Topic: Hints, Tricks and Gadgets/Tools --- small ones. (Read 36506 times)

stratus225 · « **Reply #240 on:** June 15, 2009, 10:37:30 PM »

This is by far the best topic I have come across on the forums for general information. Thanx everyone.

Myself being a noob, I really only have one thing to contribute to date and that is (this really is for new newbies) Dont for one milisecond think that you dont have to drain your hot water tank completely when winterizing your rig... I just learned the hard way that the bloody think will freeze and crack at the weakest point.

Now that I've said my piece, back to cleaning up the mess and re-installing the freshly repaired tank...

Dave
AB Canada

Gottasmilealot · « **Reply #241 on:** June 27, 2009, 08:52:30 PM »

Keep a compressed air horn within reach of your entrance door. It will scare off a bear or other intruding wildlife, signal others to an emergency if need be, make an unwanted person back up so you can slam and lock the door, etc.. Great for tenters and hikers too. Again, for scaring off wildlife, but also for people to find you if you get lost.

Example: http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0037806018252a.shtml They sell the horns that run off of a can of compressed gas at boating supply stores also.

I saw it used a few week back around 1am when a bear trundled into a campground looking for food. It scared away the bear and woke up people in the area quickly so they could take precautions.

Wendy · « **Reply #242 on:** June 27, 2009, 09:09:56 PM »

Quote from: Gottasmilealot on June 27, 2009, 08:52:30 PM

Keep a compressed air horn within reach of your entrance door.

That could probably come in handy for a lot of things - tornado warning, scare off wildlife, announce to the people around you that you have an emergency, chase away your spouse......

Wendy

maddog348 · « **Reply #243 on:** June 27, 2009, 09:37:33 PM »

Have carried small air horn for years(since bear in camp

) and also LARGE cow bell. As long as the bear leaves don't care if I wake up the neighboors.

mdbass · « **Reply #244 on:** July 06, 2009, 11:03:08 AM »

Have you suffered from water intrusion of some sort or another? Is there a mildew smell-or worse visible mildew or mold? Purchase a small bottle of "Tea Tree" oil and a small spray bottle (both available at Wally World). Put two capfuls in the sprayer and fill with water (you can adjust the strength). Spray the area in question or go through the coach with it. On the surfaces that don't absorb it, let it sit for a few minutes before wiping it down. We've never had fabric or leather damaged by this concoction. It may take a couple of applications; but boy does it work!

Lindsay Richards · « **Reply #245 on:** July 18, 2009, 01:46:56 PM »

Be sure not to use the air horns filled with freon as they can destroy the erogenous zone.

maddog348 · « **Reply #246 on:** July 18, 2009, 05:50:19 PM »

LINDSEY, Are you sure of your spelling

I am m NEVER going near an air horn again

maddog348 · « **Reply #247 on:** July 21, 2009, 10:20:44 AM »

We do a lot of 'dry' camping and have a VERY low weight allowance. We try for multi-purpose whenever possible. So when I was looking for a light weight - non elec. - blender/mixer (needed for mixing dehydrated egg white powder) had a "BRIGHT" idea. Why not add a beater & whisk to my already on board hand drill. Works Great !! Only adds a few ounces - works a lot better than the 'cheapy' egg beater - double duty.

davemittan · « **Reply #248 on:** July 21, 2009, 10:27:21 AM »

Clever, Kate!

This is a good example of what that Plato guy was talking about when he said 'necessity is the mother of invention'. (Or something like that)

Beaches_CC · « **Reply #249 on:** August 13, 2009, 04:40:05 PM »

Need helpfull hint - I am 'brand new' to RV'ing sorry to say my most difficult challenge has been; How do you clean coffee grounds from the perminant coffee(non disposable) filter, after dumping the majority in the trash I cannot rinse the remaining grounds into the sink?
Thanks CC

carson · « **Reply #250 on:** August 13, 2009, 04:51:14 PM »

Let me give this a try...

I suppose you have a filter made out of what seems to be metal, fine mesh.
Fill your sink or pot with hot water, add a detergent (409) or dish wash soap and just let it soak over night. Next morning use the garden hose with a strong spray to clean out the filter. It's the oil in the coffee grounds that tend to stick and plug it up. Best I can think of.

This advise is free of charge.

By the way, welcome aboard.

carson FL

aka Porky · « **Reply #251 on:** August 13, 2009, 05:59:43 PM »

Quote from: Beaches_CC on August 13, 2009, 04:40:05 PM

Need helpfull hint - How do you clean coffee grounds from the perminant coffee(non disposable) filter, after dumping the majority in the trash I cannot rinse the remaining grounds into the sink?

My hint - leave metal filter at home and use the disposable filters in the RV.

Don't spend a lot of effort trying to determine why it hurts when you slap yourself in the forehead....just stop slapping..

Ned · « **Reply #252 on:** August 13, 2009, 06:25:32 PM »

Why not rinse it in the sink? Coffee grounds are biodegradable and won't harm the holding tank or whatever sewer system you dump into.

Daisy · « **Reply #253 on:** August 15, 2009, 01:57:39 PM »

Ned:

Quote from: Ned on August 13, 2009, 06:25:32 PM

Why not rinse it in the sink? Coffee grounds are biodegradable and won't harm the holding tank or whatever sewer system you dump into.

I beg to differ. Don't know about modern technology, but do know that coffee grounds may be biodegradable, but if so, it takes years and do help to fill septic systems quickly. Especially if they have leach fields, which most older ones do.

I go along with Lou. Use a paper filter, even if you have to insert it inside the metal one. "Double filtration don't 'ja know"

Daisy

carson · « **Reply #254 on:** August 15, 2009, 02:44:52 PM »

I first thought this was a major problem, scientifically speaking.

A plugged metal filter that would not pass the necessary wake-up potion

It turned out to be on how to discard coffee grounds. See my first post here

I don't know how to answer that.. I just put the grounds in the garbage bag and the rinse the remainder .05% of grounds into the sink.

Maybe I can learn something here..

First time posters sometimes have interesting questions.

Was this a ruse?
carson FL

carson FL

PancakeBill · « **Reply #255 on:** August 16, 2009, 11:21:21 AM »

Found something cool at local hardware store. S-biner, Made by Nite-ize, you can google it. I picked up the 10 lb rated, it is a carabiner, but with 2 hooks, find it handy for many uses. They have another that is pretty cool, I have had a use in the past, but nothing right now. Called a figure 9, a carabiner, with a rope wedge. Good for tent guys.

They have a pretty extensive product line, lots of outdoor stuff. The s-biners are great though, probably pick up another few.

Lindsay Richards · « **Reply #256 on:** August 17, 2009, 06:48:40 AM »

Quote

LINDSEY, Are you sure of your spelling

The old jokes are still funny.

Lindsay Richards · « **Reply #257 on:** August 17, 2009, 06:50:57 AM »

Sears is having a closeout sale on 4 gallon, 125 psi pancake air compressors that are pretty compact and will fit into a basement compartment. Normally $169 and now $99. You can use it around the house and also use it for filling your RV tires.

mdbass · « **Reply #258 on:** August 19, 2009, 12:29:37 PM »

Quote from: stratus225 on June 15, 2009, 10:37:30 PM

This is by far the best topic I have come across on the forums for general information. Thanx everyone.

Myself being a noob, I really only have one thing to contribute to date and that is (this really is for new newbies) Dont for one milisecond think that you dont have to drain your hot water tank completely when winterizing your rig... I just learned the hard way that the bloody think will freeze and crack at the weakest point.

Now that I've said my piece, back to cleaning up the mess and re-installing the freshly repaired tank...

Dave
AB Canada

Don't forget the adapter for the freshwater connection that allows you to pump air through the water pipes to remove lingering moisture. Man am I glad that I don't winterize anymore.

Also have you tried a small space heater in the RV? You just have to keep it above freezing.

03tundra · « **Reply #259 on:** September 19, 2009, 09:59:33 PM »

On the back of our travel trailer, on the bumper, I mounted a 6'' pvc pipe that runs the lateral length of the trailer... I store our sewer connection lines in it... This not only stores it outside the camper (as opposed to a storage bin on the exterior, but is stil on the interior of the camper) but it allow it to dry out completely, lessening the bacterial growth that is present...

John From Detroit · « **Reply #260 on:** September 20, 2009, 10:16:15 AM »

Did much the same thing on my Motor home, only it's 8'long and mounted crosswise.

Six inch pipe.. Holds over 20 feet (extended) of hose. I drilled two holes in the bottom (Strangly, they line up with the bolts that hold the pipe to the frame( and inserted a couple of street elbows in them pointed to the rear so that any liquid can properly drain out as well.. The elbows pointing back keeps tire splash out of 'em (Since they are behind the tires)

1joester2 · « **Reply #261 on:** September 20, 2009, 11:59:29 AM »

I took a similar pipe purchased from Lowes and heated it with a hair dryer on a hot day. I was able to insert it inside the 4 X 4 bumper. I now have a PVC lined bumper to store my dump hose in. It takes about an hour to heat, flex, make square, and insert it a little at a time.

It works great when you're done.

Lindsay Richards · « **Reply #262 on:** November 10, 2009, 11:27:36 AM »

2 10 foot drain hoses with a connector are much more handy than 1 20 foot drain hose. Most ofthe time, 1 will reach and it is easier to handle and clean. I also have 3 25 foot white water hoses instead of one 50 foot one. Much easier and only one time haveI ever needed the third one.

Sportsdad · « **Reply #263 on:** November 12, 2009, 01:23:18 PM »

This might be well known info, but I'll repeat it:

If you use dishsoap to wash your coach, it WILL strip the wax off the finish. This is good if you plan to strip and re-apply wax. This is bad if you want to retain your wax.

Use auto soap for regular washing, not dish soap!(unless you want to strip the wax)

Tom · « **Reply #264 on:** November 12, 2009, 01:30:42 PM »

Thanks, that's well worth a mention, and something I've omitted from other postings here. It's a known fact, but apparently not known by everyone.

GKman · « **Reply #265 on:** December 15, 2009, 08:02:42 PM »

Quote from: Beaches_CC on August 13, 2009, 04:40:05 PM

Need helpfull hint - I am 'brand new' to RV'ing sorry to say my most difficult challenge has been; How do you clean coffee grounds from the perminant coffee(non disposable) filter, after dumping the majority in the trash I cannot rinse the remaining grounds into the sink?
Thanks CC

I use a French press which makes great coffee but a pain to clean. Best I have come up with is fill it half full of water, take it to the dumpster or garbage barrel, swish it around like a gold pan and quickly dump it. Wipe remainder out with a paper towel while I'm there. You meet the nicest people at the dumpster.

carson · « **Reply #266 on:** December 22, 2009, 03:46:38 PM »

This is about rust removal by the electrolysis method.

Probably best for small items...tools etc. Seems to be fairly simple to do.

I have read about an old relic anchor that was restored after centuries in the ocean. Took a long time to restore, weeks, but small items probably will be restored in a very short time.

Read this http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/rust/electrolytic_derusting.htm
Sounds like a fun project.

carson FL

Sportsdad · « **Reply #267 on:** January 04, 2010, 04:02:32 PM »

I forgot about this tip until returning from snow camping last week.

HD carries this type of insulation in the picture below. This stuff is great for covering the windows of the RV(inside) at night when its below 32 deg. How great? The condensation will sometimes freeze on the INSIDE of the window, beneath the insulation.

All windows have it on, with velcro tabs to hold in place for easy installation and removal. During the day, we remove the insulation frrom the two big windows in the coach and just roll it up and stick it in the corner. Funace cycle time is half! (With hook ups, running a single ceramic heater, the coach furnace never came on during one of our ski trips!)
http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL767/2726312/21767624/380651305.jpg

maddog348 · « **Reply #268 on:** January 04, 2010, 09:34:39 PM »

reflectix

PancakeBill · « **Reply #269 on:** January 05, 2010, 05:03:58 PM »

Been using it for years. Back in the truck camper days we filled in the over cab window with 2 or 3 layers. Kept sun out in early AM, kept cold off you or heat off when cold or hot. Have huge sheet for windshield for sun in storage and cold while camping.

News:

Author Topic: Hints, Tricks and Gadgets/Tools --- small ones. (Read 36506 times)