New Essex - Any "must have" accessories?

[TheJazzMan]

We're headed to Nappanee on January 19th to pick up our new Essex and I'm trying to make sure we have most of what we need to hit the road. This is our first MH, so I'm not sure what kind of electrical adaptors and water/sewer connectors we might need. I know from my boating days that a 50/30-amp adaptor and a 30/15-amp adaptor was a must. Will I need these? Since we'll be driving our 2-door Wrangler to Newmar, we won't have room for lots of stuff like chairs and a grill, but we can pick up those things along the way. Our plan is to take the minimum amount of linens, pots/pans, dishes and plan on several stops along the way for other stuff. I'm mostly concerned about things that might be more difficult to locate while on the road. Your advice would be appreciated.

[Mahlon]

Here's what I would do if I were in your situation. I'm sure that you've thought of some of these:

Stop at any Wal-Mart and get the following:

- Holding tank sanitizer
- RV T. P.
- Water hoses (you'll need a "white" hose for fresh water and I'd get a regular garden hose for holding tank flushing)
- Water pressure regulator (a cheap one will do for now; Camping World, Lowe's or Home Depot have better ones made by Watts Regulator)
- Whatever sewer hose kit floats your boat (I prefer the variety that screws directly into the sewer connections at RV parks)
- 1 gal. distilled water & turkey baster (in case the batteries need to be topped off)
- 1 gal CC/CD-rated (diesel) engine oil
- 1 gal DOT3 transmission fluid (the hydraulics use this, I believe)
- 1 gal 50/50 coolant mix
- Funnel(s) for filling engine oil, hyd fluid reservoir, and cooling system overflow tank
- 1 gal w/s washer fluid
- "Milk crates" or whatever to hold all of the above while in the coach basement

Here's a pet peeve of mine: You'll want a GOOD truck tire pressure gauge (with a double-foot air chuck) and air hose/double-foot air chuck/quick disconnect combo to mate up with the coach's compressed air outlet (I think it has one). Make sure that the air hose you buy remains flexible at cold temperatures. You will NOT find this stuff at Wal-Mart or at O'Reilly'sAutoAdvancedZone. Find a NAPA or CarQuest and don't settle for anything less than Milton products. (I absolutely DESPISE the toy-quality tire products sold today. Even the truck stop stuff is junk)

Stop at a Camping World along the way to get your power cable adapters. You likely won't need them right away, but good ones are hard to find other than at Camping World or your coach dealer.

[RVDude]

Your EX already has water hose on a reel, probably has AGM batteries (no need for distilled), probably uses Transynd ATF - NO substitutes (hard to find even at truck supply), probably runs Final Charge coolant (SOME walmart have this go to more than one to find it), if you got the Sanicon you already have the sewer hose.

FWIW I never use holding tank chems - never had a smell or problem, and use regular TP (Quilted Northern). I would suggest the yellow w/handles "gorilla" brand I think plug adapters at CW (50->30 and 30->15). Positively a good TP gauge (a straight footed one is best IMHO on the EX) that can read to 140psi, add some of those brown "jersies" gloves at a dollar a pair for fuel fills and pack a small toolkit for general tightening and the like. Engine oil use Rotella T at walmart, non synthethic 15w-40 is spot on. If you are into holding tank flushing all you need is a 3 foot garden hose with standard ends to connect from the valve in the bay to the ports in the bay. Grab a bag of microfiber cloths at your local price club for cleaning and the like.

If you are rolling in the winter you might consider a bed electric heating PAD (I think better than a blanket). If you have the std "king" bed in your new EX it really isn't a king. IMHO I find the "expanded queen" size at Select Comfort to be the best fit sheets (tight and has the elastic all around and across the corners) as well as the "expanded queen" sized regular pad. Also the expanded queen flat sheet isn't so wide that it drapes to the floor. I also use a standard double sized comforter so as to not have so much draping off the sides. I also run a standard queen sized heating pad under the regular pad in the winter. Maybe all this is TMI?

[Wingman02]

The only thing I can add to what has already been said is a driver and a set up boy. And I am available!!!!!

Congrats on the new purchase!!!!!

[TheJazzMan]

Quote:

Maybe all this is TMI?

Definitely not TMI - I've never heard of someone who was "too informed" or "too prepared". I appreciate all the suggestions since the only MH-specific thing I've purchased so far is a Woodall's 2009 campground guide (should be here in a week or so). I've also started to gather a few items like an extension cord, a drop light, tool kit, FRS radios and flashlights.

Quote:

The only thing I can add to what has already been said is a driver and a set up boy. And I am available!!!!! Congrats on the new purchase!!!!!

Thanks. It was a tough decision to spend this much $$$ when the economy is so bad, but we decided that prices on new MH's will probably never be lower than they are right now.

Do I need a good tire pressure gauge even with the electronic tire pressure monitoring? I'll check for one online since the stuff at the local auto parts stores is truely junk.

[Mahlon]

Quote:

Originally posted by TheJazzMan: <snip> Do I need a good tire pressure gauge even with the electronic tire pressure monitoring? I'll check for one online since the stuff at the local auto parts stores is truely junk.

Yes, because you'll want to measure tire pressure at the tire while you are adjusting the pressure.

[Lug_Nut]

TheJazzMan, No, you do not need to even measure your tire pressure manually if you have the SmaTire system. That's what it is for. A normal tire gauge cost about $2, a SmarTire system costs "mutcho". The readings the SmarTire gives are, more than likely correct. Enjoy.

[Mahlon]

Can you take the SmarTire display with you when you are at each tire, or is it permanently mounted inside?

[RVDude]

The primary drawback of the Smartire (or other brand) system is that they do not read well cold. With Smartire you have to spin the tire to activate the transmitter. You also can not take it to the tire when filling it.

Frankly, I would never rely on my Smartire to provide me with cold inflation psi. I carry a high pressure manual gauge and a low pressure (for the toad) gauge at all times in addition to Smartire - which I consider to be only my early warning system to detect potential tire (and brake drag) problems on both my RV and toad (all 12 tires).

[JavaJelly]

See below for what I could recall from the best ideas on this forum over the past 2+ years I have monitored it.

I'm sure I'll think of more the second I post this.

#1 - Miller's Magic Table. It is a coffee table that folds down and stores when traveling. Look it up on this forum via the search function. Mr. Miller is in Nappannee and will match it to your interior.

#2 - The convenience top for the Miller table. It has cup holders and fits on top of the table when folded up. Great next the driver while driving. Holds all sorts of things including a coffee mug w/handle.

#3 - Verizon air card w/Cradlepoint MBR 1000 router. You might consider this as a backup even you have a datastorm.

#4 - SMI Air Force One Braking system for toad.

#5 - If it wasn't optioned out on the Essex, get the Sani-Con system for sewer hook-up

#6 - Wine bottle and wine glass storing solution.

#7 - Surge suppressor w/a high and low voltage shut-off. You can have this mounted in the coach w/a remote display mounted inside or get an external one. The name escapes me this a.m. but, if you search on this forum, you will find the one I'm talking about.

#8 - I'm sure the Essex has it but, Tire Pressure Monitoring is key.

#9 - CO2 system for inflating tires while on the road. There is a real good one sold in the back of FMCA magazine. The name escapes me.

#10 - Extra set of windshield wipers stored in the coach

#11 - Slide out control box from Newmar Parts. This will let you move the slides in and out if there is a problem.

#12 - RainX spray for windshield

#13 - Water softener

#14 - Washing tools/soap. If you search the forum you will find a brush kit highly recommended and sold at Camping World.

#15 - Weber Q Grill. Best reviewed and best of all I've tried. Also stores easily.

[Bpsailr49]

Forget all of that dirty maintenance stuff.....

A good corkscrew (after you install and stock the wine rack) and a weather alert radio!

Seriously, I stopped buying RV toilet paper a long long time ago. Just watch your flushes.

A good doormat to keep the sand and dirt out. A small rechargeable vac or maybe a Roomba. We use the Roomba when we come home and it vacuums while we clean.

A small folding step ladder to get to those hard to reach areas.

A good laptop with a wireless card and internet access.

I always carry a small toolbox with an assortment of tools. I also carry an electrical toolbox with bulbs and fuses and electrical tools. You will also want to have flares and highway markers just in case.

The small two way Motorola radios are also a must. We use them in backing and parking situations when we need to yell at each other.

And of course, all of the 800 numbers for roadside service and Newmar and your chassis.

Happy Trails.....and congratulations on your new coach!

Bill

[JavaJelly]

Missed the discussion on Tire Pressure Monitoring.

I agree on the SmarTire. I have the Advantage Pressure Pro and it measures pressure right to the pound. Better than a cheap hand guage.

While it is quite elegant enough for an Essex Dash, I highly recommend it. You can have it hard wired. It also can expand to the toad which I have.

[Chickadee]

Randy (TheJazzMan): One thing I didn't see mentioned is one of those additional step risers to place below your existing exterior steps when the distance from the bottom step to the ground is excessive. It's pretty common to run into a camping site where your front end jacks need to lift the front higher than on an exact level so existing bottom step is uncomfortably high off the ground. You'll find that the riser (approx. 18" x 24") placed below that bottom step is used frequently. Get a solid one (Camping World has em...black w. fold out steel legs). Steve

[TheJazzMan]

Thank you all for your suggestions! I now have a list that I can work from when I stop at Wal Mart and Camping World on my way from Nappanee to the warm south in a few weeks.