There are so many different types of accessories and tools that you might want to consider bringing along on the road that there is no way to neatly summarize them. Look up “camper supplies” on Google and you’re going to come across lists that come close to housing a hundred entries. Some of them probably have more.
That’s partly because an RV, like a home, needs a lot of tools and accessories to keep everything running smoothly. The difference is that an RV is often out on the road where supplies can’t easily be replenished, and therefore there are some things that should be brought along as a safeguard.
Then again, not everything on this list is a tool or meant to be kept as a redundant safety measure. Some of them will maintain your RV over time, whereas others will simply allow you to more fully enjoy your time on the road. Check out some of these accessories that you would do well to bring on the road with you, and if you have any questions, you can always get in touch with us.
Awning and patio mats are great for bringing along on your trips for a number of great reasons. Not only will they simplify keeping things clean and enhance your comfort by keeping you off of the ground, but they will spruce up a space as well.
However, some of the greatest advantages of RV patio mats and awning mats come from their utility and not their aesthetics. Consider models like the Faulkner Reversible RV Patio Mats and Camco Reversible Awning Leisure Mats. Among these models, you can enjoy a suite of features that make them tough, comfortable as well as great at keeping dirt out from the inside of your RV.
Both of these mats and others have woven designs that allow snow and rain to drain right through them, helping to keep you off of the ground as well. They’re also very light and mold and mildew resistant. They can be folded up tightly and stored out of the way until they are needed.
Even though they are resistant to mold and mildew, cleaning them is easy; both of them can be cleaned with soap and water and allowed to dry before storing; and they dry quickly. They also have grommets that make it easy to stake down the mats in areas where they might be pulled up or blown away. Many of them even have reversible sides and are treated specially so as to afford a measure of UV protection to prevent sun damage.
One more thing to keep in mind is that some mats don’t just help you by keeping dirt out of the RV by clearing it off of the bottoms of your shoes. Some of them allow dirt, sand, grass, and debris to filter through one way but not come up through the bottom. This streamlines maintenance while enhancing your comfort as well.
Generators and Solar Panels
Think about your time out on the road in your RV. There are a lot of appliances in your RV that require power to use, and while you can disconnect from power from time to time and simply enjoy the great outdoors, there is still a lot in a motorhome that requires power to operate.
Some RVs can connect to a power supply in camp, for which purpose they would need to be well equipped with a heavy-duty power cable so that you could connect to power when you were parked in camp. With one of these, you can enjoy all of the creature comforts that your RV was intended to provide you with even when you were away from home.
However, for those times when you really go off the grid, even if you are in a formal “campsite” without power, there are still some occasions when you would like the peace of mind to produce some. There are a few ways to go about this, and two of the best are with the help of solar panels or with generators.
It’s not all about convenience, though. It’s a good idea to keep one of these systems around just in the event of an emergency. You might not actively have a need to use power, but knowing that you have the option should you need it will give you the ability to rest easy, even when you are out in the woods.
Water softeners are systems that really can be worth a lot to a camper, although, depending on where you live, they can be worth a lot in your home as well. For example, it’s fairly well known that a water softening system in a home with hard water can improve the taste, smell, look, and even feel of the water. Those who have showered with hard water will know that particularly hard water will leave their skin and hair feeling odd, for lack of a better term.
However, there is more to the value of a water softener than removing an undesirable smell or taste. A water softening system to remove minerals from the water will preserve your appliances, fixtures, and plumbing and even can prevent costly repairs.
Because RVs are constantly on the move and much of the country is plagued by hard water, it can be tough to predict just when and where an RV will hook up to a hard water source. Over time, hard water will cause scale buildup in your fixtures that will diminish the flow rate, cause ugly streaks on your appliances, and can cause damage too.
Meanwhile, you could just invest in an affordable water softening system for your RV in order to easily, conveniently, and passively prevent all of this. Many of them are easy and simple to hook up and need to be resupplied with resin only infrequently.
We’re not going to get into the specifics of what lights you can and can’t replace in your RV with LEDs, or how exactly you can do it. There are some retrofit LED light kits out there that make it possible for you to switch out incandescent and halogen fixtures for LEDs, but that is neither here nor there. This is simply about the value of light, and based on the fact that we have included flashlights in lists of critical RV accessories in the past, you accept that light is important.
On that note, then, the value of LED lights is that they are reliable, last for a very long time, and also draw almost no power. Let’s break this down a little further; if you are able to incorporate LED lights into your RV, you should do it.
LEDs significantly outlast all other forms of lighting, even forms of lighting like fluorescent lights that are renowned for their long lifespans. LEDs are also tough, resistant to changes in moisture and temperature, and light up instantly. Finally, as if you needed another bonus, LED lights draw very little power compared to any other light source, and will not tax an electrical system.
Check out our collection of LED lights via the link above to learn more about some product specifics, and if you have any questions, give our team a call.
Leveling Blocks
Leveling blocks are also pretty important RV accessories that you should probably have on hand, especially if your RV does not have a leveling system. Leveling blocks are designed to give you a steady, level surface, even on uneven ground.
This is another thing that has more to do with function than it has to do with comfort. Sure, you’ll enjoy your trip more if your RV isn’t slanted up a slope, but there’s more going on here.
If your RV is slanted for any extended length of time, it will put a huge amount of strain on the frame on the structure and it can also negatively impact the tires. In addition, if your RV has an absorption refrigerator, it is imperative that you only operate it on a level surface. If you don’t it will suffer irreparable damage and you will need to replace the refrigeration unit.
Leveling blocks are only one way you can level your RV, but there are a lot of situations in which they can come in handy. Check out our collection and call us if you have questions on use or product features.
Dish Cleaning Essentials
Most if not all RVs have a kitchen, and most if not all people enjoy at least one nice meal a day, even when on the road or in camp. The thing is, if you do cook, there’s going to be clean up, and clean up does not perform itself.
That means you will need to be prepared with rags and soap and preferably a place to keep drying dishes as well as a trash can for all of the waste. At the same time, it can be useful to have a pop up trashcan of sorts so that you have a place for trash you create when you’re on the go, especially if you are outside of your camper and in a camp kitchen.
It’s not that these types of things are specialty items, but be sure you are prepared with them before you hit the road since you might not be able to come by them on your way.
We don’t care whether you love gas or charcoal, speaking of cooking, you’ll want the chance to get outside from time to time, weather permitting. A grill will give you the chance to do some cooking out there in camp without the need to rely on your camper kitchen. Check out some of our models in our store and pick out one that works for you, even if it's just a little portable model.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Another system that doesn’t get a lot of press time is a tire pressure monitoring system, but it’s one that you need to have. There are different types of TPMS units and sensors, but the point is that one is critical not only to the performance of your RV but to your safety as well.
We don’t have a lot of space in this article to go over the specifics of a given unit, and pages could be written on how they work and why they are important. What you need to know is that a TPMS will protect you against blowouts, alert you to high or low pressure in your tires, improve the handling and braking of your RV, and improve your gas mileage.
If you need more specific information, consult our blog on the importance of a TPMS, or read up on the products themselves; they are worth every penny.
Jump Starter
Another thing you should carry with you in your RV (and really in any vehicle) is a set of jumper cables that are adequate to jump your vehicle. Even more useful than a set of cables is a jump starter itself. Some models can be used to charge batteries and some are powerful enough to jump an engine even when the battery is dead. This will, of course, vary by the power and capacity of a given jump starter, but if you’re ever in the woods with a dead battery, you’ll be glad you brought it.
Tools
We’re not going to tell you what specific tools you need to bring with you, but if you can spare a little space for a toolset or a tool chest or a toolbox (you can) then you should carve out the room and add one in. There’s no telling what will come up during any given trip, and without the right tools to address it, you’ll be on your own. Any tools are better than none, so let experience dictate your selection.
As you will notice if you spend more than two minutes investigating our collection of goods online, there are tons and tons of RV essentials here in our online store. This is just a small jumping-off point, and there are plenty of other accessories you’ll want to bring on the road with you. Read our blog for more suggestions, and if you want to talk to a human about it, give us a call at 866-332-7881.
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