Weather you have an RV or are getting ready to purchase one, there are some things you will need to have on hand right from the start. Sure there are thousands of fancy gadgets and gizmos that would be nice to have and can be purchased down the road, but if you are just looking to get your RV out there as soon as possible, we have made a quick and easy list of the “must-have RV items you will need right from the start”.
1. Wheel Chocks
Wheel chocks are probably the most important item you will need before you ever even unhitch from your tow vehicle. There are several different makes and models but we really like the Maxxhaul Solid Rubber Heavy Duty Wheel Chocks. They come in a 2 pack and come in different sizes. We use the 8’’ x 4’’x 6’’ pair because, well, we’d rather have too much than too little. The heavy-duty rubber provides solid traction and the all-weather material helps to keep your RV secure in any climate. We have personally seen people crush those smaller plastic chocks, which is why we highly recommend investing in something more durable like the Maxxhaul Solid Rubber Heavy Duty Wheel Chocks.
2. Leveling Blocks
Not all camping spots are level. You will need to have some way of leveling your RV side-to-side and front-to-back. The biggest reason for this is that many refrigerators will not work properly if the camper is too unlevel and it could even damage it permanently. Not to mention, it’s just not comfortable when you feel like you are leaning to one side when you are sitting, sleeping, or walking around. Now, different RVs require different modes of how get them level. We have a bumper-pull travel trailer and we use the Andersen Levelers to level our RV side-to-side. They are easy to use, light weight, and can lift one side of the RV between ½’’ and 4’’ increments. This has been the only thing we have needed to level our RV side-to-side since we started using them. They work that well. Be sure to pick up a set of these for easy set-up. We also suggest picking up a set of Camco Heavy Duty Leveling Blocks for under the nose jack since, we have a travel trailer. This is what you will use to level your travel trailer front-to-back. If you have a 5th wheel or Class A RV, these can still be useful under your stabilizer jacks or tires for those tricky spots.
3. Sewer Hoses and Connections
Now to talk about the elephant in the room…poop. We all do it and at some point, you’re going to have to dump it. This is not the time to skimp on the accessories needed to make your dump successful. We have used several different brands, sizes, and models but we have come to the conclusion that we like the Rhino Extreme 20-foot Sewer Hose Kit. It seems to be the most well-put-together kit for the price. This kit includes (2) 10-foot hose sections with built in swivel bayonet and lug fittings, (1) transparent elbow with 4-in-1 adapter, (1) translucent swivel wye fitting and (4) storage caps. Depending on your particular RV, you may need to add an extension hose for those far-to-reach sewer inlets. We also recommend picking up a Camco Flexible 3-in-1 Sewer Adapter Hose Seal.
This allows for a nice, tight seal when you hook the hoses up to the sewer inlet. Trust us, you don’t want any leaks. While we are at it, some campgrounds require your sewer hoses to be elevated up off the ground so we also suggest throwing in a Camco 20 ft Sidewinder RV Sewer Hose Support.
This light weight contraption will keep your hoses up off of the ground and it folds up nice and compact when not in use.
4. Water Hoses
Water is obviously essential, so we want to make sure you get hooked up with something that is light-weight, kink-free, and safe to use for drinking water. The 50 ft Teknow Apex Zero-G RV & Marine Hose is perfect for your RV. It is lead safe, 42% lighter than a standard drinking hose, flexible but durable, and rated safe for drinking water. We opted for a 100ft hose because sometimes the spigots are just out of reach and that extra length comes in handy, but you can decide what length works best for you.
5. Water Filter
Speaking of water, you are going to want to trust us on this one; a water filter is a MUST if you are planning on staying in campgrounds. We have stayed at hundreds of campgrounds and they are notorious for having terribly dirty water. You have several options for filters. There are some pretty expensive ones that are great, but there are also some quality filters that are affordable too. One that we recommend is the Beech Lane External RV Dual Water Filter System. We started out using one of those cheap blue Camco water filters that screw on to the hose but we quickly realized that it wasn’t going to cut it. Weather you plan on drinking the water or not, a quality filter will extend the life and cleanliness of your pipes and your holding tanks. The Beech Lane Water Filter System has a lifetime manufacturer warranty because it was constructed for rugged outdoor use. It includes 5 Micron and 0.5 Micron filters to filter out large particles like sand and dirt as well as smaller particles like chlorine. This system is affordable and so are the replacement filters.
6. Surge Protector
Now that you’ve made an investment into your RV, you want to protect it from electrical issues just like you’d want to protect it from water damage or accidental damage. A good surge protector is the best way to protect your electrical system from power surges and low voltage issues. We’ve stayed at numerous campgrounds, RV parks, and resorts that had bad power issues and our surge protector has saved us from thousands of dollars-worth of damage. If you have a 50 amp RV, we recommend the Surge Guard 50 amp Portable Wireless Surge Guard (34951) by Technology Research Corp. This guard protects from faulty park power and low and high frequency surges. It also comes with a built-in anti-theft lock ring. If you have a 30 amp RV we recommend the Surge Guard 30 amp Portable Wireless Surge Guard (34931) by Technology Research Corp.
We like this brand because we have put it to the test numerous times and it has protected our RV every single time. We know there are cheaper options out there, but considering you spent tens of thousands of dollars on your RV, a good surge protector is worth protecting your rig.
Be Prepared Right From The Start There are dozens of items you can purchase for your RV to make your experiences more enjoyable and upgrades you can do to simplify things. Just be sure to snag the items on this list first. They are the most crucial items to have a successful RV experience. Blog Written By:Jodi & Corey F. |
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We are fulltime Rvers who enjoy sharing the journey. That includes travel, gear reviews and anything else we find that can help others get the most out of RV Life and Travel.
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