Failed RV Gear And What We Use Instead.

Today I wanted to share the list of RV gear that has failed us and show you what we switched to and purchased instead. Getting the right RV accessories that won't fail on you will make your RV trip more enjoyable.

Fresh Water Hose
EMS Surge Protector

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[danleonard]

The heavy rubber wheel chocks are about $5 at harbor freight. Also you can drive over them because I have. They won’t break and you’ll definitely know you did it.

[highdesertrob]

The first and only surge protector that we bought was the Power Watchdog. Keeps on ticking, and one of the few out there that isn’t a one and done. The company will send you a new part to change out if it blows. We love it!! And I also like checking the app from time to time to see how much power we’re using. Great Video, Jared.

[crw-bmmm]

Not sure what you are talking about when you mentioned the RVLeveler Pro. Mine still works like a charm and there was an update in Feb. 2023. I do agree that the Watchdog is awesome and customer service is great. The modual blew due to a spike and not only did they send me my my free first replacement, they sent a second one because it happened on my first use.

[Johnobee]

3:35 with the sewer hose on this and #2💩 it also doesn't overextend 🤣

[herb]

Agree about the cheap yellow chalks & propane level indicators. I built my own chalks out of some pressure treated 2x8 I had left over. My fool proof, NEVER has failed me in 45+ years propane indicator is when my spouse yells at me to go out and turn the switch to the other tank as her stovetop went out. We always immediately fill one tank as we switch over to the next full one. I also have a small 1gal for my bbq that I can use in an emergency. I was at a trailer supply store and was watching a Newbie trying to decide which stinky slinky to buy. he put the really short, low cost one that didn't even have the "L shaped connector on it. I felt compelled to go up and told him this was not a place to go cheap. One disaster and your cooked. buy the best one; you won't regret it.

[edeitelman]

8:21 one word on the watch dog. I bought one because of Jared’s review and am actually quite pleased specially with the Bluetooth functionality. However, they state that the surge protection will go out at some point and they sell a replacement for it which I bought so I’m ready when that happens. The only downside is that the watchdog on the front of the unit is extremely bright in a darker campground so I’ve had to put a skirt on the unit to lessen that and not be bothersome to fellow campers

[sandras]

no suggestions, but man o man have we gone thru the gadgets. we eventually find useful gadgets that perform over the long term but getting there is a challenge. thanks for the info.

[lancewulfers]

You can replace the water pressure regulator with a new gauge from you local hardware store for under $10 and the US made bushes seem to last a lot longer.

[gorvyourself]

we have replaced a few gauges. good thing the company stands behind it and sends replacements

[scottsnider]

I got tired of sewer hose's and them leaking and just where to store them when traveling and switched to the Sewer Solution and love it, seems complicated the first time but then its easy after that and you don't have a big sewer hose to step over and you don't have to elevate it to help move the waste. I still keep the old stinky slinky for when you have to go to a dump station with a line but if no line I would still use the Sewer Solution.

[mathewniven]

Purchased 2 zero g hoses and both leaked after second hookup

[armymuttA]

Excellent suggestion on the Stink Slink. I had the other one originally. It broke apart after a year.

[CFPVideoProductions]

Drain hose support. I have heard that some campground required a drain hose support. A large amount of users that I see, allow the hose to drop below the support at the beginning or end of the support causing a "P" trap. I have been camping since 1969 and seen many changes in camping. Some good...some bad. What is wrong with not using a support and allowing the hose to form a "P" trap ? The advantage is no back feed of gases from the from the campground. My dump valves are usually closed except for when we are doing many showers over the day.

[TonyYarusso]

Even with the newer version of the propane tank level sensors I have had them fail in cold weather. However, to be clear when I say cold I mean below zero, not merely below freezing, so not weather most people are even using their RVs in. The issue is fundamentally that the batteries just can’t supply enough power at those temperatures. In researching this I’ve found there are some boutique manufacturers of coin cell batteries optimized for both colder temperatures and intermittent higher-current pulses exactly like this use case, so I’m planning to order some of those and see if fancier batteries make a noticeable difference in sensor performance next winter. Alternatively, I had the thought that slipping one of those chemical hand warmers in under the propane tank would do the trick for as long as those stay warm, which is several hours but not all night.

[arthurcutting]

Your surge protector can't detect reverse polarity if you have an open ground. I'd like to see companies that make surge protectors make a product that warns you if the plug prongs are getting hot. Most people have to throw away the protector because the prongs melt out.

[texasguy-]

I replaced the gauge on my pressure regulator with an industrial temperature rated unit.

So far the Camco sewer support works, have plans for the rhino hoses when mine fail. Using a 50’ Technor Apex potable water hose.
Already use the rubber chocks on the non leveled side. Propane regulator hoses cracked and were leaking replaced with braided stainless. Camco power grip power regulator has saved us from voltage spikes. Our Summit TV was junk, along with Furrion Stereo, and exterior speakers.

[robv]

The old Mopeka tombstone sensors were awful! The company, stellar! The tried their best with several generations of those sensors with me. After a hiatus, I gave them a shot again when they standardized around the Pro sensors. The Pro sensors have been flawless!

[garygleaves]

I have been in contact with the company and they tell me that they are working on getting the app back up and running. Unfortunately they have been telling me that for about 4 months. If you have an Android phone the app is available.

[jamesglenn]

The problem with the propane sensors in cold weather is probably the batteries.
Lithium Batteries don't like the cold. My outside garage door pad at the house gives me fits if it's super cold during the winter. And it's powered with the same batteries.

[shiftfocus]

I’ve forgotten many of the failures. The most recent (and annoying) was the soft-sided ADCO propane tank cover we got after the lid of the hard-sided cover blew away. It lasted exactly 1/2 a trip. The wind swirling around the tank shredded it. ADCO “generously” offered to replace it with another one, but ghosted me after I refused that offer.