Must have accessories for new Airstream

[Harry Hedaya]

I’m picking up my new Flying Cloud at the dealer in a few weeks. Rather than them sell me accessories I was hoping to see what you think would be some must haves.

Any advice in the areas of:

Electrical hook up

Internet/wifi hot spot

Sewer hook up

Water hook up

Changing flat tires

Anti Sway

(I have a RAM 2500 pulling a 2022 27’ flying cloud)

[jondrew55]

Must have? You must want to start a food fight!

All applies to me personally:

WD/Anti Sway hitch (mine came with a Propride hitch but let's not turn this into one of those threads)

Good, heavy rubber wheel chocks I like these. They don't smell like many others https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Get a stabilizer jack socket for your portable power drill (unless you have power jack option). Saves a lot of time cranking the stabilizer jacks down.

I have a in-line water filter. Two hoses would be good in case you go to places where the water service is unusually far from the electric service

I have a Progressive Industries Electrical Management System Surge Protector EMS-PT50X

I have a Trailer-Aid "Plus" Tandem Tire Changing Ramp so I don't have to jack up a the trailer to change a tire. You could also use leveling blocks to to the same thing (drive the remaining good tire on the changing block to get the flat up high enough to change)

A good TPMS system to monitor your tire pressures.

Lots of people have started out with things like the TPMS system, Surge Protector, water filter etc. Take some short trips and learn as you go. If you don't get a TPMS system, get a decent air pressure gauge and check your tire pressure before each outing.

[Dennis C]

I'll add a few things:

• Dog bone adapters (50A to 30A, etc.)
• In-line water filter
• Surge protector for your power cord
• Leveling blocks and wheel chocks
• Hitch lock
• Assorted tools to keep on the road (rubber mallet, wrenches, screwdrivers, etc.)
• Water hose for rinsing sewer hoses and elbows (don't use your fresh water hose for this!)
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Air pump to refill tires (12V)
• Good tire pressure gauge
• Torque wrench to check lug nut torque
• Coax cable to connect to television at campsites if you're interested
• Good quality level
• Duct tape, zip ties, etc.
• Hitch ball grease
• Assorted extra fuses
• Small folding shovel and hacksaw

There are many more items to add, these are just a few basics.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Harry Hedaya

I’m picking up my new Flying Cloud at the dealer in a few weeks. Rather than them sell me accessories I was hoping to see what you think would be some must haves.

Any advice in the areas of:

Electrical hook up

Internet/wifi hot spot

Sewer hook up

Water hook up

Changing flat tires

Anti Sway

(I have a RAM 2500 pulling a 2022 27’ flying cloud)

We hadn't clue about the forums when we started back in 1987 but soon realized that what you need is only confirmed when you need it.

Hence, we bought the obvious stuff, and waited till we needed the rest.

As it turns out it wasn't a bad idea, because we didn't have a lot of stuff stuffed in the trailer that we would never use.

But for sure, WD-40 for all the stuff that gets stuck or needs cleaning, first aid kit, assorted screwdrivers, wrenches, vice crips, wire cutter, hammer and 'Duck Tape' for all the things you break with the hammer.
And don't forget the zip ties, for everything else.

Sweet Streams.

[jondrew55]

Hmm, duct tape, zip ties and folding shovels. I'm now worried

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by jondrew55

Hmm, duct tape, zip ties and folding shovels. I'm now worried

Ya 'gotta have an entrenching tool Gov issued for sure.

Bob
🇺🇸

[aftermath]

Harry,


Congrats on the new trailer. You are going to love it.
Accessories? The trailer will come with an electric cord to plug it in. You do not have to shop for one.


Sewer Hookup: They should throw one in for free. Ask, take what they offer and you can always upgrade later if you are not happy.


Water Hookup: this is a hose and they should include one of these too.


Changing flat tires? This is not an accessory, just a chore that each one of us faces at some time. Use the jack from your TV and an appropriate sized lug wrench.


Internet wi/fi hotspot? This is something I would research.


Anti-sway hitch: You have just opened a big can 'O worms here. There are tons of threads about this. Google them for infinite choice. All I will say is you need one and I don't care if you drive a half ton or a three quarter ton TV

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Welcome !!

You very much will need some sort of WD/AS hitch, likely along with the proper shank to get it all at the right height. Proper install is important. Either have a good dealer do it or spend time "learning up" on the model you pick.

Water hoses are a bit of a tangle. Right now my favorite are the Zero G, they pack down smaller. They do have wear out / leak issues after a while.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The trailer will come with a power cable. An EMS ( not just a surge suppressor ) is highly recommended. I happen to like internal mount versions with some sort of easy to see readout. There are several brands.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1

Sewer hoses are pretty generic. The main decision is how many to carry. We have two.

There are a lot of tire gizmos out there. This is one of may:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You will need a torque wrench for the bolts on the wheel. Normally you get a wrench, a thin wall socket, and a short extension. Most folks also toss in a breaker bar that fits the same extension and socket.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1

I would suggest that a multimeter of some sort is worth having along. There are lots of them out there. A really good (and very expensive) one is:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Yes, this could go on and on for quite a while.

Bob

[ITSNO60]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Ya 'gotta have an entrenching tool Gov issued for sure.

Bob
����

I carried the old folding army shovel for years but a few years ago found these which are light and easy to use https://www.amazon.com/Bond-LH015-Mi...a-385046843253

I don't use that exact same one, mine came from Home Depot and was cheaper if I recall. We used them on the job for low voltage landscape wiring.

[Gotta_Travel]

There are a million websites and YouTube videos about this. I was researching this as I was shopping for my first RV, which is due in about a month. I would hit the web hard, doing proper research, and arrive with all your goodies at pickup. Good luck and congratulations!

[gypsydad]

All suggestions are good advise...but, the TPMS is a must have...you "want to know" your tire psi and temps before you have a serious problem...a blowout or flat can cause you serious body damage, not to mention inconvenience. A TPMS will give you an audible warning if your not watching the screen while driving...good investment and insurance. We use TST but there are others. For hoses, there are several certified for drinking water use; we have had most all of them. Today, our favorite is the self coiling Valtera with an inline filter. Valterra W01-0022 EZ Coil-N-Store Drinking Water Hose - 25' . We also carry a 50' "flex hose"but I do not like coiling it up after use since you have to "push" the water out of it. The coil n store hose is nice. Other regular drinking water hoses, can be a pain to coil up and store without kinking.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by ITSNO60

I carried the old folding army shovel for years but a few years ago found these which are light and easy to use https://www.amazon.com/Bond-LH015-Mi...a-385046843253

I don't use that exact same one, mine came from Home Depot and was cheaper if I recall. We used them on the job for low voltage landscape wiring.

Never to be replaced, issued to H. C. Cross, Italy 1944.
POI I've used it more folded and locked than as a shovel. A 180* swing will bury it deep in most anything.

Bob
🇺🇸

[rmkrum]

Yup. It’s also useful for personal defense in that position as well…a classic tool.

[Boondocker]

Choke down the list of must haves until its small enough to drown in the bathtub. One of the problems of RVing is perpetual adding of stuff. Before you know it the stuff takes over. My advice is to attempt to streamline your gear down as far as humanly possible. You will be happier in the long run.

[rmkrum]

We try to do a total unload, sort, and reload cycle after the trip is over.

Pulling everything out into boxes, checking each item for use, no use, or safety stuff as we go. Amazing how much excess ‘stuff’ quickly accumulates on a trip.

[first choice]

Stock up on "Captain Morgan" Private Stock.

[Daquenzer]

Along with above:

I would add a good outside water filter BEFORE it gets into the trailer. I like the Clear2O.

Water hose to use only for flushing the black water tank. (I use one of those expandable ones; easy to put away). You just want different type/color than fresh water hose You want to have a Y connector at the camp water site. That way you can connect a hose (black water tank hose) for spraying things off, as well as your hose to the tailer.

If you get a hose for water I suggest the ZeroG blue hose. Very easy to roll up even if cold out. And you want some way of keeping the fresh water hose from coming into contact with other hoses (bag or crate). I have plastic crates (with holes) that I put sewer hoses, etc in.

Also for the sewer outlet I like a clear connector at the end where it connects to the trailer black tank. Then you can tell what the condition of the water coming out of the black tank is when you flush it.

At some point get a shorter 50AMP cord. You will eventually hate the long one from AS which is very hard to maneuver when cold out. I have a 15’ one. Still carry the long one, just in case.

50’ power cord on spool with an adapter to plug into trailer 50AMP plug (20 AMP elbow). I have OFTEN used it; more than a 30AMP adapter.

Plastic gloves for all things greasy and dirty; such as attaching your hitch and emptying tanks.

Not a necessity, but I have quick connectors on all the hoses. Handy.

[Fungus]

An angle drill works better for me on the stabilizers, tongue jack emergencies, and ProPride jacks. It’s easier to use on the stabilizers while standing. The angle of the torque doesn’t try to twist my arm off. I can adjust the ProPride V2 jacks from the opposite side of the tongue.

If you’re handy with mechanical things or aspire to be, a breaker bar is nice to have when repairing brakes. Or an impact driver. Brakes also need a 36 mm socket and snap ring pliers.

I keep a bag for the various mysterious parts we find on the floor of the trailer. Likely all construction debris but you never know when it might come in handy.

Small lopping shears.

TPMS is an absolute must for me. Lots of folks do without but I’m terrified (likely unjustified terror) of tire disasters.

My upper cabinets are the sliding type. They fall out the track on a rough road. We use display case locks to keep them in place.

Would glue and toothpicks for stripped screw threads in the particle board.

Summertime requires reflective covers on the windows. We bought a roll of the stuff, 24” wide. Custom cut for the windows that don’t have pull down shades. Also something to cover the FanTastic fans. They’re pillow-type squares. I fashioned a cover for the skylight even though it has a pull shade.

Macallan 12 Scotch for me. Cazadores reposado tequila for the DW.

[Fungus]

Another item came to mind…

The air pump. I own a VIAIR but it is heavy and a little cumbersome to use. Very powerful. You probably have enough payload capacity to carry one. (Nice truck/trailer combo, BTW). But I just bought a DeWalt 20V cordless. Easy to use. Light in weight. No need to attach to the trailer battery. The batteries of the DeWalt match my other tools. Makita probably makes one too. Just keep the cordless tools on the same family because the batteries are interchangeable.

[Hans627]

You will want comfortable folding chairs and a small folding table to be able to sit outside under the awning.