Airstream's List of Essentials. Are they?

[clicknathan]

In the manual for my '76 Sovereign I found this list of stuff Airstream recommended everyone have inboard. I'll list it below, but I'm curious...what things on this list have people actually used? I found a similar list of "necessary tools" in a manual for my VW campervan and after years of full-timing in it, realized most were rarely/never utilized. So what do you think? Are some of these just "nice to haves / extra weights"? What do you find essential and any recommendations on specific models (ie, is there a "best" fire extinguisher, etc)?

1. First aid kit
2. Flashlight
3. Fire extinguisher (b:c-type)
4. Emergency road flares
5. Handi-roll trailer tool file (leather man could replace this)
6. Crosstype lug wrench
7. Pop rivets and gun
8. Battery booster cables (I guess this means jumper cables???)
9. 100lbs tire gauge
10. Hitch ball lube
11. Small bidirectional spirit level
12. Heavy-duty turn signal flasher
13. Leveling ramps / chocks
14. Stabilizing jacks
15. Spare tire for single axles
16. 25-50' of high pressure water hose and 2 Y connectors
17. Two plastic pails for water
18. Quick disconnect garden hose coupling
19. 10 - 20' of sewer hose (what's the longer you've ever needed?)
20. Rubber sewer elbow and clamps
21. Thetford sewer hose adapter
22. 50' electric cord (backup I guess???)
23. 1/2 gallon holding tank cleaner
24. 3-15 amp chord adapters
25. Spare 20,30,50 amp fuses
26. Can of spra-Kleen
27. Short handled army style shovel (for digging grounding cables I guess in old rv parks)
28. Cleaning equipment
29. Bathtub stopper

A lot of this stuff is kind of obvious, but aside from my interest in what you actually use or don't, perhaps the list can help those short on their original manual too. And is there anything you think should be added to it?

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by clicknathan

In the manual for my '76 Sovereign I found this list of stuff Airstream recommended everyone have inboard. I'll list it below, but I'm curious...what things on this list have people actually used? I found a similar list of "necessary tools" in a manual for my VW campervan and after years of full-timing in it, realized most were rarely/never utilized. So what do you think? Are some of these just "nice to haves / extra weights"? What do you find essential and any recommendations on specific models (ie, is there a "best" fire extinguisher, etc)?

1. First aid kit
2. Flashlight
3. Fire extinguisher (b:c-type)
4. Emergency road flares
5. Handi-roll trailer tool file (leather man could replace this)
6. Crosstype lug wrench
7. Pop rivets and gun
8. Battery booster cables (I guess this means jumper cables???)
9. 100lbs tire gauge
10. Hitch ball lube
11. Small bidirectional spirit level
12. Heavy-duty turn signal flasher
13. Leveling ramps / chocks
14. Stabilizing jacks
15. Spare tire for single axles
16. 25-50' of high pressure water hose and 2 Y connectors
17. Two plastic pails for water
18. Quick disconnect garden hose coupling
19. 10 - 20' of sewer hose (what's the longer you've ever needed?)
20. Rubber sewer elbow and clamps
21. Thetford sewer hose adapter
22. 50' electric cord (backup I guess???)
23. 1/2 gallon holding tank cleaner
24. 3-15 amp chord adapters
25. Spare 20,30,50 amp fuses
26. Can of spra-Kleen
27. Short handled army style shovel (for digging grounding cables I guess in old rv parks)
28. Cleaning equipment
29. Bathtub stopper

A lot of this stuff is kind of obvious, but aside from my interest in what you actually use or don't, perhaps the list can help those short on their original manual too. And is there anything you think should be added to it?

I've used everything on that list at one time or another, even the flasher. I plugged that into the umbilical connector to make the running lights on the trailer flash when it was sitting beside the road while I went for parts.

[OHNewbie]

Originally Posted by overlander63

I've used everything on that list at one time or another, even the flasher. I plugged that into the umbilical connector to make the running lights on the trailer flash when it was sitting beside the road while I went for parts.

Two wrongs don't make a right but two lefts do!

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by OHNewbie

Two wrongs don't make a right but two lefts do!

ummm, pretty sure that 3 lefts........

[Wingeezer]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

ummm, pretty sure that 3 lefts........

That's what I was thinking before reading your post! Two lefts would be more of a 360!

[Tom Nugler]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

ummm, pretty sure that 3 lefts........

I always thought it was;
Two wrongs don't make a right, but three do.

Anyway, back on topic.

The water filler door on the rigs of that vintage tout the advantage of being able to support the weight of a pail of water.
The owners manuals also illustrate how to dig a "Gopher Hole " for the sewer hose with the Army Style shovel.

Tom

[AWCHIEF]

To me most of the ideas are common sense items to have on board. I would add #30 to the list: Duct Tape, never leave home without it.
As the Boy Scouts say: “Be Prepared”.

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by Wingeezer

That's what I was thinking before reading your post! Two lefts would be more of a 360!

I thought two lefts would be more of a 180.

[Wingeezer]

Originally Posted by Wazbro

I thought two lefts would be more of a 180.

Haha - silly me - must be the gin & tonics!

[dkrug]

I would say that is a pretty good list. Over the years we have used many of the things on it. In addition, my husband carries a complete tool box in the pick up truck and as has already been mentioned, the always useful duct tape.

[OHNewbie]

Yup, it's 3 lefts. Musta been the vodka. And that's exactly why you don't follow me to the campground.
BTW we are in the early stages of considering the Airstream way of life. I've learned a wealth of information from the contributors to this forum. Thanks.

[pappy19]

I pretty much carry all of the listed items except only one bucket. I have an extra 25' of 30 amp cord in case the parking spot is a little too far. I also carry 2-50' 110 extensions and a "tire aide" in case I need to change a tire(now that I am about to replace my 15" ST to 16" LTX, I hope no more problems with tires).

Pap

[AirsDream]

Originally Posted by pappy19

I also carry ... a "tire aide" in case I need to change a tire(now that I am about to replace my 15" ST to 16" LTX, I hope no more problems with tires).

Pap

Well, a inch larger tire and LTXs won't protect you from curbs, scrap metal or nails on the roadway ... so I also carry a Stop-N-Go tire plugger and small air compressor.

Also: zip ties.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by clicknathan

1. First aid kit

My RV first aid kit is actually a West Marine 5.0 medical kit (made by Adventure Medical). It's designed for medical emergencies that happen far from a hospital, and includes a face shield for CPR, a splint, and other stuff not always found in smaller kits, but it's still only about the size of an old-fashioned lunchbox.

2. Flashlight

A spotlight type that you can set down and aim the light where you need it (good for tire changes and setting up a campsite after dark). Supplemented by a mini-maglite that I can clip to my belt. Supplemented by a full-sized maglite that can do double duty as a tire-thumper or head-thumper if necessary.

4. Emergency road flares

I prefer the triangle reflectors to actual flares.

8. Battery booster cables (I guess this means jumper cables?)

Get cables that are longer than your tow vehicle. That way, if you need a jump start where the other vehicle can't pull alongside or head-to-head, he can pull behind or in front of you facing the same direction and still jump-start you. I learned that one when I worked in a (real) service station as a kid, and had to jump-start people on the side of the highway that way using our tow truck. Side note, it might also let you jump-start your tow vehicle from your trailer battery if all else fails.

15. Spare tire for single axles

Good for all trailers, not just single-axle. And all tow vehicles. I supplement mine with a tire plugger that I bought mail-order from AutoSport.com. I used this type when I worked in a service station, and I never once had a plug fail in over 300 flats fixed in five years, when used as directed.

16. 25-50' of high pressure water hose and 2 Y connectors

I've never needed the "Y" connectors, but I carry one anyway. If I ever attend a rally or caravan where the water connections are temporary and daisy-chained from rig to rig, the Y connectors will be essential.

18. Quick disconnect garden hose coupling

I don't use quick disconnects, but then I don't mind screwing water connections together every time.

22. 50' electric cord (backup I guess?)

Not a backup. A 25-foot cord that plugs into your trailer, and another 25-foot cord as an extension in case your electrical hookup is more than 25 feet away.

25. Spare 20,30,50 amp fuses

Spares of EVERY fuse type and size in your trailer, from 1-amp on up, in-line or blade type. Ditto for your tow vehicle.

Other than that, the only things I might add are:
Wasp spray. Good not only for wasps, but also other wildlife (like that drunken yahoo in the next campsite over);
A stepladder. The one I use isn't terribly sturdy, but it folds down to a bundle that's only 4"×4"×60", which is the most ladder in the least space I could find.
Bungee cords in a variety of lengths. Almost as many uses as duct tape.
And, of course, duct tape, the one-size-fits all solution to everything from auto repair to mending clothes. Sticking it to your face and pulling it off fast because you forgot your razor is NOT recommended, however!

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

And, of course, duct tape, the one-size-fits all solution to everything from auto repair to mending clothes. Sticking it to your face and pulling it off fast because you forgot your razor is NOT recommended, however!

I supplement duct tape with electrical tape and 3M heavy duty packing tape.

Electrical tape for electrical.

3M heavy duty packing tape anywhere you would use duct tape then spend an hour or more trying to remove the adhesive residue from the duct tape. Been there, done more then enough of that.

[OregonCanuck]

The local AS dealer service department recommends 120 psi in the 19' Bambi's so the 100 psi tire gage that was listed is about 20 psi short of this recommeded psi.

[Skater]

Originally Posted by OregonCanuck

The local AS dealer service department recommends 120 psi in the 19' Bambi's so the 100 psi tire gage that was listed is about 20 psi short of this recommeded psi.

That sounds a little high... my bicycle tires don't even go that high.

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by OregonCanuck

The local AS dealer service department recommends 120 psi in the 19' Bambi's so the 100 psi tire gage that was listed is about 20 psi short of this recommeded psi.

Please post your tire size and type, I never heard of a tire pressure that high for an Airstream travel trailer. A picture of the sidewall max PSI would be nice to.

[kaylorsan]

Some other things I would add are
- zip ties (aka wire ties)
- selection of hose clamps
- selection of adhesives (I have some single use tubes of super glue and gorilla glue)
- stainless steel bailing wire
- in addition to the tire repair kit, I also carry a can of fix-a-flat
- pair of leather work gloves

I carry a fair amount of other stuff too, but I would consider the above to be part of my 'basics'.

BTW, I fit all of my stuff into a medium sized pelican case. My goal is to have everything I need, but not excessive amounts of it. If you are wise about what you choose, you can get the essentials into a small box.

[eljay]

Originally Posted by Wazbro

3M heavy duty packing tape anywhere you would use duct tape then spend an hour or more trying to remove the adhesive residue from the duct tape. Been there, done more then enough of that.

I second this choice of tape.

And in the first aid kit: tampons and/or sanitary napkins. They make great bandages.

I also think a couple of disposable infant diapers are great. Multiple uses. Absorb leaks. Can be used as hot or cold packs. Reusable if clean water is used. Just let them dry out.