Best Practices

[ChiefJohn]

Quote:

I think that we should have an area that should be called "Best Practices". These are things that we do on a regular basis in our Excel travels that work for us. There are years of experience out there that think the things they do are just standard procedure for all. Wrong! Some of the simplest things I see from other folks ideas, accessories, procedures and processes make life traveling so much easier. I know we all take things we do we take for granted. Sharing these ideas with one another would only be a "win-win" experience. Like everything else take what you want, and leave the rest. I know that even a numbie like me can have a new good idea. We were parked next to some folks that were FTers for 6 or 7 years and they saw our bedroom slide corner bumpers and thought they were brillant idea. They never saw that set up before Ha! Just a idea. So what do you think? Rockintom. 05 Excel 35ft. FLR Limited. Rear Kitchen. A door on each side. Love Fulltiming.

How about it folks? Great suggestion by Tom.

[rockintom]

OK...I'll start it out. I have a 4 way turn signal auto flasher velcroed on the inside of my pinbox (keep it out of the weather). This is just a safety thing, just in case I have an emergency situation, where I have to leave my unit on the roadside at night (or dark day) without the tow vehicle attached. Simply plug the flasher into the trailer plug at the no.3(green wire - taillites) and no.4 (black wire - B+) This will use the trailer batteries to flash all running and taillites to warn motorists. You may have to bend the flasher terminals just a little to accomodate the angle of the female terminals. Flasher is cheap at about $3.-4. at local auto parts or Wally World. Any question, please PM me. Let's hear one or two your Best Practices"!!! Tom

[BookIIRoadtrash]

I added an eight foot gas line hose to one of my propane tanks, that way I can use a hundred pound tank when i need to for heating season and in the summer when it gets over 90 degrees I run my fefridge on propane, I feel it cools better, also I put a small fan behind my refridge to keep air moving on the cools when it gets hot. I use museum putty to secure all my nick nacks, this saves alot of time at moving time.

[rockintom]

I use a 4" diameter piece of coex plastic pipe for an sewer extension to the existing E-Z Pivot system. I bought it at Home Depot or Lowes in a 8 ft piece (smallest they make it). Real cheap. I cut the piece with an Exacto knife to about 3 ft. long and put in around the slinky sewer hose. When not in use it stores up into the E-Z Pivot tube. The pipes serves 2 purposes; supporting the slinky and it looks cleaner too. Also protects the slinky from the UVs which are it's worse enemey. With the leftover pipe I cut it length wise store it in the basement (bay area). When you need to add your sewer exetension slinky, then you can put the halves on like a clam shell. I use very small bungee cords to hold it together. Looks real clean and nice. I used three eyehooks in the top of my generator box (inside bay area) to retain the long pieces of coex while traveling. I use small bungees to retain the pipe halves to the eyelets. Up and out of the way! Works good for me. I'm not the originator of this idea, but I sure use it. I put a couple of photos in the 5th Wheel Photo part of this website named "sewer extension" and "sewer extension storage".

[rockintom]

Mounted a liquid hand soap dispenser in the roadside bay area, so I could clean up after working outside the rig. Got at Lowe's. Had to ask for it cause it was in a weird location in the store. About $15. I put it on the battery box (on my rig, yours may be different depending on model)using small sheet metal screws (be careful not to screw into something like a wire). Very conveinent to use with the outside sprayer. Also keep a row of heavy papertowel on a dispenser in the same area to dry with. Pic in photo section under "hand soap dispenser". Tom

[rockintom]

Added a 12v outlet (CW, RV store or Walmart $6.95) to the outside panel to use for 12v air compressor or whatever. Don't forget to used an inline fuse (30A) to protect it. I ran it over to the main circuit breaker for power. Also added a cheap Walmart wristwatch ($4.99 with the band removed) to the same panel just below the courtesy lite. I used double looped velco. At nite just turn on the courtesty lite to see. I use the watch mainly to add my base water to the black tank after a drain and flush. Add about 15-20 secs. of water. Good to know what time it is. The watch is easy to forget when changing time zone, though! No big deal. See pic in photo section labeled "12v and watch in panel".

[rockintom]

Come on folks!!! Let's hear some of YOUR ideas. I know you have some.

[BookIIRoadtrash]

Rockintom, my trailer tires must be at 110 psi and my truck at 80, a 12 volt compressor is capable of this? I carry an electric compressor to meet all my tire pressures.

[rockintom]

I also use the 115V compressor as my main one. My little 12v truck compressor will go up to 300 lbs. (Slowly). I use it ONLY as a backup compressor in an emergency. Used all the time.....they don't last long. You can purchase a 12v that is much more durable but you pay for it. Maybe $350. My was $49. at CW.

[ChiefJohn]

I also carry a 115V compressor which I can run off our generator if required -- also installed a self-retracting hose reel to the rear of my truck, which is tapped into the truck air supply.

[Roger Watts]

I carry a high pressure CO2 bottle, no compressor or tank for me. the pressure is adjustable from a few lbs. to 200 lbs. Fills tires super quick and also works great on all air tools. A ten lb. bottle will probably last two to three years, easily. The web site shows a video of it inflating a monster truck tire, 0 to 70 lbs. in 20 seconds !

[rockintom]

Thanks Roger,
Would you mind sharing the website address with us? Tom

[ChiefJohn]

The rear of my Excel received allot of road grime when driving in the rain or on wet roads. I've got the rear hitch and decided to install the Enkay Rock Tamers to reduce the spray. These are heavy duty mud flaps that mount into your hitch and can be used when towing boats, toads, etc. These mud flaps don't reduce all the spray, but do make a big difference in keeping the road grime off the back of the Excel.

[rockintom]

John,
Thanks! This is what I'm talkin' about. Good info. Would this work if you have a bike rake in the rear without a bunch of work? Keep them coming folks. Sharing can make us smarter! Tom