Owning a recreational vehicle gives you the perfect opportunity to hit the road and tour places whenever you want. But before you head out on a trip, it’s important to invest in the right accessories.
Unfortunately, most RVs don’t come with the necessary equipment you’d need for a life on the road, which is why you should consider purchasing these items separately. To make your work easier, we’ve compiled a list of must-have RV accessories.
Drinking Water Hose
Your top priority should be getting a water supply hose. Ideally, it should be constructed using government-approved materials that are safe for drinking water. A majority are made of polyurethane as opposed to rubber or vinyl.
Unlike the latter, polyurethane cannot pick up different tastes as the water flows through the hose. These hoses also come in a variety of lengths and diameters.
Our favorite is the Camco RV drinking water hose. It’s fairly-priced, and it’s 20% thicker than standard water hoses. Made of lead- and BPA-free materials, you’re rest assured of totally safe drinking water.
Water Pressure Regulator
You can never be too sure of the water pressure in your camping site. If it’s too high, it may end up bursting one of the pipes in your RV. Since most RVs can only handle a PSI of between 40 and 60, a water pressure regulator can really come in handy.
A good example of a water pressure regulator that you can invest in is the Renator M11-0660R. It’s an affordable piece of equipment and it comes with a valve that is adjustable up to 160 psi. Better yet, it adheres to the lead-free construction requirement. According to the NSF standards, the lead content should be less than .25% yet this regulator contains less than .13%.
Emergency Kit
When you’re planning an RV camping tip, you probably wouldn’t want to think of worst-case scenarios. But being prepared in the event of an emergency is crucial, especially if you’re accountable for the safety and security of other passengers.
This is where an emergency kit comes in. You can actually come up with your own kit by assembling your preferred tools or purchasing one that already contains tools. You can incorporate simple tools that can be useful in case you get a flat tire or a first aid kit with medical supplies.
For a first aid kit, one of the best units you can invest in is the 160-piece kit by Protect Life. It comes in an incredibly compact design, making it easy to carry around. It’s made in an FDA-approved facility using professional-grade materials. You’ll get items such as a disposable raincoat, compass, first aid tape, adhesive bandage, wound dressing just to mention a few.
Mechanics Tool Set
When you go for an outdoor expedition in your RV, you’re never certain that everything will go as planned. This is why you should always be prepared in case you’re forced to perform a repair on your appliances or RV on the spot. With a mechanics tool set, you can ensure that you are well prepared for any emergency.
A comprehensive tool kit usually has the most essential items for DIY fixes. These include: ratchets & sockets, a universal screwdriver, extension bars, pliers, spanners and hammers. One mechanics tool set that we recommend is the Crescent General Purpose Tool Set.
Made up of 170 different tools, this kit is one of the most comprehensive ones on the market. Plus, it comes with its own case, which makes portability a breeze. In fact, this storage case is made of tough materials to provide utmost durability. Some of the tools you’ll get in this package are extensions, a ratchet drive, spark plug sockets, pliers, adjustable wrench, screwdrivers and more.
Generator
When you’re RVing, you won’t have a reliable source of power. It’s not always that you’ll be lucky enough to have full utility hookups or access to shore power. For those times when you don’t have power, a portable RV generator will come in handy. When looking for this unit, be sure to purchase a generator that’s capable of powering most, if not all of your RV appliances.
The Westinghouse iGen2500 Portable Inverter Generator is great for powering your RV. Compact and lightweight, this generator is not difficult to carry around. Plus, it has a built-in handle to further enhance its portability. Another thing we like about this generator is that it can be used to power sensitive electronics such as laptops and cellphones.
Its quiet operation is another feature that makes it suitable for RV applications. It has a noise level of 52 dBA, meaning it’s not too loud that it will prevent you from engaging in other activities or conversing.
Air Compressor
If you use your RV for off-road adventures, then you know all too well that you can have a flat tire at any time. If this happens when you’re in the outback or miles away from civilization, it would help if you have your own air compressor.
The best thing about this tool is that it’s highly versatile. Apart from inflating your flat tires, you can use it to operate your air-powered tools or pump inflatables such as an air mattress or pool float.
If you’re looking to buy a portable compressor, consider the Viair 40047 400P-RV Automatic Compressor Kit. Although a little pricey, this machine will prove to be very versatile. It has a maximum working pressure of 150 PSI, which is enough to power a majority of tools. It comes with dozens of accessories that include a tire inflation gun & gauge, an air hose and a carrying case.
Leveling Blocks
One of the most frustrating things is being forced to camp on sloped terrain. You can’t eat from the table, and things will keep flying out anytime you open the cabinet or refrigerator. This would also necessitate you to sleep with your head sitting lower than your feet, which would cause a lot of discomfort.
To avoid all these problems, you should look for leveling blocks, which are designed to keep your RV level and stable. With leveling blocks, you won’t have to spend hours looking for the perfect camping spot. You can set up your home anywhere and use the leveling blocks to stabilize your RV.
The Camco Yellow Drive On Tri-Leveler blocks come highly recommended. These can be added on any tire to raise your recreational vehicle to a more comfortable position. With a maximum weight capacity of 3500 lbs., these leveling blocks are strong enough to shore up the weight of your caravan.
RV GPS
One component that you shouldn’t overlook when choosing accessories for your RV is a GPS. RV camping involves driving on roads located in dense woods, and other remote areas. At times, these roads may not even be plotted on the map, increasing the likelihood of getting lost.
Luckily, investing in an onboard GPS significantly minimizes this risk. If you happen to get lost, the GPS will help you trace your way back to the nearest highway or main road.
Another reason why you should consider getting an RV GPS is because it can help you avoid traffic. If you’re running late to get to your destination, the last thing you want is to get stuck in traffic jam. With a GPS, you can check whether there’s any traffic congestion and choose alternative routes.
To that regard, the Garmin RV 785 is one of the best GPS locators for an RV. This gadget takes your RV’s size and weight into account and then maps out the perfect route. It also gives you a list of RV parks, campsites, resting grounds and more.
Water Filter
When you’re RVing, it can be difficult to find safe water that you can drink or use for cleaning. Whether your only source of water is campsite-supplied water or from a well, there will always be a small content of sediments and other contaminants.
The danger of using such water directly from the source is that it can make you sick. It can also cause the pipes in your RV to block. This is why it’s important to purchase a water filter specifically for your RV. With this piece of equipment, you’ll be able to get rid of all those nasties from the water.
If you’ve been shopping for an RV water filter, the Culligan RV-800 is a superb option. It’s cheap, and it works as expected. It’s designed to work with all standard camper water hoses. Plus, it has a reasonable cartridge life- can filter up to 2000 gallons of water.
Instant Pot
Whether you love to go RV camping in the mountains or in new cities, an instant pot makes the perfect travel companion. What I like most about an instant pot is the fact that it’s multifunctional. When you’re travelling in an RV, you need to ensure that you’re making the most of every square inch of space. Luckily, an instant pot eliminates the need to carry other cooking places; it can be used as a slow cooker, a pressure cooker and a rice cooker.
Another benefit of investing in an instant pot is that it enables you to cook food really fast. This way, you can make brunch within a short time and proceed to participate in other camping activities.
One of our favorite RV cooking appliances is the Instant Pot Duo 80. This one strikes a good balance between pricing and features. It doubles up as a rice cooker, slow cooker, pressure cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, and warmer. Furthermore, it has a large capacity of 8 quarts. This means it’s big enough to fit a whole chicken.
Espresso/ Coffee Maker
Another kitchen appliance you should consider purchasing before you hit the road is an espresso maker. This way, you can still wake up to a cup of freshly brewed coffee even when you’re out in the woods.
When choosing a coffee maker for your RV, you need to think about the size. Ideally, it shouldn’t take up too much space in your caravan. It should also be easy to use and clean up.
The Keurig K-Classic Coffee Maker is an excellent appliance for taking on the road. It has a massive water tank that can hold up to 48 ounces. This eliminates the need to keep refilling it. It can be used to brew numerous K-Cup pod sizes, which means you’ll enjoy your coffee at the specific strength you like.
Survival Knife
The benefit of purchasing a survival knife is that it can adapt to any situation that you want to use it for. Despite being just 3 to 4 inches long, these tools are incredibly useful, especially if you’re like camping in the wild.
You can use it as a self-defense weapon, to open canned food, skin the animals you hunt or fish, cut firewood, dress wounds and do so much more. The Kershaw Blur is one of the best survival knives that’s worth looking into. It’s foldable, making it incredibly easy to carry around and store when it’s not in use.
It also has a superior grip, which makes it comfortable to hold regardless of the weather. It can be used in all sorts of conditions ranging from snow to freshwater, marine and mud.
Folding Table
While it’s not as essential as other accessories, a folding table is still a vital tool, especially if you don’t have any counter space in your RV. You can use it as a cooking station, an outdoor prep table, an accessory table and most importantly, as a dining table.
However, if you plan to use it for such functions, then it should be sturdy enough to support the weight of all the items placed on it. It should also be foldable so that it’s easy to store when it’s not in use. Moreover, the table shouldn’t be difficult to set up.
One folding table that checks all these boxes is the Trekology Portable Table. Equipped with an aluminum tabletop, it’s hardy enough to support a couple of accessories. The aluminum construction also makes it lightweight, meaning it’s not difficult to carry around if you’re traveling solo.
Battery Pack
Even though you have a generator, it’s always good to carry a battery pack in your RV. This is a set of separate batteries arranged either parallel or in a series to provide power to electronic gadgets.
Before buying a battery pack, check whether it has enough power to charge the electronic devices that you use frequently like your cellphone. The Anker Powercore II Portable Charger is a good example of an efficient and powerful battery pack.
It has a compact design, making it easy to transport. It’s designed to provide 3 full charges to an iPhone 8 and 2 charges for Samsung Galaxy S8 or iPhone X.
Sewer Hose
In addition to a drinking water hose, you should also invest in a quality sewer hose. Consider all the wastewater that’s coming from your RV. You shouldn’t have to come into contact with such waste as it can make you ill.
By buying a high-quality sewer hose, you’re reducing the likelihood of leakages and malfunctions that can result into a huge and gross mess. A good sewer hose that’s worth considering is this unit from Camco. It comes highly recommended and includes fittings that swivel and detach easily.
When it’s not in use, it can be folded with ease into a compact model. Moreover, it’s equipped with end caps that prevent dripping. This sewer hose is compatible with most standard sewer connections. And, it has a translucent elbow, allowing you to see when the tank is empty.
Cell Phone Signal Booster
You may end up Rving in a remote location that’s very far from the closest cellphone tower. As a result, you may experience problems such as poor voice, slow internet, dropped calls and low cellphone bars.
Other factors that cause these issues when you’re RVing include the presence of many obstacles- like trees and hills, the material used to make your RV and inclement weather. Want to boost the cellular service in your RV? A cell phone signal booster like the weBoost 4G-X RV unit is the ultimate solution.
According to the manufacturer, it improves your cell signal by up to 32 times. Best part is, it can be used from a stationary point as well as when it’s in motion. What’s more, it can be used to support multiple devices without affecting the fast network speed that it provides.
Telescopic Extension Ladder
Even when you’re traveling, it’s vital that you clean and maintain your RV on a regular basis. Obviously, cleaning the interior of your motorhome is not a big deal.
The problem comes in when you have to clean the exterior. If you’re not tall, you’ll have a hard time accessing the top-most section of your caravan. This is where a telescopic extension ladder proves to be useful.
A portable ladder can help you to easily access the roof and clean or fix potential issues. A portable ladder can also double up as a protective.
Consider a scenario where you’ve parked your motorhome under a tree. You then open the roof vent to allow fresh air to get in. Unfortunately, it’s not just the fresh air that comes in but also debris, leaves and twigs. To prevent this, you can place the ladder on top to act as a shade.
Looking for the best telescoping ladder for your RV? The Xtend and Climb 770P is a good option. It has a locking mechanism at the foot section and can be extended up to 12.5 feet. To save on storage space, it can be collapsed to just 32 inches in length.
Dehumidifier
Considering how small some RVs are, the moisture levels can quickly build up and cause major issues such as mold and mildew formation. If you keep your motorhome locked up for a very long period, you’re likely find it damp the next time you open it.
There are other factors that can cause moisture to accumulate inside your RV. These include the act of cooking inside, taking baths and the outdoor temperatures. To avoid excessively damp air in your RV, you should buy a dehumidifier. This tool draws in moisture; thus, reducing the humidity level in your caravan.
The Frigidaire FFAD7033R1 is an excellent dehumidifier for your RV. It has a vertical design, which helps to save on space. Boasting a capacity of 70 pints, this machine can work non-stop as long as you’ve positioned strategically- near a compatible drain.
Headlamp
Campsites are very dangerous places at night even if you’re traveling in your recreational vehicle. A lot of wild animals come out to search for their prey at night. Also, since there’s no proper illumination, you may end up tripping over tent spikes and logs. Plus, the surroundings are completely unfamiliar, increasing the likelihood of getting lost.
For your safety and security, it’s vital that you purchase a headlamp. This will serve as your source of lighting in case you have to go out of your RV or tent in the middle of the night. It’s also great for scaring away wild animals.
That said, there are a few things you should look for when purchasing a headlamp. It should be bright, portable and have a long battery life. The low-priced Energizer LED Headlamp is perfect for RVing. It’s reasonably bright boasting an output of 250 lumens. Plus, it comes with 3AAA batteries.
Pop-up Trash Can
Getting rid of garbage can be challenging when you’re camping or living in your RV. Luckily, a pop-up trash can gives you a simple and efficient way of disposing waste from your RV. This is a type of garbage can that collapses and expands with ease, which means it’s always ready to use. Best part is, it doesn’t take up much space.
Want to keep pests and wild animals away from your trash can? Invest in Coghlan’s Pop-Up Trash Can. Measuring 19 x 24 inches, it can hold up to 30 gallons of trash. It’s lightweight; hence easy to carry around. Plus, it’s made of a polyethylene material that’s incredibly easy to clean.
Final Word
Purchasing an RV is just the first step to enjoying your travel experiences. If you want to make the most use of your new motorhome, you should equip it will all the essential equipment you’ll need for your life on the road.
These items range from safety devices that are useful when you’re in an emergency situation to tools that make your RVing experience more enjoyable. Must have RV accessories include a first aid kit, a portable generator, air compressor, drinking water hose, GPS, survival knife set just to mention a few.
