By Cheri Sicard
Since every RV turns into a custom setup, every gadget has to earn its space. In the test in the video at the end of this post, Jared Gillis from All About RVs ran five new RV gadgets through one filter: Are they useful enough to stay in the rig?
Floor plans matter, but daily use matters more. Storage is tight, roadside repairs are messy, and a clever tool becomes clutter if it never leaves the compartment.
This quick scorecard sums up the first pass of gadgets:
- Creeper mat 8/10—Better than a blanket and tarp
- Sewer hose wrench 2/10—Didn’t solve the main problem
- Rope roller tensioner 5/10—Promising, but still unproven
- Waltech control hub—No score yet, needs more time and updates
- Hammock with net 8/10—Much better after real use
Creeper mat
This creeper mat beat the old moving blanket and tarp setup. It added cushion on gravel, kept rocks off skin and clothes, and didn’t soak up water. It also folded small, so grabbing it during a roadside stop felt easy.
Changing direction underneath the RV was awkward because the mat wanted to roll in one path. Even with that limit, it earned an 8 out of 10.
Sewer wrench, rope tensioner, and Waltech
The sewer wrenches looked useful for tight caps and hose fittings. However, they didn’t help with a twist-on valve, didn’t work well as opposing wrenches, and didn’t nest together for storage. That dropped them to 2 out of 10.
The Roperoller tensioner started rough because it shipped with a cord that wasn’t paracord. Still, it worked better with standard paracord from the RV and may replace a few loose elastic tie-downs. It sits at 5 out of 10, while these retractable ratchet straps stayed the favorite for truck tie-downs.
The Waltech thermostat and control hub combines smart climate control, pet monitoring, Wi-Fi or cellular support, and room for extra sensors. A score stayed on hold because software issues showed up and an update was expected.
The hammock became the surprise winner
At first, the hammock with mosquito netting looked like a budget item with one clear flaw: The netting could fall in on the person using it. A ridgeline would have helped keep that mesh off the face.
Then campground use changed the score. After several days in shady spots with a breeze and plenty of bugs, the hammock went from a 4 to an 8. For less than $25, it turned into one of the most-used items in the test.
Final thoughts
RV gear earns a spot when it removes hassle and gets used without much thought.
In this batch, the creeper mat and hammock proved their value fast. The sewer wrench did not, and the Waltech hub still needs more time before it belongs on the keep list.
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RVDT2915
A yoga mat would do the same thing for less.
A few bucks at the hardware store plumbing section for O-ring grease eliminated my need for sewer hose wrenches.
Still have a need for rubber straps, but those retractable ratchet straps kicked the older style to a box in the garage.
There are perfectly fine ‘redneck’ solutions for a fraction of the cost to solve the temp monitoring issue.
Hammock sounds grand, but a free-standing frame takes space and most parks ban using their trees as a hammock frame.
I use a cheap mat that is sold for stadium seating for a kneeling pad when necessary.
Oversized one from Duluth Trading.
Hi Jared: Back in the early 50’s (1950) I had a “Jungle Hammock” which had a waterproof cover which extended about 12″ wide on each side and was held taught by dowels in each end and screening on the sides with a zipper on one side as the one you showed. I spent many hours in that as a kid – even some over-nites! Great place for a nap on a rainy day – with no wind of course!
Thank you for noting and summarizing the points of the video, Cheri. The hammock might make a good gift for DW. I agree with Jared’s assessment of the wrenches. I have a pair and rarely use them. They require little storage space so I have not discarded them, … yet. Have a great day and safe travels!
The Creeper Mat is useful for some but is also somewhat dangerous if you step on it while it is laid out. The inner surface of the mat is a nylon fabric that allows it to slide very easily. A friend of mine was using one when working on his truck and stepped on the mat and the mat slid causing him to fall and break his humerus (upper arm bone) which required surgery to repair and 4 months to recover full use of his arm.