20 RV Must-Haves No Seasoned Camper Leaves Home Without

If you’re like most people, your definition of “camping” definitely sounds more like “glamping.” Who would choose to sleep in a hot tent on the hard ground when you could bring all of your at-home luxuries to the camp site?

From your comfy bed to your indoor toilet, you want all the comforts of home when you’re done venturing in the great outdoors for the day. However, RVs can come with their own set of problems if you aren’t properly equipped. Here are 20 must-haves that will ensure a proper glamping experience for you and your family.

20 RV Must-Haves

Hamper for Your Dirty Laundry

Little things like this are often overlooked when going away from home. Think back to the last road trip or camping trip you went on. Did you end up with a suitcase full of dirty laundry mixed in with your clean clothes? Was your car piled up with dirty pants and did socks lay scattered about?

If you just got a brand new RV, chances are you don’t want to ruin it by leaving dirty clothes laying around. If you don’t want to take up too much space, get mesh laundry bags with odor-block to store your unwashed clothes in. It will keep them contained and prevent the smells from permeating your new RV.

Doormat for Cleanliness

Another commonly overlooked essential is a doormat. If you just dropped big bucks on your new camper, you aren’t going to want people tracking the outdoors in. Camping activities can get messy, but your camper doesn’t have to. Prevent muddy shoes from damaging your carpet by placing a mat at the front door. It’s a cheap and easy fix that will save you time and money down the road.

Another plus to having a doormat is that it can add style and personality to your setup. There are some pretty interesting doormats available if you are interested in taking your RV decor up a notch.

First-Aid Kit for Safety

It seems like every time I need a Band-Aid I never have one handy. While I can usually scrounge one out of the back of the bathroom closet at home, you probably won’t be that lucky in your new RV or camper. Being prepared for even minor medical emergencies is very important when going camping or hitting the road.

I love first aid kits that come stocked with plenty of Band-Aids, antibiotic cream, and gauze. You never know when you may get seriously cut. Having these essentials on hand can prevent injuries from ruining your fun trip or buy you time to get to a hospital if more severe injuries happen.

Indoor Entertainment

Most tent campers would want to fight me after reading this section, but glampers like us know that movies, TV, books, and even board games can be precious in the event of bad weather on your trip. One of the best parts about having an RV is the TV!

Rainy days don’t have to mean the end of the trip if you prepare ahead of time. Have each member of your family bring their favorite movie, book, and game. That way no matter what, you will have something to keep you entertained on your trip. If you are going solo, consider this your chance to binge watch your favorite series or tear through stacks of books uninterrupted!

Mini-Vacuum for Easier Cleaning

This is one of the best things I got for my RV. You definitely don’t want to lug a full-sized vacuum cleaner along with you on your trip. It will take up way too much space and you may not even use it. Invest in a mini-vacuum that can be easily stored. You may not need it, but you will be glad to have it if someone tracks in loose dirt or spills cereal on your fresh carpet.

I can not stress enough the importance of keeping your RV clean and well-maintained. A well-kept camper will hold its value in case you ever want to sell it. Besides, who wants to stay in a grubby tin can for days or weeks at a time? Not me!

Garden Hose for Drinking Water

This is so important. You will need two garden hoses, in two different colors, to make your RV or camper functional. One of the hoses will be used to transport fresh drinking water from the city supply or to fill up the water tank. I prefer to use a white hose for the fresh water supply to prevent any confusion, thus eliminating the chance for contamination.

The fresh water hose should be lead-free. The other hose can be any color and will be used to let out the black water tank. The right length for these hoses is about 25′. You may be able to get by with a shorter hose. Longer hoses tend to get in the way.

Water Pressure Regulator to Regulate Water Pressure

Many campgrounds lack well-regulated water pressure. Water pressure that is too high can cause serious damage and leaks to your system. It is well-worth the few extra dollars to get a water pressure regulator. Simply place it between your fresh water hose and your camper and you’ve just saved yourself the headache and cost of repairing damage caused by high water pressure.

Dump Hose for Tank Management

Dumping the tank is one of the few downsides to owning an RV. If you are looking for a way to make dumping the tank less of a struggle, consider investing in a dump hose. There are a few things to look for when purchasing a dump hose. Start by looking for a 15′ hose.

This is about the right size, not too short or too long. A hose with a view piece is ideal. That may seem kind of gross, but you need to be able to tell if liquid is still moving so you don’t pull the hose away too soon. The hose also needs to be able to fit in the bumper. It’s not safe or sanitary to store it inside of your RV. Last, make sure you buy a hose that will hold up, especially if you frequently make trips in your RV.

Plate Stacker for Better Organization

I think it’s pretty obvious that you need a set of dishes for your RV or camper. One of the main items you will need is plates. Of course, you can always opt for paper plates while on your RV adventure, but then you have to deal with trash and potentially spilled food.

Plus, paper plates just don’t seem fitting to the glamping lifestyle. There is nothing worse than having to pack and unpack plates in boxes when you are going from place to place. An easy solution to this is a plate stacker. It keeps your plates easily accessible and safe for the long drive.

Cast Iron Pan to Save Space

Since we are on the subject of dishes, I think that this one is worth mentioning. A good cast iron pan is priceless. They are heavy and have to be properly cared-for, but they serve many purposes. One cast iron pan can replace several regular pans, saving you space for other things.

WiFi Booster for a Better Internet Connection

If you are like most RVers, you want all the luxuries of home when you go camping, WiFi included. While most campgrounds do offer wifi nowadays, it isn’t always a strong, secure connection. A wifi ranger will allow you to encrypted internet access without being parked close to the router.

Water Filter for Liquid Safety

Let’s face it, campsite water isn’t always desirable. You can easily find a refillable water filter that you can keep cold in the fridge. You can also buy an attachment for the faucet so you have filtered water on demand.

Gas Can for Your Generator

This is pretty much a mandatory item because you are going to be running a generator over the course of several days. Go ahead and get one specifically for your RV so that you never leave it behind. There’s nothing worse than having to drop money on a gas can at the camp supply because you forgot to grab yours.

Porta-Packs for Fowl Odors

I always flush for half a minute before using the bathroom for the first time in the RV. This allows water into the tank to prevent sticking – gross! Another thing I do to maintain my RV sewer system is to drop a porta-pack down the toilet. They help break down paper and reduce odors.

Water Tank Filler Valve for Efficiency

Bubble back will prevent you from filling your fresh water tank quickly and efficiently. When you are camping, the last thing you want to do is spend precious time with your family filling up a water tank. A filler valve allows you to fill the tank much more quickly.

Sheets and Blankets for Warmth

Just when you think you have everything, someone spills something or gets sick in the bed. No extra sheets mean you have to either go without or take time away from camping to do laundry. That’s no fun! Simply invest in a couple of extra sets of sheets, one for summer and one for winter. That way, you always have extra on hand just in case. Also, throw a few extra blankets in your camper. Even in the summer, it can get chilly at night.

Generator for Backup Power

You aren’t going to have a very pleasant RV experience without a generator. They aren’t cheap to purchase or to run, but that is the price you pay for camping in comfort. It’s best to choose a quiet one so it doesn’t keep you up at night.

Level to Avoid Unnecessary Damage to Your Appliances

You probably aren’t going to find a completely level surface to park on. However, very unlevel surfaces can cause damage to your fridge and other appliances. Simply attach the level to your RV and try to park on the most level surface.

Insurance for Liability and Peace of Mind

I couldn’t imagine hauling a giant thing behind me down a dangerous road without insurance. RV insurance covers more than just accidents. It can also cover costs if a guest gets hurt while inside your RV.

Tools for RV Assembly

Last but certainly not least, tools! There is a lot of “assembly” required for RV setup. One of the tools you will definitely need is a drill. You don’t want to be stuck without one, so it is worth it to buy a second one to keep in the RV.

Product data was last updated on 2023-11-30 at 08:22.