RV Essentials and Wants

Introduction November 2019

     My "RV Essentials and Wants" Webpage started after ordering our 2019 Subaru Ascent, with Premium trim and the towing receiver hitch installed, in August of 2018.

     I continued to research possible travel trailers that could be "reasonably" and safely pulled by the Ascent with its maximum 5000 lb. towing capacity and maximum 500 lb. tongue weight. I shared my findings, online, through May 16 of 2019, the date that we purchased our Coachmen Apex Nano 187RB from Haylett RV in Coldwater, MI.

This is a link to a LONG YouTube video with a lot of information, in minute detail, about OUR Apex Nano 187RB.

This is a link a Webpage that compliments and extends the information in the video. The page contains much, much information, including more problems and fixes, regarding OUR Apex Nano 187RB.

     Learning what "reasonably" and safely actual meant was completed by investigating what "experts" had to say online about this topic. The information garnered during the investigation played a large part in our final decision. On this page, and its linked pages, I shared my findings.

     The Webpages were frequently updated online when new information was found or modified.

     We also had to determine if this was something that we really wanted to do once again.

     During the thought and research period, I joined the Ascent Forums. I became very active in the Towing Forum using the user name of Ken Myers.

     The members of the Towing Forum were exceptionally helpful and welcoming. I shared my thoughts with them and they, in return, provided a lot of useful information about towing with the Subaru Ascent.

     At the beginning of November, 2019, I created a Webpage titled, "Subaru Ascent Real World Towing Examples". That page contains all of the trailers that have been reported as being towed by a Subaru Ascent on the Ascent Forums. Most of that information was originally posted to the Towing Forum. ALL TYPES of trailers are listed on that Webpage, not just travel trailers.

     The "Subaru Ascent Real World Towing Examples" page is a good place to start to get an idea of the type of trailers that the Ascent is actually reported as towing.

     The information found on all of my Webpages is also useful for people with tow packages on the Chevy Traverse, Ford Explorer and other vehicles with tow packages and that are rated with a 5000 lb. towing capacity and 500 lb. tongue weight.

     The information on this page was left as is, so that anyone wanting more detailed information could still find it. It is also interesting to note that there are a few broken links, and yet the links were created only one year ago or less. That demonstrates how transient the information found on the World Wide Web actually is.

     The original, last updated, Webpage follows as an archival document.

RV Essentials and Wants

My List, just the beginning
Note that not all items would be taken in the trailer on a trip


Many of the items could be loaded for each trip from supplies at home, but we found we prefer to leave the trailer loaded so that we only need to load clothes and food before leaving.

Brake Controller installed in Ascent

Trailer Insurance

Exterior usage but stored in trailer
Coupler lock This is NOT the lock to lock the trailer tongue when leaving on a campsite, but one to lock it to the ball on the ball mount
Sewage hose (check list 1) 10' and 20'
Portable Waste tank
Angled adapter for sewage hoses (check list 1) 90 degree and 45ish degree
Sewage hose cleaning adapter (check list 1)
Gloves for handling sewage (check list 2)
Sewer Donut
Storage options for sewage hoses (Totes and/or Tubs)
Supports for sewage hose (check list 2)
Garden hose/green hose (check list 1)
White/blue fresh water hose (check list 1)
Water pressure regulator (check list 1)
Water filter
Surge protector (check list 1)
RV Dog bone electrical adapter (check list 1)
30 amp extension chord
Standard heavy duty extension 50’ (check list 2)
Tool kit???
Tire pressure gauge
4-way Lug wrench
Torque wrench and socket for trailer lug nuts
Socket for torque wrench to fit trailer lug nuts
Jack for jacking up trailer to change tire
Propane adapter for outside grill
Propane tank level indicator
Ropes and/or tie downs
Bungie chords
Wheel chocks
Another ball mount for the Ascent hitch if the supplied one is not the correct height
Appropriate ball for ball mount
Trailer cover
Wheel/Tire covers
Lawn Chairs (we got)
Adapter 3-prong 120V 15A to 3-prong 30A
Clip-on mirror extensions
Outdoor mat for outside the trailer
On/Off valve to put on end of fresh water hose to fill fresh water tank
Air conditioning cover
Andersen Camper Levelers
2" by 8" or 10" leveling boards (cut them myself to shape and length)
Level Mate Pro - These are LevelMate Pro's videos on the app, set up and use.

Trailer Hitch Ball Capacity Scale
or
Sherline LM 1000 tongue scale
floor jack for use with tongue scale

None are any accurate of consistent.

HaulGauge OBD-II Connector That Measures Gross Combined Weight, Tongue Weight, Pin Weight and Payload
Haul Gauge Homepage

Cordless electric drill and appropriate socket for raising and lowering stabilizer jacks. (Have cordless drill now)
Hitch lock
Trailer blocks for stabilizers and tongue jack to rest on if not made from wood
Exterior cleaners
Exterior caulks, roof and windows
Hinge lubricants
Tongue ball grease
Scales (to be used at home for weighing items put into trailer), bathroom type, kitchen type, possibly even a used baby scale would be helpful
DISH satellite dish

Interior usage
DISH satellite receiver
plumbing repair supplies
thermometer for frig
thermometer for oven (if we get one)
First Aid Kit
Hook-ups for cable TV (check list 2)
Fuses
Dishes - plates and bowls
Pots and Pans
Silverware
Mixing Bowls
Measuring cups
Sharp Knives
Cooking spoons
Spatulas
Linens
Towels and washcloths
Bathroom toiletries
Soaps
Cleaners
Rags
RV toilet paper (check list 1)
Tablets or liquid for black tank
Cleaning brush for the interior
Cleaning Sponges
Shelving options (hooks, non-skid shelf liner)
Mop
Broom & dustpan
Small waste basket that could double as a bucket
TV and mount if not supplied with trailer - most aren't
Containers for cooking essentials, salt, pepper, flour, sugar, etc.
Writing paper and pens & pencils
Playing cards

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