RV Essentials You Must Have
- Kay
- May 22
- 7 min read
RV accessories you can't leave home without. RV Camping Accessories printable checklist. RV Tips you Must know.
You purchased an RV and all the freedom that comes with it. Now it's time to take it for the famous shake-down run. The shake-down run (in the world of RV'rs), is the first trip you take your RV on. Why is it called the shake-down trip? I will explain. What are the biggest mistakes new RV'rs make? It isn't what you think.
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The first trip will reveal issues you will need to fix on your RV whether it is a brand new RV or a used one. Nothing shakes things up like putting the rubber to the road. RV Essential Items that you must have are listed below. Also the camping accessories most people forget or don't even know they need.
After reading this, you will know exactly what you need to go on your RV trip safely and with confidence... every time.
I have split this list into 'RV essentials' which are the items you need for your RV to function and work properly, and ‘RV camping accessories' which are the camping items like utensils, kitchen items, games etc.
RV Essentials
#1: Don't pull out without having these in your Rig.
Your RV requires certain items to work properly. Outfitting your rig with the right RV must-have items can make all the difference for a smooth and enjoyable camping trip. Whether you’re a full-time RVer or planning a weekend getaway many of these items are needed.
Here are RV essentials your dealership may not have told you about but every experienced RV'r knows to be an RV essential.
Surge protector- because electrical surges on a campsite can fry your RV's electrical system like bacon in an air-fryer. (Check if your RV is 30 amp or 50 amp. Surge protector must match RV amp).
RV water pressure regulator- because RV water pipes are not like your pipes at home. High unregulated pressure going from an RV water hook-up can burst them and flood your RV. (If possible keep an extra one in the RV. They can freeze or break).
Fresh water hose- the hose that you use to deliver clean potable water into the RV.
Black tank hose- distinctly a different color from your fresh water hose on purpose. Never swap one for the other. Many RV camp parks have a hose at the sewage station to use, but this is just in case they don't or if you are at full hook up.
Black tank tablets- help to breakdown bio waste. Research before using.
Heated water hose- (Necessary for cold camping). Prevents water going into the RV from freezing.
Sewer hose kit- the famous stinky slinky. Is used to drain your RV black tanks contents. If your RV does not come with an external tube for storing this lovely piece of gear.
Here's a pro-tip: get a bin drop in an odor absorbing tablet and seal that joker like it's radioactive. Always rinse it well before storing.
Drain your black tanks first, then drain your gray tanks. The water from your gray tanks is the water from your sinks and bathtubs with soap content and it helps clean the tube. -You're welcome!
Sewer hose Support- elevates hose to proper pitch when on full hook-up. (Is required in some RV parks).
Leveling blocks- These can be used to level your rig also, if you have an automatic leveling system, these great, sturdy blocks can be placed on the ground beneath your RV's leveling feet. Helps if you are leveling on muddy or grassy ground. Check with your dealership for advice on this.
Pro-tip: they help keep the 'feet' clean and create a firm foundation if there isn't one.
Chocks- Critical for safety and setup at any campsite. Don't cut corners on this one. Buy the thick heavy rubber ones, you will be glad you did.
X Chocks- The one thing a great seasoned RV'r told us about. It stablizes the RV from rocking side to side. Test out your rig without them and you will definitely feel the difference.
Water Filters- Key to preserving your pipes and the quality of water your family will be using in the RV.
This list is extensive and to see the rest of it, I have compiled a RV Essential Checklist Printable. Never forget camping essentials.
RV Essentials for Boondocking or going off-grid.
Generator
Solar Panels
Printable full RV Starter Checklist
Never forget what you need.
Get the complete Printable full RV Starter Checklist here.
Pro-tip: laminate or slip them into clear plastic sheaths and re-use them.
Big mistakes New Rv'rs make:
Thinking, "Let's just get on the road and we'll buy it when we get there."
Over packing the 'soft essentials' like clothes and gear and going over the maximum weight of the RV.
Not having a routine established using a comprehensive checklist.
Not having each persons role clearly identified before you start towing.
Not having a RV friendly GPS. (Not
RV Camping Essentials
#2: Camping Accessories you'll use again and again
If your RV has a stove in the kitchen, this is for you. If you plan on cooking outdoors, this is for you.
Packing the right camping kitchen essentials and RV living accessories can transform your trip into a comfortable, stress-free outdoor experience, whether you’re boondocking or at a full hookup site.
Must-have camping gear includes portable camping stoves, compact cookware sets, cast iron skillets, collapsible mixing bowls, reusable dish ware, and space-saving food storage containers for efficient meal prep in your RV kitchen.
Get everything to the picnic table safely. Easy to clean up caddy.
Don’t overlook RV-friendly appliances like electric kettles, coffee makers, air fryers, insta pot and mini slow cookers designed for small spaces and low power use.
RV Camping Luxury Items
#4: Full Time RV Must Haves
Portable washing machine
For cleaning and laundry, essential camping supplies include portable washing machines, collapsible laundry baskets, quick-dry towels, biodegradable soaps, drying racks, and compact ironing solutions.
Smart RV gadgets such as USB-powered fans, rechargeable LED lights, water-saving dish sprayers, and multi-use kitchen tools help maximize convenience and efficiency. With the best camping kitchen gear, RV organization hacks, and portable laundry solutions, you’ll enjoy a seamless, well-equipped camping lifestyle wherever the road takes you.
RV Comfort Accessories
RV's come with a mattress and some of them have great reputations, others, not so much. This is an alternative to trying desperately to find a mattress replacement that won't add excessive weight to your RV's bottom line of maximum weight, and still fit your RV.
Comfort-focused RV gear like memory foam mattress toppers, compact camping furniture, and space-saving kitchen gadgets can elevate your travel experience.
while must-have camping supplies like LED lanterns, outdoor rugs, and collapsible storage bins help you stay organized. Stock up on RV maintenance tools, cleaning supplies, and emergency roadside kits to stay prepared, and you’ll be ready for any adventure with the best RV camping gear and travel trailer essentials on the market.
People might not be aware of all the ways a product might help them out. So be sure to highlight these in your post. You may mention ways they hadn't even thought of!
Pro-Tips for RV Travel
#4: RV Camping Checklist
RV camping is one of the most rewarding ways to camp. It gives you the comforts of home everywhere you park it. There is a liberating feeling when being self sufficient off-grid. These items are essentials for just about every type of RV you purchase from Class A to towable RV's.
IMPORTANT Checks before you travel:
Remember to check the laws that govern the states that you will be RV'ing through.
They may vary from state to state, such as, where RV's are permitted to stop overnight. For example, some Walmart stores, well known for being a lay-over for RV'rs passing through, may not permit overnight parking.
Use camping curtesy.
If you are going to use a store's parking lot as an overnight stop, ask the manager for permission first.
Don't leave any trash or remnants from your stay.
Don't outdoor cook on their property unless permitted. Remember it is not a camping site.
Thank them upon exit. [Leaving them with a good experience helps you and any other RV campers that may come after you].
Check diesel vehicle laws for that state.
California issued a law regarding RV campers (Class A) diesel vehicles.
Road elevations may not match your GPS Truck App
RV'rs with tall rigs have encountered the inability to pass beneath some underpasses due to the GPS telling them they would fit, however repeated road work to that road raised the elevation of that street.
Follow the rule of thumb, if you don't see 18 wheelers be leary! If they fit, you likely will too. Truckers know the routes.
G.O.A.L.
Get
Out
And
Look
When in doubt about whether or not you can navigate safely through a space, do NOT rely on a stranger or someone who is not an experienced RV driver to guide you through as they will not know the parameters you must navigate through. They may mean well, but you have a trained eye for your specific rig clearance. Getting out and looking for yourself takes seconds and it can save you allot of money and headache in the end.
True story. A good sam
aratan guided a new RV owner while he reversed. Unaware of the extra height the RV would need due to it's airconditioners and internet components on the roof, he guided him into a low hanging power line which knocked power out of the neighborhood. The fire department had to be called in. The Rv'r suffered damage to his air conditioner units which derailed his trip as it was needed because they were camping in the summer months. This could have been avoided if the RV owner got out and looked.
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by Kay
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