New Gonnabe and Christmas list November 18, 2007, 08:10:52 am Yahoo Message Number: 86043I need to thank everyone on this group for all of the great information. Every question I had, I found answers for by doing a query on this group. I went to mothership several weeks back, spent 2 days there and ordered a 26.5MB. I now understand they are 27's. So I am no longer a wannabe, but a gonnabe!!!I plan on retiring in early 09 and fulltiming after that. I'm currently in the process of downsizing and getting the house ready to put up for sale early next year. I had my first garage sale a few weeks ago and got rid of a lot of stuff.I've had several people ask me what I want for Christmas since a couple of them saw some of the items they gave me at the garage sale - oops!!.I have been thinking about the following: A good tire guage - is there anything in particular to look for, any good one that you recommend? An AirBake cookie sheet - What size will fit the small oven? Corelle dishes Air compressorWhat RV items would you add to your list? or suggest a newbie add to theirs?Thanks for all of your help!Pam
Re: New Gonnabe and Christmas list Reply #1 – November 18, 2007, 10:16:53 am Yahoo Message Number: 86046Corelle dishes...is that ever going to spark a return of a discussion!!! However, I got a set of 4 dinner plates, 4 lunch plates and 4 bowls in Corelle; look for the patterns that have the rounded square shapes...easier to fit into a cabinet efficiently. Reason I got Corelle: Relatively lightweight, not supposed to shatter or chip easily, microwaveable, and more "real" to me. However, I do use paper plates for lunches... Oven...I'm certain you can call the factory on the interior measurements, or look it up on the internet; in all likelihood you'll get a Wedgewood Vision gas stove. The one pan I bought for it appears to be about 12 x 14. But I'm sure Andy knows to the millisecond as he bakes and has posted some delicious looking recipes on his web site; I, on the other hand, have a goal of never using the oven for any reason. Think silicone hotpads for handling hot dishes/pots/lids, etc. Silicone won't catch fire on the gas flame (a thought that occurs to me whenever I reach for my fave cloth hotpads). I also put a silicone hot pad under each plate...the Corelle slides if one has a piece of meat/whatever to cut at table...silicone pad stops that. Lots of dish towels and kitchen towels. For me, this is one of those things that will drive you to the laundromat quickly if you don't have lots of them...kind of like underwear (another discussion)...everyday a new set. Get several rolls of the nonslip cabinet liners to put between dishes, pots and lids to baffle rattling as you go down the road...reduces the chatter and lesses chances of chips and movement when you stack things. Good knives and one of those knife holders to screw onto the door under the kitchen sink...see Kate Klein's Cholula Red website for photos of same.Flatware settings and good steak knives for 4. I'm sure there's lots more, but my brain is currently on the "retirement" setting...but be prepared for a lot of good answers from this group!Tina P pstravus no_reply@yahoogroups.com> wrote: ....I have been thinking about the following: A good tire guage - is there anything in particular to look for, any good one that you recommend? An AirBake cookie sheet - What size will fit the small oven? Corelle dishes Air compressor What RV items would you add to your list? or suggest a newbie add to theirs?Be a better pen pal. Text or chat with friends inside Yahoo! Mail. See how.[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: New Gonnabe and Christmas list Reply #2 – November 18, 2007, 11:16:19 am Yahoo Message Number: 86050pstravus wrote: "A good tire guage"Here are links to three "RV/truck" tire pressure gauges that are accurate, easy-to-use, and sturdy (I like "sturdy!): http://www.wheelmasters.com/gauges.html (I've used the second listing on the page [in the plastic case] for several years. Dropping it on cement doesn't improve its accuracy; I'm on my third one!) http://tinyurl.com/yw849f (The digital readout model from Accutire would be my choice; *very* sturdy! There are also "pencil" gauges listed on the page; see comment below.) http://www.gemplers.com/product/127627/Professional-grade-Digital- Pressure-Gauge (A similar model to the Accutire above.)"Pencil" gauges vary a lot in quality and accuracy. And, they usually measure tire pressure in 2-pound increments. If you decide to get one of this type, one of the models on the Accutire page above could work for you."Air compressor"I love my air compressor! I traveled for some years without one (no space to carry it in my previous RV), and I would *never* do that again! I have a much older version of this 2-gallon Campbell- Hausfeld FP 2048:http://tinyurl.com/2hky2rA version that is smaller than the FP2048, but isn't as "powerful", is the FP 2004:http://tinyurl.com/yvp5ngI replaced the standard little half-ball chuck on the compressor hose with a dual-head, straight foot inline chuck, primarily because I can *grip* the long chuck. I also carry a 15' extension cord (14 gauge minimum) and keep it coiled next to the compressor.You didn't say what "valve stems" your new motorhome will have, but this does make a difference in the type of chuck you place on the compressor hose. No way do I want to set off another round of back and forth on the valve stem stuff, so you might want to search "Art's Archives" (the "searchable archive" link in the introductory paragraph on the message board's home page) for many, many posts on the topic."An AirBake cookie sheet - What size will fit the small oven?"A 12" X 14" will fit; try Target, Wal*Mart, whatever. You can also google for online sources, but if/when you read any product reviews, make sure that the reviewer is referring to the same cookie sheet you're looking for; Amazon and others often lump reviews for "similar" products, e.g., coated vs. uncoated."Corelle dishes"As Tina said, the dish thing is highly personal and engenders some strong opinions! ;-) I use Corelle because it's inexpensive, widely available, sturdy (Yeah!), easy to clean, doesn't retain grease like some "plastics" can do, and comes in many configurations. My Corelle is from open stock at the outlet store; I picked the (number and types of) pieces that I would use. Buying a set may give you stuff you don't want.Others will give you plenty more ideas and suggestions, but I do caution against "overbuying" (beyond the basics) early in the game; as you use the RV, you'll discover what works -- and doesn't! -- for your personal lifestyle.Joan
Re: New Gonnabe and Christmas list Reply #3 – November 18, 2007, 11:19:11 am Yahoo Message Number: 86051Tina's advice is good. Let me add a few suggestions. First while it's fun to shop for your rig-to-be (nobody knows better than I! ;-) don't overdo it. Remember that you can pick up what you need at Wal-Mart, Target, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Camping World, etc. Start with the basics and then add items once you're sure you really need them. "Corelle dishes...is that ever going to spark a return of a discussion!" Lots of people use and like Corelle. The only thing to be said against it is that if you drop a piece, you'll spend the next few weeks picking tiny, razor-sharp glass slivers off your floor. If you have pets or small kids, that could be a serious problem. But as I said, most folks who have Corelle are happy with it.I personally prefer melamine dishes, because they're attractive and shatterproof. The complaint against melamine is that it's not supposed to be used in a microwave oven, but that turns out not to be true. I've used several different brands of melamine ware in my microwave for seven years now without a single problem. Here's my rule of thumb: don't leave it in for more than a minute and a half, two minutes tops. More than that, and the plate or bowl starts to get hot. But within that minute and a half, it's perfectly safe--and that time is more than enough to warm up a serving of leftovers. In other words, melamine is fine in the microwave; you just can't bake in it. Again, I have seven years of experience to prove it, and my plates and bowls look as good as the day I bought them. "look for the patterns that have the rounded square shapes...easier to fit into a cabinet efficiently."Excellent tip! "The one [AirBake] pan I bought for it appears to be about 12 x 14."That's exactly right. They're not easy to find if you want the nonstick-coated version (which I highly recommend), but worth looking for. You can find them on Amazon, for example--though you may have to buy a set of three sizes to get the one you want. Once you have the cookie sheet, equip yourself with a set of silicone rubber bakeware--cake pan, loaf pan, muffin pan, etc. This stuff not only cooks well, but is ideal for RVing because it can be crammed into any available space and doesn't rattle. By the way, DO NOT store anything heavy or rigid in the oven while traveling. The delicate thermostat bulb and tube are easily damaged by metal or ceramic items sliding around while underway, and the repair can be quite expensive. It's happened to me and to others I know."Think silicone hotpads for handling hot dishes/pots/lids, etc." I have to differ on this point. I believe hotpads of any kind are less than safe, because they offer no protection against the kind of burns that can easily happen if you brush against any part of the oven while handling a baking dish. I recommend getting a good set of long oven mitts--silicone or padded fabric, as you prefer--that protect your hand and forearm completely. Mine are Weber mitts about 14" long."Lots of dish towels and kitchen towels."Agreed, and be sure to get microfiber towels--they do a much better job. They're not just useful for dishes. When dampened with a few drops of water, they'll get all your glass surfaces clean without any need for smelly sprays; and they're perfect for keeping the outside of your rig looking great.Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: New Gonnabe and Christmas list Reply #4 – November 18, 2007, 12:06:32 pm Yahoo Message Number: 86054Since several others have covered yours and Tina's excellent suggestions, I'll add a few of my own.I keep a variety of small multi LED flashlights around the rig. I use these for a lot of things, when I go out, when I check the oven and sometimes to look in dark cabinets. Meritline.com usually has one or more of these on sale for less than $10.00 and I have probably more than need, but I do love toys.And speaking of lights, I really like the 5 LED battery operated touch lights. here's a link to some that I like a lot, however you can get the same thing at Costso for a few bucks cheaper. http://www.amazon.com/RiteLite-Pivot-Swivel-3-Pack-LPL623/dp/B000EVW7LAI have one of these under the vanity in the bathroom so we don't have to turn on a light at night. I also have them mounted in some of the cabinets in the rig (the closet, the entertainment center and under the sink, plus others). After you get the rig, you may find you need a bit more counter space in the kitchen. I recommend replacing the factory installed flip up with a regular wooden cutting board, costs just about $20 and adds a lot of space. You may also want to buy an expandable metal shelf to mount upside down over the stove, giving you a couple of square feet more space.While I love my silicone bakeware and hot pads, for mitts, I really like to Ove Glove http://www.amazon.com/Improved-Original-Surface-Non-slip-Silicone/dp/ B000JLIIZY/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1195408466&sr=8-1 I LOVE these gloves as they allow me the use of my fingers. One word of warning, they are completely ineffective when wet, but otherwise, they are really super.I also have discovered Lock and Lock containers http://www.amazon.com/Airtight-Food-Storage-Container-Set/dp/ B00068UA88/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1195408625&sr=8-1These things are really great. They are square and stack efficiently, they are truly airtight and leakproof, they are good in the fridge, freezer and microwave and when you cook in them, THEY DONT STAIN!!! I have reheated lasagna in these in the microwave and they don't take on that terrible orange color of other plastic. Also their selection of sizes is amazing. They come in large flat sizes that stack beautifully in the fridge Oh and one more thing, if you get the 13 liter/43 ounce/1.3 quart size, they actually fit in the door of your refrigerator. I could go on and on, (and I guess I should add some of these to the website, but 'm a lazy dog), but I'm sure you'll get lots more good info here on the board.Kate http://cholulared.blogspot.com &http://www.cholulared.comWant to find us? Click below, we're #3096 http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=3096[Non-text portions of this message have been removed] As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: New Gonnabe and Christmas list Reply #5 – November 18, 2007, 01:09:08 pm Yahoo Message Number: 86056QuoteHere are links to three "RV/truck" tire pressure gauges that are accurate, easy-to-use, and sturdy (I like "sturdy!): I highly recommend getting the Pressure Pro tire pressure monitors, especially if you're going to be pulling a toad. There's no way you're going to know if a tire on your toad goes flat without a pressure monitor of some type. Even a flat on one of the duallies is hard to notice while driving. We bought the Pressure Pro for our truck and fifth wheel. No need for a tire pressure gauge since each morning, before we head out, we can sit in the truck and scroll through all the tire positions to check individual tire pressures. I also recommend the long metal tires stems (NOT extenders!!!) such as these from the Tireman: http://www.ridgecrest.ca.us/~tire-man/products.html . These make checking air pressure, or airing up tires, a snap, particularly on the inside dually.Linda Hylton http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=1167 http://earl-linda.blogspot.com/
Re: New Gonnabe and Christmas list Reply #6 – November 18, 2007, 01:31:31 pm Yahoo Message Number: 86057(snip)"...ordered a 26.5MB. I now understand they are 27's....I have been thinking about the following: A good tire guage...An AirBake cookie sheet - What size will fit the small oven?..."Pam: Well, congratulations to you! You should be one of the very first LD'rs to own the new 27's. We use a digital tire gauge, not a real pricey one but it works well. As to the cookie sheet, get the smallest you can find. They usually come in a group of 3's at CostCo: the smallest of the 3 is the perfect size. Hope to meet you sometime down the road, and especially at a Caravan if you are close enough to attend.Best wishes,Anne JohnsonLovely La Verne, CA
Re: New Gonnabe and Christmas list Reply #7 – November 18, 2007, 02:01:23 pm Yahoo Message Number: 86058Are you going to get the new '08 ford chassis? I am jealous.... we will hopefully be ordering ours in March....Brian
Re: New Gonnabe and Christmas list Reply #8 – November 18, 2007, 03:20:46 pm Yahoo Message Number: 86059The first two items I would recommend are joining Escapees and attending "Life on Wheels" perferably at Moscow, ID. And they don't weigh anything! Jack
Re: New Gonnabe and Christmas list Reply #9 – November 18, 2007, 04:58:08 pm Yahoo Message Number: 86060Quote The first two items I would recommend are joining Escapees and attending "Life on Wheels" perferably at Moscow, ID. And they don't weigh anything! Jack in Reno They will weigh your rig, for a small fee.Joanne
Re: New Gonnabe and Christmas list Reply #10 – November 18, 2007, 06:45:39 pm Yahoo Message Number: 86064Thanks for some great ideas! Yes, I am getting an 08. I originally ordered one of the last 07's, but about a week after I got home, I decided the extra CCC was worth the extra money, so I changed to an 08.My birthday was last weekend and as a birthday present to myself I joined Escapees. I've been reading their website for a while and have learned quite a bit. I also attended a LOW conference last year to help me figure out what type of RV I wanted. I may attend again once I get the RV.I just sold my class B, Sportsmobile van, which I loved. But I still consider myself a newbie since that van did not have propane or a bathroom (only a portie pottie). I loved it, but it was not a full time vehicle!Thanks again for the information! Pam
New Gonnabe and Christmas list Reply #11 – November 19, 2007, 08:14:12 pm Yahoo Message Number: 86108Pam, I would get a battery booster with a air compressor built in. There was several times my tag cars battery was to weak to start the car after pulling it all day. There has been several times I was able to help other motorist to start there car and I didn't have to use the jumper cables. Wal-Mart, BJ's, auto parts stores and other discount stores sell them from $45 to $85 dollars. RayBe a better pen pal. Text or chat with friends inside Yahoo! Mail. See how.[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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