Obviously a newbie question..

[kidsgone]

We are picking up our new AS in a couple of weeks, our first After visiting SuperWalmart and our local base BX, should we purchase things for the AS from these places vs Camping World? I mean things like stuff for the tanks, chocks, hoses, etc. Are these products basically the same or does Camping World have better quality products?? It seems like there are sooooo many different products for tanks and cleaning stuff, there's gotta be "basic" products used...right? What will we need immediately when we pick the AS (un named as yet!)? We will be camping by the dealer for a few days...just in case!
Any and All Advice Please!

Thanks, Andi

[dwightdi]

You need to shop to find the best prices vs quality. Cheap junk will break when you are miles away from buying a replacement. I buy general household stuff at Walmart. Once you know the brands you like, then shopping on line is a possibility. If you do not have a lot of time on the road to spare, Camping World makes a good one stop place to shop.

[Lumatic]

I have bought a lot of stuff from Walmart with no problems. Also stuff from CW that you can't find at Walmart. Camping World has some top end stuff, but some junk too. CW's junk is generally more expensive than Walmart's good stuff.

There is an unwritten law of the universe. When buying camping stuff you will buy stuff that you will never use. That is the working definition for junk.

[moosetags]

We shop for Lucy at Both Wal-Mart and Camping World. For instance, we like the Lynx Levelers from Wal-Mart vs. the brand carried by Camping World. Camping World has a much better selection of sewer chemicals, and other RV accessories than does Wal-Mart. Camping World carries the Sewer Solution and higher quality sewer slinkies than Wal-Mart does. You need to become familiar with what items are available at Wal-Mart as Wal-Marts are readily available throughout the country. Camping Worlds are fewer and further between.

Brian

[aftermath]

Google RV Wholesalers. A good company with quality stuff and very competitive prices. Purchasing on the cheap has the same impact regardless of whether or not it is for your trailer or your home. Some things don't have to be well made, while others do. I wouldn't skimp on sewer hose, electrical cords and adapters and fresh water hose as well. A cheap plastic measuring cup to help in the kitchen is OK in my book.

[mandolindave]

Buy regular old Scott tissue instead of the expensive RV toilet paper.
The scott tissue is much cheaper, readily available and breaks down
as well as the RV type.

My thoughts on chemicals for waste tank. Leave them on the store shelf.
I use a liquid enzyme based treatment. ( no formaldehyde, excuse spelling ) Some people use Ridex, which might be the most economical way to go.

Here is a great site with all kinds of info

Poop Sheets by phred

[Mackhopp]

I buy my TP at Costco - the Kirkland brand. Each roll is individually wrapped which stores nicely in the bathroom cabinet.

I prefer Target for most of my RV purchases (I don't have a Camping World up here).

[Jammer]

Depends. I ended up buying a good deal of stuff from Amazon after determining that they had the best prices in many cases. Some things from adventurerv.net and ebay. A few things at walmart and their competitors. I concluded that the Lynx blocks were better than their competition and that the Valterra hoses were better than the Camco hoses. Be sure you're comparing like quantity and quality. RV products are somewhat specialized and do not necessarily play to the strengths of the big box stores so it pays to shop around.

[mutcth]

My experience has been that Camping World is helpful to find out that a certain camping product exists - but I then go and find it online and buy it somewhere else.

CW is typically premium-priced - I can usually match or beat their "club" (which you pay to join) price by buying elsewhere.

Tom

[n2916s]

You will need:

A sewer hose. My trailer is an older model and uses the old thetford connector. I believe the newer ones use the standard valterra type -- hopefully someone will chime in here and tell you. I bought two 15' hoses with a coupler (more versality). You will probaly need a 90 degree elbow and a "donut" (a rubber seal that many campgrounds require). Ask your friendly CW saleperson... The "sewer solution" is great but I would start with the plain old sewer hoses as you will need them anyway.

You will also need about 50' of white fresh water hose (2x 25' best, again for versatility). If you plan to camp in the more deluxe rv campgrounds that have tv cable, you will need a length of rg-58 (standard issue at radio shack etc.) to hook up with.

Also a supply of fine carbonated malt beverages...

mike

[LisaP]

Coming from a newbie. We bought our trailer 6 months ago. We do not have a CW but are close to Pro Bass and Cabella's. We purchased a lot of fun things from Cabella's and then stopped by Walmart. Walmart had all the same things at a much better price. Cabella's purchase went back to the store! We found it was much easier to stop in a Walmart . One stop shopping! Of course if you wanted a speciality item it is always fun to shop around to see what's available. Basic needs Walmart is a great source.

[LisaP]

Andi,
I know your excited and giddy about picking up your new toy. We have all been in your shoes. We are still crazy about our AS.I think the best thing to have in your new AS is a laptop! When you don't know what going on or how to use something your friends are just a message away. This forum has been a wonderful source for us! I can't tell you how many times I have used it! Keep us posted on your adventures! Happy trails,
Lisa

[Lumatic]

Originally Posted by n2916s

You will need:

A sewer hose. My trailer is an older model and uses the old thetford connector. I believe the newer ones use the standard valterra type -- hopefully someone will chime in here and tell you.
mike

The critter you need is a Valterra Universal Adapter. It fits on the Thetford connection on one end and has a Valterra fitting on the other. There are still new and used Thetford fittings out there but the Valterra is now the standard. I semi permanently glued on my adapter. This is one you will need a place like CW for. Walmart won't have it.

I also would recommend a Rhino brand sewer hose.

[centennialman]

I gave up on Camping World. The one in our area is quite a drive from where we live and, when you get there (after calling to see if they have what you want) they end up not having the item after all and tell you to come back the next week.

I have resorted to searching and buying things online, going to Target and WalMart etc...

[tallytwo1994]

Originally Posted by kidsgone

We are picking up our new AS in a couple of weeks, our first After visiting SuperWalmart and our local base BX, should we purchase things for the AS from these places vs Camping World? I mean things like stuff for the tanks, chocks, hoses, etc. Are these products basically the same or does Camping World have better quality products?? It seems like there are sooooo many different products for tanks and cleaning stuff, there's gotta be "basic" products used...right? What will we need immediately when we pick the AS (un named as yet!)? We will be camping by the dealer for a few days...just in case!
Any and All Advice Please!

Thanks, Andi

Give this thread a read. There's a basic new trailer shopping list and others have added items they find helpful.

Carol
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f48/...list-7630.html

[kidsgone]

Thanks for all the great responses! Our list is getting longer and longer and longer....this is normal...right??
Andi

[sempi2]

Originally Posted by kidsgone

Thanks for all the great responses! Our list is getting longer and longer and longer....this is normal...right??
Andi

Yep, get used to it. After our first few trips, thought we had pretty much all we needed. The next year after more trips more things on the list. This year we have already added more to our list and haven't even got out of the driveway yet. It is never ending I believe. You will find stuff you thought as a must have only to find that you really needed this, but needed this other stuff instead. Enjoy