50+ Must-Have RV Accessories You Will Use in 2024
So, you just bought a travel trailer, 5th wheel, or motorhome and now you’re probably asking yourself: what do I need so we can travel? RV gadgets and gizmos are probably one of our favorite topics to talk about because we love to share information about the RV accessories that you’ll actually use while living full-time in an RV.
From a pressure cooker to an RV mattress to a backup camera, there are a lot of accessories for full-time RVers. It’s fun to check out the top RV gadgets when getting yourself set up and ready to hit the road.
However, it can also be a little overwhelming. You want enough household items to be comfortable while you’re traveling. After all, just because it has wheels, it still needs to feel like home. You also want to carry all the tools and equipment you’ll need to maintain your RV and be safe on the road.
That said, you don’t want to carry too much. Not only is it a small space, but cargo weight is an important factor to keep in mind while RV’ing.
The good news is that we’re here to help! Todd did many hours of late-night research for the essential must-have RV items. And now we’ve been on the road for a while so we get to update the list based on personal experiences.
Grab a glass of your favorite drink and get comfortable, because we’re going to go in-depth covering the best RV gadgets we actually used. We’ll also list a few great camping accessories and kitchen supplies that make life on the road more comfortable.
Even if you don’t (yet) have an RV, you may want to check out this list if you’re searching for gift ideas for any friends or family or are passionate about their RV lifestyle.
Are you ready? Awesome. Here we go… Let’s dig into the best accessories, supplies, gadgets, and tools for RVs, travel trailers, campers, and fifth wheels.
Best RV Accessories for Sewer, Water, and Electric
We’ll start with some critical items. Based on our personal experiences as well as many discussions with campsite neighbors, these are the must-have items to maintain sanitary water, reliable electricity, and safe waste management.
If you purchase your RV brand new straight off the lot, it’s definitely not ready for you to hit the road.
Before we bought our fifth wheel, we had never lived in an RV. As soon as we picked up our new home on wheels, we realized there were quite a few things we needed to buy before we could begin our grand adventure.
Todd did extensive research on the must-have RV accessories, tools, and equipment we needed. He wrote an in-depth article about Must Have RV Accessories for Sewer, Water, and Electric Connections.
If you’re just starting on your RVing journey, we highly recommend you head over there and read up on the details of each gadget.
These are the items we use daily and would buy all over again with our new-found knowledge about RVing.
The following is a comprehensive list of the must-have RV equipment to manage and maintain the water and sewer connections.
Must-Have RV Sewer Supplies
Here are a couple of quick tips before you hook up your RV:
- Check the ground water and electrical connections before setting up your rig. It’s a big disappointment to go through the work of leveling your RV and getting out all the hose kits only to find there is no water pressure, or the electrical connection is down.
- Make sure your holding tanks are closed before you hook up.
RV Sewer Hose Kit
This ready-to-use sewer hose kit for grey and black water tank dumping includes two 10′ hoses, a swivel lug fitting, and translucent elbow with a 4-in-1 dump station fitting. Four storage caps are also included.
This RV / Camper sewer hose kit is ready to use straight out of the box to take care of your grey and black water tanks. Transparent elbow design helps you identify when the tanks are clear.
- Two 10' camper / RV Sewer hoses
- Pre-attached bayonet & lug fittings
- Constructed with durable polyolefin and steel wire
- 4-in-1 adapter and 4 storage caps
RV Sewer Tank Rinser
This elbow pipe connects to your RV sewer outlet. You will want to use it when you’re rinsing out the black tank and the sewer and main drain pipe. It also works with portable waste tanks.
The design includes a clear see-through elbow that allows you to see when the tank has been flushed clean. It has a 45-degree angle to enable water to reach directly into the RV sewer outlet. That’s useful because then you can rinse out the dregs and sediment.
Tank rinser attaches to RV sewer outlet to rinse out all of the residue. Camco's Rhino Blaster is designed with a vacuum breaker to prevent back flow into the water hose.
- 360-degree swivel fittings
- Vacuum breaker
- On/off water valve
- Durable and lightweight at 12.8 ounces
RV Sewer Hose Rinse Cap
A sewer hose rinser is used to rinse out the RV sewer hose before you put it back into your RV storage bays. The Camco rinse cap we recommend below fits RhinoFLEX as well as standard sewer fittings. It can be left in place as a hose cap during storage.
Lock this onto sewer bayonet fitting and connects to standard garden hose to thoroughly rinse out your sewer hose before storing.
- Shut-off valve controls water flow
- Doubles as hose cap and can be left on during storage
- Fits Camco RhinoFLEX and standard sewer fittings
- Less than 5 ounces
RV Sewer Hose Storage Bags
We recommend purchasing large clear plastic bins or hose bags that you can use to store the hoses. You can easily find bags specifically made for storing RV hoses. They are color coded and/or labeled to ensure you put the black, grey and fresh water hoses in the appropriate bag each time.
If you buy plastic containers to use for storage, I recommend labeling those (simply mark a large piece of duct tape with Black, Grey, Fresh Water). Also, wash them frequently.
Sewer Hose Support
Support your RV sewer hose and protect it from rubbing on sharp rocks or other debris. Look for a hose support that is lightweight, flexible and made of durable material.
The Camco Sidewinder is made with sturdy, lightweight plastic fits any 3″ diameter hose. An accordion design curves around obstacles and allows you to easily fold it for compact storage. Our recommended Sidewinder is available in various lengths (10′, 15′, and 20′) so be sure to purchase the length that fits your RV sewer hose.
Protect and support your RV sewer hose and comply with park regulations. Flexible designed with downward slope allows you to curve around obstacles. Be sure to buy length to match your sewer hose (this one is 20').
- Flexible and telescoping design
- Folds for easy storage in compact space
- Includes carrying handle
Disposable Sanitation Gloves
Remember to wear sanitation gloves to protect your hands when working with the sewer hoses and equipment. I’m sure it goes without saying, but just a reminder to remove the gloves and wash your hands straight away before touching the RV door handle, grill, etc.
Heavy-duty gloves that grip in both wet and dry conditions. One size fits all. Pack includes 100 gloves.
Holding Tank Treatment
Treat the holding tank and eliminate the odor of RV toilets. We recommend Happy Campers, which somehow does not have the chemical smell you often find with other brands.
Water-activated odor neutralizer. One scoop treats a 40 gallon tank to liquify waste solids and tissue, and remove odors.
For a more in-depth article on sewer hoses, be sure to check out our guide titled How to Find the Best RV Sewer Hose Kit.
If you’re new to RV living, watch this fantastic video from Keep Your Daydream that describes how to hook up your RV at the campsite.
Hoses and Accessories for RV Water
Drinking Water Hose
The heavy-duty, plastic-free, hose by Camco made all the difference for us. It’s 20% thicker than other standard drinking water hoses on the market.
This premium drinking water hose from Camco is designed with extra strength fittings and will not kink.
- No-kink
- Lead-free, BPA-free, Phthalate-free
- 25 feet in length
Tank Rinsing Hose
You don’t want to use the same hose for drinking as you do for rinsing the sewer tanks, for obvious reasons.
Buy a basic garden hose that is lightweight, no-kink, and flexible.
Brass Water Connection Elbow
A connection elbow prevents hose crimping to reduce unnecessary pressure on RV water connections at the hookup point. Once again, we recommend Camco.
This elbow is made of solid brass and the rings are durable. There are less expensive plastic elbows, but we have witnessed too much breakage or leaking with that material.
- Easy grip swivel connector
- Fits 3/4" to 11.5 NH hose connections
- Eliminate hose kinking
Water Pressure Regulator
A regulator helps to protect your RV plumbing from high-pressure city water.
Help protect your hose and plumbing system from high pressure city water. This regulator from Camco includes an easy-to-read gauge to monitor the water pressure. Attaches with 3/4" garden hose threads.
Heated Drinking Water Hose
A heated drinking water hose was one of the new accessories (new to use anyway) that we hadn’t considered. Thankfully, someone recommended we get one after we dealt with a freeze.
If you’re going to be traveling through winter months in colder climate regions, we highly recommend having a heated water hose in your supply kit. We used this hose in Utah and Colorado when the temperatures dropped to 10 degrees.
- Heating cable protects against freezes to -40° F
- Includes adapter allowing connection at either end of hose
- Approximately 8 pounds
There are DIY options for heated RV hoses. Our heated hose froze because we forgot to double check the outlet was on. Wow, that was a big mistake.
We didn’t want to spend nearly $200 on a replacement heated hose. So, Todd watched a video about RV Water Hose Freeze Protection. Then he made his own heated water hose, which worked really well for us.
Electrical Adapters for RVs
RV Surge Protector and Circuit Analyzer
Our Camco Surge Protector was well worth the investment! It helps protect your electrical equipment from improperly wired electrical boxes and power surges.
30-Amp Male and 30-Amp Female voltage protector helps protect your RV or camper from high and low voltage levels and power surges.
- Auto connect and disconnect
- Weatherproof
The RV surge protector and circuit analyzer we covered above is similar to one of the first items that Todd purchased (pictured) when we bought our travel trailer home
50-amp Male to 30-amp Female Adapter
This product is essential for those situations where the only shore power available at an RV park is 50-Amp. The design includes handles on each end, which make plugging and unplugging easier.
Converts electrical connection at campground to fit your RV 30-Amp system. Designed with 90-degree heads to reduce pressure on the adapter. Weighs about 1.5 pounds.
15-amp Male to 30-amp Female Adapter
Yep, you got it, another dogbone adapter.
This adapter allows you to connect to a standard household 15-Amp power supply in order to run the basics on your RV.
Converts electrical connection at campground or home base to fit your RV 30-Amp system. The 90-degree head design reduces pressure on the adapter. Weighs about 1 pound.
RV Supplies for Setting Up Camp
During our time of full-time RVing, we set up and tore down a lot. Probably too often. We traveled at a pace we wouldn’t recommend to others considering an RV lifestyle.
But, one perk that came from moving every few days to a week was we got really, really good at setting up and tearing down camp.
These are the products that made setting up camp a lot easier.
RV Levelers (We Recommend Andersen)
Todd considers the Andersen Levelers the king of travel trailer gadgets. The set saved our sanity. In our opinion, it’s one of the coolest RV accessories!
We’d also put this under the unique RV accessories category because we haven’t seen another product that levels a travel trailer as well as this does.
You can level your motorhome, trailer, or camper on the first try – for real!
These drive-on levelers make trailer leveling fast, precise, and easy. Fit trailers up to 30,000 pounds with tires up to 32".
If you’re curious about how these RV levelers work, watch this video about how to level your RV on the first try.
RV Levelers (Lynx Blocks)
We used the Lynx Levelers in two different ways:
- As a stable pad for the trailer tongue jack (normally 3-4 blocks)
- As a solid platform to support our four stabilizer jacks (normally 3-4 blocks per jack)
These are lightweight and very durable.
Set Lynx Levelers into a pyramid shape to your desired height and use as a support base for stabilizing RV and/or other equipment. Each set comes as a pack of blocks.
Quality Cordless Drill
If you have a travel trailer and need to manually lower your stabilizer jacks, a cordless drill comes in real handy.
Using a drill improves the setup and tear down process in multiple ways. For one, the process is much faster using a tool with 750 RPMs. Maybe even more importantly, it reduces the manual effort by eliminating the need to crank the jacks by hand.
When our drill battery was dead, I could hear the guys groaning as soon as they realized they’d have to lower the jacks with their own elbow grease. It’s the little things, right?
- Battery powered with average battery life of 1 hour
- Variable speeds
- Built-in bit holder
- 20 Volts
Hitch Bar and Spring Bar Storage Kits
Before these handy little RV gadgets came into our lives, we stored the weight distribution hitch and the spring bars on the ground under our travel trailer.
That setup required Todd to lift both heavy items from the ground with each move and place them back on the ground when we arrived at a new location.
That is until we discovered the Hitchport storage kits!
Stainless steel mount that can be installed above or below trailer tongue frame is used to store weight distribution hitch bar when not in use. Fits 1-1/4", 1-5/8", and 2" hitch bars.
Lightweight stainless steel mount that can be installed above or below trailer tongue frame to store weight distribution spring bars when not in use.
If you’re looking for travel trailer accessories to save your back, this is it.
Watch this video Todd put together explaining the product and the easy install.
Tire and Wheel Covers
We both heard about and watched YouTube videos regarding the horrors of tire blowouts on travel trailers. Yikes. Also, no thank you.
So the first thing Todd did was purchase a brand new set of tires for our brand new travel trailer. Yes, it had new tires on it already, but they weren’t made for the amount of weight we would be carrying around the country.
In order to protect our brand new tires and to hopefully add one more preventative measure from getting a blow-out, Todd also purchased tire covers. We covered the tires on our travel trailer when we were in a warm location with the sun beating down on us and the tires.
We also use them when the travel trailer is in storage. It’s always best to protect the tires from the hot Texas sun.
Tire and wheel protection covers for truck, camper, or RV. Constructed with durable, water-resistant coating. Available in various sizes; check diameter of your tires for correct size.
TV & RV Internet Equipment
Working remotely is what allowed us to RV full-time. It’s a freedom we’ve enjoyed for several years and feel very grateful for the opportunities it offers.
While we would never venture to claim we’re RV tech experts, we do have real life on-the-road experience. So what we do here is share with you what worked for us.
These are the tools that enabled us to continue working from the road, sometimes from very remote locations. We used these almost daily on our travels:
Mobile Hotspot
For most of our internet connection, we used our mobile hotspot connections through our Verizon wireless plan, which included 15 GB of 4G LTE hotspot data per device, per month.
We chose the Verizon Jetpack hotspot as a back up because we often exceeded the amount of hotspot data offered through our wireless plan (15 GB per phone per month).
The Jetpack gave us an extra 15 GB of high-speed hotspot data each month. It was really nice having this device as a backup when we needed it, which was often.
Connects up to 15 wi-fi devices.
Cell Phone Signal Booster for Driving
This booster is designed for use while driving.
After departing on our RV trip, we quickly figured out that there were spots along the way where our cell signal was very weak. When the cell signal is weak, our internet connection is dire. That doesn’t work well for us because then it’s too difficult to get work done.
So we purchased a weBoost Signal Booster. This device amplifies the signal received by the exterior antenna on your RV.
Boosts 4G LTE & 5G for all U.S. carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and others. Strengthens signal on all devices near interior antenna. Designed primarily for use while driving.
The weBoost model we purchased worked well for us, but it only boosted one device at a time because the phone needs to sit in the cradle to work. The newer version of the weBoost recommended above is similar, but it works on all devices inside the RV simultaneously.
We used the booster for the first six months of our trip, then realized we needed something with a little extra oomph and something that would boost more than just one cell signal at a time.
This is where the next product came to save the day…
Cell Phone Signal Booster for Stationary Use
This booster is designed for use when you are staying in a remote area.
This gadget was perfect for our 26 foot travel trailer and it definitely helped boost our phone signals when we were in remote locations with poor service.
It boosted the signal for more than one device, which is good when you have several people needing to complete school assignments and other work.
Boosts 5G & 4G LTE for all U.S. & Canadian carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Telus, Rogers, and others. Strengthens signal on all devices near interior antenna. Designed primarily for use during longer stays in remote areas. Works well in any RV class, trailer, and camper.
It often seems like RV parks are in this weird dead zone. You can get a decent signal right outside the park, but when you pull in, that signal disappears. Before our boosters we spent more time than we would like at the entrance gate just to catch a cell signal.
We also ran into situations where our spot would have a weak signal, but the one right next to us was fine. Eventually, we learned to drive around and find a campsite with the best signal. Of course, that only works at parks that allow you choose your spot.
Apple Lightning to Digital AV Adapter
While this product doesn’t fall under necessities, it sure is a nice-to-have!
Since we had an unlimited Verizon data plan, we could stream Netflix and other services with no problems all month long, as long as we had a good signal.
When we wanted to watch PBS Masterpiece shows on the bigger screen (I’m talking about you Poldark), we connected one of our phones to this adapter, which in turn is connected to our TV via an HDMI cable.
Voila, we could stream shows and movies to the large screen display.
Coaxial Cable
A lot of RV parks have cable service, but you will need your own coaxial cable to hook up to it. Make sure you get one that is at least 25 foot in length so you can reach the cable connection.
Use a coaxial cable to connect TV, cable modems or satellite receivers.
If you’d like to dig a little deeper into the world of RV internet solutions, be sure to check out RV Mobile Internet.
RV Kitchen Accessories and Supplies
Gadgets and gizmos for your RV kitchen is a topic I could talk to you about for ages.
Figuring out how to whip up meals in a tiny kitchen was definitely an adjustment, but I had a lot of fun finding solutions to determine what worked and what didn’t.
You will have your own learning curve based on your RV kitchen. Mine included cooking with essentially no counter space, learning that the oven temperature settings were never accurate, and juggling which appliances could be simultaneously plugged in without tripping the breaker. Fun!
But when 5 o’clock rolled around, just like in my very large house kitchen, I would pour myself a glass of wine, sometimes put on some music and enjoy preparing dinner for my family. It was my favorite time of the day while RVing full-time.
A lot of what you need for your kitchen depends on your cooking style, the amount of space in your kitchen, and which built-in appliances are installed in your rig.
Small Folding Table
This small table ended up being one of the best purchases for our RV. It easily folds closed, which allows me to store it behind our couch.
When it’s time to cook dinner, I simply pull out the table, unfold the legs, and use the table as extra counter space. That one additional flat surface, albeit small, made a world of difference for my sanity.
When I wasn’t using it in the kitchen, we sometimes set it up outside as an end table between our chairs.
This table folds for compact easy storage. Adjust to 24", 26", or 28" height and use as extra counter space for meal prep, a side table, or work space.
Large Cutting Board
This was another item that (a) saved my sanity, and (b) served more than one purpose.
I used this large cutting board probably more than any other item in my kitchen. Did I mention the lack of counter space? When I wasn’t using the stovetop, the cutting board sat on top of the burners and served as extra counter space.
Durable plastic cutting board. 30.5" L x 18" W x 0.5" Thick
The cutting board also fit perfectly over our kitchen sink. That helps create another flat surface where I could place meal prep ingredients, plates, or other items while I use the stove.
It is a perfect solution to help reduce the issues of cooking in a small kitchen. And yes, I even used it as a cutting board, its intended purpose. I can slide a pizza straight out of the oven onto the board, slice the pizza, and serve.
Mmmmm…homemade pizzas taste so good while traveling in an RV.
Programmable Coffee Maker
This is such a basic item, but it was used every single day both as an alarm and as a, well, a coffee maker.
Every night Todd gets the coffee ready and programs it to finish brewing a few minutes before we wanted to wake up. When the coffee maker beeps, it’s time to get the day going. The lovely aroma makes crawling out of bed so much easier.
A 12-cup programmable coffee maker with digital controls and 2-hour automatic shutoff.
We love those first sips of coffee in the morning. When we’re in a warmer climate, stepping outdoors and sitting at the picnic table or in our outdoor lounge chairs is the best way to enjoy a first cup.
If it was darn cold, I would stick my head outside to take a peek and breathe in the brisk fresh air. Then, I would slip back inside and savor a hot cup of coffee surrounded by our warm RV.
Instant Pot
The Instant Pot is a must-have for RVers (in my opinion). Especially when you’re in a place like Utah, Montana, or Colorado. It can get quite chilly as the sun sets. It was almost magical to enjoy a hearty soup or stew made easily in the Instant Pot.
Electric multi-cooker with various functionality including pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté, yogurt maker, and food warmer, Available 3QT, 6QT, 8QT.
I prefer the Instant Pot to the Crock Pot because of the short amount of time it takes to cook something. A crock pot didn’t make sense for us and our schedule, but it might work for you.
I also didn’t use a crockpot because I didn’t trust the consistency of the electrical service at most RV parks.
I could just imagine us returning from a long hike to find the electricity was shut off and whatever was simmering in the crockpot was cold to the touch (and raw). That would have been a disaster.
Dish Drying Mat with Rack
If you’re traveling in an RV like ours – one without a dishwasher – then check out my simple hack for washing dishes.
I had to figure out a way to wash and dry the dishes with such limited counter space. While the space may be free, using the bed isn’t really ideal for drying dishes. So, remember that large cutting board I mentioned above?
When it’s time to wash dishes I put the cutting board over the stove top and the drying mat on top. Wash, rinse, and set the dishes on the rack to dry. With a small RV kitchen, this is a perfect setup for us.
Absorbent microfiber mat with customizable peg placement and foldable design for compact storage.
Collapsible Measuring Spoons and Cups
You don’t realize how much space items take up in your kitchen until you try to squeeze them into an RV kitchen. Even small kitchen tools like measuring cups, measuring spoons, and a colander tend to take up a lot of space.
That is why I think these collapsible kitchen items for everyday use are an incredible invention.
Save space with collapsible kitchen tools. The longer handles are attachable, allowing you to connect a key ring and hang the set if desired. BPA-free silicone material.
RV Refrigerator Bars
When your RV is on the move, nearly everything inside shifts and moves around like crazy.
You know what I’m talking about. When you open the cupboard or refrigerator after being on the road and something falls to the floor and splatters. This happened to us with pesto! Well, at least it smelled yummy. It’s important to secure your items – especially glass jars – before your is rig is in motion.
The best solution we found is the Camco Double RV Refrigerator Bar. It doesn’t take up extra space and it helps to keep everything in place. Plus, it only takes a few seconds to install.
Prevent spills with refrigerator bars that hold drinks, food containers and other items in place while traveling. Adjustable, spring-loaded bars extend 16" to 28".
Cast Iron Skillet
I mean, what’s a camping trip without a cast iron skillet? In all seriousness, this is an important RV gadget for the kitchen, both indoors and outdoors.
I use our cast iron skillet on the stove top inside the RV to sear meats and crisp up bacon. I love the versatility of a cast iron skillet. It can be used in the oven (don’t forget oven mitts) and on the stove top of our outdoor kitchen. We even use it to cook over the open fire.
Needless to say, it gets used a lot!
Cast iron is a great choice for RV and camp cooking. The Lodge skillet is pre-seasoned and available in various sizes.
Swivel Sprayer for Sink Faucet
If your RV sink doesn’t already have a swivel faucet, I highly recommend you install one. This is one of those add-on gadgets you’ll wonder how you ever went through RV life without it. The swivel action and increased water pressure will help you keep your sink clean with a simple switch from a single stream to a powerful jet.
Fun RV Accessories and Gadgets
We’ve covered what you need for sewer, water, and electrical connections.
We’ve covered a few cool RV gadgets needed for your RV setup process and we’ve talked about RV kitchen accessories that are my favorites and get used daily.
Now it’s time to chat about those fun RV accessories and gadgets that aren’t really a necessity but help make RVing a lot more fun and relaxing.
This is the fun RV stuff!
Portable Propane Fire Pit
One thing we were all looking forward to when we made the decision to full-time RV was how much more we would be outside.
I think we all had visions of sitting by the campfire every night, with our favorite drink in hand, looking up at the stars, soaking in the silence of the night. This scenario does come true. But, only on occasion and certainly not as often as I anticipated.
One reason is due to burn bans set by many campgrounds. Another common reason is when there was no fire pit at the site. Of course, there are also times when we simply don’t want to wake up smelling like campfire smoke.
A great solution to this little dilemma is a portable propane fire pit. Some campgrounds allow a propane fire, even if they prohibit a wood fire. Check with the ranger station.
- 10' hose for attachment to 20lb propane tank
- No assembly required
- 34 pounds
- 24"D x 24"W x 13"H
While staying with our friends in San Diego, they gifted us this Camp Chef fire pit and it was the gift that kept on giving. We used it a lot. And as you can see, it’s set atop an outdoor rug. That’s because with propane, you don’t need to worry about flying sparks created by wood fire.
This is one of our favorite non-essential RV accessories. It’s very cool and we think RVers will be glad they have one.
Pop-Up Gazebo
We wanted something that would expand our living space, while also protecting us from insects.
If you’re in a similar situation – searching for a little more elbow room – consider a mini-splurge on a pop-up portable gazebo. It’s amazing what a little bit of extra space can do for a family or couple traveling together.
A portable, pop-up gazebo is a great way to increase living space during RV and camping travels.
- No assembly required
- Portable and designed for instant set-up
- 102 sq ft of interior space
- 5'8" side and 7'1" center clearance
Although we were at first hesitant to purchase it because storage space is so minimal, it actually packed up small enough to store in the pass-through of our travel trailer. It worked out perfectly.
This is another one of our favorite RV accessories we bought while on the road. It has allowed us to spend countless hours soaking up the outdoors.
Telescoping Extension Ladder
We realized pretty quickly into RVing that having access to our travel trailer roof was incredibly important.
Since travel trailers don’t have a built-in ladder like motorhomes or a place to store a ladder on the back of our rig, this telescopic ladder was exactly what we needed.
Todd used this ladder over and over to check on the roof, brush off the slide out before pulling it in, RV repairs, and more.
Outdoor Camping Rug
The boys immediately set up the outdoor area, which included an outdoor camping rug, as soon as we arrived at the RV park.
It helps personalize our space and make it feel more homey. It’s also a practical RV accessory because it reduces the amount of dirt, dust, and rocks that are trekked inside.
This reversible, waterproof 9' x 12' area rug is great for setting up an outdoor living space for RV and Camping.
Zero Gravity Chairs
Right before we left on our trip, Todd injured his back. He purchased a zero gravity chair, which helped ease the pressure on his lower back.
After the outdoor rug went down, our Zero Gravity camping chairs were next. I would move these chairs up to the “must-have RV accessories” section after a long road trip.
Oversized zero gravity chair has a seat height of 22.25" with a reclining locking system to adjust your recline position up to 170 degrees.
- Made with a heavy-duty aluminum frame
- Includes fully padded seat and adjustable padded headrest
- 22 pounds
- 30.5" L x 24" W x 43.5" H
Camping Hammock
Keep in mind that when you set up your hammock, there are some RV parks that prohibit attaching anything to the trees. That would include a dog line or a hammock. Be sure to ask before you do so.
Whenever we camp at sites where hammocks are allowed, we take full advantage of it and set up a nice little lounging area. (Hint: remember the outdoor rug and propane fire pit.)
A lightweight, portable hammock that is available in either a 1 person (SingleNest) or 2 person (DoubleNest) size. The TravelNest includes the hammock and the straps.
Must-Haves for Safety and RV Maintenance
Here are a few RV must-haves that fall under the safety and care of you and your rig category:
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System – This is something that gave us a little extra peace of mind. We have a TireMinder TPMS. There is also a newer, solar-powered tire pressure monitor.
- Portable Air Compressor – This is another must-have RV gadget for tire care and safety.
- Electric Mini Dehumidifier – RVs hold a lot of moisture, which can cause all kinds of unwanted things to happen. Use a dehumidifier to prevent costly repairs.
- Headlamp – A headlamp is really useful when looking for something outside the RV after dark. It’s great to have for inside the RV in the event of a power failure. The headlamp is also a great accessory if you’re doing work under the camper or in small dark spaces. We have used headlamps while camping and for night hiking.
Read more:
Accessories for RV Interior Decoration
Whether you’re a full-time RVer or a weekend warrior, decorating your rig and making it feel like a home is important. Here are a few of my favorite accessories for sprucing up your space.
Gift Ideas for RVers
If you’re looking for some fun gift ideas, here are a few items your RVing friends would love:
- State Sticker Map – A fun way to track and show all the states you’ve visited
- Portable Gas Grill – This is the perfect grill for RVers because it can be used on a table. Or, because it has a telescoping stand, it can also be used on the ground. This alternative setup is great because a lot of RV parks do not allow grills to be used on top of the picnic tables.
- Portable Propane Fire Pit – As we mentioned above, this was gifted to us and it’s one of our favorite items in the RV.
And that’s a wrap for our list of favorite RV Gadgets, Supplies, and Equipment. These are the items we actually use and would not want to do without.
We truly hope this list and the explanations helped you prepare for your RVing adventure.
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Julie specializes in helping you whip up delicious meals in your tiny RV kitchen, as well as RV organization tips and helping fellow RVers make their RV feel like home. Her favorite RVing spot is in Banff National Park in Canada where yes, the water really is that blue and the people really are that nice.
How do you dewinterize your camper and sanitize you water tank?
Hi Vickie,
To be completely honest, I have not been through the dewinterizing and full sanitizing process with our travel trailer. The best thing that I can do is point you toward a good video that walks you through that process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCI2BVnEORo
I hope that video will give you the knowledge and confidence you need, but if it doesn’t quite fit your situation just do a bit more searching for your specific situation on YouTube and you should find exactly what you need. If you have further questions let me know.
All the best!
Todd
You posted suggestions about earning money while full time RVing. One was starting a blog. I’ve read other folks talking about this but none ever talk about actually where or how to post it. I’m actually started writing my first post after opening my first ever Facebook site? File? Page???… whatever your supposed to call it. But I have no idea if this is the place to post it or some other site or if all the sites are needed… anyway just figured you would explain where you posted besides Pintrest, or maybe they picked you up…
Hi Dan, glad to hear you are taking some steps forward! The best I can do is point you in the right direction for some “blogging basics” to help you understand what it actually is and what steps you need to take next: https://www.bloggingbasics101.com/how-do-i-start-a-blog/
From there, as you progress, you should consider taking a look at Elite Blog, a resource that helped us build a full-time income and hit the road. The freedom is there for the taking, but it does take plenty of focus and effort to get things off the ground. It can be overwhelming, so remember to take it one small step at a time.
To address your Pinterest question, we post eye-catching images there related to the blog posts we publish on this site. It’s the same idea with Facebook: we post items to promote engagement with our brand. But all of those details are down the road a bit for you. Start with those basics up above first and get the ball rolling.
We wish you nothing but the best!
Todd
Yes I totally agree with the tires on the rv. We recently bought a used rv which just had four brand new tires on it. We headed out this summer on a trip and I had repacked the wheel bearings, checked brakes and adjusted them. I actually took two spares for my truck and an extra loose tire which would fit both the truck rim and trailer rim. I like to be prepared, well we blew two tires on the trailer and they blew totally apart. I wasn’t travelling that fast, 60mph, I like to see the sights also. I checked the net and checked the tires I needed and found the last owner cheated out and bought tires too light for the trailer. So, we now have four new proper rated tires for the size of trailer we have, don’t trust what you are told !
Hi Ken, thanks for your comment! I think it is extremely important that as many RVers as possible understand this critical issue with tires on so many towable RVs. Your experience will help others hopefully avoid the same kind of mess and stay safe on the road. It’s great having more safety, and peace of mind, on the road. Thanks for sharing!
I wish you the best in all of your (safer) travels!
Todd
Hi Julie! LOVE, love, love your blog. You had me at the Poldark comment! 😊 Happy camping!
Yay! Another Poldark fan. 🙂 Thank you and happy camping to you as well!
The Camco-brand Surge Suppressor does not have a weatherproof feature. We had a bad rain storm and lost all power. Camcorder would not make good on it or repair it. If you have one as shown here, protect your connections using either a gallon zip-lock bag or a RubberMaid-type container, say for half gallon ice cream container. The Progressive Industries, Inc suppressors include a clear plastic cover to kept water out.
Hi Gary, thanks for pointing that out about the Camco product and for sharing your experience. While we were full-timing for 18 months, we saw plenty of rainstorms but luckily never had our surge protector fail on us, even without the clear plastic cover or our own added protection. But I don’t think I would press my luck and try that again!
Appreciate your comment and happy travels to you in 2021! Peace.
Great & helpful ideas, still new to this RVing thing, so every little bit helps. Thanks for sharing.
You are very welcome, Wanda! Glad we could help out a little bit.
Happy travels!
Great article! Thank you. My family and I are second year neophytes to rv-ing and I have to say that every one of the items you’ve listed have come in handy. Happy trekking and maybe we’ll see you out on the road!
Hey Kevin, that is so good to hear! Feels great to be adding a little something of value to the RVing world. 🙂
Hope to see you out there this year. Happy trekking!