RV Must Have Items

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This list is perfect for those getting started in the RV world. I’ve made a list of must-have RV items to help you get started with your camping adventures. I sure hope it helps you build confidence and have fun on the open road! 

I’m so fortunate to have the most amazing neighbors ever!!! They are seasoned camping veterans and have walked me through getting my RV all ready for adventure. Honestly, I couldn’t have done this without them, I’m forever grateful. They sent me links to things I needed to buy for the RV on Amazon, they hooked up my fancy hitch and gave me backup lessons. Everyone should be so fortunate to have RV friends like me. BUT – in case you don’t have expert RV’ers in your life, hopefully I can help. I get lots of comments and questions about how to get started with an RV and many people say they could never do this alone. I disagree, you totally can! It is intimidating at first, but once you dive into the world of RV life it’s addicting. Go for it!!! It’s also so fun to makeover and RV! You can see my RV transformation HERE! 

As a single mama, my goal for the year was to buy an RV and take some road trip vacations my kids would never forget. I probably didn’t realize how much I had to learn, but as we have traveled some now, I can say it is all worth it and I’d recommend it to others seeking some great memories. If I can do it – you can do it! On one of our last trips I took a minute to look around the RV park and realized how many people live the RV life and realized if they could all do it, so could me and my kiddos. There are a few items that will make your life a little easier in an RV, things you want to have before you take your first trip, and some things you might want to have on hand just in case. I feel more confident when I am prepared and I hope this list will help you feel ready for whatever comes your way!

RV MUST-HAVE Items

I’ve linked items when able so you can click and purchase exactly what I use or recommend, click on the highlighted and underlined words. I hope this helps!

1. Hitch Package with Sway Bars – The biggest fear most people talk about is pulling a trailer and I totally get it. I got a good hitch package with sway bars to help for safety and peace of mind. Sway bars do exactly what they sound like, reduce sway in towing. It takes a minute to get used to hitching and un-hitching this contraption, but it really makes pulling a breeze. I can’t recommend it enough.
2. Trailer Tires – Staying with the safety theme, tires on a trailer are so important. If you buy a used RV you might want to consider an upgrade, or at least get information about the tire you have. If they are older than three years you should consider shanging them. Depending on the type of travel you will do you might also look into new tires. I went with Goodyear Endurance Tires, they are made to help dissapate heat and good for hot roads and long travel ( or at lest that’s my take on the research I did!) Make sure you have a spare and good tools to change a tire! We did have a blow out on or Grand Canyon trip, but becasue my neighbor sent us with good tools, we were able to change the flat!
3. Tire Chocks – You have to have these to park you RV and keep it in place! You need 4 total, for the front and back of each trailer tire. If you have more tires on your trailer you could get more, but 4 should be good.  Make sure you have these for when you are setting up and parking your camper.
4. Impact Driver Drill – You might not consider this a must have, but it is a game changer in the set up and take down of my RV. The RV has built in jacks that go up and down when you park, some RV’s have motorized ones, mine doesn’t. If I didn’t have an impact drill to raise and lower these jacks we would have to hand crank them. While that is obviously possible, it is not fun when you are ready to be set up or hit the road.
5. Jack Drill Bit – This drill bit fits the jack nuts on most RV’s and is used in conjunction with the impact Drill mentioned above. You need it!!! 
6. Water Hose – I suggest getting two lengths of RV hose for your camper. One hose with a good amount of length for your water source. This will connect directly from the water source to your RV. The second hose is great to have as a traditional hose you can use to rinse things off, etc. outside of your unit (like rinsing off or washing a dog!).
7. Water Regulator – This small little addition to your water hose connection helps regulate the pressure coming from the water source at an RV park or hook up you may use. It helps your water lines not get over pressurized and busted! Small but mighty!
8. Water Filter – Obviously water is an important part of RV travels as you can see by this list. These few items are must haves though and a water filter really gives you peace of mind. All RV parks are different and you want to make sure you are being as safe as possible with your water, so a good filter is a great addition to your water line.
9. Y connector – If you do get two water hoses you might want to grab a Y connector so you can have both lines hooked up at the same time.
10. Sewer Hose – Your RV may come with one, but if you buy a used RV like I did, you may want to update or upgrade. I suggest one with a clear connector and you need to make sure you get a good length of hose. This is one of those not so fun things to think about in RV life, but haveing the right products makes a world of difference.
11. Holding Tank Treatment – While we are on the subject, you want to have good treatment for your holding tanks to reduce odor and issues associated with RV bathroom living. Simply dump the liquid in these handy little bottles in the toilet after you camp and allow them to deodorize your tank.
12. RV Toilet Tissue – You need to use special toilet paper with your RV so make sure you stock up! Any one ply toilet tissue should do the trick. I order mine online. Important bathroom hack – when someone needs to do their business, make sure to fill the toilet bowl with some water before going, this makes things a loit better. If you push the toilet flush pedal halfway down it fills the bowl verses draining it. 
13. Converter – 50 Amp to 30 Amp. Depending on your RV you might run off 30 Amp or 50 Amp electrical. Our houses run on 15 Amp. This can all seem very confusing, but I promise it’s not. Get the two converters I am showing here and all your bases should be covered. When you go to hook up at an RV park most have 50 ir 30 Amp available, but if not you can use this handy piece to work it out.
14. Converter – 15 Amp to 30 Amp. When I park the RV at our house to work on it or get it packed for a trip, I need to plug into a traditional outlet from my home. This converter allows me to do that and go from 15 Amp to 30Amp, which is what my particular RV runs off of.
15. Extension Cord – Most parks have a regular 15 Amp plug at your hook up sight and this is a good place to take advantage of using a traditionl extension cord pluged into the park source to releave the RV outlets. Some items will blow fuses or just be too much for your RV to handle. For example, when I use a hair dryer, I plug into an extension cord instead of an RV outlet. This si the cord I have and it is great for multitasking!

Ok- that list was for RV must Haves, but now I’m gonna give you a second list! This list is a nice to have, I highly suggest list. Believe me, there are a ton of things you can get for an RV – it can get overboard!!! 

Nice To Have Items for Your RV

1. A Good Mattress – Listen, most RV’s (at least older ones) come with a glorified nap mat. I get “camping” is kinda roughing it, but I think sleep is important and my RV excursions are a vacation, so I want to be comfortable. I upgraded all our matresses in the RV and it made a world of difference. This is the mattress I got, I ordered it online and did curbside pick up!
2. Beddies – If you saw my RV makeover, the first thing I got for the camper was Beddies comfortor sets. They are a game changer for a small space and for staying organized. You just zip up your bed in the morning and go. You can see all about mine here. 
3. Door Organizer – An over the door hanging organizer is an amazing essential for the RV. You can cram a TON of need to have items in here for space saving storage. I filled ours with all kind of things like the following great to have items: Benadryl, medicine, Band-aids, shampoo, soap, clothespins, bug spray, sunscreen, air spray, extra toothbrushes and toothpaste, Q-tips, cotton balls, wet wipes, cleaning supplies and anything else you can cram in those shoe holders!
4. Patio Rug/Mat – It’s so nice to have an outdoor mat outside your RV door. It helps keep the inside clean and looks fun. Outdoor mats come in a huge variety of styles nowadays and are relatively inexspensive so have fun with this fashion/useful item.
5. Patio Mat Stakes – Make sure to scoop up some mat stakes you can use to hold the mat in place. These are a game changer!  
6. Extra Pins & Clips – It’s great and smart to have extra pins, clips and caribeers onboard in case you lose one on your hitch or other important spot!
7. Extra Fuses –  Just in case you blow a fuse, make sure you have extras for your particular RV.
8. Melamine Dishes – Of course I had so much fun picking dishes for the Rv, so have a great time with that! You can use paper plates, but we got precious melamine ones and LOVE them! 

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These lists are in no way all inclusive, but should be a good starting point for you as you beginning your RV experience. I’d love to hear your RV must have items so I can add them to the list – let me know in the comments.