How about a torque wrench to tighten up the lug nuts on your 5th wheel?  It was one of our first purchases for our new Landmark 5th wheel earlier this year.

 

Air Compressor

Alie and Jims Carrilite wrote:

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Small air compressor, 150psi is great, the 125psi small pancake style is what we have used for 4 years now.

Do you have a rig yet?
Sears has an online camping selection you can order from if you want. But you might hurry..... Sears seems to be in decline.

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 Hi Alie and Jim,

Thank you for the reply! No rig yet. No tow vehicle yet. House goes up for sale in a couple months. We live in a condo on the water now and the best time to sell is when the snowbirds arrive. Once the house sells we will look at purchasing the new house on wheels. Once we know what 5th wheel, then we will decide on the tow vehicle. Timing will be interesting. 

 

I'm leaning towards the air compressor with some additional accessories. Your suggestion is a good one. 

Bruce

The Bear II wrote:

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Air Compressor

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 Thanks Bear II,

It looks like that is my direction. I appreciate you helping me out! Thanks for the reply. 

Bruce

Second Chance wrote:

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I just asked my wife and here's her list:

 

A pole style hanging rack for towels in the bathroom (there's never enough towel space in an RV). Less than $20.

The sound bar with sub-woofer for the entertainment system (more than your gift card).

Magnetic knife holder beside the stove in the kitchen (on the wall).

Fold-up electric frying pan.

Small ceramic heater for the bedroom and bathroom for the winter.

Small down comforter/lap robe for her on the couch.

LED rope lights around the inside of the pantry so she can see what she needs in there.

Comfy chairs for outside (ours are Zero Gravity).

 

I've not addressed the high-dollar stuff like pin boxes, suspension components, rear-view cameras, etc...

 

Rob

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 Rob,

Great list! More and more things to think about. I am probably leaning towards the air compressor. I also am making another list with the additional suggestions you all are giving me. Everyone has such great ideas. Really appreciate you taking the time to give your input. A new category in the RV binder. RV accessories list. 

Thank you,

Bruce

Bruce,

We would be happy to answer questions about our experience with our Landmark.  We purchased our Key West in June of this year, and although we won't full time until mid 2017, we are purchasing what we need over the course of a year.  This is our third rig (our first 5th wheel).  The other two were travel trailers.

Look forward to talking with you!

Frank

CJSX2fromCT wrote:

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Progressive power surge protector 50amp. buy that before compressor.

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 Chris,

Thanks for the advice. Yes, it is on the list. My field of work is energy having worked in and around power plants my whole career. Clean power, proper polarity, and surge protection is a must. Especially with todays electronics and sensitive devices. I have a whole list of these protective devices. I want to have cargo carrying capacities for the extra batteries and solar too. Cable size and wiring is critical. 

Thank you for your input! I appreciate it! 

Bruce 

Bill and Linda wrote:

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CJSX2fromCT wrote:

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Progressive power surge protector 50amp. buy that before compressor.

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 "X 10" on that.  Absolutely - without question.

Do get a 150 psi compressor as the 125's usually will not actually produce 125 psi.  You will need the higher pressure when you upgrade to "H" tires which are "must haves" - IMO - for big 5ers due to safety. 

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 Bill,

Thank you! I am glad you said that, because I was wondering how well a 125 or even a 135 psi max rated compressor would handle trying to get 125 psi in the tire. Thanks to you and others on the forum I have heard a a lot about tires, ratings, and safety. My number one priority is keeping track of all the ratings, not just any one in particular. What ever the least rated device is that becomes the limiting factor. Thank you for your contribution and knowledge you bring to this forum. I greatly appreciate it.

Bruce

Surge protector, water regulator (pressure reducer!) must haves. CG's are known for erratic and irregular electric and water pressures, so these are two key items on our must have list to protect the rig for even just the odd occasion we hook up. Air compressor, lug nut tightener, variety of compact useful tools for plumbing/electrical system, good reliable flashlight preferably rechargeable, First Air Kit, Selection of Bug Sprays/Defoggers/rodent deterrents.

We personally use Corelle crockery and have found it practically indestructible for almost 2 decades travelling many miles and along bumpy Alaskan roads to boot. Just saying.

Tire Pressure Monitor Systems seem to be a a biggie on many folks must have lists nowadays.

Your style of travel/camping will dictate much else. We are into fishing, kayaking, rafting, snorkelling etc. Carried Golf clubs for 12 years and used them twice LOL. We are avid boondockers/dry campers so our needs tend to be different to someone that hooks up 90%+ each night. We have found our axe and small saw useful on numerous occasions FWIW. We love our Mr Buddy heater (furnace in RVs we find not very cost effective but depends on system I guess and whether you are paying for electric or not versus propane costs).

Hubby detests wearing creased clothes, so have a mini ironing board and iron = heaven only knows why as I tell him "do you really think the fish care"!

There's oodles of items, you'll end up adding and removing over time. A good tip we received was between now and when you go FT, put some boxes in a spare room/garage, and as you are using every day items add that item to your must take list, as you work through a drawer/cupboard at a time, stuff you've not used for a long time, put in a sell/donate box/pile. You'll find over time, you'll move some items from the "Keep to Get Rid" Boxes/Piles and vice a versa. Once everything is done and finalized remember, there's always Walmart/HD to fill any voids on the road :)

Exciting times for you Bruce and Robin.

SD.

Bruce and Robin wrote:

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 Bill,

Thank you! I am glad you said that, because I was wondering how well a 125 or even a 135 psi max rated compressor would handle trying to get 125 psi in the tire. Thanks to you and others on the forum I have heard a a lot about tires, ratings, and safety. My number one priority is keeping track of all the ratings, not just any one in particular. What ever the least rated device is that becomes the limiting factor. Thank you for your contribution and knowledge you bring to this forum. I greatly appreciate it.

Bruce

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Bruce, your very welcome.  Glad you are also aware the "weakest link" determines the rating of the system.  Yea, the extra costs, many times there is none, of a 150psi rated compressor is well worth it.  The ones from Harbor Freight work just as well as the more expensive name brands for this purpose.  We, RVers, just don't use them enough to worry too much about longevity IMO.  I've had the same one for 10 years and I bought a floor sample.

Please don't miss the power protection system.  After #1-tires  #2-brakes  #3-suspension - that item is #4 on the big deal list.

You can price these around but the one I highly recommend is:

http://www.progressiveindustries.net/ems-hw50c

The remote readout, along with the bypass switch, can be extremely useful in managing power usage (trailer power load) in marginal situations. The 50 amp one works just fine on 30 amp campground service as well.  No worries.  They have a lifetime warranty and telephone support.  In almost all cases they are field repairable if they sacrifice themselves due to a power issue. If you travel around they will save the electronics, including the fridge, in the rig.  It may take a year or two, but bad power will happen.

Bill

Bruce ... you are right, that there is a lot to learn ... but you're in the right place. Lots of experienced and friendly folks who are happy to help. Attending the Spring Rally is a GREAT idea. Keep asking your questions and use the search engine to research, there is a TON of info on this forum.