Editor’s Note: This post is written by a member of LTV’s sponsored content team, The Leisure Explorers. Do you own a Leisure Travel Van and enjoy writing? Learn more about joining the team.
Must Haves, Should Haves, And Maybe Haves For The Well-Equipped LTV
It’s a new year and time for a new edition to explore what things you may want to include on your next LTV adventure, from cool clothing to things electronic or mechanical. Here are some post-holiday ideas to refill your stockings, or your LTV’s storage compartments.
Clearsource is a Clearly Better Water Purifier
In planning our trip to Newfoundland this summer, I ran across an important fact. The water coming out of the tap in many areas basically can’t be trusted. Friends Bob Freese and Peggy Schaefer, two-tour veterans of visiting Newfoundland, said to buy water at markets for coffee and drinking. Even the provincial parks have advisories to boil or filter water there. So, we think we’ve got the solution. Clearsource makes several different water filtering systems that hook up to your hose, then your LTV, including a Clearsource Mini that is small enough to store in an LTV.
Here’s the scoop on what it does from the seller: “The system uses a clean, safe, hospital-grade filter that you can drink water safely through, and use throughout the RV. “Unlike the filters in other systems, our 0.2 micron filter carries an ‘absolute’ rating – meaning every pore is the rated size or better. With this enhanced protection, the Clearsource Premier Mini
removes or reduces bacteria like Legionella and E. Coli, and cysts like Giardia. “Paired with our first-stage coconut shell carbon block filter, the Clearsource Premier Mini (this is a two-stage system) also improves taste and smell, and removes or reduces sediment, chlorine, chloramines, volatile organic compounds, and other contaminants.”
Both the Ultra Mini systems and the truly huge Ultra model—meant for Class A or Fifth Wheel applications—use a multi-stage filter. We will bring the Ultra Mini along on our trip to Newfoundland. The Premier Mini sells for $400, the Ultra Mini for about $500, and the Ultra for around $600.
UShoods?—You Should
If you’re concerned about sun exposure, you should definitely consider the Colorado-made lightweight hoodies by UShood.
We talked to co-founder Cheryl McConnell at her Denver airport kiosk and immediately were intrigued with the thin hoodie that protects whether you’re boating, fishing, skiing, or hiking, as a base or top layer. They’re available in two weights and a multitude of colors and from kids’ to adult sizes.
They feature nearly full-face sun protection, wicking material, tagless labeling, thumb holes so sleeves don’t ride up, additional length in back for better coverage, and even ponytail hood openings. McConnell told us that even though they’re not bug repellent-infused, the way the material is woven seems to keep them from biting. They run from $60 to $75.
100-Hour Candles
Yup, this is the second item we learned about at the fall Leisurely Great Lakers Rally in Ohio. These candles are from Ready Hour, which also sells other similar products. This is great in an emergency if power is unavailable, or even to save power while boondocking. When I worked at AAA Michigan, we recommended you keep a “candle furnace” in your vehicle for cold-weather emergencies, and this one sounds better. You may want to carry at least one, as we do. It’s compact and also features a reusable child-proof cap when not in use. They can be found for as little as $5 online.
Love The Flip Belt and Jacket
Looking for a built-in secure storage? FlipBelt has you covered, from lightweight jackets and shells to a stretchy money belt-style waistband. That one is a great must-have when traveling abroad or even around the campfire at night. FlipBelt is a zippered elastic belt that secures around your waist, keeping all your valuables, from a passport and phone to your keys, secure.
Simply slide items into small openings that hold them in place, away from potential theft. Other products they sell include shorts with that built-in secure storage spot, to shells and lightweight lined jackets.
The belts start at around $39.
Protecting Your Credit Card? It’s a Snap
Speaking of protecting your funds, a month or so ago, my debit card info was stolen, and someone placed $1,200 in online bets with it. Fortunately, I got the money back from my credit union and a new card, but it took a few weeks. Who knows how it happened, but after that, I looked for a sleeve that would also protect against electronic card theft by someone with a reader.
One such is sold by OhSnap. It can magnetically attach to a phone case or hide in your pocket, keeping your credit cards protected because it prevents skimming of your card’s info. Depending on thickness, it can hold up to eight cards and has a built-in stand. If you lose your phone with it attached, that’s a different story. The metal sleeve is about $80. Keep it in that Flip Belt above!
Now, About Filling Those ‘Duallies’
We’ve all struggled with how the heck to fill those rear dual wheels on our LTVs. I may have found the perfect solution, thanks to a recommendation from the folks who sell everyone’s favorite air compressor, Viair. Our 88P Viair is extremely compact and fills to 120 PSI, but ours didn’t come with an air chuck that could fill the flow-thru valve stem caps on our 2023 Wonder Murphy Bed Lounge. Okay, now what? I asked myself. How to fill those dual tires. The answer came from Viair.
Viair recommended I look at a Jaco Lightning T Series Air Chuck. It’s only seven inches long, more than enough to reach both our tires, screws into the existing hose on our compressor, and fits perfectly in the compressor case. What also sold me was the swiveling neck that also locks onto our metal stems and releases with a fingertip press. The open flow design means it works great with our Viair. This is one to really, really consider, because it really, really works. The chuck is about $29. Our Viair with a 16-foot hose, enough to reach those wheels from the RV’s battery, is about $90.
Is It Level Yet?
No need to ask that question with another device; we also saw this at the Leisurely Great Lakers fall rally. The EZ Level by Camco. Put it on your rig’s floor, and when all four lights light up, you’re done. It’s about $45 at Amazon. Then again, my iPhone level app, the iHandy Level, works well, and it’s free.
Give It a Boost
Today, batteries last much longer than the now-obsolete flooded-fill-it cell batteries. But things happen, and sometimes they suffer a premature failure. It’s always wise to have a backup, and in this case, a compact jump starter for your unit or your neighbor’s is a great thing to have aboard. The NOCO Boost X is a 12-volt lithium booster battery. It’s rated at 1,250 amps, enough to jolt even a Mercedes diesel back to life. Get it for about $125 at Amazon. We also learned about this at the Leisurely Great Lakers fall rally, another reason for you to go to one.
Snack Healthy
Here’s one snack we‘ll reach for when we get a case of on-the-road munchies in our Wonder: healthy items from Woodridge, available on Amazon. These are real vegetables, freeze-dried and ready to eat, including Mediterranean-style mixes, tempura-flavored eggplant, zucchini and onion, sticky rice chips, Thai mochi nuggets, and others. They’re vegan, gluten-free, and low-calorie. Want some fruit instead? Try the mango roll—all great.
Sunscreen Applicator
I’m sure you’ve been through this. Your youngster or grandkid refuses to put sunscreen on. Here’s one solution, a fun applicator from Solar Buddies. It’s the first refillable applicator that comes in fun colors, holding about three ounces at a time, which makes applying this important sunscreen fun. Get one for about $12 at Amazon.
Just ‘Mozying’ Along
We reviewed this in 2021, and it’s so good, we had to circle back. The Mozy thermal wrap keeps you warm around the campfire or even when sitting in a boat or on the beach, as we use it, by using your body’s heat to reflect warmth back at ya. It comes in two sizes and three colors, and snugs up with Velcro-style closures, includes pockets, and, according to the seller, provides up to 500 percent more warmth than a blanket. It’s about $129, but you can find it at Amazon for $99.
Ok, that’s it for now. We’ll be back in the summer with another bunch of worthwhile things to have.
Editor’s Note: The views, recommendations and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and are not necessarily those of Leisure Travel Vans.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://leisurevans.com/blog/gotta-have-it-winter-2026-edition/