The Essentials
Now that you’ve decided to purchase an RV, it’s time to think about all the other things you’ll need to ensure a safe, smooth and fun camping trip.
Not everything on this list is a must right up front; over time you’ll find what your needs require. The list below is compiled from all the videos I’ve watched so am pretty sure you’ll need them at some point.
This list isn’t a comprehensive list, but will get you started in the right direction.
I am not an Amazon affiliate so don’t make money from these links. If you like to buy from other retailers please do. Walmart also has a nice RV section in their stores; or at least the one near me and have bought quite a bit from them.
Most people will say never use glass in your camper so these products are ones I've come across while watching videos. Not extensive list, but will add more as I continue my research.
Omnia Oven
If your camper/rv doesn't have an oven, this gadget seems to do the trick. Your oven on the stove top. Ideal solution for boat oven, camp oven, and RV oven
Space saving is a must in most campers and these collapsable cookwear will help you do just that. Collapsible 5-piece camping and backpacking cookware set includes an 1-Pot, two 2-Bowls, and two 2-Mugs for backcountry meal prep and dining
Space is a premium in most campers so these towels will help with that. They aren't as large as a normal bath towel, but are really absorbant and will dry fast.
This list should get you started to ensuring your camper is safe and secure. Though thieves can get through most locks, the more you have the better chance they will move on.
A first aid kit is a must while traveling. If you don't already have one, here is one that I am looking at purchasing. Take a look at what your needs will be and buy accordingly.
Breakdowns will ineviatably happen and you'll want to be prepared. If you've already gathered items such as these then you probably won't need this kit; it's a good reminder to be prepared.
Locking your camper/rv is a must. Not any one solution will deter a theif so anyone who has talked about it, has said, "Have as many road blocks to theft as possible". This is a kit that has a coupler lock and receiver lock.
If you're worried about your truck hitch, then these lock pins will help ease your mind. Rhino is a US, family owned company.
This one is expensive, almost $300, but gets high marks for protecting your hitch. This is not a kit, it's just the hitch lock; you'd need to purchase other locks for the receiver and hitch latch.
There are a lot of options out there, but remember protecting your camper is not the place to skimp. Thiefs are smart and have figured out how to bypass a lot of these locks; go with the best reviewed.
Make sure you get the correct size for the ball on your truck. I've also included the company website I had to return mine many months after purchasing on Amazon and they were great to deal with.
There a a lot of these type tire locks; this one was recommended by full-timers. Read reviews to find the right ones for you.
Most camper/rvs will come with electric breaks and if they do, you'll need a break controller. If you're not sure what this is, watch a lot of Youtube videos; it took me a long to understand why I needed one
There are several options out there, but this one gets good reviews and is on my purchase list. You'll also want to check your truck to see if it has the plug installed. If you're buying a new truck see if you can get one factory installed; Ford does have this option.
This one gets mixed reviews. I've watched videos of people who love this controller and others have had issues. It definitly is an easier option as you just plug it into the 7-way pins then the plug from the trailer plugs into this and via bluetooth and the app you control the device.
I added it as I might try it due to the simplicity of it.
Your camper will come with a basic key type lock. A lot of people have changed their outside locks and the entry lock is one of them. This is one brand, there are others. If you're going to change your entry lock, make sure it will fit your camper.
This is just a representation. Make sure you find the right one that fits your RV or camper.
I've discovered the Tab400 and probably most of nuCamps's campers can't be fitted with a keyless lock, it has to do with the way they have constructed the door.
The Oyster3 is a comprehensive auto GPS tracker offering versatile update intervals: 5-minute or 1-hour while in motion, and 12-hour when stationary. This real-time GPS tracker for your car and location tracker for car sends instant alerts for movement, geofence breaches, or low battery.
These frontier tow mirrors are designed into 2 cooperated mirrors, the bigger mirror is a flat mirror, and the smaller mirror is a convex mirror, efficient and convenient to enlarge visual range, bringing you a nice and different experience.
If your truck has small side mirrors, then these extensions will help you see around your camper behind you. Find the right fit for your vehicle.
You will also need tools. This is an extensive, expensive set so may not be needed, but you will need tools. Things will break, come loose and you'll need to do emergency repairs.
Inevitably a fuse will blow, so make sure you are stocked up. This kit may be extensive but you never know when you'll need one or maybe just helping out a fellow RVers.
Just like the tire sensors in your truck, you should have them for your camper. This got good reviews from one video I watched, but haven't done a lot of research into other products. But you should plan on installing this on your camper's wheels.
What can be quite scarry is getting a flat out in no mans land; this kit or one like it could be what helps you get back on the road.
You can't be guaranteed that the tire wrench you got for your truck will fit the tires on your RV; you'll need a good torque wrench. There are many out there so am giving you this link as a starting point to do your research.
You'll need to ensure your tires are fully inflated. This helps with gas mileage and the potential for blowouts. If you have an inflator, it may already be built in.
Wather this brand or another, if your camper is going to be sitting for long periods of time or if you store it outside, you should cover all the tires so the sun won't damange them.
When you attach the water hose into the RV it usually is sticking straight out putting pressure on the inlet and over time could cause the inlet to become loose. If you attach this on the RV inlet first, then put your hose on this, it will allow the hose to hang straight down.
You'll find you will need to have several different hoses. For the water intake hose you should never use a garden hose; make sure you get a hose specific for drinking water then you won't get that "hose" taste from your water.
Other hoses you'll need is probably a general hose you'd use on the outside of the camper. If your camper has a black tank flush system, you should have a separate hose just for that.
to make it easier to attach and remove your hoses, hose quick connects will do the job.
You will definitly need a water regulator if you're hitched up to city water. Water pressure coming out of the spiget and most likely it will be coming out at a higher rate than your camper can take in; this can cause damanage to your systems.
Check your campers manuals to know what to set it at. You will place this on the water source spiget, then everything else will attach to this. There are other brands; just make sure you have one.
Whether you will be drinking the water in your RV, you should have a water filter attached. This will be attached to the pressure gauge, then the hose to the camper will attach to the filter.
This will filter out the basic stuff in the water and to help keep your camper water lines clean. There are other brands, but this seems the basic one a lot of people use.
this water filter is also for campers, but is more robust than the Camco version. It's made to remove all the particulates in the water that's bad for us. There is also a 3 filter version.
This definitely is more expensive so you'd want to make sure it's locked to something so it doesn't go walking away.
This seems to be the go-to for RVers if you rig has space. Most people won't drink the water from the tank so there are many options from buying water to this more expensive option.
If your camper doesn't come with bug screens you'll need to install them. This will help keep out flys, wasps and other rodents from getting in and nesting in your camper. These will go over the external vents.
To get your camper level side-to-side you'll need leveling blocks to go under the wheels. there are different brands so find a set you'll like. These are also good to put under the jack and the leveling jacks at each corner.
You'll need these wheel chocks to keep the camper from rolling forward or backwards. Again, there are lots of different styles so find the ones that work for you.
Our smart leveling system is specially designed to allow the grip channels to line up with the notches depending on the RV's weight. The heavier the RV, the more channels will line up.
You can't guarantee that the electric post will be close to your camper so having an extension cord is a must. You can also use this to run from your generator to keep your generator away from the camper.
This is a 50' and I would reccommend getting at least 30-50'.
Make sure you get the correct AMP for your camper; usually this is either a 30 AMP or 50 AMP.
There is no guarantee that the power coming out of the service post will be good power so YOU MUST have a surge protector. You will plug this in to the power post first to ensure you have good power then you plug your camper into the surge protector.
I've heard of people having to move sites due to bad power, or no power coming in. Make sure you get the correct AMP for your camper.
This surge protector is definitely on the higher end, but is get a perfect rating. I've seen the review of this and the quality is pretty steller. It comes with an app to help you monitor your power coming in from the electric post.
Being prepared for the time you'll get a flat on your RV. Most campers won't come with a jack so you'll need one that is rated to lift the weight of your camper; you can't rely on your jack from your truck.
Most campers will come with a sewer hose, but from what I've read, they tend to be really cheap and suggest upgrading to a better solution.
What's good about this kit is there are caps for the hoses so when you store anything left in the hose won't leak out. It also has a clear elbow so as your emptying the tanks you can see if it's done.
Most campgrounds now require you to keep the sewage hose off the ground. This product will do the job. It also levels down to help keep the stuff moving through the hose.
A lot of the newer campers will come with good solar packages so purchasing portable solar isn't required. But for those who have an older camper or one that didn't have solar installed, these are great options to power your camper. Even if you're not a camper person, but only use a tent, these could be great options for you too.
I'm adding in the brands I've come across that seem to get good reviews so you'll need to figure which one will be right for you.
There are a lot of brands on the market today and a lot coming in from China and those models will be a lot cheaper. Things to look out for is the type of battery used and how many charge cycles can you get.
To me, these are the top options, but also on the higher end of the cost scale. Do your research and READ THE REVIEWS
As of the writing of this, newer modals will have come out.
What I like about this product is it has a 30amp plug so you could plug your camper into this and power you 12v outlets. The downside of these size batteries is they are heavy, usually 60-100 lbs.
Each of the brands will have smaller batteries if you are looking for a supplement to your campers battery.
Bluetti also gets good reviews and this model has a 30amp port.
Jackery has been very popular among campers. When I started my research this was the one the most people had, but over the past few years other brands definitly has moved up the list.
Ecoflow has been very popular in the conversion van industry.
I'm adding this to the list, not because they've are well known, but because they are a small company that is making camping specific products. I came across a video and they used their products and got good reviews.
This solar panel packs 300W of power yet is only 1.1inch (2.8cm) thick and weighs only 17lb(7.5kg),Foldable Dimension:21*41*1.1inch (54*104*2.4cm), making it easier to transport, hang, and remove.
I purchased this to use as an additional solar panel to be plugged into the external solar port. It needed to have it's own charge controller. This was purchased by other owners in my groups so decided to try it out due to the cost. Have not yet used it.
Whether it's this brand or another, you'll need a small air compressor for two major reasons. If you get a flat or soft tires you'll need to blow them back up AND when you winterize your camper you'll need a way to blow out the lines.
VIAIR Corporation offers the most comprehensive line of D.C., fractional horsepower, oil-less air compressors & air accessories for both on-road and off-road automotive enthusiasts
This was recommended by guy who does RV repairs so I thought I'd add to the list as a compressor option.
A lot of campers will have a way to cook outside and this is griddle is one of the popular options. You will probably need to take the regularator off as the camper's gas is already regulated.
A lot of campers will have a way to cook outside and this is griddle is one of the popular options. You will probably need to take the regularator off as the camper's gas is already regulated.
This is a Walmart exlusive product
Most campers will come with an outside quick connect for your gas as a convenience. You'll need an additional length hose so you can put the gas appliances where you want and still connect to the gas.
Some people do bring extra gas bottles to connect to the outside applianced. PLEASE DON'T USE THE GREEN DISPOSABLE BOTTLE.
If you're like me and don't want to deal with the sewage tank, then a compost toilet is the option; see my post about them. You will need this product to put in the solids bin to help dry out the poop.
FUSS-FREE LEVELING: LevelMatePRO is an essential RV accessory that saves you time for leveling. It provides real-time feedback on how much and which corner to adjust to level your vehicle perfectly.
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You’ll notice some of the links above are from Mandy Lea Photo. She’s been a great resource and inspiration for me to keep my dream alive. She’s been living with her husband in an RV for 4+ years, the same RV I’m looking to purchase. have purchased!!!