Just getting started, what accessories do I need?

W

wfscot

Member
Joined
Mar 12, 2014
Messages
21
Location
Salt Lake City, UT
I'm just getting started in the world of overland travel with a 2005 Dodge Ram diesel and a new FWC Hawk. I'm trying to get the basic accessories together and I was hoping to get some insight from the community here.

BTW, the goal is to be able to do lengthy (1 week+ outings consisting of a mix of established and primitive camping). The camper has dual deep cycle batteries and we plan on adding a solar system in the near future. We are used to camping, and thus have a good handle on cooking stuff, food, etc.

Here's what I've got so far. Note the questions for some of the items:

- 5 gal collapsable tank and hose for sink waste water (already have)
- Hose system for both filling water tank and connecting to city water
- How long should the hose be to work in most situations?
- What fitting(s) should I have for the far end of the hose?
- Pressure regulator for city water
- Funnel for filling tanks manually
- Extension cord for charging on the road and shore power. Again, how long?
- Are there any adapters necessary to plug into shore power and RV sites?
- Collapsable step stool to access roof (we have a rack system up there)
- Cleaning supplies
- Bleach for disinfecting waste water tank. Is this the way to do it?
- Tub for soapy water when cleaning dishes (to save water)
- Cleaning wipes (already have)
- Utility microfiber towels (already have)
- Electrical
- Small inverter (already have, for laptop)
- 12V USB chargers (already have, for cell phones and small electronics)
- General accessories
- Basic tools
- Headlamps (pretty much always have in our climbing gear)

I'm sure I'm missing something, though. Any guidance is much appreciated!
 
Welcome to the world of "wandering the west"-you will not be sorry! The old stand by-duck tape, fuses, a good tool box with assorted goodies and some type of heavy duty water sealant or/and some type of glue/gunk to fill the holes that happen to your rig/fwc and to stick things together! Lot's of " getting unstuck " stuff, there are a couple of good threads here that list the things like handyman/come along, small potable air pump/tire sealant combination pacth kit, kiddie litter, that you hope never to need but you want for those emergencies you don't plan for! 10 ply tires if you plan to drive off of the paved world out there and into the back country, really, lot's of threads here on this too, but lot's of us think it better to bounce a little more on the hw, so you don't get you side walls torn out because you were to cheap and bought some nice cheap 2/4/6 ply tires-personal opinion here, but get the 10 ply heavy duty tires-you will not regret it! You may want to get heavy duty springs/air bags for the rear too-again threads here on that! That's a start, take your camping gear along for sure-most of us use the pop-up for sleeping in and for bad weather and live out side most of the time. Last thought a tarp of some type that you can use outside or over you pop-up if it springs a leak-that's enough for now-you are going to get allot of advise from this bunch! last last thought-slippers, booties something to wear inside your camper and a small sink plunger for stopped up drains!


Enjoy

Smoke
 
Thanks Smoke!

With the 3/4-ton truck, I'm already rocking E-rated tires and the stock suspension seems to handle the camper weight just fine as-is (although adding airbags to be able to level it when parked is interesting...).

I will most definitely add the other stuff to my list, though. The kitty litter is especially innovative!

Thanks again!
 
Some random thoughts:
• Leveling blocks - I just cut up some 2x6s and stuffed them in the tie down hatches
• 25' extension cord has been long enough for me and have never needed adapters
• I'll second the air pump
• Short garden hose for the sink drain
• Two 12' water fill hoses
• Shovel, axe, bow saw, climbing rope, snatch em strap
• Hide some extra truck and camper keys on the exterior
• Good maps
• Put some thought into a "bug or walk out" bag scenario
• First aid kit
 
wfscot said:
Thanks Smoke!

With the 3/4-ton truck, I'm already rocking E-rated tires and the stock suspension seems to handle the camper weight just fine as-is (although adding airbags to be able to level it when parked is interesting...).

I will most definitely add the other stuff to my list, though. The kitty litter is especially innovative!

Thanks again!
Click to expand...
My water hose and extension cord are 10 feet. Haven't seen a need for anything longer. Also have a 15A female to 30A male electrical adapter. I run water through a 5 micron filter before putting in the tank. Have a water pressure regulator but haven't used it and prefer to fill the water tank instead. When loading on the roof I carry a 4 foot step ladder and carry it on top and use the rear wall steps to get it down and put it up. Instead of a tub I have a 5 gal collapsible bucket to wash dishes in and use the outside shower nozzle for rinsing. I put a light weight Yakima Basketcase on the roof for things I don't want inside like crab pots, clam tubes, wet suits, life jackets, snow shoes, etc. Can't think of anything else right now.
 
Thanks all! This is awesome info!

For those that recommend compressors, I don't have airbags and I have a full size spare that I plan to rotate with the rest (and thus won't mind running on it for any amount of time in the case of a flat). Do you think I still need a compressor?

rotti, great call on the bug out kit. As climbers, we should generally have what we would need for a few days on foot, but it's good to really think it through.

JHa6av8r, is that filter something that you can attach inline with the hose? That sounds like a great idea!

Thanks again!
 
rotti said:
• Leveling blocks - I just cut up some 2x6s and stuffed them in the tie down hatches
Click to expand...
I had some 2x6 blocks for leveling, but they tend to split after a while. I salvaged some 1.25 - 1.625 thick OSB/plywood scraps off one our jobs and cut them into 6" x 12" nominal chunks (one side cut on a 45 angle) for leveling. One day I had some primer on my paint brush, so I gave them all a quick coat. So far, they have lasted a couple of years.

Unless you have the outside shower option, we have found that a garden sprayer type model can provide for a hot shower in the boonies. We use the Zodi Extreme model. It can fit standing upright in it's bag behind the rollover couch, in the back corner. I use only the iron ring (not the legs) and put the Zodi on top of our stove, using the iron ring to support it. Quick way to get a hot shower after a long day climbing routes.
 
Compressor is handy to have to air up the tires after driving a rough road or sand. Air down tires for better traction and smoother ride. The compressor most of us carry - someone remind me I don't want to go out to the truck - is small, easy to carry, and not so expensive.
 
Check out expeditionportal.com too. There are tons of topics there and not only about pop-ups. WTW has great users and some are on both forums. Can never have enough resources. Welcome to WTW
 
wfscot said:
JHa6av8r, is that filter something that you can attach inline with the hose? That sounds like a great idea!
Click to expand...
Yes it attaches in line between the faucet and hose. Just do a search for RV water filters.
 
Ski mentioned the benefits of airing down and to fill back up there are many different ways to have compressed air. Ski could have been thinking of MV50, cheap, works, and the price is right. I use it as a back up to my Puma that I hard mounted.

If you get stuck in sand etc, you can lower the air pressure and will aid in a wider foot print and could be able to drive away....depends how bad you stuck yourself.
 
Then there is the simple things.... spare roll of Toilet paper.......and a small shovel. ;)

First aid kit with superglue. A good (paper) map that will cover where you are at all times.

A open mind to think outside the box to deal with what situation is thrown at you unexpectedly.
 
pvstoy said:
Then there is the simple things.... spare roll of Toilet paper.......and a small shovel. ;)

First aid kit with superglue. A good (paper) map that will cover where you are at all times.

A open mind to think outside the box to deal with what situation is thrown at you unexpectedly.
Click to expand...

And how could you forget a LINE level if you have a pop up camper and no sense of angles and the such :D 1

Smoke
 
The MV-50 goes by a couple different names that are similar, so don't be too exclusive in what you look at.

Those familiar the book "Freedom of the Hills" know of the "Ten Essentials". TP is the 11th.

If you really want to go overboard see about finding or borrowing a copy of Sheppard's "Vehicle Dependent Expedition Guide."

On most forums the first suggestion is a Hi-Lift jack. I disagree. The Hi-Lift is an excellent tool, but they are dangerous to the unknowing (& even the knowing but distracted or tired) and they are not very good for changing a flat tire. Check that your truck's OE jack is present and that it can lift a tire significantly off the ground. Any kinks in its use should be ironed out before you go. Otherwise get a small floor jack and bolt a skid-plate under it.

The second suggestion should be a full size shovel. Handle type of your choice (wood, fiberglass, carbon-fiber, etc.), but its rare that a shorter, 'D' handle is handier than a full size standard shovel. Except for, um... "Steamer Patrol". then a little shovel is handier.
 
ntsqd said:
The MV-50 goes by a couple different names that are similar, so don't be too exclusive in what you look at.

Those familiar the book "Freedom of the Hills" know of the "Ten Essentials". TP is the 11th.

If you really want to go overboard see about finding or borrowing a copy of Sheppard's "Vehicle Dependent Expedition Guide."

On most forums the first suggestion is a Hi-Lift jack. I disagree. The Hi-Lift is an excellent tool, but they are dangerous to the unknowing (& even the knowing but distracted or tired) and they are not very good for changing a flat tire. Check that your truck's OE jack is present and that it can lift a tire significantly off the ground. Any kinks in its use should be ironed out before you go. Otherwise get a small floor jack and bolt a skid-plate under it.

The second suggestion should be a full size shovel. Handle type of your choice (wood, fiberglass, carbon-fiber, etc.), but its rare that a shorter, 'D' handle is handier than a full size standard shovel. Except for, um... "Steamer Patrol". then a little shovel is handier.
Click to expand...
Excellent additions to the discussion ntsqd.

iIsofar as the ten essentials, I'd say the WAG bag is the 11th.

Thanks for stating your opinion on the Hi-Lift, you have agreement here. Both the Lady and I have practiced lifting the truck with the stock jack to change a tire so we know it will work.

Full size shovel, yup. Standard blade for dirt and a flat blade when we expect snow.
 
wfscot said:
You all rock! Thanks for all the feedback! This was exactly what I was looking for. I'll definitely check out the MV50, too.
Click to expand...
Link to previous thread on air compressors:
http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/8248-portable-tire-compressors/?hl=compressor

My Hi-Lift has also been assigned a corner in the shed. Too unwieldily, heavy and with my new truck I'm not sure where I could even use it without destroying something. Factory jack and maybe add a bottle jack.
 
Kitty litter and a plastic bag works, poop inside camper with bag drapped over a toilet seat.... It works for cats inside a house............
 
Okay, time to disagree with some of my field friends :ninja: , I have carried and used a handyman for it seems like ever in the back of my BLM and pvt rig-again, I have been trained to use it :giggle: -for everything from getting "unstuck" to the mundane changing a tire and have used it for all those stated purposes. Again I agree with those that say they are dangerous :oops: -which without proper training (and with sometimes) they are -the kick back is brutal and deadly :oops: , but again, I have carried one at all times and for a period of time I felt lost when I discovered that my new (then) F150 bumper was not compatible to my trusty old handyman (round vrs square)and a few years later, with glee :love: , I greeted the new handyman attachments that worked with my F150-again. I was a whole human being, ready for the wilds and what ever!. More than once, with handy man in hand, and my govt dodge Power wagon stuck in mud (of course not due to my above average driving ability but nature) did I walk my rig through mud and the elements to safety! As stated amny a time here on this site "what ever works-use it" and you can't have enough safety stuff with you , so what ever floats your boat and works for you is what counts :D ! And yes I carry kitty litter and boards and hope they work----but if I need it, my handyman is there!


Smoke
 
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads - WTW

T
**SOLD** Four Wheel Camper (Fleet model) and Chevy Colorado truck for sale as package or just camper w/o truck .
Timchalk
T
O
2018 Four Wheel Camper - Fleet
OlympicSpork
O
D
Check valve on city water inlet line? De-winterizing headaches.
Dipodomys
D
J
2021 Total Composites camper and 1999 Ford F-250 Super Duty, $40,000, Fraser, CO
jklabak
J
P
**SOLD** - 2009 All Terrain Campers Panther Model
Pkerslake
P

New posts - WTW

Back
Top Bottom