RV Essentials: Things Every Camper Should Own (2024)

Over the past several years, we’ve found some RV essentials that we think every camper should own. These items make RV life easier and more enjoyable.

While you may get by without some of them, we think you’ll get the most out of your time RVing if you keep these items on hand. Let’s look at what we think you should add to your shopping cart.

What Do I Need in My New RV?

If you just got a new RV and want to purchase a few items for it, we have some suggestions for you. First of all, you need a quality set of wheel chocks for unhitching your RV. This keeps your RV from rolling away when parked on an incline.

Trust us, you need wheel chocks, and you need to use them. We know from experience.

The second thing we’d suggest buying is a water pressure regulator. Some campsites have extremely high water pressure. While you may enjoy high water pressure when showering, it can wreak havoc on your water system.

Excess pressure can burst lines and loosen connections. Water damage in an RV can be expensive to repair too. Using a water pressure regulator helps protect your water system and avoid major damage.

Lastly, we suggest that you grab a high-quality surge protector. These can protect your RV from surges in power and voltage drops. Some campgrounds haven’t updated their electrical connections in decades.

Plugging your new RV into one of these connections could cause massive amounts of damage to your electrical system and expensive appliances inside.

These are just a few of the things we think you should get when purchasing to protect you and your RV. Doing so will help ensure you have many exciting adventures in the future. Below we’ll share more RV essentials to get you started.

RV Essentials: Things Every Camper Should Own

You can constantly find camping gear to enhance your RV adventures. However, these are some RV essentials we think every camper should own. Take a look.

1. Potable Drinking Water Hose

Whether you’re filling up your freshwater tank or connecting to the city water connection, you’ll need a way to get water into your RV. A potable drinking water hose allows you to do just that. This RV essential can prove important so you can get water when needed.

2. RV Sewer Kit

An inevitable part of RVing is dumping your tanks. Sometimes you can do this at your campsite if you have full hook-ups or by pulling through an RV dump station.

No matter where you empty your tanks, you’ll need a sewer hose and a couple of attachments. Buying a sewer kit ensures you have everything you need to get the job done.

3. Portable Surge Protector

A portable surge protector should be a non-negotiable item for all RVers. You can protect your RV and your expensive electric appliances. Use a portable surge protector anytime you plug in your RV.

These can have a high cost, but if you consider the price of replacing your RV’s air conditioners and electrical systems, it’s a worthwhile investment.

4. RV Water Pressure Regulator

An RV water pressure regulator is like a surge protector for your water system. It limits the water flow from the water connection to an RV-friendly pressure. You can easily damage water lines and fittings in your system if you don’t regulate the water flow.

5. Electrical Adapters

Another RV essential includes electrical adapters. Electrical connections at a campsite can be inconsistent. Having a variety of adapters allows you to adjust to any connection available where you park your RV.

Pro Tip: Read our guide on how to easily understand RV electrical adaptors for additional help choosing the right product for your RV.

6. Portable Air Compressor

Having your RV’s tires at the proper pressure can help avoid a tire failure. Carrying a portable air compressor allows you to top them off before hitting the road.

Additionally, you can avoid having to track down the nearest RV-friendly gas station with a compressor. This device also allows you to fill up other inflatable toys and bike tires to enhance your RVing adventures.

7. Basic Tool Kit

It’s not a question of if you’ll need to repair something, but when. Having a basic tool kit can help with a good amount of these projects.

You might not have everything, but you’ll have a fighting chance. This 198-piece toolkit can get you started.

8. Camping Lantern

When you’re camping in a remote area, it can get very dark after the sun goes down. A camping lantern can allow you to light up your campsite but not blind your neighbors with bright LED lights.

This lightweight one also collapses and can become an RV essential in an emergency.

9. RV Emergency Road Kit

It’s better to prepare for an emergency than to get caught off guard. An RV emergency road kit ensures you have everything you need when things don’t go as planned.

This set includes long jumper cables, a towing rope, life blankets, tools, and much more.

10. Fire Extinguisher

It’s a requirement that new RVs come with a fire extinguisher, but it’s a good idea to have extras. It can be beneficial to store an extra fire extinguisher for quick access in an outside compartment and in your vehicle. You never know when you’ll need to use it.

11. Club Camping Chair

This is an RV essential if you enjoy sitting outside. Don’t skimp on a camping chair. You want to relax when sitting around your campsite.

Getting a comfortable camping chair makes it easy to relax. This one has extra padding for comfort.

12. Outdoor Camping Grill

Using an outdoor camping grill allows you to keep the cooking heat out of your RV. This is extremely helpful in the summer when your air conditioner may already struggle to keep it cool.

An outdoor camping grill also allows you to spend more time outdoors and not stuck inside when preparing meals.

Pro Tip: Enjoy these 15 delicious cast iron camping recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert!

13. National Park Guide Book

The National Park Service manages over 400 units across the country. Many RVers use their RV to travel to as many of the 63 major national parks as possible.

Getting a guidebook allows you to educate yourself on the various parks and plan your trip.

14. RV GPS

You can’t use just any GPS when towing an RV or driving a motorhome. Not all roads are RV-friendly. Using an RV GPS can help you avoid a sticky situation.

It will tell you about road weight limits, bridge clearances, and more.

15. Fuse Kit

Your RV’s electrical system uses a variety of fuses. If you RV for long, one of these fuses will eventually blow. This RV essential helps you minimize any inconvenience and quickly replace the fuse.

16. Disinfecting Wipes

You never know how previous campers used the items at your campsite before you. Wiping down picnic tables and your connections can help avoid germs. Disinfecting wipes can also make it easy to clean up surfaces after cooking.

17. Bug Spray

You don’t want to wait for the bugs to start swarming you before you think about buying bug spray. Depending on where you camp, the bugs can have you running for cover inside your RV instead of sitting around the campfire.

18. Sunscreen

While this may not be an RV essential, it sure can help. Spending too much time in the sun can result in a painful sunburn. Avoid this mistake by having sunscreen on hand and using it. Ensure you reapply as necessary, especially if you sweat or enjoy aquatic activities.

19. Portable Power Station

You never know when you’ll lose power when camping. Having a portable power station lets you plug in essential items. Whether you want to boondock or use it during an emergency, a mobile power station is an excellent option.

20. Tire Pressure Monitoring System

And finally, number 20 on our list is a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). It allows you to watch your tires while traveling. It will alert you to unsafe changes in pressure or temperature. This can help you avoid a significant tire failure that can cause damage to an RV.

Be Prepared with These RV Essentials

Knowing what you need and having it are two different things. Having the right gear can help you have a smooth RV trip. Have the equipment on hand, so you have it when you need it. Some of these items are no-brainers.

However, you may have never considered some if you haven’t RVed before. We hope this list gives you a good starting point.

Last update on 2024-02-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API