I like this guy! I like HF, too, and have made some purchases for my rv. What I especially like is he gets right down to the subject instead of yapping and yapping and yapping like soooo many of these RV UA-camrs. If you want to be a successful UA-camr, follow this guy. Keep it short and sweet.
Use the infra red temperature gun to monitor your trailer bearing temperatures. Measure the brake drum temperature as soon as you stop towing. If you have one running hot you have an issue (adjustment, grease, or bearing).
Good video, but... Never use a pipe wrench on hex bolts or nuts!!! You will rip the crap out of them and make them useless. Use your socket set instead. If you need just one size big socket, you can buy the individual sockets as Harbor Freight or any big box home improvement store.
Harbor Freight sells a hitch ball specific wrench for both the larger and small ball sizes. Very handy and not a socket or wrench size you normally have. I keep mine in my truck and it has saved me at least once.
I practically live at Harbor Freight, lol. Some of their stuff is junk, just like Lowes and Home Depot, but most of the stuff they sell is legit. I love their hand tools, and all of the power tools and welders I’ve bought there have served me well and none have failed. Just because they’re cheap doesn’t mean they’re junk, smart folks have figured this out! Great video, thanks. 👍
I know you used to have a Tab 400. I just bought a 2018 Tab 400 and was wondering why you got rid of the 400. I know you change campers a few years ago, I just start med watching you videos on the 400. They are GREAT! Thank you. Happy Camping
I watched this article and thought you had ESP! I have just about everything you talked about . I also carry teflon, duct and electrical tape, a large 1/2 inch drive breaker bar and a couple of their 3 dollar flashlights. To save weight, I also got their combi ratchet, 1/4 on one side, 3/8 on the other and the handle extemds for more torque. I like the idea of temp gauge. That may be my next purchase! Thaks for the info.
Patrick, after reading all the comments, I bet you wish you hadn't pulled out that pipe wrench to use on the hitch bolts.Ha! A friend of mine, who happens to be a Plummer, used his to help me change out the hitch ball on my hitch, so when you showed your pipe wrench, I was impressed! See what we don't know! That's what's great about your followers. There's always someone to help!!!
I also always carry just one of those ramps that you would use to raise the car when changing the oil. It makes changing the tire on a duel wheeled trailer safe, and super fast.
Here in Canada we have Princes Auto, which is kind of like Harbor Freight, but has a surplus section and some name-brand merchandise. Canadian Tire also sells rv accessories too.
The 10 must haves....owe wait a minute...make that 3 or 5 must haves if your only towing with a Tundra! 😅😅 I got a good Torque wrench and I keep it in the truck to check trailer lugs. I do that quite regularly. My sales guy mentioned checking these in our overview. Maybe I’m overkill. Safe Travels
Just about everything you mentioned are things I have & have used most of my life. The Harbor Freight 3500 Predator has rec'd excellent reviews throughout youtube, which surprised me at the time the reviews began appearing. It's not the generator I have, however, it is reliable & that's what counts. Those rubber tire chocks is a new one on me. Yes, I have those cheap plastic one, but I'd much rather have those rubber ones for my lil vehicle. I'm headed to HF this morning to buy a set. Anyone with an RV should have & know how to use a Digital VOM meter & NOT an el cheapo Harbor Freight one. Get a good name brand, one you can count on to give you accurate readings. The only thing I would add to your list is the biggest/longest breaker bar you can find, something for loosening really tight nuts. A child can loosen most anything with a 24" long breaker bar when needed. Warm Regards from Reno, Nevada.
That small rubber chock block is great. However, from my experience, the handle is a fail point. I've been using one for about a year and a half, to chock my truck tire. Our driveway has a good slope. The handle just came off one day when I grabbed it. Still use it.
Harbor Freight is a great choice for cheaper tools and parts. The general rule with them is the fewer moving parts the less you'll be unhappy. The one notable exception are their predator line of powered equipment. As you mentioned their generators are simply amazing. They might lack a few of the bells and whistles of a Honda, but at 1/3rd the price, who cares? And their warrantee is second to none. If it drops dead a year and a half later, empty the fuel and oil and bring it back in. Important note, buy that warranty on any powered tool or generator, you won't regret it. Great review. Thanks.
We use an Andersen leveler between the wheels to reduce the movement in the trailer. Most people by X-chocks....we couldn't find any back in 2020 and I tried an Andersen and it worked well for us so we have just stuck with it.
@@TravelswithDelaney Josh the RV Nerd also did a video recently talking about the damage that x chocks can do to tires if they are improperly installed or used. From the looks of things the Anderson leveler would not be able to cause the tire damage that x chocks can, so simpler use with fewer opportunities to make a mistake. Seems rather ingenious to me if your tires are close enough together to use the Anderson leveler this way.
When using the air compressor, do you attach to the positive and negative post of the battery or the positive post only and put the negative on another grounding piece of metal?
@@TravelswithDelaney You should also have the engine running...the air pump will be happier at 14V instead of the 12 point whatever. My Viair specifically states this in the instruction pamphlet.
It appears you installed an extension to your Anderson Weight Distribution Hitch and assume you did this so the tailgate will open on your Chevy. I have the same hitch and have the same issue. Could you share what extension you are using? Thanks.
Personally, I'm not a fan of those 4 way lug wrenches because I jacked my back up once while using one. I prefer my HF breaker bar, which you can often get on sale for around $10.
There's nothing wrong with Harbor Freight everything that was shown is fine for whatever you need. I've used the wheel chocks for years, and I have many tools from HF as well that I've used with no issues.
Patrick - that grease gun. Have you ever pulled the spring loaded plunger back in preparation to loading a full tube of grease, not paid attention to what you were doing, bumped the end of the spring loaded plunger, & had a big blob of grease plop out onto the ground in front of or on you B4 you were able to screw on the top??😆🙃😉😊 Haven't we all? YES! Been there, done that !🤩😇🥴😵😵💫
I prefer to have a 1/2in cordless impact on my truck. Charge the batteries before I go on a trip and don't have to rely on a power source. It makes it quicker and easier. Less time I'm on the side of the road the better
There are several important uses for the infrared thermometer. Here are some key ones: 1. Check temp of your wheel bearings at every rest stop. Also check tire temp to confirm that they're all the same. While at it you can check temps of transmission, brakes, etc. I carry mine in the glove compartment because I use it often on the road. 2. When it's very hot or very cold outside, check for cold spots inside and try to figure out remedies. I found two areas of the walls that had no insulation in them. Some spray foam insulation helped there. You may be surprised how cold the floor is on you main slide I made an insulated covering for the bottom of the slide and it makes a huge difference. We have a winter package on our RV, but the windows are single pane. I made a storm window for one window out of plexiglass. Omg, it made a difference of 14 degrees. I tried the cheap plastic sheeting to make a storm window on another window. It did nothing but waste my money and time. We put plexiglass storm windows on all windows and it made the rig much less drafty. You get the point. It's an important tool when it comes to summer and winter comfort. 3. You should check your fridge, water heater, etc., often both summer and winter. This tool come in very handy for both. You can also measure the temperature of battery cells and even use it to see how much propane you have left in your tanks. Those are some of the ways I use it regularly. But I'm constantly finding it handy for other things as well.
Wow, you may want to re-think using a pipe wrench on your bolts and nuts. I am a millwright and have seen people do this and it never ends well. It may get you by today, but you may regret it tomorrow.
🚐 Great content! For those who can’t get enough of RV parts and accessories, we’ve just released a new video showcasing the best picks for your next adventure. Discover top-rated gear and innovative upgrades that will make your RV experience even better! 🌟
Randy beat me to the punch on your infra red temp on wheel hubs. Since your packing a grease gun install or have someone install 8 leaf spring 'shackle bolts' that have grease zirks in the bolt ends with lube passages to keep your suspension from squealing and premature wear causing clunking noise turning corners. I think they call those "wet spring bolts? Good video, Harbor Freight should offer some kind of pay.
There is a long description for this video. I am not sure what you are looking for. I did not link products as we are in no way affiliated with Harbor Freight but you can find all of the products in their stores or on their website.
I’m fan of harbor freight. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and uses. It seems like you have, as they say, jumped the shark, and the channel has moved so far from your earlier days that it’s hard to watch. Well, we all change. Right?
Some items are good. Some not so good. Just keep that in mind. But yes Harbor Freight is a good resource. But I would not trust the torque wrench. Sorry. Not my opinion. My experience.
I woudn't encourage anyone to cheap out with a HF Digital VOM. Buy a name brand. I doubt you'll ever see any garage or person who knows what they are doing using a HF Torque Wrench.
Please don't use a pipe wrench on a bolt. You will chew up the head. Use a Ford wrench. They look similar to a pipe wrench, but adjust like a crescent wrench, do not have teeth, and will fit snuggly on the bolt or nut.
The Project Farm channel did a comparison of torque wrenches. The harbor freight actually did not do too bad. Obviously Snap On did better and for precision work or if your a pro then you would probably go high end. For torquing lug nuts or stuff like that, the HF seemed to fall within tolerance. All torque wrenches in theory need recalibration at intervals.
@@TravelswithDelaney So I wasn’t very fair or constructive with my comment. Thanks for posting the video, and giving people like me new to using a camper a baseline to start with. I will say though, a large pipe wrench like that is very much the wrong tool for what you are using it for, I’ve seen someone shatter the orbital below their eye doing something similar. I’d suggest a big adjustable wrench for a good all in one tool, and you’ve got the sockets for the other side as needed. Stay safe, and happy camping 🤙
I wouldnt trust anything HF sells to be relable. Especially their battery chargers and cheap power tools. Spend the extra money and buy tools you can trust. No one wants to suffer from crap equipment.
Buying American is awesome. That said, very few tools are made in the USA. Even the electrical in American made products are made in China. Buy USA if you can, but don't beat yourself up if you can't. Harbor Freight has some well made products and are a good value, but they also have some cheap sh!t too.
thanks for taking the time to help us out with the info. Happy Camping Friend
I like this guy! I like HF, too, and have made some purchases for my rv. What I especially like is he gets right down to the subject instead of yapping and yapping and yapping like soooo many of these RV UA-camrs. If you want to be a successful UA-camr, follow this guy. Keep it short and sweet.
Thank you very much for the kind words!
Use the infra red temperature gun to monitor your trailer bearing temperatures. Measure the brake drum temperature as soon as you stop towing. If you have one running hot you have an issue (adjustment, grease, or bearing).
Good video, but... Never use a pipe wrench on hex bolts or nuts!!! You will rip the crap out of them and make them useless. Use your socket set instead. If you need just one size big socket, you can buy the individual sockets as Harbor Freight or any big box home improvement store.
Harbor Freight sells a hitch ball specific wrench for both the larger and small ball sizes. Very handy and not a socket or wrench size you normally have. I keep mine in my truck and it has saved me at least once.
Love me some Harbor Freight. A lot of our goodies come from there.
There are so many items we have bought there that I couldn't even list them all
I'm just beginning to realize the benefits of Harbor Freight. Thanks for your product reviews.
Thanks for the video Patrick. You’re right about those extra retainer pins-and I was one of the other RVers that you helped out!
Always glad to be able to help a friend and fellow camper!
Great list, and I was happy to see that I had most, but not all of these items in my rig.
I practically live at Harbor Freight, lol. Some of their stuff is junk, just like Lowes and Home Depot, but most of the stuff they sell is legit. I love their hand tools, and all of the power tools and welders I’ve bought there have served me well and none have failed. Just because they’re cheap doesn’t mean they’re junk, smart folks have figured this out! Great video, thanks. 👍
I know you used to have a Tab 400. I just bought a 2018 Tab 400 and was wondering why you got rid of the 400. I know you change campers a few years ago, I just start med watching you videos on the 400. They are GREAT! Thank you. Happy Camping
I watched this article and thought you had ESP! I have just about everything you talked about . I also carry teflon, duct and electrical tape, a large 1/2 inch drive breaker bar and a couple of their 3 dollar flashlights. To save weight, I also got their combi ratchet, 1/4 on one side, 3/8 on the other and the handle extemds for more torque. I like the idea of temp gauge. That may be my next purchase! Thaks for the info.
That’s a great list of yours too! I too carry some of those as well. Tape is always a good thing to carry as well as zip ties too.
Please don't use a pipe wrench on a hex head nut or bolt. Buy the socket that fits. Less cost, less weight and less space.
Patrick, after reading all the comments, I bet you wish you hadn't pulled out that pipe wrench to use on the hitch bolts.Ha! A friend of mine, who happens to be a Plummer, used his to help me change out the hitch ball on my hitch, so when you showed your pipe wrench, I was impressed! See what we don't know! That's what's great about your followers. There's always someone to help!!!
I also always carry just one of those ramps that you would use to raise the car when changing the oil.
It makes changing the tire on a duel wheeled trailer safe, and super fast.
Can also use the temp gun to check hub temp, tire temp, and brake temp. To make sure that everything is working properly.
All great choices, I have many of them myself! Don't underestimate the 2.99 headlamp or the cheap magnet or hanging lights!
Here in Canada we have Princes Auto, which is kind of like Harbor Freight, but has a surplus section and some name-brand merchandise. Canadian Tire also sells rv accessories too.
The 10 must haves....owe wait a minute...make that 3 or 5 must haves if your only towing with a Tundra! 😅😅 I got a good Torque wrench and I keep it in the truck to check trailer lugs. I do that quite regularly. My sales guy mentioned checking these in our overview. Maybe I’m overkill. Safe Travels
A torque wrench will grow legs & walk off if you don't keep your eyes on it.
I use the the lazer thermometer to check the hub temperature As well
I like the short 12ton bottle jack, easy to get under axel (always jack on U bolts)
I bought a magnetic strip to use as a knife holder.
Just about everything you mentioned are things I have & have used most of my life. The Harbor Freight 3500 Predator has rec'd excellent reviews throughout youtube, which surprised me at the time the reviews began appearing. It's not the generator I have, however, it is reliable & that's what counts. Those rubber tire chocks is a new one on me. Yes, I have those cheap plastic one, but I'd much rather have those rubber ones for my lil vehicle. I'm headed to HF this morning to buy a set.
Anyone with an RV should have & know how to use a Digital VOM meter & NOT an el cheapo Harbor Freight one. Get a good name brand, one you can count on to give you accurate readings.
The only thing I would add to your list is the biggest/longest breaker bar you can find, something for loosening really tight nuts. A child can loosen most anything with a 24" long breaker bar when needed.
Warm Regards from Reno, Nevada.
I bought the predator 3500 about six months ago - It is awesome, electric start, quiet and runs a long time on a tank
That small rubber chock block is great. However, from my experience, the handle is a fail point. I've been using one for about a year and a half, to chock my truck tire. Our driveway has a good slope. The handle just came off one day when I grabbed it. Still use it.
Harbor Freight is a great choice for cheaper tools and parts. The general rule with them is the fewer moving parts the less you'll be unhappy. The one notable exception are their predator line of powered equipment. As you mentioned their generators are simply amazing. They might lack a few of the bells and whistles of a Honda, but at 1/3rd the price, who cares? And their warrantee is second to none. If it drops dead a year and a half later, empty the fuel and oil and bring it back in.
Important note, buy that warranty on any powered tool or generator, you won't regret it.
Great review. Thanks.
Love your videos, especially since I'm considering a 1985..... Can you explain the wrapping you have in the battery compartment?
It's just some reflectix that I had to help keep the batteries warm when the temperatures drop. Not sure if it works but figured it can't hurt.
At the start I noticed your Andersen Levelers. Why were then just hanging down on the curb side rear wheel? Just a storage place?
We use an Andersen leveler between the wheels to reduce the movement in the trailer. Most people by X-chocks....we couldn't find any back in 2020 and I tried an Andersen and it worked well for us so we have just stuck with it.
@@TravelswithDelaney Josh the RV Nerd also did a video recently talking about the damage that x chocks can do to tires if they are improperly installed or used. From the looks of things the Anderson leveler would not be able to cause the tire damage that x chocks can, so simpler use with fewer opportunities to make a mistake. Seems rather ingenious to me if your tires are close enough together to use the Anderson leveler this way.
why is your anderson leveler between your tires? Thanks for sharing!
We used it to help stabilize the trailer when we were parked in lieu of using x-chocks
@@TravelswithDelaney huh.. clever :D Thats a great hack for some of those 2 axel rigs that have the wheels CLOSE!
When using the air compressor, do you attach to the positive and negative post of the battery or the positive post only and put the negative on another grounding piece of metal?
The instructions say to attach the positive to the battery and the negative to a ground.
@@TravelswithDelaney You should also have the engine running...the air pump will be happier at 14V instead of the 12 point whatever. My Viair specifically states this in the instruction pamphlet.
In you clip on the 4 in 1 lug wrench, what is the red thing in between you trailer tires (over your right shoulder in the frame)?
That’s an Andersen leveler that I use to stabilize the tires when we’re parked. Has worked well for us as opposed to something like x-chokes
I am a Harbor fan
Angola? I’m about 45 minutes from there. Will check them out
I've bought so much stuff from Harbor Fright that I should own stock in them. :)
You and me both! 😄
It appears you installed an extension to your Anderson Weight Distribution Hitch and assume you did this so the tailgate will open on your Chevy. I have the same hitch and have the same issue. Could you share what extension you are using? Thanks.
No….its not an extension. It’s a reducer sleeve because our 2500 has a 2 1/2” receiver and it takes it down to a 2” for our Andersen hitch.
@@TravelswithDelaney Thanks
Personally, I'm not a fan of those 4 way lug wrenches because I jacked my back up once while using one. I prefer my HF breaker bar, which you can often get on sale for around $10.
You can buy balloons at HF! BIG ONES! LOL
I have not seen those yet but now I’m going to be looking for them.
I noticed you had one of those orange levels BETWEEN your tires. What is the dealio with that?
It’s an Andersen leveler that we place between the tires for stability like an x-chock.
@@TravelswithDelaney Niiice - good idea!
There's nothing wrong with Harbor Freight everything that was shown is fine for whatever you need. I've used the wheel chocks for years, and I have many tools from HF as well that I've used with no issues.
HF gets bashed on quite a bit but I have found most of there stuff is fine for someone like me.
Patrick - that grease gun. Have you ever pulled the spring loaded plunger back in preparation to loading a full tube of grease, not paid attention to what you were doing, bumped the end of the spring loaded plunger, & had a big blob of grease plop out onto the ground in front of or on you B4 you were able to screw on the top??😆🙃😉😊 Haven't we all?
YES! Been there, done that !🤩😇🥴😵😵💫
Luckily I haven’t….yet! 🤣🤣
Cold sore is staring at me. 👀
I prefer to have a 1/2in cordless impact on my truck. Charge the batteries before I go on a trip and don't have to rely on a power source. It makes it quicker and easier. Less time I'm on the side of the road the better
There are several important uses for the infrared thermometer. Here are some key ones:
1. Check temp of your wheel bearings at every rest stop. Also check tire temp to confirm that they're all the same. While at it you can check temps of transmission, brakes, etc. I carry mine in the glove compartment because I use it often on the road.
2. When it's very hot or very cold outside, check for cold spots inside and try to figure out remedies. I found two areas of the walls that had no insulation in them. Some spray foam insulation helped there. You may be surprised how cold the floor is on you main slide I made an insulated covering for the bottom of the slide and it makes a huge difference. We have a winter package on our RV, but the windows are single pane. I made a storm window for one window out of plexiglass. Omg, it made a difference of 14 degrees. I tried the cheap plastic sheeting to make a storm window on another window. It did nothing but waste my money and time. We put plexiglass storm windows on all windows and it made the rig much less drafty. You get the point. It's an important tool when it comes to summer and winter comfort.
3. You should check your fridge, water heater, etc., often both summer and winter. This tool come in very handy for both. You can also measure the temperature of battery cells and even use it to see how much propane you have left in your tanks.
Those are some of the ways I use it regularly. But I'm constantly finding it handy for other things as well.
This are all excellent ways to use it....thank you so much for sharing them with us all!
I do # 1 religiously.
Wow, you may want to re-think using a pipe wrench on your bolts and nuts. I am a millwright and have seen people do this and it never ends well. It may get you by today, but you may regret it tomorrow.
🚐 Great content! For those who can’t get enough of RV parts and accessories, we’ve just released a new video showcasing the best picks for your next adventure. Discover top-rated gear and innovative upgrades that will make your RV experience even better! 🌟
Be careful using bargain electrical fuses. I shop Harbor Freight often but don't skimp on fuses a poorly made fuse can result in fried wires.
What is the weight difference, plastic vs rubber???
Put that pipe wrench away before you wreck something.
Randy beat me to the punch on your infra red temp on wheel hubs. Since your packing a grease gun install or have someone install 8 leaf spring 'shackle bolts' that have grease zirks in the bolt ends with lube passages to keep your suspension from squealing and premature wear causing clunking noise turning corners. I think they call those "wet spring bolts? Good video, Harbor Freight should offer some kind of pay.
Nothing in the description, unless I'm missing it.
Never use a pipe wrench on nuts or bolts. get the right size wrenches.
There is a long description for this video. I am not sure what you are looking for. I did not link products as we are in no way affiliated with Harbor Freight but you can find all of the products in their stores or on their website.
Speaking of product placement
To bad HF doesn't have those torque wrench for 9.99 anymore
I’m fan of harbor freight. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and uses. It seems like you have, as they say, jumped the shark, and the channel has moved so far from your earlier days that it’s hard to watch. Well, we all change. Right?
In the early days we shared a lot of our travels. Unfortunately those videos now get so little views that they are not really worth making.
Some items are good. Some not so good. Just keep that in mind. But yes Harbor Freight is a good resource. But I would not trust the torque wrench. Sorry. Not my opinion. My experience.
I woudn't encourage anyone to cheap out with a HF Digital VOM. Buy a name brand. I doubt you'll ever see any garage or person who knows what they are doing using a HF Torque Wrench.
I’m not someone who works in a garage or knows what I’m doing so it’s perfect for me. 😉
Please don't use a pipe wrench on a bolt. You will chew up the head. Use a Ford wrench. They look similar to a pipe wrench, but adjust like a crescent wrench, do not have teeth, and will fit snuggly on the bolt or nut.
The Project Farm channel did a comparison of torque wrenches. The harbor freight actually did not do too bad. Obviously Snap On did better and for precision work or if your a pro then you would probably go high end. For torquing lug nuts or stuff like that, the HF seemed to fall within tolerance. All torque wrenches in theory need recalibration at intervals.
@@michaelweaver2627 My experience has been, recalibration after every use.
Horrible advice, don’t use a pipe wrench on bolts.
I think I would scream if I saw someone put a pipe wrench on those nuts and bolts. I saw a breaker bar, and sockets that should fit, please don’t.
To each his own
@@TravelswithDelaney So I wasn’t very fair or constructive with my comment. Thanks for posting the video, and giving people like me new to using a camper a baseline to start with. I will say though, a large pipe wrench like that is very much the wrong tool for what you are using it for, I’ve seen someone shatter the orbital below their eye doing something similar. I’d suggest a big adjustable wrench for a good all in one tool, and you’ve got the sockets for the other side as needed. Stay safe, and happy camping 🤙
I wouldnt trust anything HF sells to be relable. Especially their battery chargers and cheap power tools. Spend the extra money and buy tools you can trust. No one wants to suffer from crap equipment.
I would not be that China Crap at Harbor Freight. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Support America by staying out of Harbor Freight and Walmart.
Buying American is awesome. That said, very few tools are made in the USA. Even the electrical in American made products are made in China. Buy USA if you can, but don't beat yourself up if you can't.
Harbor Freight has some well made products and are a good value, but they also have some cheap sh!t too.
@@ronpage101 If I have no choice but to buy chinesium, I buy it used. The damage to the US was already done, but not done by me.