Opinions on essential items for a TT

[FLTom52]

Awaiting a future TT so buying some essentials to spread out the $$.

I have question regarding hoses.
Best RV hose?
What length?
How many and what purpose(s)?


Also what treatment for maintenance of the black tank?
Granuals or liquid?
Aqua Chem or Happy Camper?

Thank you

 

[Grumpaw374]

I carry several Zero-G collapsible hoses, in 25 foot lengths. 99% of the time only one length is needed, but have run across spots where longer is needed.
A third one, and older one, cycled every few years from the fresh water hoses, is carried and used for the black tank flush out, kept separate from the fresh water hoses.
As for black tank chemicals, we only use the cheapest "deodorant" stuff for "smells".
The stuff advertised for break down of "solids" may be ok, but if you empty your black tank every few days, then it's not enough time for those chemicals to break down anything. Your just "flushing" your money down the drain. Just use plenty of water.

 

[LuckyDuck]

We use the blue 25-foot reinforced Camco freshwater hose. It almost always reaches where we need. I have a 10-foot white Camco if needed, but it’s only 1/2 inch compared to the 5/8 inch blue and not as rugged. I think I’ve only used the two together once. For sewer it’s a couple of 10-foot Rhinoflex slinkies, but rarely have I used both. As for chemicals, we’ve always used the Aquachem blue liquid. It’s easy to carry, easier to use and we’ve never had a smell. And after four-plus seasons, my tank gauges still work so it must be dissolving stuff pretty well!

As long as you’re buying stuff, you may want to add a water pressure regulator, an EMS (or at least a surge protector), water filters, clear elbow for sewer hole, slinky “trestle,” and a flexible elbow to hook to your RV water inlet. Your Visa will get a workout with an RV!

 

[KCSA75]

As for black tank chemicals, we only use the cheapest "deodorant" stuff for "smells".
The stuff advertised for break down of "solids" may be ok, but if you empty your black tank every few days, then it's not enough time for those chemicals to break down anything. Your just "flushing" your money down the drain. Just use plenty of water.

Exactly!

After I dump the black tank I fill a five-gallon bucket with water and a good squirt of Dawn dishsoap and pour it down the toilet. I figure the sloshing around while driving too and from the campground helps with anything that may be left in the tank after a dump and a rinse.

To date, we've had no problems, odors or otherwise.

 

[2edgesword]

Ditto on a second hose.

We've used the blue black tank packets and never had an issue with odors.

Surge protect that also have over/under voltage protect and indicates a ground fault condition.

A bottle jack to lift the unit in cases of a flat.

 

[RogerR]

x2 on the Zero G hose. Had the camco white one, hated it!
I have a Rhionflex and the freebie one as an emergency extension if it is still any good as have not used it for couple years.

Soap and water softener as a moving rinse. Cheap stuff that I bought in a jug a while back. Nothing works after a few hot days and rarely stop more than three anyway.

 

[wordsmyth]

Useful addition: a detachable, 90 degree, clear plastic "gooseneck" to attach to the business end of the sewer hose where it hooks into the campsite drop. Lets you see when the tanks have emptied, and when you run flush you can see when the small bits of matter have stopped showing up in the stream.

 

[Hazman65]

Good set of chocks. Either standard or x-chocks. A nice level. Some leveling pads for the stabilizers and wheels to level side to side.

 

[AZMarine-JAY]

Agree with the others on the many things listed. You will eventually need them all. I did not see this though < P3 P0550 Water Meter > you can get it from Amazon for about $20.00 now (it went up since I got mine). It is a water meter that you attach to the hose to know how much water you are putting into the tanks. I use it to see how much I put into the fresh water tanks & monitor how much I used when I wash out the black tank.

 

[SmokerBill]

Pressure Regulator (for water hose connection)
Battery lifting strap (for removing battery if necessary)
Basic Tool Set (wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, hammer, etc)
Grease (for lubing ball on hitch)
Air Compressor and Tire Gauge (keep tires at recommended inflation)
Proper Size Socket and Breaker Bar (for changing flat trailer tires)
Road Cones or Flares (to put behind trailer if broken down on highway)
Adult Beverages (to celebrate successes, or to minimize the mental affect of disasters)

 

[Jagiven]

How do you plan to ise the TT? Boondocking, full hookups or somewhere in between?

Most important thing is a notebook and pencil. I'd start off with wheel chocks, leveling blocks, tire changing tools, multimeter, tiny tool kit.

We also keep all our camping dishes, utensils, pots in the tt year round. May want to look into some of these items too.

Happy Camping

 

[TWP723]

X-Chocks and Andersen levelers. Rhino sewer hose with elbows. I carry an extra length in a PVC tube hung on the frame. Get a decent water regulator. The price difference between a cheap one and a very good one is maybe $20. I've always used Happy Camper and have never had odor or septic problems..knock on wood. It's everywhere and works. I think Camco hoses work great and cheap enough to replace on a normal basis if needed. Maybe get a couple, you never know in some CG's how far you have to stretch it out. This may just be me but, I like good drinking water. I absolutely hate buying bottled water. So I invested in a two stage water filter. My dog will not drink CG water at all with the hang-on filter. She's high maintenance. Invest in an EMS for your trailer. Pricey but worth every penny. If it works one time, it's paid for. Put together a good tool kit that you can keep in the trailer. Doesn't have to be extravagant, just useful. If it's a new unit, you won't need any extra elements for your hot water heater but it's always a good idea to pick up one to just to have. If it's equipped with cable, get a good outdoor coax cable with push connectors. It's a pain in the *** hand tightening those little screw connectors.

More than what you asked but....

 

[Happy wife / happy life]

Great suggestion’s/advice! I would add duct tape, zip ties and ohm meter to your tool box.

 

[JFlightRisk]

I made a list a few years ago for a friend, of (mostly) everything we have in our TT. All of it isn't necessary for everyone, just what has accumulated over time. You can peruse it, and pick-and-choose what you think is a good idea for your style of camping, and disregard the rest. I hope it helps.

 

[Marcm157]

Agree with the others on the many things listed. You will eventually need them all. I did not see this though < P3 P0550 Water Meter > you can get it from Amazon for about $20.00 now (it went up since I got mine). It is a water meter that you attach to the hose to know how much water you are putting into the tanks. I use it to see how much I put into the fresh water tanks & monitor how much I used when I wash out the black tank.

I use mine all the time!!

 

[TomC_AZ]

I agree with the above, and the list came out, was waiting to see one of those! I love this forum, it is great!

I loved the idea of the zero-g hose but mine just leaked and was horrible! had to get a refund from the company, which they did quickly. I since purchased a Aqua Joe hose which is similar and LOVE it/them. I have a shorter black one for black tank flushing and a 50' white one for fresh water hookup/filling of the tank.

I would suggest that in a newer trailer with PEX a regulator is not needed. I would also suggest that if you use a good filter (not the cheap blue ones that do nothing) it will reduce the pressure to the point where you don't need the regulator, at least from my few times of being hooked up to water. I usually boondock. I have one of the Clear2o filters and sediment filters, work great and much much much cheaper than say Clearsource but a little more than Camco (but Clear20 actually works).

I will add this item, one of the worst things I can think of is to open the black/grey tank drain cover and to get covered, if you know what I mean! I got one of these just to be sure of what I was opening, if needed I could also easily drain with the smaller opening.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077Y3JQXZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

[joe w-JAY]

Awaiting a future TT so buying some essentials to spread out the $$.

I have question regarding hoses.
Best RV hose?
What length?
How many and what purpose(s)?


Also what treatment for maintenance of the black tank?
Granuals or liquid?
Aqua Chem or Happy Camper?

Thank you

Zero G hose(s) has served us well for close to three years now. In between sites we always add a 1/4 cup of Dawn to both tanks and around 5 gallons of water. Upon arrival at our next stop we dump both, amazing how much more comes out! Carrying a air compressor is smart, I check my tires every day! I also carry a torque wrench for lug nuts and the trunnion nuts on the hitch. Volt/ohm meter, wire crimping tool and extra wire, battery powered leaf blower, cordless drill and on and on.

 

[Hollander Mutthaulers]

The only equipment I don't need is a few items I bought before I found out what I needed. Stick with the basics and take lots of notes, read, research and add items as needed. You won't end up with heavy black rubber gloves. lol Perhaps someone would find them handy, but cheap HF blue gloves work fine.

To address your specific items, I carry two 10' cheap but good enough sewer hoses and have a clear section that I attach between the trailer and the tube so I can watch the stuff go by. And you'll need an elbow for the camp sewer pipe. For the tanks (26 gallon black, same for grey) I use a 2/3 cup calgon, 1/3 cup dawn solution along with tablespoon each dissolved Happy Campers and washing soda and three gallons of water. 90% goes in toilet, 10% into sink. Comes out very slick and clean.

One of the best items I've bought for the sewer is a safety gate valve that goes on the end of the trailer dump tubes as a quick emergency shut-off. I had to lock it in place with a couple small SS screws, but it's reassuring to have.

Best wishes for happy RVing! It starts and continues with study and inquiry - and that's half the fun.

 

[Mad5581]

I would say must haves are different then will probably wants... I see many have them combined.

Must haves
Good sewer hose I prefer rinoflex don't waste your $on the support high end one. Get the basics brown and orange one. I always buy the kit that comes with 2 sections. Sometimes one is good but most the time you will use both sections. The kit comes with the elbow and caps for the ends when not in use. I also buy a valve for the end of the trailer side and a clear 45 degree to prevent poopsies a box of good quality rubber gloves to leave in the wet bay with a bottle of hand sanitizer.

A good water hose. I personally like zero G but in the last year I have started using Aqua Joe. They are similar but much cheaper. You can get them on Amazon or at Walmart. I carry a 50 foot and a 25 foot. 90% of the time I only need the 25 footer. I personally always carry a water pressure regulator you can literally spend $10 on one or $25 on one with gage. I have been to parks that are on well water and at near 100 psi water pressure. PEX or not that's way to high. Again it's an item you will like only NEED 10% of the time but when you need it you need it. I personally use a 90 degree elbow on the rv side of the hose just to prevent the stress of the hose on the side of the rv. Again cheap but a preference vs a need. I use the cheapest old garden hose I had in my case a 25 footer I cut off and put a new end on for the black tank flush. There so no mistaking it for our fresh water hose.

A good quality surge protector. I have 1 rv that it's built in and 1 rv I carry it. I don't really have a preference. I buy top of the line in this it's gonna be a few $100's but can be the difference between a massive $1000's repair or not. This is definitely a must have.. I carry a 50 to 30, a 30 to 50, a 30 to 20 amp dog bones ( power adapters) why so many. Well rv park power hooks ups get worn out. If I pull in a the 50amp is no good I can plug into the 30amp. Or maybe the only spot available is a 30amp and I need the 50 amp. Again this is a more a preference vs a must have.

Must have tire chocks (X chocks are NOT tire chocks designed for holding your rv in place) i use the harbor freight chocks they are a few $'s each and if you loose one it's no big deal. X chocks are designed to stabilize the rv they are nice but not a must have. A 10 pack of stabilizing pads. They work for leveling by placing under tires and work for the front jack and the stabilizers. I personally carry 2 packs of them. There are times I use 2 pads total and times I have used all 20 and wished I had 3 or 4 more. I also have a 12 inch level and a 3 footer. I rarely use the 3 footer.

I don't do maintenance on the road. That said I carry a small tool kit in my truck, I have a tire star for lug nuts the jack in my truck will lift the rv. I also picked up the air compressor from harbor freight. It is not amazing but it gets the job done. The compressor is not a need more of a want. A tire pressure gage is a needed. I also carry a pack of zip ties, duct tape, WD-40, slide out lube, and dawn dish soap. I don't use lube on my hitch I use dish soap and the dish soap works for cleaning.

I picked up a few old milk crates for storage. I have one for electrical stuff. One for water stuff and one for random stuff. I have a clear plastic bin with a lid for the sewer stuff..

If you pickup the basics you will begin to get a feel for what you will want as you move forward. This is kinda a loaded question because everyone has a different camping style. And one person's needs are another's wants. You can literally spend a few $100's and hit the road or a few $1000's and never leave the driveway. The key is get out there and see. Get the basics hose's, chocks and get going... after every trip you will come home and be like this and that would be nice.. I've been doing this my entire life and now live full-time in an RV and still come back from every trip and buy 1 or 2 new things.

Congratulations on the purchase now go out use it and have fun.

 

[FLTom52]

Thank you very much everyone for your responses. I’m very appreciative of your experience and your time and effort to pass this info on to me. Right now I have 176 items on my Saved for later Amazon List. Each item seems important.