Shopping for RV stuff.

[AlmostThere]

Ok, now that I officially have my RV I need to start with checking out what I need to replace. When I picked it up last night the owners told me they threw out the sewer hose as they felt I'd not like using the same one they did. I didn't get it, a sewer hose is a sewer hose and they had it in a plastic bag like they took good care of it, but, oh, well. Now I need to get a new one plus a new water hose, which was nasty looking and I felt it should have been tossed.

Ok, first should I keep the old water hose for any reason? Not sure if I might need it at a dump station??
Any suggestions on length to replace the sewer and water hoses?

Which brings me to why I posted to begin with. I know allot of you shop at WalMart, and I'm not sure just how much RV stuff they sell, but is all of their stuff just as good as, say, Camping World? i.e. the hoses??

[Shirlv]

Lenora, The Walmart in my area has next to nothing in rv supplies. They do have a flimsy sewer line that might last one trip. I bought most of my supplies from Camping World because they had everything I needed. If you have a store close by you save on the shipping. I joined the President Club the first year and it saved some. Funny how your taste changes, I bought a house and loved Lowes, bought a rv and couldn't wait for the cw catalog. Of course my wardrobe is early ragpicker. I relied on rv.net for the best items to buy, sewer hose, etc. Have fun

[rvgrammy1953]

Depending on the Walmart, you will find lots of RV stuff or nearly nothin'............ Our local ones (depending how far we want to drive...Hanover, Gettysburg, and Chambersburg, PA) have the basics, i.e......sewer hoses (being full-timers, we buy a new 1 every fall before heading out and Ernie insists on a 20footer.), white water hoses, water filters, (yep, even thou we have interior filter, we still will attach a water filter outside the 5er.), toilet chemicals, deflappers for the awning........now as far as toilet paper goes, and there are a million different opinions on this , you can buy the "expensive" RV type, or just buy regular 1 ply paper such a Scotts.......the important thing here is to be sure it's "1 ply"....have had lots of RV dealers and mechanics tell us this...and we've never had any problems.....We've bought same items at Camping World and really haven't found much difference in the quality of the items, just the price...so Walmart is our choice for the basics.....Just our opinion and experience....hope this helps...

[Cedar518]

Lenora,.... re: length, I can't help. mine is not very long,.... but then I never camp where there are sewer hookups on the site. So it's fine for going to the dumping station on way out of cg. Perhaps there are places that you might need a longer one (and maybe one of those little support things in descending heights to keep "stuff" flowing toward the sewer? I bought a new water hose this summer and then got another new one included with the new camper. Also got a new sewer hose included with new camper. But, I think it's pretty lightweight, will replace soon, before it develops problems.

[sunshinecruiserTN]

Lenora, I splurged after the 2nd sewer hose and bought a Rhino hose and 1 extension that I have yet to use, but at least I have it. If you ever spring a pinhole leak you will find out that 30 is well worth it.

You will find that household items will suffice in an RV even though some of the same things are sold in CW, go with Walmart or Dollar store.

If you use your old water hose (which is probably white) for something other than drinking water, make sure you label it someway bright so that you won't for get or that someone helping you (meaning to do well) doesn't get it confused.

Good luck, you're gonna love it.

[Pooker]

Now we're into the good stuff!

I have a rather long Rhino - the kind that stays in a position when you bend it and telescopes for storage. Sharon and I played with one at a RV park store and I knew I just HAD to have one. It's very sturdy because it's a more rigid plastic instead of the thin stuff the others are made from. I also have a regular heavy duty hose for places where the rhino isn't practical. I want to buy a shorter Rhino now for those times when I'm real close to the dump. So, to answer your question: I'd say buy two - one 20 feet and one maybe 10. And I'd also suggest having both with their own attachment ends. You can change them out, but it's a pain. Also ask for "universal" fitting on the end that goes into the dump station. Some RV parks are more picky than others about the fittings you use. I also made a beanbag type weight to lay on top when I dump. Prevents the hose from "jumping" out and spewing out all over the place. I cut a section from a leg of old jeans. Sewed across the bottom, loosely filled with large gravel from my driveway (could also use the decorative rocks for plants found in the dollar store) and sewed across the top. Just plop the thing down on your sewer fitting and it will stay in place!

Hoses: I have a rather new white hose that I use all the time - has a water regulator and an inline filter. I kept the old one to use for the rare instance when the spigot is too far away to reach. I would suggest NEVER use a potable white hose for any sewer type use!!!!! Even if it is an old one. Use an old green, black or gray garden hose section or something and there will never be a question if someone else helps you. You don't need many feet for dump purposes. Oh, yes, I also keep a spray bottle filled with a solution of bleach and water and spray the water spigot before hooking up my drinking hose. You never know when the guy before you just put his sewer hose under the faucet to rinse! Yuk! But I've seen people do it. I spray the spigot again after I'm all done so the next person has a sanitized faucet.

That's enough for one posting!

Happy shopping!

Pooker

[Shirlv]

A hint while I am thinking of it. My first gtg I couldn't unscrew the end attachment off the sewer hose. I ended up cutting it off with a knife. I called the company when I got home and they said use "Pledge furniture wax". I now spray the ends every time before attaching anything, works like a charm.

[Bethers]

I have one really good sewer hose I bought when I was in one place for a long time - and only use it when in one place a long time. I buy the cheapo's at Walmart and don't mind if I have to replace it (have only replaced it once in 4+ years now - no twice, cuz they ran over it with a weedwacker at one park) - I don't get the shortest, nor the longest - but get one with all the attachments already on - so you can screw it on where necessary. Only once in 4+ years has my hose not been long enough and I then requested another site where it would be. I refuse to fool around and carry extra lengths in sewer hoses - and I refuse to have to put 2 together - that's where things are known to leak.

On water hoses - I have 2 - my 2nd is pretty short - but for the occasions when I want to wash something, or use water other than for the water hose. However, twice I've had to use it to park convenient to the sewer - and then needed extra length for the water. If I can't reach water, I just use my holding tank, then refill it. No Biggie for me.

I'm not into getting the spensive stuff - but that's up to you - some, as you see, like the spensive. This is one area that I like replacing every couple years anyway - no matter how clean I keep them. Now, my better one - hopefully won't be replaced for a long time - but it has a hard side around it - so those parks can't easily weedwack it !!!

Water hoses - make sure to occasionally put bleach water in, screw the ends together and swish them around - even drive with them that way for a couple days - then rinse out before using. Mold is known for growing in damp, dark places - just what your water hose is when you detach it.

[Mrssissy]

Talking about buying RV stuff at Walmart.
I noticed my Walmart only has one small 5' wide shelf of stuff, and the one where my daughters in Fla. has a 20' foot section. I guess it matters what their volume of sales is for RV stuff in a particular geographic area.

[OutandAbout]

Lenora, what fun shopping will be. I would agree with Pooker and get a 20' and 10' sewer hose. That way you will have enough. I just get the cheapo kind and scrunch them up and tie with a twist tie for storage. I usually dump at the end of the trip, on the way out or at a Flying J, so don't have to worry about hoses fitting. I got a new owner kit with the TC and purchased a hose prior to picking up the TC. I like having the two hoses, but mine are the same size. Again I would get different sizes. Much more practical. I like Beth's point about bleach in the white hoses and screwing them together. I do keep the ends together when traveling, but now I will incorporate Beth's tip when traveling Thanks Beth. As Lori mentioned, any 1 ply T{ will work, no need to buy RV toilet paper.

I guess what you end up getting will depend on how you are going to use the RV and on storage space. See what extras you have around the house for kitchen items before spending a lot of money. Have fun shopping! Linda

[retiredhappy]

I also carry two sewer hoses (bought at Walmart) 20' and 10' and a thing so I can hook them together if I need to or use separately depending on how far the sewer is from my rig. I carry 3 water hoses: 1 20', 1 10' white drinking water hose and 1 10' green hose for cleaning my sewer hose after dumping. I ALWAYS use a water filter between the water line and my rig. Several years ago my toilet wasn't getting much water to flush. The RV repairman had to remove the toilet and sure enough, the screen where the water enters the toilet was almost completely blocked by calcium from hard water. The only way to get to the screen was to remove the entire toilet. (Who designs these things?) I carry several screwdrivers and a couple of large pliers (really helpful when tightening water hoses).

AS for electrical, I have a 50 to 30 amp adapter. I was told NOT to use a 30amp extension cord because if I have to run that far it decreases the output and can be bad for your RV. Because I often stay in older parks with dubious electrical posts and in areas with lots of lightening I invested in an RV surge protector. It not only protects the RV from electrical surge but has a delay in turning back on to give the AC time to reset from a power outage. I have a gadget that I plug into the electrical box to be sure there is enough power and that the box is wired correctly. Before I had this little item I ended up with a bad electric problem from a brownout situation that cost me almost $500.

And of course, you need some kind of outdoor lights. I no longer hang any from my awning cause its a pain to put them up and down. I use those rope lights and lay them around my outside rug or patio area. You can even use an outside light timer to turn them off and on.

Have we completely confused you?

[mitch5252]

I ALWAYS use a water filter between the water line and my rig. Several years ago my toilet wasn't getting much water to flush. The RV repairman had to remove the toilet and sure enough, the screen where the water enters the toilet was almost completely blocked by calcium from hard water. The only way to get to the screen was to remove the entire toilet. (Who designs these things?) I carry several screwdrivers and a couple of large pliers (really helpful when tightening water hoses).

Where do you put the filter? First thing out of the campground's water post? Or at the other end of your hose? Or after it's in the trailer?

My little trailer has a filter built in. It must be the first thing after the water gets inside, eh?

..

[Shirlv]

When Karen mentioned pliers for the water hose I remembered another hint. I could never get the water hose tight enough and had a wet mess. I now use the direct connect for the hose, I leave it on the end, just push and da ta. I bought it at the hardware store and love it.

[mitch5252]

When Karen mentioned pliers for the water hose I remembered another hint. I could never get the water hose tight enough and had a wet mess. I now use the direct connect for the hose, I leave it on the end, just push and da ta. I bought it at the hardware store and love it.

Don't you have to have a part that would go on the campground end? If so, have you ever left it behind?
(I can't tell you how many adapters we've seen on posts!)

..

[Shirlv]

Sorry, Mitch, I wasn't clear. The push attachment is on the end that attaches to the inlet on the rv. Someone, not me screwed it on the hose and I can't get it off. I don't try, it stays on the hose. The end of the hose that attaches to cg water supply has the other junk, filter, regulator, etc. Correction, the filter etc is on a 3ft section of water hose, thanks Fernie and I attach that to the long piece of water hose. Am I making any sense at all.