Hook-up kit!

Snackchaser · January 18

When doing hook-ups or departures from camp, I regularly find myself in need of water pump pliers to tighten and loosen water lines. . . which means digging out the tool box to find them. So I decided to mount a dedicated pair in the outdoor garage where they will be close at hand when needed. After looking at various options for storing the pliers, I settled on a small leather tool pouch from Amazon. It was low profile, could be easily mounted on the wall, and it didn’t take up precious garage floor space. The pouch also had pockets for a small flashlight and pen, which also can also be elusive items when signing in after dark.

The tool pouch had a belt clip that was removed, and I stretched one of the pockets to fit my LED penlight. The leather is easily stretched by soaking it in water for about 60 seconds and using a dowel or other cylindrical object to expand the pocket. The leather is quickly dried in an oven at 130 degrees to hold the new shape.

I chose a 7” Knipex Plier Wrench for my kit because of its high quality. They aren’t cheap, but the Oliver is deserving, and they are a pleasure to use. There are many excellent choices available for pliers, flashlights and pens. I just used what I already had on hand.

Some folks might also be interested in my handy tool for stashing and retrieving things from the unreachable depths of the garage. This is simply a sanded length of 1/2” x 3/4” moulding with an aluminum angle screwed onto one end as a hook to pull things out. Oh, and notice the spring to pull the garage door suspension cable out of the way so it doesn’t get pinched in the seal like mine does.

Hope you find this useful! Cheers! Geoff

**topgun2** · January 18

26 minutes ago, Snackchaser said:

Some folks might also be interested in my handy tool for stashing and retrieving things from the unreachable depths of the garage.

You mean that you simply can't craw in there to get what you want?😁

**Patriot** · January 18

4 hours ago, Snackchaser said:

When doing hook-ups or departures from camp, I regularly find myself in need of water pump pliers to tighten and loosen water lines. .

Your working too hard 😊. We have been using eley hose quick connects for several years and they have served us well and do not leak.
A quick and simple way to hook up our water hose sans pliers.

https://www.eleyhosereels.com/products/garden-hose-quick-connectors?srsltid=AfmBOorhl73lbWlG-pTRQ_aHjougxYv88x-aD4DfsGjJACCyuZjoAX0t

More info here -

Edited January 18 by Patriot

**jd1923** · January 18

35 minutes ago, Patriot said:

Your working too hard 😊. We have been using eley hose quick connects for several years and they have served us well and do not leak.

Thanks Patriot for this reminder. I read your original post over a year ago.

Expensive but if truly no leaking in your years of experience, then worth it. They’re 10% off now and I like how you can order x number of male/female fittings. That will take some counting before ordering. On my upgrade list!

**Steph and Dud B** · January 18

5 hours ago, topgun2 said:

You mean that you simply can't craw in there to get what you want?

Things have a bad habit of sliding to the front of our truck bed, under the hard tonneau cover and out of reach. This hook works great.

scottchen PRO RV Awning Rod Opener Easy Reach Telescopic Puller 13-3/4" to 44-3/4" Stainless Steel Silver & Black - 1pack https://a.co/d/aQmHp1H

Snackchaser · January 18

1 hour ago, Patriot said:

Your working too hard 😊. We have been using eley hose quick connects for several years and they have served us well and do not leak.
A quick and simple way to hook up our water hose sans pliers.

Nice! I think I'd need several sets!

**jd1923** · January 18

21 minutes ago, Steph and Dud B said:

Things have a bad habit of sliding to the front of our truck bed, under the hard tonneau cover and out of reach. This hook works great.

Geoff’s short homemade stick, not near enough tool! The awning opener, not a good enough hook.

I use one of these and it’s never where I need it, so just bought another one, just for the TV and TT! It’s 27” long or 40” when extended, it gets the job done! I’ve had mine well over 10 years and it has been a savior on many occasions. Not bad at $15.

https://a.co/d/ci6xMqe

**Steph and Dud B** · January 19

31 minutes ago, jd1923 said:

I use one of these

My wife won't let me get a hoe.

**Patriot** · January 19

51 minutes ago, Snackchaser said:

Nice! I think I'd need several sets!

I use a Y valve on the CG shore fresh water source for my extra hose “camp hose”. The rear bumper makes a nice shelf to support my water hose.
My Andersen levelers came in handy as the slab had a slight fall to the street side to allow water to run off.
This was at Teton Valley Resort in Victor, Idaho last fall, we love the Tetons. And this was a really nice base camp.

Edited January 19 by Patriot

**Patriot** · January 19

1 hour ago, jd1923 said:

Thanks Patriot for this reminder. I read your original post over a year ago.

Expensive but if truly no leaking in your years of experience, then worth it. They’re 10% off now and I like how you can order x number of male/female fittings. That will take some counting before ordering. On my upgrade list!

Yes spendy for sure JD. It’s one of those buy once, cry once purchases. Ha!

**jd1923** · January 19

1 hour ago, Patriot said:

I use a Y valve on the CG shore fresh water source for my extra hose “camp hose”. The rear bumper makes a nice shelf to support my water hose.

That's another good idea...

What is that on the back of XPLOR?!? And how many LBS? Please let me know!

I've always see the front of your Oliver, parked in your storage shed. WOW!

**Patriot** · January 19

5 hours ago, jd1923 said:

What is that on the back of XPLOR?!? And how many LBS?

We typically carry both of our bicycles on a 1UP USA Super Duty bike rack. My wife and I are avid cyclist and enjoy rails to trails or just riding around in our CG.
The total weight of our rack and bikes is appprox 110#. The bikes are locked down and covered with an XXL Yardstash cover I bought on Amazon.

**Ronbrink** · January 19

14 hours ago, Patriot said:

I use a Y valve on the CG shore fresh water source for my extra hose “camp hose”. The rear bumper makes a nice shelf to support my water hose.

Same here, the Y valve with Eleys for an extra ‘camp hose’ is a very handy addition with many uses. There are times when I prefer not to use the rear bumper as a support for the blue water filter, so I carry a short section of PVC pipe as a ground standoff, works great. Also, the bumper protrusion on either side can be used to hang coiled excess water hose and even propane hose at the rear port, if equipped. Some pics for you and others:

**jd1923** · January 19

12 hours ago, Patriot said:

We typically carry both of our bicycles on a 1UP USA Super Duty bike rack. My wife and I are avid cyclist and enjoy rails to trails or just riding around in our CG.
The total weight of our rack and bikes is approx 110#. The bikes are locked down and covered with an XXL Yardstash cover I bought on Amazon.

Your picture makes it look like a good size motorcycle. I used to love cycling, when we lived in Texas and Florida. Thousands of road bikes all around Austin and the Hill Country. Here the steep climbs are too tough and the drops too dangerous. I see young guys coming down our road, coasting on bikes at well over 40 MPH! They'd have to ride their brakes all the way down to get any slower.

At some point, I want to figure out how to bring my Honda CRF230 dirt bike (240 LBS). It's likely too heavy for the rear of the Oliver. Maybe front of the TV with a special mount or in the truck bed. I just ordered this device to measure tongue weight which I need for the Oliver and a flatbed trailer that carries our side-by-side, so I know the best position for it on the trailer).

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007REK28M?ref=fed_asin_title

Edited January 19 by jd1923

**Geronimo John** · January 19

23 hours ago, Snackchaser said:

Nice! I think I'd need several sets!

I really like the idea of having the hose connection "T" before the filter idea. I often need a hose sprayer, but generally have little control over flow when using one of the camp ground taps directly. I have a spare connector in my basement as shown below. Having both the lines out with their own valve would allow use of the hand hose without putting pressure or flow into Ollie.

Thanks for waking up the idea!

GJ

**ScottyGS** · January 20

I threw a fireplace tool with a 90 degree bend on the end in the basement years ago. Hooks the milk crates I store stuff in pretty good and use it for the campfires too. Won't go without it and am paranoid about leaving it at a campsite.

**Ronbrink** · January 20

14 hours ago, Geronimo John said:

I really like the idea of having the hose connection "T" before the filter idea.

Conversely, I like my Y at the spigot for max pressure to the auxiliary hose, not on the pressure regulated side.

**dewdev** · January 20

@Snackchaser

Nice install Geoff:

Can you tell us what the devices are next to your leather plyer holder? Did you install them there or are they new locations in your 2022 Ollie?

Also, I see two toggle witches in the upper left of your pictures. What are they for and did OTT install them?

Thanks

Snackchaser · January 20

1 hour ago, dewdev said:

Nice install Geoff:

Can you tell us what the devices are next to your leather plyer holder? Did you install them there or are they new locations in your 2022 Ollie?

Also, I see two toggle witches in the upper left of your pictures. What are they for and did OTT install them?

Thanks! And I see how that poor quality photo could raise questions from observant folks. Only the spirit level was installed by Oliver.

The bottom item is a 12vDC outlet for a macerator pump.

Next is a rotary switch for electric valves that are used for freshwater tank drain, boondocking and winterizing line-ups. It’s described in the post “Electric valve control… with a twist.”

Then there is a third water-pump switch for the outdoor shower, or when filling the freshwater tank from the boondocking port. This is described in the post “4-way pump switch for the outdoor shower.”

Above that, are labeled LED indicators for the aforementioned pump and valves.

Lastly a Levelmate with lengthened thumb screws for easy battery changing. They do look like toggle switches!

Then my trusty pliers. . . they actually replaced quick disconnects that I found were too bulky and inflexible for my needs.

Cheers! Geoff

**dewdev** · January 20

@Snackchaser

Did you install them yourself?

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Hook-up kit!

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