Must Have List

[MeandMB]

Looking again for more recommendations prior to taking ownership of our new International. Would like to give it a dry run at my home and then take it for a bit longer trip. Not quite sure what "must have" items/equipment/electronics etc we will need. I have seen many extensive in debth lists and at this point it seems a bit overwhelming. Looking for basics to keep myself out of trouble. Thanks to all in advance.

[73shark]

Black water tank deodorant, DVM for trouble-shooting, flashlight, basic tool kit, TP, double-ended tire gauge for duals, windshield extended cleaning tool in case fuel stop doesn't have one, extra batteries for TV remotes etc. I'm sure others here will have many others.

[DanB]

Good Air Pressure Gauge. Spend the $20. Use it every trip. Store it in front of your door so you have to pick it up when you go in!

[mandolindave]

#1 a white potable water hose
#2 a water pressure restricter
#3 hitch grease
#4 wheel chocks and levelers
#5 tire pressure gauge
#6 first aid kit ( with antibiotic ointment )
#7 black tank treatment ( go with enzyme not blue chemical)
#8 a bucket full of tools ( a bucket might come in handy )
#9 a lighter
#10 a flashlight
#11 a volt meter ( multi tester )

I tried hard to keep it down to ten....fail

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by mandolindave

#1 a white potable water hose
#2 a water pressure restricter
#3 hitch grease
#4 wheel chocks and levelers
#5 tire pressure gauge
#6 first aid kit ( with antibiotic ointment )
#7 black tank treatment ( go with enzyme not blue chemical)
#8 a bucket full of tools ( a bucket might come in handy )
#9 a lighter
#10 a flashlight
#11 a volt meter ( multi tester )

I tried hard to keep it down to ten....fail

If it's a list for an Interstate (this is the Sprinter and B-van forum, after all) then Item #3 hitch grease is not an essential, so you are back down to 10 items.

And you should be able to do without Item #2 pressure regulator since an Interstate already has one built into the municipal water intake. Which leaves room to add an aftermarket windshield/front window sunshade to the list since the one provided by Airstream is so inadequate to the task.

[73shark]

Your Interstate (if new) should come with a potable water hose and first aid kit.

[MeandMB]

My bad my new vehicle is an Interstate extended cab. Cant even get the model straight.

[mandolindave]

Hi You and MB

I don't know who you were.....but now you are a jack of all trades. ha ha

Electrician, plumber, mechanic, navigator, medic, explorer, repairman, lumberjack, outdoorsman, survivalist, host, cook, bartender, DJ, maintenance man, house keeper, AND a researcher. In my case, I wanted to park my trailer at my house, so I had to be a lawyer too.

If I can do it....you can do it...we will help

PS...pay attention to Protag, and Andy R. from Inland, among others

[68 TWind]

Don't forget a corkscrew!! That way when you realize you forgot other items you won't worry so much.

Have fun. Each trip for us is still a learning experience. We did do a serious evaluation of kitchen items that we use all the time and now we have a complete set of all the little things that we use a lot at home in the Airstream. Buy a few good quality pots and pans. We tried using the light weight camping stuff and it was terrible. One more tip. My wife bought plastic bins that fit in our pantry in the trailer. She can load them with food and stuff in the house and take the whole bin to the trailer and put in on a shelf. This is for food items and spices and stuff that we don't leave in the trailer. Speeds up getting ready to go and the return plus after a couple of years we know where things are because each bin goes on the same shelf each trip. One of the most fustrating things we had to deal with at first was finding things in the trailer. With the bin system, everything is always on the same shelf.

[Dan and Liz]

A pack of disposable gloves and a NON-potable water hose with nozzle for sanitary dumping are nice ...

[SenseiDave]

cell phone, gold AMEX card, and a Glock

[Luigi123]

Check out the book by Richard Luhr, " The Newbies Guide to Airstreaming", lots of good check lists and practical useful learnings. I ordered several hard copies ( excellent gifts ) for Airstream, and a copy on Kindle for quick reference always handy. The author is editor of " Airstream Life" magazine. Hope that helps in some small way.

[ROBERT CROSS]

If it's stuck....WD40.
If it's loose....duct tape.
If it's lost....zip-ties.

Bob

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Luigi123

Check out the book by Richard Luhr, " The Newbies Guide to Airstreaming", lots of good check lists and practical useful learnings. I ordered several hard copies ( excellent gifts ) for Airstream, and a copy on Kindle for quick reference always handy. The author is editor of " Airstream Life" magazine. Hope that helps in some small way.

I have a copy, and offer this caveat… The "Newbie's Guide" is geared specifically to trailer owners. About half the book will be useless to Airstream motorhome owners. But the half that's useful to us is still worth the cover price.

[m.hony]

1. Original Don Featherstone pink flamingos
2. Dish towels with trailer appliqués
3. Your family name in vinyl graphics or engraved wood

[MeandMB]

Thanks to all for your input and great recommendations. Made a list and purchased most (90%) of the listed recommendations.

Joe