Favorite Budget Not-from-ci-accessory

skissinger

skissinger

Ranger
Donating Member
I'm home from CICO 2024. (Sad, I know). One of the things I do is wander around and ask people what their favorite accessory is which was in some way a "game changer". I found that some people had pricey add-ons and some had budget add-ons. In order to not compete too much, I've made two threads. I'm encouraging forum readers to add a post to this forum thread. In this case, I'm thinking "budget thing", less than $100 for example. Think "got this at the thrift store or Walmart" type of things.

I'm also going to ask that you do not post an accessory type which has it's own thread, like Awnings, best fridge, or paper towel holder. Those have their own threads!

I'll start. I certainly have lots of sub $100 items. I have a 550, pretty sure this will not work in a 560. In a 550, there is just ever so slightly a gap between the mattress and the wall next to where pillows go on each side. For about a year or two, I would on purpose just place my e-reader and phone in that gap anyway, but other things would find their way into that gap as well. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0743663D3 is what I bought in 2018 (according to my amazon order history); looks like it's out of stock, but if that's of interest, just find something similar enough that is about 9" long, 4" tall for the gap part.
 
The best part about camping is, lets face it, camp fires and cool air. But the thought of breaking down firewood is a pain.

I hear people 6 sites down whacking away with a probably dull hatchet. I've solved that though with the Estwing Fireside friend. Its a little heavy, but that heft makes splitting firewood so much easier, especially if you keep it nice and sharp. What a wonderful tool
 
Sweeney said:
The best part about camping is, lets face it, camp fires and cool air. But the thought of breaking down firewood is a pain.

I hear people 6 sites down whacking away with a probably dull hatchet. I've solved that though with the Estwing Fireside friend. Its a little heavy, but that heft makes splitting firewood so much easier, especially if you keep it nice and sharp. What a wonderful tool
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Nice!
 
This year for me has been the year of the camp fire. I'm still very happy with my solostove, but it is a little bulky, I'm not 100% I'd go this route, it looks a little flimsy....and if I find meaning full work again I still might pony up and buy one....

This came across my feed tonight. I've been following Robert for years, and I'm curious if he has an interest in this product (I dont' care, I just like disclosure) -- it looks pretty cool....a lot better than the "fire stick" I bought in the spring, which I've come to realize is completely useless....

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=slinkyst...&sprefix=slinkystove,aps,136&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

 
Sweeney said:
This year for me has been the year of the camp fire. I'm still very happy with my solostove, but it is a little bulky, I'm not 100% I'd go this route, it looks a little flimsy....and if I find meaning full work again I still might pony up and buy one....

This came across my feed tonight. I've been following Robert for years, and I'm curious if he has an interest in this product (I dont' care, I just like disclosure) -- it looks pretty cool....a lot better than the "fire stick" I bought in the spring, which I've come to realize is completely useless....

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=slinkystove&crid=RDNVPIMS14EW&sprefix=slinkystove,aps,136&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

Click to expand...
I'm glad to see that someone finally came up with a telescopic one. A collapsible one was something I had thought about trying to do when I first saw how bulky the Solostove type burners would be for hauling, and was one of the reasons I opted out. I had been thinking more of one that would have a center side section that would unroll, and lay flat for storage, with a formed top and bottom section to contain the side when it was rolled up into a cylinder. Anyway it still doesn't answer the issue of over priced "approved " firewood required at most campgrounds. The bagged up collapsed version of the Slinky Stove appears about the same size as the bagged up collapsed propane fire-pit we eventually ended up adding to our gear.
 
It kind of does….apparently it will burn pellets. A 40 lb bag is about two 2 hour fires in the solostove. Add a few logs on top, and that number goes up quite a bit…I’ve done that with the solo…

my not worry about this, is it looks flimsy in the legs…
 
I’ve been thinking thinking about a porch light on the passenger side for a couple years. A big white light to illuminate out 10’ or so, dealing with shoes, drink cooler, whatever…

Looked into low wattage marine LED fixtures for permanent mounting above the door, where would I drill into the skin to pick up power, ugh. From the marker light I guess, but would want it to work separately, the electrical schematic was offering no good solutions.

I pivoted to a portable rechargeable work light from the Home Depot bargain bins, but how to rig a temp mount? There is nothing of steel to magnet the light to.

I ended up with a piece of galvanized sheet steel, cut with an angle grinder. Wished I had a sheet metal brake… Hand hammered some bends in one end to hook into the back of the ARB canopy extrusion. A couple coats of rattlecan black later and done! Great winter project, cost about $29.
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Sweeney said:
This year for me has been the year of the camp fire. I'm still very happy with my solostove, but it is a little bulky, I'm not 100% I'd go this route, it looks a little flimsy....and if I find meaning full work again I still might pony up and buy one....

This came across my feed tonight. I've been following Robert for years, and I'm curious if he has an interest in this product (I dont' care, I just like disclosure) -- it looks pretty cool....a lot better than the "fire stick" I bought in the spring, which I've come to realize is completely useless....

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=slinkystove&crid=RDNVPIMS14EW&sprefix=slinkystove,aps,136&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

Click to expand...


That’s pretty cool. Please post a review if you get one!
 
We actually have two favorite items. We are height challenged so one of our favorite items is a collapsible step stool that I bought from ALDIs for less than $5.00. We have two. We use them to help us get our kayaks up onto our TV, use as a foot rest when sitting in our camp chairs, use as individual tables between our camp chairs for food and drink, and occasionally if we have visitors someone will even opt to sit on one.
The other item is a collapsible bellows from Epiphany Outdoor gear. It comes in its own tube and only takes up a couple of inches of space.
 
I bought one of these portable air pumps last year. It's amazing how easy they are to use. I top off the car as needed at home. I top off the 560 before every trip without leaving the garage. I use it regularly to top off my bicycle tires. No more hand pump with gauges I can't read!

It can easily be used on the side of the road too if needed and can charge from your car although a full charge lasts a long time if all you use it for is to constantly top off.

Cheap, easy to use, and worth it's weight in gold in a pinch. When I bought it, it was even cheaper in the store than online. You might check before buying.


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JohnC said:
I bought one of these portable air pumps last year. It's amazing how easy they are to use. I top off the car as needed at home. I top off the 560 before every trip without leaving the garage. I use it regularly to top off my bicycle tires. No more hand pump with gauges I can't read!

It can easily be used on the side of the road too if needed and can charge from your car although a full charge lasts a long time if all you use it for is to constantly top off.

Cheap, easy to use, and worth it's weight in gold in a pinch. When I bought it, it was even cheaper in the store than online. You might check before buying.


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Seems you've got to be a member to see the price. Although I think Peg and I are the last 2 people in the country that aren't... :)
 
Super handy, less trouble than the ones that plug into a cigarrette plug (a cheapo version which lives with recovery gear next to spare).

Sez this handheld can inflate 4 car tires, in one go, means good to air up TV again for the highway after dropping to say 20-25psi for a bumpy gravel, washboard or USFS rutted road...
"Doesn't heat up" is a plus. My wired version needs a rest after two tires...

Hmm...checking Costco next...
 
I had a leaking valve stem and I had to borrow an 120 volt inflator to pump our Camp Inn tire on a trip a couple of years ago. I got an Oak and Iron portable compressor and I keep it my truck all the time. It can easily top off 4 tires several times before recharging. Works great and takes up very little room,

oakiron.tech

OAK & IRON Smart Tire Inflator Battery Powered Portable Air Compressor

5 MINS INFLATION: Inflate a 195/65 R15 tire to 30 PSI in five minutes. And four additional preset modes, along with three adaptors, let you inflate anything! 99.9% ACCURACY: ±1 PSI accuracy and auto shut-off when the preset pressure is reached. Read tire pressure status in real-time. BUILT TO...
oakiron.tech oakiron.tech
Steve
 
Steve Sanford said:
I had a leaking valve stem and I had to borrow an 120 volt inflator to pump our Camp Inn tire on a trip a couple of years ago. I got an Oak and Iron portable compressor and I keep it my truck all the time. It can easily top off 4 tires several times before recharging. Works great and takes up very little room,

oakiron.tech

OAK & IRON Smart Tire Inflator Battery Powered Portable Air Compressor

5 MINS INFLATION: Inflate a 195/65 R15 tire to 30 PSI in five minutes. And four additional preset modes, along with three adaptors, let you inflate anything! 99.9% ACCURACY: ±1 PSI accuracy and auto shut-off when the preset pressure is reached. Read tire pressure status in real-time. BUILT TO...
oakiron.tech oakiron.tech
Steve
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This is Ryobi's latest version of their high pressure inflator. We have their last version, but the function appears to be the same. It will hold a charge for months, and inflates countless car tires, even after being stored in the car in the winter. We gave each of the kids one as a 'stocking' stuffer year before last. $39 @ Home Depot + the cost of a battery & charger if you don't already have Ryobi stuff (which often go on sale)
RYOBI ONE+ 18V Cordless High Pressure Inflator (Tool Only) PCL001B - The Home Depot
 
Ken & Peggy said:
This is Ryobi's latest version of their high pressure inflator. We have their last version, but the function appears to be the same. It will hold a charge for months, and inflates countless car tires, even after being stored in the car in the winter. We gave each of the kids one as a 'stocking' stuffer year before last. $39 @ Home Depot + the cost of a battery & charger if you don't already have Ryobi stuff (which often go on sale)
RYOBI ONE+ 18V Cordless High Pressure Inflator (Tool Only) PCL001B - The Home Depot
Click to expand...
That would come in handy here in AZ , where many of the filling stations have pay air compressors, and I do have a set of Ryobi cordless tools that use the same battery.
Thanks!
 
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