Essential gear for first trip

The devils in the details. A socket for the wheel lugs and a breaker bar are invaluable. I carry a torque wrench but don't consider it an absolute necessity unless you are not mechanically inclined and don't have a feel for such things. HOWEVER, many RV manufacturers fasten the spare to the rear bracket using regular 1/2-20 thread nuts, which are a DIFFERENT hex size than the same thread lugnuts are. If your trailer lugnuts are 13/16" and the spare wheel is attached with 3/4 inch hex nuts, just go to an autoparts or even a decent hardware store and get standard tapered lugnuts of the same thread and install them on your spare. If you need to, flip them over and use the flat top side of the lugnut to bear on the retaining plate on the spare. Doing this will standardize your socket size.

In the attachment below, note that #1 is a standard tapered lugnut installed properly on the wheel. #5 is a standard tapered lugnut flipped over backward with a lock washer and flat washer under it.

Wheel 12 spare mounted showing components.jpg

For a socket to run your stabilizers (which is 3/4 inch) get the one made to fit a cordless impact and then it can be used on the impact or a drill. I prefer the Camco one because it is cad plated and does not rust easily. More expensive however.

81Ms2iPVYaL._AC_SL1500_.jpg
61qVqUtKKkL._AC_SL1200_.jpg


Someone mentioned fridge thermometer, and I use the electronic bluetooth model. I now have them on my house and shop fridges and sometimes, they cross signal and the trailer will be showing low temps with the fridge off. Gotta be sure they are receiving the right transmitters. Room temp is kinda handy too.

Someone mentioned folding shovel. I bought a Gerber version because of its quality and features, as it has a cutting edge on it, and it folds up very compactly. I keep it in the truck, under the drivers seat. There are many other brands that work just as well however. I did buy a heavy canvas cover to store it in folded.

Harbor Freight is the best deal on good rubber chocks. Get four, two for the tow vehicle and two for the trailer then you can use them where you need them. I keep two in the truck as it is a straight shift and a heavy diesel so I like to have some at hand.

96479_W3.jpg


Geno and Linda have it correct, not trying to copy them, just adding to what they say.

I have started using Gorilla tape from Home Depot, seems to work better and stronger than regular duct tape.

Water pressure regulators. DO NOT get the simple inline variety, rather get the model with a gauge and an adjustment screw. There are many on the market and all seem to be decent. I bought one with a glycerin filled gauge and it works nice (though I have only used it once, as I don't often hook up to water in campgrounds) Do not pay more than $25-$30 however.

71hmQmHb7ZL._AC_SL1500_.jpg
69283_W3.jpg


While at Harbor Freight, pick up a 15 amp male to 30 amp RV female power adapter.

Also get a 50 amp down to 30 amp RV adapter. I think Walmart has one, not sure but this is the one I have, from Amazon.

61nUr2hCnWL._AC_SL1500_.jpg


Be sure and try out the adapters. Make sure they can be plugged into properly and are not too loose, nor tight when plugged together. I was given a brand new one when I bought my used Blue Ox hitch and discovered it was very loose when I plugged the shore cord into it. I ended up buying the one above. You will encounter burned up 30 amp shore pedestals but the 50 amp is usually in good condition and the adapter may save the day.

The air compressor is a good idea. I added a PacBrake diesel exhaust brake to my truck and it is operated by compressed air. So I now have a small hard mounted air compressor and ½ gallon air tank, and at the back end of each running board I installed air couplings to plug the hose into. I bought self coiling air hose from Northern Tool (in addition to the one that came with the exhaust brake) and added other air accessories that PacBrake didn't give me.

Charles
 
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The devils in the details. A socket for the wheel lugs and a breaker bar are invaluable. I carry a torque wrench but don't consider it an absolute necessity unless you are not mechanically inclined and don't have a feel for such things. HOWEVER, many RV manufacturers fasten the spare to the rear bracket using regular 1/2-20 thread nuts, which are a DIFFERENT hex size than the same thread lugnuts are. If your trailer lugnuts are 13/16" and the spare wheel is attached with 3/4 inch hex nuts, just go to an autoparts or even a decent hardware store and get standard tapered lugnuts of the same thread and install them on your spare. If you need to, flip them over and use the flat top side of the lugnut to bear on the retaining plate on the spare. Doing this will standardize your socket size.

In the attachment below, note that #1 is a standard tapered lugnut installed properly on the wheel. #5 is a standard tapered lugnut flipped over backward with a lock washer and flat washer under it.

View attachment 668817

For a socket to run your stabilizers (which is 3/4 inch) get the one made to fit a cordless impact and then it can be used on the impact or a drill. I prefer the Camco one because it is cad plated and does not rust easily. More expensive however.

81Ms2iPVYaL._AC_SL1500_.jpg
61qVqUtKKkL._AC_SL1200_.jpg


Someone mentioned fridge thermometer, and I use the electronic bluetooth model. I now have them on my house and shop fridges and sometimes, they cross signal and the trailer will be showing low temps with the fridge off. Gotta be sure they are receiving the right transmitters. Room temp is kinda handy too.

Someone mentioned folding shovel. I bought a Gerber version because of its quality and features, as it has a cutting edge on it, and it folds up very compactly. I keep it in the truck, under the drivers seat. There are many other brands that work just as well however. I did buy a heavy canvas cover to store it in folded.

Harbor Freight is the best deal on good rubber chocks. Get four, two for the tow vehicle and two for the trailer then you can use them where you need them. I keep two in the truck as it is a straight shift and a heavy diesel so I like to have some at hand.

96479_W3.jpg


Geno and Linda have it correct, not trying to copy them, just adding to what they say.

I have started using Gorilla tape from Home Depot, seems to work better and stronger than regular duct tape.

Water pressure regulators. DO NOT get the simple inline variety, rather get the model with a gauge and an adjustment screw. There are many on the market and all seem to be decent. I bought one with a glycerin filled gauge and it works nice (though I have only used it once, as I don't often hook up to water in campgrounds) Do not pay more than $25-$30 however.

71hmQmHb7ZL._AC_SL1500_.jpg
69283_W3.jpg


While at Harbor Freight, pick up a 15 amp male to 30 amp RV female power adapter.

Also get a 50 amp down to 30 amp RV adapter. I think Walmart has one, not sure but this is the one I have, from Amazon.

61nUr2hCnWL._AC_SL1500_.jpg


Be sure and try out the adapters. Make sure they can be plugged into properly and are not too loose, nor tight when plugged together. I was given a brand new one when I bought my used Blue Ox hitch and discovered it was very loose when I plugged the shore cord into it. I ended up buying the one above. You will encounter burned up 30 amp shore pedestals but the 50 amp is usually in good condition and the adapter may save the day.

The air compressor is a good idea. I added a PacBrake diesel exhaust brake to my truck and it is operated by compressed air. So I now have a small hard mounted air compressor and ½ gallon air tank, and at the back end of each running board I installed air couplings to plug the hose into. I bought self coiling air hose from Northern Tool (in addition to the one that came with the exhaust brake) and added other air accessories that PacBrake didn't give me.

Charles
Thank you so much for all the details. This is such great information for those of us just starting out!!!
 
Adventures in Nomadness put out an excellent Youtube video about what to have. I found it very informative. I am slowly getting the things I know I will need, but am waiting on some things until I use the trailer more. These trailers are kind of like a boat. You have limited space, and You can’t take everything. In My area there are no RV shops, so I ended up getting a lot through Amazon. I did splurge and bought a kit for fresh water that included a filter, pressure regulator, splitter, hose etc. If nothing else it came with a decent case that I hope will keep the stuff all in one place. By the way Proven Industries did have a Facebook deal that had a decent discount, and the freight was pretty decent as of last week. I see it was mentioned in a earlier post about having a electrical surge protector. Is the one in the E23’s good enough? Hate to drag along doubles of things if one is adequate. Thanks All!
 
We don't go camping without a couple comfortable upright chairs, a couple lounge chairs, a table suitable for sitting up and eating at, and at least one small 'end' table suitable for beverages next to said lounge chairs. a folding RV ground mat about the size of the area under the awning.

we always bring a hand coffee grinder (a Timemore Chestnut C3S Pro), whole bean coffee (about a half pound a week), melitta #4 filters and hand pour filter, and often an electric drip maker that uses the same melitta #4 filters, and a thermos to keep the brewed coffee warm for a few hours...

speaking of the RV awning, we got a awning 'extender' that slots into the drum on the awning, and stakes down to the ground, and provides extra shade on the curb side, and wind break. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NVSPLMW
 
I see it was mentioned in an earlier post about having an electrical surge protector. Is the one in the E23’s good enough? Hate to drag along doubles of things if one is adequate. Thanks All!
We had a Hughes Power Watchdog with our previous camper. Sold it when we got the 5.0 since it already had a Progressive Industries smart surge protector. I see no need to carry an extra surge protector.
 
I see it was mentioned in a earlier post about having a electrical surge protector. Is the one in the E23’s good enough?
IMO, yes.

Related to shore-power, while not as 'necessary' as the various receptacle-adaptors already mentioned, I carry a 30-amp 'pedestal tester' (link is to one of many options) in a readily accessible drawer.

YMMV but I find it reassuring and occasionally frustration-saving to habitually check the pedestal for 'good power' before even pulling my rig into a space when I know I want / need shore-power.
 
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In well over 30 years of owning an RV I have never sanitized the dump fittings. On a rare occasion I may rinse them off and I do rinse the dump hose. Oh, and I will wash my hands well if not wearing rubber gloves.

I'm still alive and kicking. ;D
 
Adventures in Nomadness put out an excellent Youtube video about what to have. I found it very informative. I am slowly getting the things I know I will need, but am waiting on some things until I use the trailer more. These trailers are kind of like a boat. You have limited space, and You can’t take everything. In My area there are no RV shops, so I ended up getting a lot through Amazon. I did splurge and bought a kit for fresh water that included a filter, pressure regulator, splitter, hose etc. If nothing else it came with a decent case that I hope will keep the stuff all in one place. By the way Proven Industries did have a Facebook deal that had a decent discount, and the freight was pretty decent as of last week. I see it was mentioned in a earlier post about having a electrical surge protector. Is the one in the E23’s good enough? Hate to drag along doubles of things if one is adequate. Thanks All!
John,

Do you have the link to the Proven Industries face book deal? I was unable to locate it.

Thanks, Chris
 
I see it was mentioned in a earlier post about having a electrical surge protector. Is the one in the E23’s good enough? Hate to drag along doubles of things if one is adequate.

The Progressive EMS HW30 that Escape optionally installs is way more than a surge protector, it verifies the voltage is in a safe range, and that the live / neutral / ground are all connected properly. I'm far happier with it built into the trailer than I was using the external EMS 30 I had for my Casita.
 
I carry a small tester like this to check the plug at the site before backing in to make sure it’s goodAmazon.com

those don't check voltage, just polarity and ground. we ran into a LOT of wildly divergent voltages during our 4 month Mexico excursion, both high and low. or voltages would be fine when we plugged in, then 8 hours later go way up or way down. extra fun, almost nowhere had valid grounds.
 
John,

Do you have the link to the Proven Industries face book deal? I was unable to locate it.

Thanks, Chris
Chris, unfortunately, I don’t have it, but I would call Proven Industries, and see what They will do. I can’t remember if it was 10% or 15 % off. Freight was $10 from Florida to Oregon.
 

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