I have added those items to my list. I was told the RV was 30A, not 50, but I could swear I saw some campgrounds listing 50. Maybe they had 30 and just assumed you did not need to list it. I will call one and check.

Got my canvas toolbox already packed with essentials. I am not taking every tool I own because of weight, but I will take hammer, screwdrivers, wrenches, etc and some ties and tape. Got lots of flashlights and batteries.

The pole surge suppressor sounds like a good idea, so I will look around for that. Ditto for white water hose and need to check on the house to coach electric code.

I think the bulbs are the automotive type. I know for sure they are not LED, and there are a LOT of them inside, so I eventually will want to replace them to save battery power. I don't need the place lit up that much, I don't think, and I am planning to camp places without electricity occasionally.

Keep the ideas coming!

[Liz]

My Class C, I never needed an extra length of sewer hose, but I have needed it twice in the Class A. I have a standard 20' and got a 10' extra length. I think Liz just got new sewer hose(s) for Sport. She might have some ideas with the new hoses. My hose is 3 years old and will be up for replacement next year (my standard).

I have one 20' extension for 30 amp electric cord and have used it 2 or 3 times. I have a 50 to 30 amp downer, but my manual says to not use those. I haven't figured that out yet. You should consider a pole surge suppressor or EMS (electrical management system) to protect your rig from over and under power as well as incorrectly wired poles.

I bought a new sewer hose kit that has 2 10' connections that fit together easily. So far I have only needed 10', so the other section is new.

I do not have a 50 to 30 amp connection, and have only once been in a cg where a site didn't have both 50 and 30 amp in the box. In that case, I simply moved to another site that had 30 amp. I have a 30 amp extension cord which I have used maybe 3 or 4 times....always at someone's house, not a cg. I do have a 30 to 20 amp connection and have used it a few times...at someone's house. Don't try to run anything but refer & light with that.

[BirdbyBird]

Someone will help here....there are little screen that fit over the air outlet on the side of the rig outside the frig and the hot water heater ....I think....You purchase them and put them on to keep the wasps from flying in and building nest

There is a water pressure regulator that I attach to the faucet at the campground and then attach my water hose to that assures that the city water pressure is within an acceptable range and not too strong....such that it might blow out rig plumping......

[Sprinter]

Hi Judy,

I carry 2, 25 ft hoses and 2, 25 ft electrical cords. Most of the time, I only need one set, but there have been times I've needed to use both. Also a 50 to 30 and a 30 to 20 amp converter. The 50-30 for large rallies when hookups are far apart and 30-20 for when I'm hooked up at a home. Also carry 2, 25 ft cable cords. Don't ask me why because I don't even watch TV LOL But if there is something going on the world, I will watch and want that option. You will run into all kinds of situations. Hookups on the wrong side for instance. Those extensions sure come in handy!

I haven't needed any fuses in 4 years, but that's not to say I won't. I have them in case I need them.

Florescent lights burn out on a yearly basis. I'd highly recommend LEDs

I am so excited for you!!! Looking way forward to meeting you down the road

Love,
Sharon

[Acadianmom]

I have never needed a 50 to 30 converter but I have used a 30 to 20 many times. If there is a campground with a 20 amp connection nailed to a tree I can find it. I have a 30 amp extension cord that I seem to use a lot. I am either parked backwards so I can see the lake or way out to get away from trees for the satellite. If you are going to carry a TV cable you might as well have the 25' one. I carry a box of assorted auto fuses. I have needed them a few times for the engine part of the motorhome. Don't even bother to get a sewer hose unless it says heavy-duty. The cheap ones will spring a leak the first time you use them. Also the little electric meter thing you can plug in inside to see if you are getting enough electricity. I have been in campgrounds in the summer where everyone is running air conditioners and I am not getting enough electricity. That will ruin your air conditioner. If it ever sounds like it is struggling turn it off.

I wouldn't worry about having everything in advance. There aren't many times we are that far from a Walmart or an auto supply store.

Martha

[Paulette]

If you are buying new white water hoses, I would highly recommend spending a few extra bucks and getting the never kink hose from camping world. I don't know if wal mart carries them, but they truly never kink! My old ones would kink up in the storage compartment and then never really unkink! Was a pia and I was happy to,spend the extra on the never kink.

[Colliemom]

I carry an extra 25 ft. of 30 amp. electrical cord and have had to use it a couple of times. Using 15 ft. of Rhino Flex sewer hose. Two things to throw in your tool box are a can of WD-40 and a roll of Duck tape. No tool box is complete without those two things. They can be used for an amazing amount of things from lubricating to even wrapping a blown radiator hose till you can get it repaired. You know the old saying about If you have a roll of Duck tape, you can fix anything"

[Echo]

Can't help much in everything you need as I only have a few tools. But have screwdrivers (i have philips and flat, big and small) reg hammer, pliers, vice grips, 2 crescent wrenches, electrical tape, duct tape and spare bulbs. I also have a milk crate to stand on to reach stuff, need to get a small step ladder to use instead and a pair of rubber gloves. Got a new sewer hose as my old one had a few pin holes in it and leaked but I only got a 10' one for now as I am parked real close to the sewer drain also got a new 10' length of white water hose to use this season as the water spigot is close too. My 20' length would have been much to long and it also has my heat tape wrapped around it. OH!!! Leveling blocks are important unless you have the fancy auto hydraulic leveling legs!!! I had to raise the door side of the trailer over 4" to get level. I put pieces of 2x6's under the tires on the right to lift it high enough and tire chocks are a very good idea too.

I do have plans to get a few more tools such as a small socket set but at least I wont have to pay out the big bucks for the pro grade tools. I don't have a road service so I bought a 4 way lug wrench and a 6 ton hydraulic jack too. They will work for both the trailer and the truck!