[Will]

I don’t full time but if I did there is nothing I can think of that would be different than what we carry now. The exception would be how we use the space we have. We carry clothes specific to where we are going and the weather we anticipate. Full timers need a wider range of clothing options.

I have Verizon on a flip phone and never was without a signal. A dash cam is important and I now know to verify it works often. Load your laptop or phone with important links or phone numbers. Don’t carry manuals or books but store them on thumb drives or their links. Same with books for reading. Use a Kindle to carry a lot of books, not the real books.

You need a good quality, large screen GPS. Like dash cams there are many good ones so select what fits your needs. Anything you will need you will learn as you get into your adventure and with Amazon and Walmart when you know you need something buy it. I would not load up on stuff until I verified the need. Same goes for the food you carry and the stuff you carry in the bays. Less is better.

[Michael]

I am not a mechanic,but I carry a set of belts and a set of fuel filters and tools to change them. If need be and I can’t change them, I have the parts and call Coach-Net. Specifically, a filter tool that will remove a fuel filter. On an SOB coach I changed the fuel filter on the shoulder of I-10.

I carry a multimeter, although I really don’t know how to use it. I have been “walked through “ testing with it to find a problem.

I carry two large fire extinguishers in the first bay by the door and an additional dual sensor smoke alarm in the bedroom. Small fire extinguisher in the bedroom. Thinking about a Kidde rope ladder for the bedroom. Used to carry a custom stick to prop open the emergency exit window, have not made one for this coach yet.

I agree, with Amazon, Wal Mart, Lowe’s and Home Depot, O’Raily’s Auto all around you can find most anything you might need.

Roy

[Rudy]

Dave…

I would echo the previous thoughts about carrying a few tools and potential show stoppers like extra belts and fuel filters. I probably go a little overboard in the tools & spares area, but I’m of the opinion that I’d rather have something and not need it than need it and not have it.

We find it to be kind of a never ending process to determine what we carry on board, and to a very large degree it depends on how you, as a couple, want to live on the road. Going to cook meals in the coach or eat out all the time? We have friends of each persuasion. That may make a difference in what type and the number of changes of clothes you keep on board. As well as the size of your bale of BenjaminsBenjamins. We constantly review what we have and offload things we haven’t used for awhile. I would encourage you to start light and find out what you need as you go along. What we may recommend and use regularly, you may not use at all. You can always find places to add to you useful “stuff” once you actually experience the need

, laptop computers, etc. are really kinda personal calls, and depend on how much importance you place on staying “connected”. The GPS question is again a personal one. We have a Garmin Trucker unit that shares dash space with a Rand-Mcnally RV unit. But we learned many moons ago that no matter what you have, nothing beats the broader perspective an old fashioned state map can provide, so Karen does an excellent job of acting as a tie breaker if the 2 GPS units do not agree on routing. She’s a much better “naviguesser”, but much higher maintenance.

I review the basement about every quarter and try to eliminate what we haven’t used, but we still wind up with “stuff”. Jon was right on with the “less is best” comment.

We have been out for about 4 1/2 years now, and have no plans to hang up the keys in the foreseeable future. We look forward to meeting you guys “out there somewhere”.

[Chip & Pam]

We’ve been on the road full-time coming up on two years and certainly carry extra belts for the bus/gen. We also carry extra fuel filters for the bus/gen and I’ve added an electronic starter for the gen. I have a fairly large tool box with most of the tools I would need to do maintenance or pre-checks. I cannot get under the bus though.

It is nice to have an H because of the extra basement storage, which we still use up.

We have had a Pressure Pro System and it certainly provides peace of mind.

We haven’t needed a wi-fi booster but maybe one would be nice. But we’ve been able to Stream in many areas of the country, although out West has more dead spots than out East.

We use an App called “RV Co-Pilot” as well as a Rand McNally Trucker’s Atlas. No other GPS needed … but as with all GPS/App systems, they still have flaws.

Like Mike, we have no plans of giving up our lifestyle in the near future as there is still so much to do and see in this great country of ours!

[Jonathan]

Emergency flares, foldable reflective triangles, and a reflective SAFETY VEST would not take up much room. And better to have them and not need them category. Could be a lifesaver ?

[Rocky And Tonya]

Rocky, these items would be “Very Helpful” if you drive the rear of your coach off in a ditch.

[glen]

Glens,

Yep , Might keep a Semi from hitting You right ? And if You break down partially in a traffic lane ? Or on a narrow shoulder where You cannot get completely off of the road ? Or in a blind curve ? Or just over a hill At night ? Working on the side of roads at night for years has taught Me that You cannot be too cautious with traffic. Safety is Key for Me !

[Archived]

Yep, mine came with the reflective triangles and hope never to use them but under there if needed. As far as a vest, I ain’t getting out into traffic for nobody. Will watch the wrecker from a far advantage point that pulls me out of a bind.

[Richard]

Thanks all that replied !

[Ronald]

Hey Glens, Hope I never have to use Mine either. I would put that in the category of the fire extinguisher. Hope I never need it , but something that could save the day, Or the coach or Myself and passengers.

Busnutt,

A good TPMS system if You do not already have one. Air gauge and hose with air chuck. Spare belts , CB’s , relays and fuses. Of course those are not gadgets , I am sure You have already thought about them. Plan for the worst and hope for the best.

Best wishes on Your journey’s and BSafe !

[Archived]

Many good recommendations, already.

We have been full-timing for going on 4 years and since we have been travelling in areas where mechanical help would be relatively close by, we do not carry spare parts (aside from a set of belts). The other reason for this is, that I am mechanically challenged and would probably cause more harm than good.

Our primary concern is to have an Internet connection wherever we may be because we do still have business interests to take care of. I do know there are areas with no reception at all. But, there are also areas where Verizon is better than AT&T/TMobile and vice versa.

Therefore, we did long ago acquire 2 grandfathered, unlimited accounts with Verizon and AT&T, respectively. These are in addition our cellphone plans.

We do not use campground WiFi. Period.

A good GPS and Dashcam should be part of any “toolbox”.

A Kindle or two are great to have and if you are an Amazon Prime member, you get to download a free book every month. Which is in addition to free reads of a selection of books Amazon suggests every month.

Cheers,

Ronald

[Fred F.]

Not a gadget but should be on everyone’s coach. Is a first aid kit. Another hope You don’t need item.

Agree with Ronald on Amazon Prime. They also have a lot of free movies and shows available to members.

[glen]

Definitely in the gadget arena (though all the above safety items should be on board) would be a cellular signal booster if you like having Internet as you travel. When you’re in a metal tube, cellular (and wi-fi) signals are weakened and sometimes you could be camped in an area with low-bar strength to begin with. In general, I think wi-fi can be problematic from a security standpoint, and campground wi-fi is for the most part not worthy of the name. We don’t actually have a booster yet, but every summer (on the road 4-5 months) we wish we did. If we were full-timing, would definitely have one.

Linda