The happiest RV travelers are the most prepared campers—which is why we compiled a list of our favorite RV accessories. These RV gadgets are missing from every new RV until you add them yourself. Somehow, dealers have a way of forgetting the most essential items, even essentials for plumbing hygiene!
Whether you are a RV camping newbie, a seasoned full-time RVer, or just an occasional camper, we’ve got you covered with all things collapsible, solar powered, and miniature but mighty (think: efficient electrical systems, water tanks, and more.)
Here are our 14 favorite RV camping accessories and trailer accessories for your next RV adventure:
RV Kitchen Accessories:
Instant Pot: A must-have for the home cook, whether you live in a mansion—or like to explore the national parks in a motorhome. Instant Pots (or any similar device) are small, heavy-duty, and do the work of a stove, oven, and slow cooker but in less time, without hot spots, and while barely raising the temperature of your RV kitchen. Plus, there’s no limit to the amount of free Instant Pot recipes available online.
We recommend cooking up some taco meat, simmering a stew, or even baking a cake! Shop our favorite Instant Pot before your next trip.
Propane: RV travels usually mean that your refrigerator, stove burners, water heaters, and furnaces are powered by propane tanks. Because you want your propane to last as long as possible, we recommend an insulated design which allows for better fuel efficiency. (Some reviewers claim this type of insulation will make a propane tank last up to five times longer than the average single-use propane tank.)
Designed for pain-free hookup and easy transportation, we confidently recommend the insulated Ignik Refillable Gas Growler. Plus, you can refill the tank for the price of a single-use propane tank. You’ll be saving the planet as you explore nature.
Fire Pit: A camping trip is never complete without a good old fashioned campfire. It’s the perfect way to roast hot dogs or marshmallows while easing into your favorite camping chair. But, we don’t mind a few modernizing innovations—like a fire pit that burns clean, leaves little to no ash, and prevents your clothes and hair from smelling like smoke.
The Solo Bonfire is our go-to choice because of all the above, but also because it’s easy to use, requires no assembly, and is designed for easy transportation thanks to its handy stabilizer. Plus, cleaning up is easy—simply turn it upside down to remove any trace amount of ash (once cooled, of course) and then stash it in its carrying case while you journey to your next destination.
Water Filter: Campgrounds and RV parks often carry fresh water from a drinking water hose—which is why we recommend a water filter while RV camping. A simple search on Amazon will bring up more than 10,000 results—but we’ve narrowed it down to just one. We think the best RV water filter is practically unbreakable (easy to transport on even the bumpiest roads), reliable (gets rid of odor, chlorine, and sediments), and easy to use (hassle-free is the only way to travel).
The Camco TastePURE Camper/RV Water Filter & Hose Protector hooks up easily to your fresh water hose to seamlessly pump good, clean, filtered water into your camper throughout your camping trip. (This water filter is great for any RV—including RV pop-ups!)
Plumbing RV Accessories:
Rhino Flex: Planning a long camping trip means getting comfortable with dumping sewage—but this is impossible to do without a proper RV sewer hose, like the Rhino Flex. Your black water tank holds all the RV waste and toilet paper and it needs to get dumped at intervals.
A simple Rhino Flex kit will let you drain your waste in five minutes. It’s heavy duty—something you need when dealing with human waste—and it comes with storage caps for each hose end to prevent dirty water from leaking into your RV storage bin. Plus, the transparent elbow fitting with a 4-in-1 adapter lets you see when the black tank is properly flushed out and clean.
Find the Rhino Flex kit on Amazon or Camco—and spend less time cleaning up your RV and more time RVing.
Pro Tip: Keep your RV sewer hose out of the dirt and debris with a sewer hose support that lifts your RV sewer hose off the ground. And: consider using a holding tank treatment when you flush your black tank to eliminate odors and keep things sparkling.
Navigation & Camp Setup Accessories:
Leveling Blocks: Every RV trip entails campground setup, which usually begins with RV leveling. These leveling systems need to be purchased separately from your dealer, and while some RVers opt for planks of wood to keep their camper level, we recommend purchasing leveling blocks that are specifically designed to withstand the elements.
Why do you need to be level? A properly leveled camper will allow your refrigerator to function properly (and keep items from sliding off the counter!). Our favorite pair of leveling blocks are Camco’s Leveling Hydraulic option. They are a solid, sturdy, and fairly inexpensive choice. However, many campers love this wedge design for an easy and intuitive fix for lopsided vehicles. These wedges are more expensive but they last a long time, come with chocks, and are easy to set up.
Chocks: Before detaching your truck from your travel trailer, it’s important to turn on your emergency brakes and add your chocks to prevent your travel trailer from rolling down the hill. You’ll want to securely place the chocks along the tire at the incline. In other words, place the chocks on the side that the travel trailer could slide towards. After you do this, it’s safe to detach your tow vehicle from your travel trailer.
Typically, you’ll want to use one chock per tire for heavy trailers and RVs (using four chocks total), but you may get away with only using two chocks for smaller trailers or fifth wheels. We think these chocks are a great option.
RV GPS: Usually an afterthought in RV gear, we highly recommend an RV-specific GPS unit. While using your cell phone’s Google Maps app might work, we see campers saving time and skipping unnecessary hassles with a GPS that will tell you which roads have weight limits and which bridges are low clearance. Plus, you’ll learn where to stay, where to refuel, and where to get a repair. These devices also have larger screens than a typical cell phone, making it easier to see your map and preventing you from missing a turn.
We think the Garmin Navigator Display Preloaded Campgrounds is the best RV GPS option. We like that you can customize the settings with your camper’s size and weight which allows the GPS to find you the best route.
Do they have a RV GPS app? Yes! If spending large amounts of money on a RV GPS unit sounds unappealing, simply download the RV Trip Wizard to your smartphone. (Yearly memberships are a reasonable $49 per year.)
Surge Protector: Chances are you opt for a camper or motorhome because you like the amenity of electricity. But, without a properly installed surge protector, you run the risk of an electrical mishap from insufficient volts, surges in power, or dirty power. To protect your electrical system and your electronics, we recommend that you decide which surge protector is right for you.
There are portable and hardwired options available that services 30 amp or 50 amp systems. The hardwired surge protector requires a specialist to install while a portable surge protector is exposed to the elements. Whichever you select, remember to keep them maintained and up-to-date for a stress-free camping trip.
Water Pressure Regulator: This RV gadget is essential to protect your RV’s plumbing system from becoming overloaded, damaging your RV and leading to costly repairs. This happens when your campground’s water source or city water connection is too strong for your RV’s plumbing.
We recommend Camco’s RV Brass Inline Water Pressure Regulator. Made from high-end brass with CSA low-lead certification, the unit regulates RV plumbing to a PSI of 40 to 50. Plus, it’s one of the more affordable water pressure regulators.
Air Compressor: Another must have RV accessory is an air compressor because tire pressure varies with the changes in weather, temperature, or elevation.
We recommend a battery powered, rechargeable, and easily portable air compressor for a hassle-free tire checking experience. Plus, this air compressor’s powerful battery life ensures that you’ll never be without this tire pressure monitoring system.
Sleep Essentials:
Aurora Luxe: It’s no secret that even the most expensive and impressive RVs will only offer a lack-luster sleep space. The “mattress” is usually just a lumpy or lame pad of foam—which is why we recommend a luxury escape with our Aurora Luxe. This design is lightweight enough to carry with you on the open road while providing all the comforts of home. Plus, its cooling foam layers, dependable coils, and responsive bounce will make flopping into bed a pure joy.
Pro Tip: RV sleep spaces have unique dimensions, meaning that an RV Queen can measure slightly more or less than a regular mattress. To make it easy, check out our RV Mattress Sizes & Dimensions Guide.
Dreamfoam Essential: Your dreams are available at an ideal price with our crowd pleasing Dreamfoam Essential. Our comfort layer of gel memory foam is a luxury material that we are able to integrate into this affordable design thanks to our factory direct business model.
And: we have the most durable base foam to keep you sleeping soundly each night for the next ten years (and maybe even longer!). Plus, you’ll never hurt the inner foam thanks to our revolutionary Nano Stain Terminator that guards against dust, splashes, and spills.
Pro Tip: Your sleep is unique. Whether you are trying to cure back pain or hoping to get the best cooling sleep, we have you covered here: How To Choose the Best RV Mattress.
Luxury Cooling Pillow: Disturbed sleep is often because of too much body heat—which is why we recommend our Luxury Cooling Pillow. This pillow combats excess heat in both directions: the pin core ventilation draws excess heat away from your neck and shoulders and the cooling gel infusion pushes cool comfort your way. Summer sleep is about to get super sweet!
RV living comes with a few hurdles, but we are confident that with the best RV accessories and RV must-haves, your RV life will feel a big difference from even our smallest recommended item.
Happy travels on the open road! See you around the next bend.
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