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Home RVs & Gear Gear 30 Must-Have Accessories for New RVers
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30 MUST-HAVE ACCESSORIES FOR NEW RVERS

By
Valerie Law
-
May 30, 2018


> FIRST-TIME RV OWNERS LORISA AND RON PIERSON SHARE THEIR SHOPPING LIST OF
> ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES

Trailer Life is fortunate to have an editorial team with decades of RV-camping
experience, but not everyone who works for the publication is a seasoned RVer.
Marketing Manager Lorisa Pierson is a case in point. Although Lorisa and her
husband, Ron, always planned to get into RVing, a limited budget, busy work
schedules and a long list of activities that centered around their son and
daughter kept RV ownership on the back burner.

Then Lorisa was diagnosed with colon cancer. After struggling through months of
treatment, she emerged with a clean bill of health and a renewed desire to own
an RV and start making camping memories with her family. The time had come.

With a lightweight bunkhouse trailer in mind, the Piersons shopped at RV shows
and local dealerships before settling on the perfect 24-footer. The L-shaped
kitchen, large bathroom and full-length patio awning on the Keystone Bullet won
them over, plus the fact that the trailer can be towed by Ron’s Toyota Tundra.

Compared to other first-time buyers, Lorisa was lucky. She had easy access to a
wealth of RV knowledge from Trailer Life and sister companies Camping World and
the Good Sam Club. But even with all that exposure, she didn’t realize how many
of the accessories that are needed for RV camping don’t actually come with an
RV. Despite rushing to round up the necessary gear before their first trip,
Lorisa and Ron still wound up lacking a few important items when they got to the
campground.

In true Trailer Life spirit, the Piersons are eager to help fellow newbies make
their way up the RV learning curve. Sharing their newfound knowledge, the couple
offers the following shopping list of 30 RV essentials, from basic accessories
to handpicked items that made their initial camping trips even better.

 1. WATER-PRESSURE REGULATOR

Lorisa and Ron learned right away that campground water pressure is often much
higher than what RV manufacturers recommend. To reduce the flow rate, the couple
attaches a pressure regulator to the campsite’s water supply. The brass model
they purchased is lead-free and safe to use with drinking water.

 2. WATER FILTER

Any water that goes into the freshwater tank should be filtered. For new RVers
like the Piersons, an in-line water filter is the simplest option. Not only does
it reduce sediments and other contaminants, it can improve the taste of
campground water. Lorisa and Ron use replaceable carbon filters with KDF, which
contains zinc and copper additives that resist bacterial growth.

 3. FRESHWATER HOSE

As the Piersons discovered, campsite water connections can be quite a way from
their RV, requiring a freshwater-supply hose that can extend up to 50 feet or a
couple of shorter ones that can be connected to go the distance. Lorisa and Ron
likewise learned that you get what you pay for when it comes to freshwater
hoses, and, for that matter, many other RV accessories. The cheaper the hose,
the greater the chance it’ll kink and leak.


 4. WATER-HOSE ELBOW

Connecting the freshwater hose directly to the RV’s city-water intake can put
stress on the hose and fittings. To extend the life of their hose, the Piersons
made a small investment in a 90-degree brass entry elbow. This go-between
fitting lets the hose hang straight down from the intake, easing strain on it
and preventing kinks.

 5. HOLDING-TANK TREATMENT

Sanitation is one of the things that intimidates new RV owners, but Lorisa and
Ron found it wasn’t a big deal once they learned proper dumping and flushing
techniques and used appropriate chemicals. Holding-tank chemicals come in a
variety of formulations and forms, and most work as advertised to deodorize and
break down solids. First-timers can ask fellow RVers for recommendations and try
different brands to come up with the treatment they like best. The Piersons
opted for easy-to-use drop-in packets.

 6. SEWER HOSE

The Piersons’ Bullet didn’t come with a sewer hose, but Lorisa knew from reading
Trailer Life that they needed a good one. They invested in a brand-name kit that
included a high-quality sewer hose and a see-through connector so they can tell
when the water is clean as the tank is being flushed. It’s also smart to pack a
box of heavy-duty disposable gloves for handling the sewer hose and emptying
holding tanks.

 7. SURGE PROTECTOR

Power spikes and dips are not uncommon at campgrounds. A surge protector can
help keep unsteady electricity from putting an RV’s appliances at risk. For
newbies like the Piersons, a portable model that plugs into the RV’s cord set
does the job. Costlier hardwired electrical management systems that become a
permanent part of the RV are also available.

 8. POWER ADAPTER

Commonly called “dogbones,” power adapters come in handy when the campsite’s
electrical output is incompatible with the RV or the power plug doesn’t match
the pedestal receptacle.

 9. FUSE KIT

RV fuses can blow at any time, catching many new RVers unaware and unprepared.
For such occasions the Piersons carry a set of replacement fuses in their
toolbox. Their kit uses LED technology, making blown fuses easier to locate on
dark fuse panels.

 10. COAXIAL CABLE

Campsites with full hookups usually have a cable-TV connection, but to catch
your favorite shows, a coaxial cable is needed. The Piersons have one with a
high-grade RG-6 cable that extends 25 feet to link the RV’s cable inlet to the
campsite’s cable connection.

 11. TIRE CHOCKS

Trailer wheels must be stabilized so they don’t move when the RV is parked and
unhitched. Chocks for this purpose come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and
they deploy in different ways. Because the Bullet’s tandem axles are widely
spaced, the Piersons use a pair of extended-width chocks.

 12. LEVELING BLOCKS

Even paved campsites aren’t always level. For trailers that don’t have an
automatic leveling system, blocks may be needed to raise some of the tires to
get the RV on an even plane. Using wood blocks is an option, but the Piersons
opted for a set of 10 heavy-duty polypropylene levelers. They stack the blocks
as needed in front of the tires, then Ron slowly tows the trailer onto them.

 13. JACK PADS

Jack pads are important RV accessories, particularly if you camp on soil, grass
or sand. The pads create a larger footprint that spreads out the load of the
trailer’s tongue jack and stabilizers to prevent them from sinking into soft
ground or damaging paved surfaces. The Piersons bought a pack of four
lightweight polypropylene pads with built-in handles.

 14. TOOLBOX

Lorisa and Ron recommend getting a big enough toolbox to hold the hand tools,
hardware and spare parts needed for the trailer, truck and hitch, keeping
everything in one place. Some truck owners install a locking toolbox in the
front of the cargo bed for this purpose. Among other things, the Piersons’
toolbox holds extra L-pins for the sway-control brackets on their hitch and
spare safety pins for the hitch coupler, which they’ve learned from experience
to have on hand.



 15. TRASH BIN

New RVers often resort to hanging grocery bags from doorknobs or cabinet pulls
to hold trash, but Lorisa went with a more elegant solution: a collapsible frame
that holds plastic kitchen bags. Topped with a lid, the trash-bag holder folds
to an easy-to-store size for travel and sets up instantly, indoors or out.

 16. DISH DRAINER

For drying just-washed pots, pans and tableware, Lorisa found a smartly designed
rack that pops up for doing dishes and folds flat for traveling. The rack has a
movable spout so water drains into the sink, not onto the counter.

 17. DISH-TOWEL RACK

For hanging kitchen towels, Lorisa discovered a clear-plastic rack that hooks
over a drawer or cabinet door. The rack extends out far enough that damp towels
don’t touch the wood cabinetry.

 18. KITCHEN MAT

An anti-fatigue floor mat keeps the Piersons on their toes while doing meal prep
and washing dishes. The cushy PVC mat not only makes their feet and legs
happier, it keeps the kitchen floor dry.

 19. BATH MAT

To keep the bathroom floor from getting soaked, the Piersons roll out a thin but
absorbent microfiber mat. Unlike most residential bath mats, this one dries
quickly and doesn’t take up much space when stored.

 20. SHOWER ROD

Although the Piersons’ trailer has a decent-size shower, a little more elbow
room is always welcome, so they installed a cleverly designed rod that extends
the shower curtain outward. When no one is showering, the rod folds out of the
way and doubles as a place to hang damp towels, swimsuits and laundry.

 21. BATH-TOWEL HOOKS

Even with the shower rod doing double duty, the Piersons still didn’t have
enough spots for wet towels in the bathroom. Clipping a couple of inexpensive
plastic hooks on top of the bathroom door remedied that.

 22. BATHROOM STORAGE

The Bullet’s bathroom door also holds a hanging shoe organizer, but it’s not for
shoes. The 15 clear-plastic pockets house brushes, a blow dryer and other
bathroom essentials that don’t fit in the medicine cabinet.

 23. TOILET PAPER

Quick-dissolving toilet paper is strongly recommended for RV use, and the
Piersons take no chances. They stock up on a name-brand RV-friendly two-ply that
is 100 percent biodegradable.

 24. SCREEN-DOOR HANDLE

The Piersons were so impressed with the push bar on the screen door of a
neighboring RV, they bought one to install on their trailer. The sturdy
aftermarket handle not only makes coming and going easier, it protects the
fragile screen

 25. OUTDOOR TABLES

Next to the Bullet’s outdoor kitchen, the Piersons line up a couple of folding
tables for dishing up meals, stacking supplies and plugging in appliances. The
space-saving tables not only have legs that telescope and collapse, the tops
fold in half to fit in a storage compartment.

 26. CAMP CHAIRS

Outdoor seating is essential for happy camping, and the Piersons wouldn’t be
without their folding rockers. Whether they rock or not, camp chairs should be
comfortable, sturdy, weather-resistant and collapsible for storage.

 27. SIDE TABLES

After setting up their rockers, the Piersons arrange a couple of small tables
within arm’s reach for snacks, drinks and cell phones. A familiar site at RV
campgrounds, these folding tables stand up to the elements and lay flay for
storage.

 28. FIRE PIT

Gathering around a crackling fire is the classic camping experience, but the
Piersons aren’t keen on hauling firewood or cleaning up ash. Instead, they pack
a portable fire pit that connects to a propane cylinder and lights up under a
bed of lava rocks.

 29. GRIDDLE

Frying up bacon and flipping pancakes outside is another camping tradition
that’s made easier with technology. For mouthwatering outdoor meals anytime, the
Piersons travel with a portable table-top griddle. Theirs is propane-powered,
and Lorisa says, “It’s the best thing ever!” Ron even takes part in a Facebook
group that shares outdoor-griddle recipes and photos.

 30. ICE-MAKER

While a portable ice-maker won’t be on every RVer’s list of essential equipment,
it’s a must for the Pierson family. They chose a relatively compact
stainless-steel model that plugs into a 120-volt AC power source and doesn’t
take up much space on the kitchen counter or an outdoor table. It cranks out up
to 25 pounds of frosty cubes a day, enough to keep everyone’s drinks on ice.

BONUS TIP

The Piersons swear by a bargain cleaning brand most folks have never heard of:
LA’s Totally Awesome. The all-purpose cleaner works like a champ in RV kitchens
and bathrooms, as well as on patio awnings, outdoor furniture and plenty of
other places. Lorisa calls it “the deal of the century” because it sells for
just $1 at Dollar Tree, Dollar General, Family Dollar and 99 Cents Only Stores.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Do you have an essential RV accessory that didn’t make the Pierson family’s
must-have list? Let us know at info-tl@goodsam.com.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


> READERS RESPOND

My fave all-time must-haves are an assortment of 3M Command stick-on hooks. I do
recommend that you wipe down the area with alcohol to get a good stick. The
clean removability is so important. Just love them.
Shara Mooney

You can add a broom or small vacuum to the list of needed items. It would be
pretty hard to keep the floor clean without something to get rid of dirt, sand,
etc.
Roy and Mary Fralick

I pack a green hose for flushing the holding tanks.
James Crockett

Don’t forget to pack a large box of Patience! RV camping can be a lot of work
and headaches for the new RVer, and for the experienced as well sometimes! Bring
a bag of Ask-for-Help as well. The RV community is more than happy to help with
advice and assistance for newbies and oldies — nicest group of folks we have
come to love and appreciate. Happy and safe camping everyone!
David Morris

I agree with most of this list of things that make camping, well, possible. The
Piersons did some good “homework”! Yet, as a retired civil engineer and
water-utility manager, I take issue with the first one, the water-pressure
regulator. The orifices in these little devices may help somewhat in controlling
residual water pressure — the pressure that exists at their outlets while the
water is flowing. They will certainly reduce the water flow rate. However,
they cannot control the static water pressure — the pressure that exists when
water flow is shut off by faucets, etc., downstream. If the static water
pressure is too high for the PEX water-piping system in the RV, a leak will
result. There are pressure-control valves out there, but they’re complicated
and, therefore, heavy and expensive.
Larry Anderson

Be careful using LA’s Totally Awesome. My husband used it for cleaning the
linoleum floor in our small motorhome. Unfortunately, it made the floor very
slick. I had a pair of leather-soled slippers on one evening, and my foot went
right out from under me and I landed on my tailbone. I spent a miserable rest of
the trip, and the discomfort lasted months. I am now wiser and using only
rubber-soled slippers and shoes in the RV. Much safer!
Veronica Gates

LA’s Totally Awesome in the spray bottle should be diluted. You would think a
product in a spray bottle would be ready for use. Straight is way too powerful
and can damage paint and other things. The drop in black-tank chemicals are for
a 40-gallon holding tank or bigger, so make sure you read instructions for usage
and know the capacity of your tank.
Brad Downs

I’m a huge fan of the Totally Awesome product. Have been using it for a couple
of years. Works fantastic for removing bugs from the front of your vehicle.
Spray on and let it sit for about 5 minutes, and with a light scrub they are
gone.
Mark York

A cordless drill or impact driver with a socket for stabilizer jacks.
Dan Tull

Do not use a battery impact on your stabilizes. Use a battery drill. The impact
will cause the screw to chatter more and wear out faster.
Paul Rogala

I carry a couple pieces of rain gutter to lay in the sewer centipede to avoid
kinking of the sewer hose. A few quick disconnects for water hoses and a
Y-splitter to allow extra hoses to be hooked up. We use motorcycle-helmet bungee
nets to secure kitchen-counter items. Motion-sensing LEDs in the cabinets and
closets. Folding step stools to reach high cabinets. Sticky tack (removable
adhesive putty) to hang laminated photos and cards. A compact printer and a
laminator. Lexan strips or cookie sheets in cabinets to prevent cans falling out
after you travel.
Wayne Mortimore

A 12-inch-square piece of perforated rubber mat under your block/pad to catch
the dirt and mud. A quick shake, and it’s clean.
Gary Wils

I love having an Ettore Grip ‘n Grab to pick up trash in the camp area and put
it in trash bags. Taking walks and picking up trash is what I do.
Larry Darnell

I have a large metal tray with handles on each end, purchased for less than $15
at Walmart. I load it up with items I am carrying out to the picnic table for a
meal and use it again to reduce the number of trips back inside for cleanup. We
also make a lot of foil-packet meals on the campfire, and because the tray is
metal, it is great for putting those hot packets on straight from the fire.
Evelyn Horton

I have a Maglite flashlight in a wall-mounted holder in the “garage” (RV storage
compartment) for quick access while outside. I also have a mini Maglite in the
kitchen drawer along with one in the bedroom in case we wake up in the middle of
the night with no power.
Russ Lake

A long cable and a lock for bikes, generators or anything else that you don’t
want to walk away.
dhlineman

Thanks for all the tips. We still have a couple more to tick off, but we have a
great start. I added a small Shark vacuum, and it really helps. Doesn’t take up
a lot of space, not too noisy and works on hard floors as well as carpet. Great
for camping trips, especially with fur babies! LA Totally Awesome is just that —
awesome! I have the concentrate, but I’m going to grab a bottle of the spray
before we hit the road again.
Angel

Although you have a portable griddle on the list, I was surprised that you do
not have a portable barbecue grill. They are a must-have. I own a Weber that is
small, lightweight and easy to store. A picnic-table cover is a bonus.
Dave Adams

1) Distilled water for battery. 2) Auto-wiring repair kit. 3) Hitch-coupler
lock. 4) Hidden spare key for the door. 5) Stick-on solar light with motion
sensor. 6) Can of spray lube. 7) Portable solar panel and controller. 8)
Portable air compressor (my Ryobi 18-volt works great and uses the same battery
as my drill. I use it on the stabilizer jacks and my portable fan). 9) Voltage
tester. 10) Self-priming water hose and 5-gallon jug(s) to fill water tank. 11)
Large reusable tie-wraps for hose, electrical cord, coax cable, etc. 12) Bungee
cords. 13) Hydraulic jack for tire changes. 14) Small tool kit. 15) Small roll
of EternaBond tape for roof repair. 16) Auto duster mop used on inside and
outside surfaces.
Roy Bishop

I would recommend a 30-amp or 50-amp power extension cord, depending on what
power you have on your rig. Sometimes that pedestal receptacle is too far away.
You won’t need to move your rig closer after you’ve leveled it, plus it allows
you not to have to pull your rig’s cord all the way out. Just expose the plug
and use the extension.
John

Adjustable spring-loaded bars are great to keep things from moving in the
refrigerator.
Lon Dodd

I have a motorhome with doors that lock in at the bottom of the door. In the
past the door would unlock if we hit a bump. The door wood slam open and close.
Now we use extendable spring-loaded fridge/shelf bars to put between the door
and the doorjamb when locked in the open mode — nice and fairly tight to keep
them open. We haven’t had a problem since using them.
Susan Allain

One great item to add to your list when camping at sites with full hookups is
one of the cleaning robots from i-Robot or other brands. These are great for
keeping the inside of your rig clean and are especially recommended if you have
kids that are constantly tracking in dirt and sand. My wife won’t go glamping
without it.
Dan H.

I like a portable clothesline that attaches to the back bumper on the
trailer. Then when we leave, we just roll up the posts and store. For covering
the picnic table, I got flannel-backed plastic tablecloth material. I cut the
cloth larger than most picnic tables, and I fold it under if it’s too long. Same
thing for bench-seat covers. Easy to clean off.

Karen Sharp

A child-size broom stores in little space and does well in our small camper. We
also have drawstring bags that I make to carry bath essentials to showers at
camp.
Kay O.

Along with the angle hose connector and pressure regulator, an attachment for
connecting a spigot makes it very easy to connect a 5-foot green hose from the
spigot to the flush connector on my black water tank. Since the spigot is
adjacent to an access storage compartment, I keep hand soap, paper towels and
disposable gloves within reach for cleanup after washing up sewer pipes when
packing down to head home.
Gary F.

I use a tension rod (curtain or shower) in my RV’s shower to hang items. I can
easily take it down when not in use.
Barbara Altevers

Installing a good-quality (metal) water Y (with shutoffs for each direction)
after the water-pressure regulator will let you aim and control the built-up
pressure — so you don’t get “sprayed on” disconnecting your water hose.
Harry Ward

I find outdoor rugs help tremendously, especially when there is little or no
paving at the site. Avoid rubber-backed rugs, as they retain moisture, and the
dirt or sand does not sift through. They reduce the dirt tracked in and provide
a clean surface for all the activity just outside the RV. A small blower is also
helpful in the final cleanup before breaking camp. This avoids rolling up the
dirt and taking it home!
Bernadine Ploeger

A two-burner camp stove. I bought one because the outdoor kitchen stove is small
and does not handle larger skillets and Dutch ovens, which I use often. I bought
a hose with a quick-disconnect that plugs into the trailer’s RV gas manifold.
Also, cooking outside prevents heating up the trailer on warmer days and
prevents grease from settling on surfaces inside your trailer.
David E. Weller

Buying chemicals for your holding tank can be very expensive. We use the Unique
brand. Chemicals and other supplies can be bought at considerably lower prices
on Amazon. We bought our RV at a dealership, and the salesman actually told us
not to buy supplies at their store.
Mary M.

We have a first-aid kit in our motorhome at all times. You never know when a
bandage could be used.
Dale Badger

Best cooker for small RV trailer: Kuraidori induction cooktop.
Dennis Mercier

We bring a small leaf blower to blow off the awning and trailer top when we are
under lots of trees.
Christine Hearn

A Garmin RV GPS is a must for anyone who can afford it. If you put in your
destination, not only will it get you there, but it will direct you there in a
way that won’t go under any low bridges that would rip your A/C units and
satellite dish off your RV. An absolute must is a tire-pressure indicator for
your RV and your tow vehicle. It could save your life, your family’s life, and
anyone else on the road that you could hit if your tire blew out from too high
or too low of pressure.
Barry Wilson

Extra batteries for flashlights, etc., and a pen and pad of paper for making a
list of supplies you found you need. And don’t forget to take rabies-shot
certificates obtained from the vet for your fur-babies. Also, there is a Rescue
Pet Inside sign you can place in one of your windows, should you be gone and,
heaven forbid, a power outage occurs with your animals inside a hot camper!
Dana L. Bradley

We love the bungee assortment we bought from Home Depot. About $12 for 30 of
them. We’ve used sizes and configurations we never would have thought to buy
individually.
Cindy

One great item to add to your camping list when camping at sites with full
hookups is one of the cleaning robots (i.e. i-Robot or other brands). These are
great for keeping the inside of your rig clean and is especially recommended if
you have kids that are constantly tracking in dirt and sand! My wife won’t go
glamping without it!
Glamper Dude

1) We use an Atomic Beam lantern to light up the campsite. 2) I put the male
part of a brass quick-connect pair on the brass elbow attached to the camper
water inlet and put the female part on the water hose. Connecting the water hose
to the camper no longer means rubbing my knuckles against the camper. Also, it
does not leak. 3) I put screw-on quick-connects on my TV cable for the same
reason. You just have to be sure you have enough distance so it does not slip
off. 4) I like the idea of the drill-powered air compressor. 5) I bought five
stands from Harbor Freight to use with my jack stands instead of trying to place
a stack of blocks in the right position. Works great.
Harry Holden

Mud dauber screens to protect your refrigerator and heater vents and air intakes
if you live in or are spending any time in Texas.
Linda and Tom Warmuth

Here’s a great idea if you’re wanting to hang a number of photos and find
yourself with limited space. Think about adding digital picture frames around
your RV. It’s a great way to not only have pictures of your family and
grandkids, but those beautiful captured moments of landscape, sunsets and other
outdoor life moments all in one. Another priceless item is a pair of flat-tooth
Vise-Grips. These are pliers that can be locked into position for stubborn rusty
bolts or repairs. The rounded kind tend to strip and round out a bolt, where the
flat-tooth one helps to keep its intended shape.

Greg Slade

Two or more large RV outdoor mats (8’x16’ or bigger) for the “patio” area just
outside your rig.
Carrie Davis

Folding outdoor carpet/mat made from polypropylene. These keep the under-awning
area cleaner and drier while providing a nice place for kids and pets to relax
on the ground. They also help cut down on dirt being tracked inside the
RV. Mallet for driving stakes to hold down the outdoor carpet, folding pet/kid
pen, awning guy line, volleyball-net guy lines, horseshoe pins, etc. Folding
camp shovel for use with campfires/coals when Dutch-oven cooking and campsite
cleanup. Lightweight, above-ground fire bowl with folding or collapsing legs.
For use when or where fires are permitted but no ground fires are permitted, or
when the campfire pit that’s provided at your site is located so far away it’s
impractical. Real wheel chocks (as in wedges) that will prevent your RV from
rolling away when you’re parked on a slope. Those X-type chocks can help
stabilize your towable RV, but don’t depend on them to keep the vehicle from
rolling away. I had my travel trailer roll several feet up against a tree one
time when I had them installed and tightened as tight as possible.
Calvin Wing

Make a checklist of food, clothing and gear to use when loading the RV at the
beginning of the season. This is one way of not forgetting those essentials like
dish soap or cooking oil. I put mine into a computer file so I can print it and
check it off each time we load up. I also made a checklist of things to do
before leaving home — redirecting mail, canceling newspaper delivery, etc.
Sheilah Stelmaschuk

Good article. While we don’t live full time in our RV, these are excellent
ideas. We have always used Corelle dishes without problems, but when they break,
they break! Our closet shelf fell down while on the road, and the plates flew
out. There were parts from front to back in our 30-foot motorhome. What a mess!
Kite Mille

Security suggestion. RV locks are not secure. Too often your neighbor’s key will
work on your trailer’s door! I installed tubular-key Camco locks on my exterior
storage compartments and a Kwikset SmartKey low-profile single-cylinder deadbolt
on my door. A “special” and much more costly RV-specific dead-bolt lock is not
required. I successfully installed the residential-type lock on my trailer and
on a friend’s trailer as well. Just measure the thickness of your trailer door
(must be more than 1-inch thick to work) and check the specs for the lock
online, and you’ll discover I’m right.  You’ll sleep better at night and drive
away from your trailer with one less worry.
Mike Sanders

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