What else do I need?

[loknload]

I am picking up my family's new Passport 238MLWE on Friday. The purchase order says it is supplied with the power cord adaptor, water and sewer hoses, two batteries, and the propane tanks filled. I have a weight distributing hitch and brake controller.

The day we take delivery we can buy any parts and accessories in the dealership's store at their cost. My question is what else do I need? I'm thinking a water pressure regulator, some wheel chocks, some of the plastic leveling blocks, some sort of level, a storage cover, what else? Do I need a garden hose to use when dumping the black and grey water? How about an extension cord to use for power? What kind of wheel chocks, standard or the ones that scissor between the tires? Any suggestions help. Thanks.

[azlee56]

the regulator, degradable toilet paper (it is easier on it), white hose for water hookups (longer is better I think), chemicals for the toilet/black water tank, a long cable for the tv if you plan on hooking into park cable systems.

We don't need an extension cord (even in dry camping) unless we have an emergency and need a drill or something.

lots of times the dealership will give you a kits with the regulator in it and the dumping stuff. Kind of neat, so if they give you a box of stuff look in it and see what is there.

The two things I needed down the road was the vaccum bags for the fancy onboard vacuum system and a battery fan for the fridge. You might not have those needs.

[SAABDOCTOR]

I'll toss in my 2 cents waorth. I like the siccor typ wheel chocks. lots of white water hose alos get 2 sewer dump hoses nothing makes me madder then being a foot short. and if you are getting stuff at cost get an extenssion cord for shore power. at the place where i keep mine i need the extra power cord. and cost is better than buying it later. other than that azlee's list is good

[loknload]

Thanks guys, keep the suggestions coming. I believe the trailer comes with a 25 foot white hose included...I thought I saw that it was 25 feet, anyway. Also, the sewer hose is included. So, I'm planning on about a 30-50 foot garden hose, good extension cord, water pressure regulator, already had rv toilet paper on the list, leveling blocks, some sort of wheel chocks. I have no idea what kind of chemicals to buy and I'm sure the dealership will try to sell me the farm. The trailer is going to be stored outside so I'm also looking for a cover.

[azlee56]

I am still afraid of covers, but I live in a very hot place. After that one person posted his pictures of his hurt, covered RV I don't think I will ever try it! Others probably have had good experiences. I am too chicken.


(oops forgot so I'll add): We also had a 25ft white hose, but we ended up getting an extension. While going to camps the 25ft wasn't long enough no matter how we parked that the camp area would allow (LOL).

[rrohrer]

water pressure regulator, some people use water filter for the drinking water. some leveling blocks/ or just use wood. some awning lights, tv cable. nice to have adaptor to plug in rv at your house. some kinda chemical to put in toilet after camping. BEER! good luck!!!

[rrohrer]

oh and don't use regular garden hose for your drinking water. only the white ones.

[jdoug]

I would get an extra white water hose, 25' for those times you need the extra, but mainly because I've found the hoses split pretty easy. I seem to go through one every year. Nice to have a spare. I also like having the extra 25' of power cord as I've been in places that the supplied cord just did not reach. Oh ya, and a easy chair and scotch, after all, ya'll supposed to be relaxing!

[kenn209]

What else do you need?

A bucket light and some wind chimes!!! lol!!!

Oh yeah and a golf cart!

just kidding!!

[loknload]

OK, sounds like I'm on the right track. I'll throw another 25' white hose on there. Now, what do I need as far as chemicals for my tanks/toilet? I'll probably also throw my cordless drill inso I can lower my stabilizer jacks since they're not power.

[KanTC]

If the Passport doesn't have a black tank flush, you might consider a (clear) back-flush/rinser...
http://www.rvaccessoriesshop.com/cam...ith-gate-valve
http://www.rvupgradestore.com/Valter...-p/89-8466.htm

"Clear" so you can see that the waste water is running clear & tanks have stopped draining.

With a black tank flush, just a simple (clear) sewer adapter will do - there are various brands...
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...-adapters/3709
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...-adapter/27855

When cleaning the tanks, you'll need an extra 'garden hose' = yes, get a different color (NOT white),
you don't want to accidentally confuse fresh (drinking) water hose with the other one!
May be cheaper elsewhere, even at dealer cost??

As others have said, 1 sewer hose may not be enough at some c/g's... it's a good idea to carry 2.
You may also need connectors to attach the sewer hoses together, depending on the brand. We carry
a 20 ft & a 10 ft... and can use either, or both, depending on the length needed.

Don't forget a sewer donut... some RV Parks & c/g's require them.
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...ewer-seal/4496

Get a 2nd (inexpensive) water pressure regulator... just in case! While *traveling*, you don't
want to arrive at your 2nd night's destination only to realize that you left your regulator at the
previous c/g... stuff happens!

We use an (exterior) in-line water filter. Various brands, also sold at WalMart, etc.
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...nect-ends/8930

Hint: attach the pressure regulator (first) to the water spigot, then the in-line filter (if used), then
the drinking water hose, then attach to the RV.

A step-stool... for anyone 5'3" (or shorter) who can't reach the upper cabinets & shelves! Bought ours
at Target years ago... best $10 I've ever spent Light-weight, folds-flat, various colors.
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...ol-black/27647

'Special' RV toilet paper is usually more $$ (even at dealer cost??), but isn't really necessary --
just make sure you use a brand that breaks down quickly & is septic tank safe. Try the *jar test*:
fill a p'nut butter jar (or similar container) half-full of water... add 2-3 sheets of toilet paper
you use at home (replace jar/container lid)... shake jar vigorously for 5 seconds. If the toilet
paper breaks apart easily, then it's usually RV friendly. Some of the thicker 'ultra' brands aren't!!


Hope this helps & enjoy your Passport!
Terri, the Chevy co-pilot & DH Kevin

[azlee56]

hey question here. Does a person need something if you park in camping parks that lifts your sewer hose off the ground? I was in that it seemed a big deal but we didn't hook up to their sewer. Does he need those?

[azlee56]

hmmmm, the BF attaches the regulator to the trailer and the hose to the faucet and then to the regulator......

thoughts? (don't want to highjack the thread though).

Originally Posted by KanTC

If the Passport doesn't have a black tank flush, you might consider a (clear) back-flush/rinser...
http://www.rvaccessoriesshop.com/cam...ith-gate-valve
http://www.rvupgradestore.com/Valter...-p/89-8466.htm

"Clear" so you can see that the waste water is running clear & tanks have stopped draining.

With a black tank flush, just a simple (clear) sewer adapter will do - there are various brands...
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...-adapters/3709
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...-adapter/27855

When cleaning the tanks, you'll need an extra 'garden hose' = yes, get a different color (NOT white),
you don't want to accidentally confuse fresh (drinking) water hose with the other one!
May be cheaper elsewhere, even at dealer cost??

As others have said, 1 sewer hose may not be enough at some c/g's... it's a good idea to carry 2.
You may also need connectors to attach the sewer hoses together, depending on the brand. We carry
a 20 ft & a 10 ft... and can use either, or both, depending on the length needed.

Don't forget a sewer donut... some RV Parks & c/g's require them.
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...ewer-seal/4496

Get a 2nd (inexpensive) water pressure regulator... just in case! While *traveling*, you don't
want to arrive at your 2nd night's destination only to realize that you left your regulator at the
previous c/g... stuff happens!

We use an (exterior) in-line water filter. Various brands, also sold at WalMart, etc.
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...nect-ends/8930

Hint: attach the pressure regulator (first) to the water spigot, then the in-line filter (if used), then
the drinking water hose, then attach to the RV.

A step-stool... for anyone 5'3" (or shorter) who can't reach the upper cabinets & shelves! Bought ours
at Target years ago... best $10 I've ever spent Light-weight, folds-flat, various colors.
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...ol-black/27647

'Special' RV toilet paper is usually more $$ (even at dealer cost??), but isn't really necessary --
just make sure you use a brand that breaks down quickly & is septic tank safe. Try the *jar test*:
fill a p'nut butter jar (or similar container) half-full of water... add 2-3 sheets of toilet paper
you use at home (replace jar/container lid)... shake jar vigorously for 5 seconds. If the toilet
paper breaks apart easily, then it's usually RV friendly. Some of the thicker 'ultra' brands aren't!!


Hope this helps & enjoy your Passport!
Terri, the Chevy co-pilot & DH Kevin

[loknload]

A water filter sounds like a good idea. As for the deals that hold the sewer hose off the ground, I have never seen anybody use one in the staate campgrounds out here, which is pretty much where we'll be staying most of the time. It may be different in the resorts or rv parks, though. I have seen that dual flush valve (a family member uses one) and had planned on picking one up if my trailer doesn't have a black water rinse system. I'm still unsure of the type or amount of chemicals to buy for my toilet and tanks.

Oh, and jdoug, I already have the magic gravity chair and a nice bottle of 18 year old Balvenie for the first trip this weekend.

[Outbackmel]

Toilet paper, room deodorizer, beer, pretzels, more beer, nachos, more beer,
and on and on. Enough beer will solve any problem. The pretzels and nachos provide all the nutrition a man needs to help him drink more beer.

Everything else is irrelevent.

When something breaks; pop a top. Go to the head once in awhile. GREAT thing about rv'ing. It's not too far away, a few stumbles.

Neighbors too noisy? Go over there "tanked" and strike up a conversation. They will disappear and problem solved. Pop another top...

I am pretty sure if you drink 10 beers before parking, you will find a 5ft water hose will work fine. If not, who cares....drink beer..

Don't drink all the beer....need a morning chaser....

[Ron]

Originally Posted by Outbackmel

Toilet paper, room deodorizer, beer, pretzels, more beer, nachos, more beer,
and on and on. Enough beer will solve any problem. The pretzels and nachos provide all the nutrition a man needs to help him drink more beer.

Everything else is irrelevent.

When something breaks; pop a top. Go to the head once in awhile. GREAT thing about rv'ing. It's not too far away, a few stumbles.

Neighbors too noisy? Go over there "tanked" and strike up a conversation. They will disappear and problem solved. Pop another top...

I am pretty sure if you drink 10 beers before parking, you will find a 5ft water hose will work fine. If not, who cares....drink beer..

Don't drink all the beer....need a morning chaser....

Mel with all these great ideas, and yes I agree with them all of course, you forgot one important thing, the TV, I think he is going to need something to tow the TT with?.........

[KanTC]

Originally Posted by azlee56

hey question here. Does a person need something if you park in camping parks that lifts your sewer hose off the ground? I was in that it seemed a big deal but we didn't hook up to their sewer. Does he need those?

Azlee, are you talking about a sewer hose support? Like this: http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...e-support/1862

If so, then -- it's not really a necessary item, but it's handy if you're going to be staying in one place for more than a few days... simply helps the waste water flow 'downhill' instead of pooling in the hose. We don't use ours if the wind is blowing, 'cuz the hose ends up on the ground anyway!

Originally Posted by azlee56

the BF attach's the regulator to the trailer and the hose to the faucet and then to the regulator...... thoughts?

We attach the pressure regular 'first' so it helps protect the water hose, our in-line water filter, and the RV. I don't think there's a *right/wrong* way to do it just a matter of preference.

Terri, the Chevy co-pilot

[loknload]

Originally Posted by Ron

Mel with all these great ideas, and yes I agree with them all of course, you forgot one important think, the TV, I think he is going to need something to tow the TT with?.........

The TV is taken care of. I have a 2008 Toyota Tacoma double cab 4WD longbed with the tow package. It has a tow capacity of 6500 pounds. The trailer's GVWR is 5400 so I think I'll be ok. I have a good WD hitch with sway control and a Tekonsha Primus IQ brake controller.

[happytrails]

Originally Posted by KanTC

We attach the pressure regular 'first' so it helps protect the water hose, our in-line water filter, and the RV. I don't think there's a *right/wrong* way to do it just a matter of preference.

Terri, the Chevy co-pilot

Hey I attached my regulator at the camper and not before the filter and hose and wouldn't you know it, I had VERY LOW to no pressure in the camper. You might be asking yourself why this would make any difference. Well, when I went to see what was going on, I noticed that there was a nice stream flowing from behind my camper up the road a piece and there were kids playing in it with rafts and inner tubes, guys were fly fishing from their campers, and ducks were bobbin' for fish.

The pressure was so high at this campground that the little hose piece that came with my water filter had blown apart at the faucet. I had the faucet wide open (something else I won't do anymore) so the amount of water that had been leaking for SEVERAL hours appeared to be quite amusing to some folks who didn't bother to tell me I had a problem.

So from my vantage point, I can no longer say that it's a matter of preference and that is exaclty what I believed before. Oh, and by the way, I did read on my water filter label that I wasn't supposed to exceed something like 60PSI.

So if you see something odd going on with another camper's setup you may want to go over and just say something and he/she may say .

[rrohrer]

i use tst sewer treatment. it is orange in a bottle and i get it at walmart. after black tank dumped i throw a little in. never really measure it out. then chase with as gallon water. this sits in tank and sloshes around as i drive to keep things odor free and breakdown residual toilet paper etc. been doin it like this 4 yrs. and never seems to have any black tank issues.