We still have a couple month before our new 390MB arrives at Hitch N Go, our local dealer. I have been immersed in Youtube, and forums for months and started assembling a pretty good section of things we want and needed to get for our first couple of trips. Having spent years being live boards on boats we have a pretty good understanding of what we need vis a vis personal effects. but some of this land yacht stuff is a little different. Interior we have covered, sheets, dishes, and such. Very similar to boating. Space is at a premium and needs to travel well. The challenge for us is outdoor and towing.

We got a sewage pack put together. 20ft hoses, elbow, adapters, blackwater only hose, treatments, box of gloves etc. and have it all in a bin clearly labelled radioactive and toxic. :sick: Have another with the fire ring, and weber Q and hoses to connect to the propane system. We have extension cords and 15 30 and 50 adapters. We have a permanent wired surge protector being installed. We have a potable hose with filters and regulators. Still building the toolbox but again that's not really new to us.

What I was wondering is if we shock get these xchocks I see that go between the tires. I never considered until today because I just assumed the levelling jacks ensured the tires didn't move. Any ideas?

Also after days of research we are going to go with an Andersen Ultimate aluminum hitch. I have read lots of reviews but don't think I heard from anyone using a Redwood specifically.

We picked up a Winegard Travler satellite dish that is going to be installed by the dealer as well as some great wifi and internet technology since thats my area of expertise. We have Bell Expressive ready to go. Now all I have to do is make an American friend and we can get DISH network. Pepwave routers, repeaters and landmark antenna is all ready to go. Kinda of like wifi ranger on steroids.

If you think of any other can't miss items please let me know. Im building up quite a shopping list.

John

Also after days of research we are going to go with an Andersen Ultimate aluminum hitch. I have read lots of reviews but don't think I heard from anyone using a Redwood specifically.

John,

We have used an Anderson since the day we bought our RW. Just over 2 years and 15K miles. At this point, I would not use any other hitch. Very easy to use and no fear of not locking the pin and losing the RW. Use the same silicon spray you will use on the jacks to lube the locking pin and cable.

Rick

John
I use the xchocks as wheel chocks on both sides when hooking up on in level ground.also a torque wrench and air compressor

Roger that. Will need the torque wrench. Already put the compressor in. Thanks. Ordering the wheel chocks through Amazon. The ones I am looking at will lock as well so that may help if I have to leave it somewhere.

Good to know the Andersen hitch delivers as expected. My primary reason is because it looks convenient to remove and light enough that I can do it myself.

John,

Don't forget that you can access Amazon via the portal on the left under MAIN MENU. . For every dollar spent through that link, the ROG gets money...

I'm very impressed at your preparation!

Consider Snap Pads for your leveling system. So glad we got them and have not used the plastic pads since. Provides great stability.

I have milk crates with various items - one with bug repellant, mosquito coils, etc. one with wash/wax/polish and cleaning supplies.

I also carry my air compressor and my cordless drill/saw/sawzall set.

FWIW my Xchocks barely fit between my tires.

I have the following in the storage area: torque wrench for the tires; high quality air pressure gage that is tested annually; air compressor that runs from the batteries or AC and good for 120 PSI ( I have the H-rated 17.5 inch tires); 1/2" impact wrench; 1/2" drill motor; two 8-ton jack stands just in case I need to work under the rig; full set of tools (way to many but have been handy) and electrical test equipment including a clamp-on AC/DC ammeter; extra lengths of potable water hose, many variations of hose fittings; dry wash RV washing kit (keeps our RW in like new condition); ground pads for going under the leveling pads (I use up to three on any leg that has to extend beyond 3/4's travel to improve stability); X-chocks for the tires; hydraulic fluid for the slide/leveling system; brake fluid for the electric over hydraulic disc brake actuator; grease for the fifth wheel skid plate; grease gun and grease for the king pin grease fittings and suspension system; telescoping ladder to gain access to the roof or work high up on the unit (I also use the rig's ladder); oil for the 6.5 KW gen; distilled water for battery maintenance; hardware kit containing spare bulbs, screws, nuts, 9V, AA, AAA batteries and other hardware related to the RW; WD-40; adaptor plugs for the shore cable. I most likely have a bunch more hardware, tools and stuff I have forgotten about. It seems like a lot however taking care of the rig and keeping it travel ready is no small task and similar to all you must have done for your boat. An IR scanner for checking the wheel bearing temperature is also useful. My rig has air pressure and temperatures sensors for each of the four tires which transmit to the truck cab. A wired or wireless backup camera for the RV is also very useful. I have a wireless backup camera that is rated for continuous on and helps to view traffic behind the RV on the road. I believe many RV's carry a lot more than I do however I only use my rig about 3-months per year. If full timing I am sure I would have more stuff.

You picked a great dealer, Tony and Paul will look after you!

A couple of comments from another "local". I'm sure you are aware that Bell's satellite is "ranged" so that you will not get reception if you go more than 100 miles or so south of the Canadian border. Paul installed our Winegard but for Shaw, not Bell, and 2 of their 3 sats are not ranged, I've got reception as far down as Mazatlan Mexico (with a larger dish)and the regular Winegard dish works well to the Mexican border. Winegard is not interchangeable Shaw vs. Bell so it's something to think about. We take our Shaw receivers from home into the RW for the road.You will need 4 coax lines from the roof for 2 Shaw receivers.

You have a lot of the basic stuff covered. A suggestion is to have a second 20 ft. sewer hose for those places with long runs, we store our hoses in an 8 ft. holder that's fastened to the rear hitch steel, it's out of the way and opens from both sides.

As an extra, I have a portable sewer pump/macerater with about 50 ft. of 3/4 inch water hose that allows really long pumps, I use it to empty into toilets in non-serviced parks etc. It runs off 12V.

Agree with Al.

We also use Shaw and have got reception in Southern California, just have to select the 2 older sats. We also bring the receivers from home.

However, for internet we use Bell (ZTE MF275R Turbo Hub). Great reception all across Canada and monthly charges are based on usage.

Just another comment or two and opinion.

Regarding the wheel chocks, ours have been sitting unused in the Tupperware container in the truck box for a couple of years, the RW is very stable without them. They wouldn't have been very useful last winter when the roadside wheels were off the ground after auto level for 3 months (they would have prevented the wind from moving them though 🙂 I guess I could have manually leveled and got the wheels on the ground but the trailer was stable all winter.

It may be better to take a few trips so you can separate the wants from the real needs. I wish I had did that, I bought a Honda 3000 genny that only gets used once a month to turn it over to keep it running, we haven't been in a non-electric campground in years. Your style may be different though.

If you plan to spend time in the US, we had great service from our AT&T go phone and go phone wifi hotspot last winter, pay as you go and you don't need to throw money at it when you are not in the US. Much better than Canadian plans (unless you are associated with Bell or Rogers!).

We have not needed the scissor jacks. However, we have purchased and installed spare screw jacks for the rear bumper to help stabilize the rocking motion. The hydraulic jacks are too far forward from the rear. As people move around at the back, the whole RV shakes.

Separately, we have the B&W Companion Hitch. The head separates from the hitch to make it lighter. Then, I remove the body (Usually by myself while the wife pulls the pin). You can buy the head and body separate (if you need a replacement for some reason).

I looked at the Anderson. It looks like a good hitch too. You may want to shop pricing.

As for "carry items"...Remember that the more you carry, the higher the weight. If you're not going to regularly use these items, do you really need it? We've been shedding anything we don't routinely use. We're finding less is more. Also, if you ARE going to carry "stuff", distribute the weight properly. On the 38GK, we pack heavier items to the passenger side (even if it's inconvenient) as the driver side has all of the heavy appliances and slide outs.

Thanks for all the great advice. Perhaps the best was to wait and see what else we need instead of staying awake nights planning for every eventuality. We don't even know what most consider movement, keeping in mind we lived on a boat for a few summers. As for the satellite, it was a self indulgent treat. The reason we went bell/dish is because we wanted the choice of either.

Now its just hurry up and wait. I'm hoping to do a factory tour next month sometime and then June can't get here soon enough.

Again, thanks to everyone and I sure there will be more newbie questions to come.

Just my 2¢ of somethings I haven't seen mentioned yet.

• If your fire ring burns wood you may want a log turner. If its gas then you may only want that if you plan on using one of the campground wood fire rings.
• I also note I don't think I've seen mention of a cargo bar for the back of your truck. I use mine to secure the storage boxes that travel behind my hitch in the back of the TV. Very handy and good safety addition.
• Not sure I saw anything about holding tank chemicals. My go to is the Odorles brand. 2 Scoops in the black, 1 in each of the grey tanks. Works great.
• Holding tank back flush valve. Yuck, but yes we have to go there.....
• Small water meter. Necessary if you are going to back flush your holding tanks.
• I know you are still working on your toolkit. I remember the day I went to my big box home improvement store to buy the toolkit and much of the contents for my Redwood toolbox. What a fun day! Don't get a chance to do that often so enjoy. Anyway I digress, I also keep a Leatherman in easy reach inside the camper for the quick fix items so I don't have to dig into the toolbox especially underway.
• Headlamp flashlight. Great multitasker for everything from finishing off the steaks on the BBQ after the sun goes down to taking out the trash after dinner.
• I know you're going to laugh but duct tape, electrical tape and an assortment of cable ties and bungee cord. It's amazing how useful these modern marvels can be.
• Silicone Lubricant. Something like the WD-40 spray works great to lubricate the landing gears and door latches.
• Finally something to place your beverage on during happy hour. My ALPS side table and I have many happy miles together. Have a couple of their other larger versions that travel with as well.

Sure there will be lots more you'll find you need, but that's all I have for the moment.

Safe travels.

Oh bother, the most important thing you need is a breakaway cable that doesn't dangle into the back of your truck. The Fastway Zip Breakaway 6' has really improved my towing experience. Make sure to get the 6' not the shorter 4'. Well worth the $14!