Useful odd items

[Shadow Catcher]

As often happens I was looking for something, (LED marine lights [the RV industry has not yet gotten the message in the US]), and on the way found the solution for another problem.
When you tack on the RV appellation, the price goes up by orders of magnitude all out of proportion to the quality of the item. To put it simply I hate paying inflated prices for cheep junk.
I have been looking for a way to get the air conditioning hoses through the side of the teardrop and every single one I could come up with was just plain butt ugly. On the way to marine lights I discovered deck plates in various sizes (including the four inches I need), and various size hatches, and drink holders… at a reasonable price. I will give only one url, this will give an idea what is available (there are other sources) and encourage you to look for other marine products that are adaptable.

[aggie79]

What's the retailer's URL you spoke of?

I've found that the premium for "marine" can be several magnitudes higher than "RV", but like anything else if you mine for bargains you'll find some gems.

[teardrop_focus]

Shadow Catcher

When you tack on the RV appellation, the price goes up by orders of magnitude all out of proportion to the quality of the item. To put it simply I hate paying inflated prices for cheep junk.

aggie79

I've found that the premium for "marine" can be several magnitudes higher than "RV", but like anything else if you mine for bargains you'll find some gems.

The price for "trailer" stuff is the best...



http://www.etrailer.com/c-TL.htm

Shadow Catcher

I will give only one url, this will give an idea what is available...

We're waiting...

[Mightydog]

I've found that the premium for "marine" can be several magnitudes higher than "RV", but like anything else if you mine for bargains you'll find some gems.

"Aircraft" trumps them all.

Also look for truck sleeper or cab items.

We did find aircraft map lights that work great for reading lights.

[Shadow Catcher]

www.sea-dog.com
www.rabud.com
www.sailorsams.com

I just purchased five LED lights from Sailor Sam (brass) and a couple of deck plates from rabud

[oldtamiyaphile]

"Aircraft" trumps them all.

How about 'Spacecraft'?

Seriously, I think 'Car' is at the top of the list. Walk into any dealer's parts department and see how far $1000 gets you.

[Lou Park]

"Aircraft" trumps them all.

How about 'Spacecraft'?

Seriously, I think 'Car' is at the top of the list. Walk into any dealer's parts department and see how far $1000 gets you.

About 10 times farther than the aircraft parts department.
I agree, aircraft trumps them all.

[oldtamiyaphile]

Depends where you live. Chrysler Australia charged me about US$900 'trade price' for a halogen headlight. I could have upgraded to a Cessna HID landing light and saved $300:

http://www.shopknots2u.com/store.php?crn=328&rn=387&action=show_detail

These might make for efficient and BRIGHT camp illumination for someone so inclined

There aren't many parts you can really compare like to like between aircraft, boats, cars and caravans though. I had a good poke around http://www.skygeek.com/ for anything useful. I can't say I found much I would want, but none of the prices were unreasonable.

Bottom line is performance and quality cost, regardless of the application. You might be able to buy a push bike for $100, that doesn't mean people haven't dropped $40K on one...

[Errol]

Hi oldtamiyaphile. I just read your post regarding Chrysler's headlight charge. I have just priced a headlight for my Chrysler 300C, following a roo incident, and the best price I could find was $1,418.19. By the way that is only for the left side, not for a pair.
As for costs associated with particular 'trades', I priced some LED lighting units which are available for medical applications, as that is my field, only to find that I can buy a unit for the half the price and of superior quality from almost any car accessory shop.
To add insult to injury, I didn't make the discovery. I was showing a mate how I was setting in some lighting from what was available in a medical catalogue and his response, when I told him the cost, was, "Why don't you just buy one from XYZ. It'll be half the price and it's designed for cars anyway".
He was spot on AND the quality was certainly superior.
Errol from Oz. (Western Qld)

[kennyrayandersen]

Yeah, a rose by any other name, is still a rose, but it might cost you double. Part of the problem with medical/aerospace etc. label is that oftentimes there is additional paper work and a certification process that the part must go through. Since the manufacture wants to sell as many as possible, they can often sell cheaper if all the other hullabaloo doesn’t have to be provided. The big trick as a consumer is trying to figure out where to buy it the cheapest, if the certifications aren’t required for the application. Sites like this are great because with enough people looking, someone is BOUND to find the cheap version somewhere.

Also, I wouldn’t by a car with those HIDs – they are ridiculous to get repairs, and don’t do too much for helping you avoid the roos, or deer I suspect, anyway, eh?

[Errol]

In this case it was mid afternoon when the mongrel actually hit me. It's a long story and you just had to be there.....

[kennyrayandersen]

In this case it was mid afternoon when the mongrel actually hit me. It's a long story and you just had to be there.....

EAT MORE ROO!