Originally posted January 25, 2018.... I'll expand the list from time to time. This is one of three related posts.
I've found some useful gadgets and a few essential ones. I've been adding stuff since our first trek in October 2013. That was a rental Class B and very educational. When we purchased a 2013 Roadtrek 210P we began adding things or expanding our list of stuff to carry.
This post is a companion piece to the others about modifications and tools.
Energy Management (Protection):
Here's a link to a 30A Power Protection device. This protects your RV from overvoltage, undervoltage, open neutral, missing ground, energy surges, etc. It's money well spent considering the cost of repairing RVs when power surges, etc. damage equipment such as heat pumps, air conditioners, appliances, refrigerators, furnace, power inverter/charger, etc.
Click for post on Power Protection
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| Exterior power protection |
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| Interior mounted power protection |
Leveling
We're more comfortable when the RV is level. That 3-way refrigerator operates better when it is level and if too far out of kilter, it may not work at all according to the manufacturer.
We carry levelers which can be assembled like legos to adjust the height of the Roadtrek. We use Lynx levelers, but there are others to choose from:
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| Lynx Levellers |
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| Levellers and wheel chocks stowed in the outside compartment of our 210P |
I've updated this post to include the medical kit I carry with me. We do supplement this with additional items, but having a good first aid kit is smart and is a good building block, IMHO. I prefer a "backpackers" model because it is pretty all inclusive. I also carry a tick remover, and the photo indicates my preferred tool. To this one can add better bandaids, etc.
I like a good cup of coffee in the morning. Space is limited, so we purchased an Aeropress.
Comfort - Heating and Cooling, etc.
We have Reflectix in all but the side door window. Really makes a difference on fall or winter nights. Also very useful if parked in full sun:
We added a front side screen; I made it but there are purchase options. It is held in place with embedded magnets. The Roadtrek has rear and side door screens. The rear is handy, but we don't use side door screen. Adding the front window screen provides "cross through" ventilation:
We added a fan to move interior air, usually to cool the front of the vehicle and a 12VDC extension. The fan has side air entry and sits in the shelf immediately above the side door:
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| 12V interior fan |
I added a solar sail to provide additional shade. Very helpful in full sun with the outside temp going into the 90s or higher. Note the Reflectix in the front window:
We carry a dual control electric blanket and with a woolen blanket G prefers this to a sleeping bag. The one we chose has illuminated controls; less fumbling in the dark and no need to turn on lights to adjust:
We carry a 750/1500 watt 120V heater. This is very small and makes a wonderful difference when temperatures are below 40F, at which point the heat pump doesn't function very well:
I added a flat panel heater, this is intended for use in the front window of the vehicle. The photo is of a larger version which we use in the TT and 5th wheel. The one for the Roadtrek is 18x23 inches and 1/2 inch thick. It is rated 250 watts. Must be kept away from flammable things. It includes an Off-On switch, but I added a digital thermostat:
After spending a lot of time in low humidity regions (14% RH or lower) we added a small humidifier/vaporizor. This is a TaoTronic which measures about 8x10x5 inches and has sufficient capacity to run all night:
Temperature Monitoring:
We added interior/exterior thermometers. Our first was appropriated from home but I upgraded to a very small with single remote. The small one goes a year on batteries and has a much better display (higher contrast):
Refrigerator:
I added an interior thermometer and one of those battery operated fans to improve distribution. We also added single and dual refrigerator bars to help keep stuff from bouncing around. We always keep an open box of baking soda in the refrigerator to control odors:
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| Refrigerator thermometer |
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| Refrigerator or cabinet spring-loaded bars to immobilize containers and jars, etc. |
Cooking and BBQ:
The Roadtrek includes a convection-microwave over and a two burner propane burner. But we do a lot of cooking and so we added a few things:
I prefer a small Weber propane grill because it has a taller lid and easily accommodates baking potatoes, corn on the cob and so on. But due to space limitations we carry a Coleman. A digital thermometer is essential.
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| Coleman portable propane BBQ |
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| Meat thermometer for cooking and grillling |
We also carry a small induction electric cook top. This can be used indoors or outdoors (when dry) and we use it a lot. It works very well with cast iron and so we carry two sizes of cast iron skillets, a small and a 12 inch, as well as a griddle. The cast iron also works well with the propane range top:
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| cooking with cast iron and portable electric induction cooktop |
The induction top can be used with stainless steel if a ferromagnetic plate is used, but that isn't very efficient. We prefer the cast iron but can't boil water in it, and prefer not to make acidic soups in the cast iron.
For steaming vegetables in the microwave we have a silicone vegetable heater. Works well.
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| steamer for vegetables - for microwave |
Dealing with water:
We use a water pressure regulator and a filter at most campsite with a splitter so I can attach a second hose. I also added an improved water inlet spigot, which screwed into the plastic fitting on the Roadtrek and makes attaching the hose easier. I carry two potable water hoses. One is a standard 25 ft. and also a 50 ft. "handi-hose" which folds flat on its own reel (does need to be carefully laid to avoid kinks, which reduce pressure). After an extended stay in an area with very hard water I purchased a small, portable water softener. It goes a couple of weeks on a box of table salt. Really made a difference as we were getting hard water deposits and that actually messed up the water inlet check valve on the rig! We like a small Brita jug, which uses carbon filters, as well a a jug to place on the counter..
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| Added exterior fresh water shutoff |
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| On-the-Go water softener |
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| Disposable water filter |
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| one version of a water pressure regulator |
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| 90 degree hose connection - I don't need this on my Roadtrek, but this can reduce the strain of the hose and water filter on the potable connector of the RV |
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| potable water "Y" hose connection - it is smart to put a cap on any open connector. Mud daubers may move in! |
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| rollable hose |
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| pitcher with carbon water filter to improve taste of drinking water |
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| portable container for drinking water |
Supplemental Lighting:
I purchased a 5-pack of these hockey puck style AA powered lights. We put them in some of the overhead bins to help in dim lighting conditions. We also carry two AA powered Maglite flashlights and some campgrounds recommend portable lights so when walking at night vehicles are made of the presence of pedestrians. We picked up two flashing/steady red with a clip which can be put on one's belt, purse strap, etc. |
| battery operated LED light for cabinets |
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| maglight flashlight |
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| clip on flashing safety light - use when walking on roads in campgounds |
Space Utilization
That can be a challenge. There are all manner of bins to keep canned goods in place, etc. We also have several varieties of "washline" with clips, which we use for hanging our hats, etc.
Electrical
If you don't have a digital voltmeter for monitoring the 12V coach battery then find a socket in the coach and a plug-in digital meter. Here's a couple of photos:
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| Plug-in 12V DC Meter |
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| Location of 12V socket in a 210P |
Miscellaneous
I lock the tire carrier in position and I have a small diameter steel cable which also locks the tire to the carrier. I also use a small water meter (turbine style), useful when filling fresh water tanks. It includes a removable valve, and I use it with all of the rigs. I also have a toilet tank wand, which is helpful for knocking crud off the sides of the tank.
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| Lock on tire carrier |
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| water flowmeter. Helpful when filling tanks |
Last, but not least is a wand to rinse out the hot water tank. Really amazing how much crud accumulates in a hard water environment:
