Friday, April 26, 2013

What are your handiest items?

In issue 583 of the RVtravel.com newsletter, editor Chuck Woodbury asks, "What are the handiest items you bring with you on your RV trips?"

He says there are three items at the top of his list — Duct tape, WD-40 and a flashlight.

What about you? What item or items would you NEVER leave home without on an RV trip?

Please leave a comment.

73 Comments:

At April 26, 2013 at 5:16 PM , Blogger Adrienne Kristine said...

Most essential for me would be a box of wooden kitchen matches and a butane lighter for those places you want to ignite without burning your fingers. Besides all the items you mention, I would include an extra water hose, pressure regulator, sewer hose, extension cord, 15/20/30 amp adapter, voltage tester for electric connection, inverter for 12v connection, $20 in laundry quarters in case there's no change machine, and a sleeping bag that's effective to 0 degrees for those very cold nights.

 
At April 27, 2013 at 3:00 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

The one item that I find to be essential would be paper towels. We go thru them like they are going out of style. Use for hands, feet, dishes, oil spills, dirty floors, dog feet, grills and thousands of other reasons.

 
At April 27, 2013 at 3:42 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

A good attitude!

 
At April 27, 2013 at 4:06 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

A good woman; definitely multi-duty!

 
At April 27, 2013 at 4:37 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

I carry a roll of stainless steel aircraft safety wire and a small tube of Gorilla Glue in addition to the duct tape and WD-40.

 
At April 27, 2013 at 5:33 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think a Leatherman multi tool is great. Also, I usually carry a very small crescent wrench in my pocket...it's only 3 inches long but can open to just a little bigger than 7/16". It's great to have this handy as most loose nuts and bolts I run into are smaller than 7/16".

 
At April 27, 2013 at 6:06 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have light cord along,as well as WD-40,and duct tape.The cord comes in handy for tying up electric cords and water hoses.

 
At April 27, 2013 at 6:10 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

I take some small caribiners. One I use for my keys whenever I am outside the RV I hook them to my belt and kep them in my pocket. While I have a service that will come and unlock my rv, I might also have forgotten my cell phone in there too!Another is a smapp squeegee to clear the car windows in the morning from the dew. I keep it on the top of the front RV tire for easy access and it is part of my morning routiine.

 
At April 27, 2013 at 6:24 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

I use a ratchet strap to secure the awning, tie down loads, help with purchase on slippery trails, etc.

 
At April 27, 2013 at 6:52 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Swiss Army knife

 
At April 27, 2013 at 6:56 AM , Anonymous Bob Hoffman said...

I did a web page on RetirementTips.com several years ago called "Top Ten Things You Need for RV Travel" - I have flashlight, but guess I need to add duct tape and WD-40.

 
At April 27, 2013 at 7:01 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

A pruning shears to trim overhanging branches.

 
At April 27, 2013 at 7:03 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

You only need two items.
If it moves and it shouldn't, use duct tape.
If it doesn't move and it should, use WD40.

 
At April 27, 2013 at 7:11 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

A wire coat hanger and a Vice-grip have saved me twice with broken bolts and hangers on the exhaust system. I also like to carry a tube of silicon sealer/adhesive.

 
At April 27, 2013 at 7:14 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

We keep a small plastic box of "office essentials" that includes pencils, pens, rubber bands, scissors, Sharpies, paper clips, stamps, scratch pads, sticky notes, etc. Very handy and used often.

 
At April 27, 2013 at 7:16 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

a camera. Why are we going RVing? To enjoy things and record the experience. I don't go so I can fix things. But tools, tape, knives and lights are handy.

 
At April 27, 2013 at 7:27 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Always bring my sweet wife of 56 years and her babies (3 Dogs)cause when mama is happy everyone is happy.

 
At April 27, 2013 at 7:30 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

I suggest a plastic painters drop cloth for covering when it rains. Can be used for table/food cover, and if sitting on bleachers during an event, one can cover several people during a squall or when it is cold, can be used for a wind break and contain body heat.
Cost is cheap and disposable.

 
At April 27, 2013 at 7:33 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

An electric drill with attachment from Amazon that allows easy raising & lowering of stabilizing feet. This make that job so much easier for those of us without automatic leveling.

 
At April 27, 2013 at 7:46 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

I would take pliers, digital multi-meter, electrical tape, wire wraps.
Bruce H

 
At April 27, 2013 at 7:57 AM , Blogger Mel said...

3 in one car start with air compressor I use it for a extra battery when needed, use for emergency lighting, air up tires or blow out dust, Jump start truck, and many other uses. Also a roll of specialty tape for quick repairs of broken water, fuel or other lines and hoses.

 
At April 27, 2013 at 8:00 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

How about an LED headlamp, in addition to a flashlight. These are inexpensive, available at hardware and sporting goods everywhere. They run on "AAA" batteries and the light is always pointed where you're looking.

 
At April 27, 2013 at 8:04 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

A cell phone as u never know where you may be if you have a break down, you could be in the boonies or far from anyone when you need medicial help from health problem or a accident,remember 911.

 
At April 27, 2013 at 8:09 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

My smartphone! I have apps that use the built-in GPS to find fuel, campgrounds, WalMarts, Radio Shacks, medical facilities, places to eat, veterinarians, Walgreens (where we get our meds), bank locations and any other place we might be searching for. I can program the DVR at home to record a movie or show while I'm away. Also I can retrieve and send email without having to rely on campground WiFi. I can do some banking as well on a more secure network than open WiFi. My smartphone will also serve as a WiFi hotspot if I want to use my netbook to get on line.

Of course I can make and receive phone calls, but a regular phone can do that.

 
At April 27, 2013 at 8:26 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Collapsible hotdog roaster stick
Bright colored laundry bottle for a marker
Portable lantern for when I am boondocking
DC to AC inverter cigarette lighter insert
Portable step for when I have to park on unlevel ground and there is a big first step to my RV

 
At April 27, 2013 at 8:54 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

We find a bottle of good disinfectant, like PineSol, to be a necessary and useful item. Being older, we sometimes experience "accidents" on the way to the bathroom. Or we step in something yucky and unknowingly bring it into our rig. Plus our dog occasionally has her own accidents at night. You get the idea. Cleaning up with a disinfectant immediately stops staining and odors from becoming permanent.

 
At April 27, 2013 at 9:02 AM , Blogger jb130 said...

Mel nailed it with the car start with air compressor. It's saved me several times. I also carry a "water thief" as well as a can of Slick 50...that stuff seems to quiet squeaks forever.

 
At April 27, 2013 at 9:09 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

foam insulation/weather stripping, great for when you need to stop a squeek

 
At April 27, 2013 at 9:13 AM , Blogger Bill the Web Guy said...

Right on best answer yet!!! Everything else you can buy at a hardware store or borrow

 
At April 27, 2013 at 9:18 AM , Anonymous MIke said...

I LOVE That!! LOL

 
At April 27, 2013 at 9:18 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bright orange hiway cones, you can sometimes aquire these from your local hiway road repair or police for free (might need some scrubbing but hey, I like free) and they are great for marking your area or we use them on the edges where our slides come out so were less likely to bang our brains. Pool noodles work well too!!! Nothing worse than going under to get something from the basement and coming up with a huge goose egg on your noggin' OOOUUUCCHH!!!!!

 
At April 27, 2013 at 9:35 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

I've long been a advocate that a good handyman could fix almost anything with a scout knife and duct tape. I would add a scout knife or Swiss Army knife to the list.

 
At April 27, 2013 at 9:45 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Zip ties of various sizes

 
At April 27, 2013 at 10:35 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

YUP CASH CAN BE HANDY IN CASE OF ELECTRONIC FAILURES

 
At April 27, 2013 at 11:51 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

My list of "handy" may stretch into the "necessary" list, but I wouldn't be without: scissors, Scotch tape, masking tape, sticky notes, water-pressure gauge, plumber's tape, and the lumbar support pillow.

 
At April 27, 2013 at 11:59 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Clothes pins are handy not only for laundry but also can secure chip bags,bread bags,loose papers, tablecloths, pin back curtains, hang a message or post a reminder.

 
At April 27, 2013 at 12:56 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

A couple of things I would have as "handy things" are the following:

*3M Dry Silicone Lubricant 038897 - It has no petrolium carriers in it, hence it's a dry lubricant, this works especially good on Hydraulic Jacks to keep then clean and so they store easily, it's alos approved by HWH.

*Junk drawer with extra quarters for the laundrymat, eny small tools you need for repiars in the house, and some 1/2" felt or silicon sticky pads, to protect doors or cabinets from banging into other when you open them; extra screws, nuts, small machine screws, just little things needed to fix stuff inside the house.

 
At April 27, 2013 at 1:22 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

A bigger RV/trailer for all this stuff. LOL

 
At April 27, 2013 at 1:34 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have always said, if you can't fix it with duct tape, WD40, or silicone caulk, then throw it away. I also carry a coffee can of misc. nut, bolts, screws, etc., but the best save for me was probably 35 years ago when I was nearly 100 miles from a garage with an axel bearing frozen to the axel of my old Dodge p/u. I was able to cut the old bearing off and hand grind a new bearing surface with a bargain table grinding wheel attachment for a 1/4" drill motor and with a 100' electrical cord plugged into the only outlet available in the restroom.

 
At April 27, 2013 at 2:23 PM , Anonymous Skirunner said...

Nylon cord known as parachute cord. good for tying things back on that fall off. A head lamp type flashlight - really handy when you need both hands. Spare charged battery for your phone (get them cheap on Amazon)

 
At April 27, 2013 at 7:15 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

A fat wallet!

 
At April 27, 2013 at 7:16 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

All these great suggestions I am surprised no one mentioned Velcro!

 
At April 28, 2013 at 8:38 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Goop!

 
At April 28, 2013 at 6:15 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

well guess that would be super glue

 
At April 28, 2013 at 7:48 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

full tank of gas, diesel......:)

 
At April 29, 2013 at 12:15 AM , Blogger Ian The Woodchuck said...

I go for the blue "Shop Towels on a Roll." They hold up much better, and because of that, they warrant the extra cost per roll. I might go through 4-5 sheets of paper when eating BBQ chicken or ribs, but only need one Shop sheet. They also hold up remarkably well for cleaning duties, and don't tear easily when wet.

 
At April 29, 2013 at 1:31 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Number one, a flashlight. I also carry some paracord for hanging wet towells out to dry, or to secure things that might need it. I also carry a small axe. And a tire inflater and tire repair kit for the truck or trailer.

 
At April 29, 2013 at 5:35 AM , Blogger Unknown said...

I love to read your (random thoughts) keep them coming but as for this post I feel the list is a great start and I am sure many other people will feel they have some item that is a (must have) in their list of must haves, but my comment is about (wd-40) the most over used most misunderstood item going. This product is on ever shelf of every type of store, but people think it is (the savoir in a can) product and that can not be further from the truth, wd-40 is NOT a lubricant, and sealer, a silicone it is non of these this product was never intended or invented for most of the uses people today use it for. So first a quick history lesson WD-40 was used and invented for the moon program, nasa needed a product that works in extreme conditions to work quickly and not leave any type of negative residue, so wd-40 was invented. This product was invented hence it's name for ((w) water,(d) displacement,@ (-40) 40 below freezing to displaced water in electronics on board the lunar equipment during the moon trips. There is such a thermal difference between the atmosphere here on earth and then into space and then back that there is a horrible issue with water getting into electrical connections, and I do not think that the people today use the product for its intended use. So if you need a silicone, or a lubricant please go purchase that item by itself as wd-40 is not that product to do that work for you, unless you are needing to dry out a electronic
type connection.
Happy travels and camping to all

 
At April 29, 2013 at 6:58 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

A camera is handy for several reasons.
If you need to get a replacement item a picture is easier to explain to someone at the store to help explain your needs. Also when taking something apart several pictures makes it easier to put it back together.
And there are the memory pictures.

 
At April 29, 2013 at 8:08 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

These are all good, I would add, a can of sterno and a couple of candle's how about a nice first aid kit? I also have done repairs with wire coathangers...

 
At April 29, 2013 at 8:30 AM , Anonymous anvilmanco said...

I insist on an up-to-date ATLAS. Preferably one that lists all the Wal Marts and Sam's Clubs. THe smart phone is nice, but paper sure is good in a pinch. Especially when there's no good cell coverage. Also, wire was on my list, but someone beat me to it. Pretty good dialogue here! Thanks,

EKW

 
At April 29, 2013 at 11:08 AM , Blogger Mark said...

Totally agree...WD40 is NOT a very good lubricant because of the above reasons. It will dry out very quickly. I do use it for stubborn nuts and loosening up metal parts, but other than that go with a silicone lubricant if you want to keep something free and working smooth.

 
At April 29, 2013 at 11:11 AM , Blogger Gary Bechthold said...

I think a multimeter fits this category. I originally started carrying mine to check that the power source in campgrounds are correct and safe but now it is rare that a week goes by when I or a neighboring camper doesn't need it for checking something.

 
At April 29, 2013 at 11:15 AM , Blogger Mark said...

This is scary...I have everything everyone mentioned and then some. My cordless drill, oil changing kit, grease gun, complete tool kit, and my computer all come to mind, but I could go on forever with what we carry. We're ready for anything.
BTW, don't get rid of that nut & bolt container you've had for so many years. I can't tell you how many times mine has saved our bums!

 
At April 29, 2013 at 12:06 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

a sewing kit, extra buttons, stitch witchery, iron (can be used to iron in a hem in a pinch and it will be permanent).

Also first aid kit, several sizes of Ace bandages - for when we wrench our knees or ankles and can't stop - heat and cold compresses that are one time use.

Lots of sunscreen and aloe vera for sun burns.

 
At April 29, 2013 at 1:00 PM , Blogger Lisa said...

Toilet paper?

 
At April 29, 2013 at 4:19 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sugru . . . moldable silicone rubber. Sticks things, repairs things, modifies things, makes bumpers, handles, identification etc. 30 minutes time to shape before it starts to really cure, done by overnight. Heat & cold resistant, somewhat "bendy". Comes in 5 gm packets in colors & black.

mooseduds, Grand Lake Colorado

 
At April 29, 2013 at 6:15 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

The best tool to have when you travel is DUCT TAPE, which I found out on I-95 in Florida. Yes I read the articles about when to change your tires, mind loooked soooooooo good. With 6 and 1/2 years on these tires I thought I woud change them when I returned home. The tires on the right side of my TT decided they didn't want to go any further. First one blew had it changed (another story) got under way and approximatley 30 miles later the other one blew. I used the duct tape to shore up the wheel well and do some patch work while I waited for the tow truck. A lesson well learned.

 
At May 1, 2013 at 5:12 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

My "All" purpose tool is my Gerber multi-tool. It rides on my hip just about everywhere I go. Since we boondock 6 months of the year a whole lot of the things mentioned above are also aboard but the Gerber get the most use.
Dave J
radioranger44-at-yahoo-dot-com

 
At May 2, 2013 at 8:06 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

I thought getting away from it all was the object of the RV. Seems you bring it all with you as you go. Do you know how to 'stop and smell the roses' without your phone? I think not....

 
At May 2, 2013 at 8:10 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

No... it's Goop. A great cleaner.

 
At May 2, 2013 at 8:16 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

In the cooking catagory, don't forget a long handled soft food scraper for those deeper jars to empty.

 
At May 18, 2013 at 4:52 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

take rechargeable drill

 
At May 18, 2013 at 6:25 AM , Anonymous Guapo said...

A GPS. Awesome for finding Hospitals, groceries, Restaurants etc. Still one must watch out for low overhangs, low clearances, bad RV roads, etc. The GPS does not know what you are driving!

 
At May 18, 2013 at 7:14 AM , Blogger Unknown said...

My husband. Between his need to have the right tools and my need to have the other stuff we might need in an emergency, we can handle anything. Some things you might want to keep around are: a supply of meds for 7 days longer than you are planning on being gone, gallons of water in case there is an issue with the supply where you are, phone numbers of family and friends on paper (not just stored in your electronic divices) in case of power issues (land lines typically still work) and a sense of humor.

 
At May 18, 2013 at 9:00 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

WD 40
http://inventors.about.com/od/wstartinventions/a/WDFourty.htm

 
At May 18, 2013 at 9:11 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

A camera to take a picture of my electric meter on day one and on last day. Ripped off many a times.

 
At May 18, 2013 at 2:42 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

still a lot of areas where cell phones won't work--

 
At May 19, 2013 at 8:59 AM , Anonymous David said...

All I need is my wife and dogs, everything else is an experience.

 
At May 19, 2013 at 9:41 AM , Blogger Unknown said...

Rescue Tape and a French Press Coffee Maker for dry camping.

 
At May 19, 2013 at 3:35 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Binder clips also work well.

 
At May 20, 2013 at 6:08 AM , Blogger Agamemnon said...

Baby wipes -- for cleaning EVERYTHING. They will make spilled red wine disappear from a white chenille bedspread and so much more!
Disposable rubber or vinyl gloves for the obvious, but also for handling fuel fillups.

 
At June 1, 2013 at 12:22 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

Proto makes one that opens to 11/16; you can get it at Grainger.

 

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