As we get ready for full-timing it occured to me that I should ask "the experts" out there on what one should carry in the fifth-wheel in order to camp in parks with full hook ups.

We usually boondock, so I have no idea what is necessary to stay in a full hook up park for a season.

Obviously we need a hose for our water and such...what else do you all suggest that we carry with us so we are ready to go....

Mary

bigredoes wrote:

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A credit card and your cellphone 

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 Good one!  When I was traveling alot (not RVing) the fact that I had a credit card and  cell phone reduced a lot of stress when thinking of the unknowns.

To add a bit more:

Wheel chocks or "rotochocks"

Power surge protectors

Air compressor  (ours has air ride suspension in addition to lots of tires)

Blocks for leveling

Terry

RVRon wrote:

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MaryBee wrote:

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We are considering a Mercenator (spelling) pump. I had never heard of one before till I started researching in forums. We will be fulltimers
and do any of you have one of these pumps and if you do what exactly is needed to empty the sewer as far as hose is concerned.

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 I think you mean a macerator, MaryBee.  We have one too that we picked up cheap from a friend who was getting out of RVing.  We haven't used it yet but were also wondering if it would be useful to a fulltimer.  We bought it so we could dump tanks at home without a dedicated septic line close to the RV parking spot.

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 LOL!  yep...that is what I ment...a Macerator!   I guess I better know how to say and spell it before I can use it!! LOL :)

I, like many, really recommend a whole rig power protection system. That will take care of polarity and a lot more.  I prefer the Progressive Industries product  HW-50C for a 50 amp rig.  There are others as well and there are threads in the forum about them.

http://www.progressiveindustries.net/ems_hw50c.htm

Some say all this is over kill.  They’re not.  Sitting here at a quality park right in a big Florida city my unit tripped off two nights ago.  I had really low voltage on one leg and it tripped before the brown out happen.  One leg was 100 volts and the other was 128.

These units will do a lot more than just check polarity.They will save the rig from a lot of damage which can and does happen even in the very best parks and won't let the power turn on if there is something wrong.  (Yes, you can over ride it - but not recommended.)

They're not cheep, but IMO, necessary with the equipment now present in our rigs.  Wouldn't travel without one - and haven't for years.

My 2 cents.

Bill

EDIT by Moderator: Activated link.  Terry

RVPAINTER wrote:

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A good NOAA weather radio for sure!

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NOAA radio for sure, whether boondocking or in a park.  As far as bleach for spraying down hose connections goes, I think I might have sparked a controversy here a few years ago. I got this information from the Clorox website when I was doing my research - don't take my word for it but do your own research to make sure... BUT what I learned at the time was that the disinfectant properites of a water/bleach solution begin to break down pretty quickly, even though it may still bleach your whites... so your safest bet is to rely on a fresh ****tail... you never know when someone has connected a sewer hose to a water spigot to rinse out the hose (yuck!).

Several people here disagreed with me at the time, but my own gut feeling is better safe than sorry... I don't want anything in my guts that will make me sick

I guess what I'm saying is don't take anything for granted. For another example don't assume that the power pedestal in an RV park is wired correctly. Have the devices you need to check the polarity and the level of power before you plug in. Otherwise you could fry all your electronics, and that would definitely not be fun... or cheap to fix. If it were to happen to me that would definitely ruin my day... or weekend... or more.

Stay well, safe travels, and GOd bless,

Tim

Any particularly good brand for power polarity checker?

I kind of took an inventory of the things we have for full hookup camping:

Electrical:

• Adapters to go 50amp>30amp, 20amp>30amp (we have a 30amp RV)
• 25' extension cord 30amp (I should probably buy another one too)
• 50' 20amp extension cord
• Surge protector/circuit analyzer

Fresh Water:

• 3 25' fresh water hoses
• Y adapter with shutoffs (in case you have to share a spigot)
• Screw-on water filter (Systems IV)
• Spare hose washers
• Water pressure regulator (Watts with gauge - adjustable)
• Disinfectant for hose bib

Sewer:

• Rhino-flex 10 ft. hoses (2)
• Connector to connect extension hoses
• Screw-on connector for sewer hub (mandatory most places)
• Adapter for 3" sewer hub fitting
• Rubber donut sewer hose seal (for sewer hub with no fitting)
• Clear sewer hose adapter section with backflush fitting
• Sewer hose valve with bayonnet fittings (for backflushing and if a valve leaks)
• Sewer hose support (Slunky)
• Box of latex gloves

-- Edited by RVRon on Monday 13th of February 2012 07:55:07 AM

Bill and Linda wrote:

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I, like many, really recommend a whole rig power protection system

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 We're getting one of these in our New Horizons . . .I was actually talking about the "check the pedestal before plugging in" type.

OTOH, it's a pretty simple item and is probably a fairly common design so maybe just picking up whatever Camping World has availale is the best model.