Top Must Have RV Essentials for New RVers
When beginning your journey into the RV lifestyle, whether it is for full-time or casual, it is important to have the right tools on board. My husband and I were luckily not new to RVing and worked out the new RV essentials kinks with our first RV in 2016. When we decided to enter the lifestyle for a second time, we already knew which items were important and which items could wait. These are our Top Must Have RV Essentials for New RVers.
Top Must Have RV Essentials for Outside the RV
Essential for RV Tires/RV Jacks
Heavy-Duty Leveling Blocks
Leveling Blocks allow you to stack interlocking blocks to the desired height for safe and easy leveling. Blocks can be used for single wheels, dual wheels, hydraulic jacks, stabilizer jacks, 5th wheel jacks, and tandem axles. Some manufactures provide carrying compact storage units to keep your bay neat and tidy. My husband and I purchased these for underneath our leveling jacks; however, we have been known to use them when we are dry camping without a concrete pad underneath the RV.
Tire Locking Wheel Stabilizers
Tire Locking Wheel Stabilizers lock wheels in place by applying force to both tires. They also aid in trailer stabilization and prevents the tires from shifting. My husband and I purchased wheel stabilizers not only for their stabilization and decrease in bounce within the RV, but also for RV security. We have placed locks within the stabilizer, so they cannot be removed unless the lock is taken off. Great buy for those interested in RV security.
Wheel Chocks
Wheel chocks are designed to keep your trailer or motorhome in place and reduce the risk of the RV from shifting when you re-hitch. Many come constructed with either durable hard plastic with UV inhibitors or reinforced rubber to provide a better grip on many different surfaces. These are great for extra security from shifting tires.
Surge Guard Portable Model with LCD Display
Surge Guard protectors offers power surge protection by continuously monitoring for voltage and amp draws. These devices can reverse the polarity protecting your RV from costly surges. The plug-in sits between the power pedestal and the line cord from your RV and come in many different voltages including 30 amp and 50 amp. Surge Guards can be expensive, but definitely worth the investment.
Essential for RV Water Supply
Fresh Water RV Hose
A Fresh Water RV Hose is an important to have while RVing. It’s one of the most important ways you can get fresh water into your RV. My husband and I always purchase lead-free, never kink hoses that comply with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. This makes our drinking water safe with FDA sanction approved materials.
Inline Water Filter
Inline water filters for RVs can last all season if you purchase a larger capacity RV water filter. Granular Activated Carbon Filters can reduce bad taste, odors, chlorine, and sediment in your drinking water and RV water tanks. My husband and I have purchased this device repeatedly in our RV Travels and have always been satisfied with the taste of our water and the quality of our shower water.
Lead-Free Adjustable Water Regulator
Adjustable water regulators with full-flow design can help achieve maximum water flow within your RV. Many come pre-set at 45 psi and shields your RV water systems from unregulated water pressures. This is another important purchase that is not as costly as the surge guard protector. I have heard many stories from individuals whose RV water lines blew out due to high water pressures.
90 Degree Hose Elbow
Hose elbows prevent hoses from crimping and straining between your RV and fresh water hose. My husband and I purchased this our first year RVing after our hose broke from the RV causing massive amounts of water to leak overnight. You can only imagine the water bill that month. We could have saved ourselves the trouble had we purchased this $4 elbow.
Essential for RV Black Tanks/Gray Tanks
Blank Tank/Grey Tank Clean Out Hose
Blank tank/gray tank clean out hoses provide easy flushing of your tanks without the risk of cross contamination with your fresh water hose. We purchased the RhinoFLEX 25’ Grey Water Hose for its bright orange appearance making it easier to differentiate our fresh water hose from our clean out hose.
RV Sewer Hose Kit
RV Sewer Hose Kits are another important item you need to buy immediately after purchasing your RV. It is the one subject no one wants to talk about but it’s important to note that the poop in your RV has to go somewhere. My husband and I recommend purchasing the kit if you are new to the RV lifestyle as it will come with mostly everything you need to connect your sewer hose to your RV. We purchased Camco’s RhinoFLEX Sewer Hose Kit for its sturdy polyolefin reinforced design with steel wire for an ultra-tough hose.
Grey Water Treatment/Deodorizer Tablets
Grey water treatment tablets control odor and dissolve grease/organic sludge build-up in the drain lines from the sink/shower to the grey tank. My husband and I just purchased this product for the first time this year and have noticed a difference in the smell of our tanks and the flow of the water. We will continue to use the product and write a better review of it later on this year.
Black Water Treatment/Deodorizer Tablets
Black water treatment tablets control odors and break down solids in the waste tank. These tablets quickly liquefy toilet paper and are completely safe for the environment. My husband and I have been using the product for years and it has made a major difference. If you have never lived in an RV during the hot summer months in Florida, then you have never experienced the stink that is your black water tanks. Trust me and purchase these tablets.
Top Must Have RV Essentials for Inside the RV
Essential for Inside your RV
Compact Dehumidifier
Dehumidifiers safely and effectively removes moisture from inside your RV and prevents dampness/mold from accumulating. It’s important to note that the inside of an RV is not known for their ventilation. Moisture inside the RV can effect the walls and floors and its important limit the moisture by keeping the RV from developing mold. My husband and I purchased an energy efficient dehumidifier that covers up to 150 square feet of our RV and is quieter than most.
Oxygenics RV Shower Head
Purchasing an RV Shower Head with appropriate pressure for your RV Shower can be tricky. Oxygenics seems to have covered the market for RV appropriate shower heads that have flow control and never clog technology. My husband and I have been in several different RV stores and have only seen these showerheads, but for good reason. They provide better water flow in our shower and with an adjustable hose.
RV Vent Cushions
During times of summer or winter, it can ultimately effect the temperature inside the RV regardless of air conditioning efficiency. My husband and I purchased RV Vent Cushions simply for their effectiveness of preventing heat loss during the winter and increasing our air conditioning effectiveness during the hot summer months. Some even come with a reflective shield on the back for added protection.
Lots of Assorted Blade Fuses
I know I am not the only one who has experienced power loss within their RV by either having too many things plugged in at once or just tripping a breaker. Our first night in our new to us RV, we tripped the entire RV and needed to purchase a replacement fuse. We went to the local Lowes and purchase one fuse for five dollars. We later learned it is better to purchase these fuses online or at an automotive store. We purchased a large assortment of fuses online with amazon because we knew whether it is our vehicle or RV we are covered.