Things you need for your RV

Things you need for your RV

As you plan your RV purchase be ready to have these items on-hand to put into your unit as you receive it. 

RV Essentials

• Water
• fresh water hose and water filter
• faucet splitter, water pressure regulator, extra rubber washers, and marine lock for water intake line
• bottled water
• water jugs for extra water
• low flow shower head and sprayers for indoor and outside showers. This is especially important for boondockers who are not hooked up to a water supply and are reliant on the fresh water supply.
• Electrical/Lighting
• 30-50 amp electrical adapter cables and lock
• surge protector for power hookup (with lock if possible)
• extension cords (exterior use heavy duty waterproof, interior use) - be sure to check wattage of appliances or devices so you have an adequate extension cord.
• flashlights, lanterns, solar lights, torches, string lights and extension cord, and batteries (extras of AA, AAA, 9V, and others based on flashlights etc.).
• Septic
• septic hose and supports, rubber gloves, bag or bin to store items
• hose with sprayer to rinse septic line
• RV toilet paper OR do not put regular paper into toilet and then you need a wastebasket with lid and liner bags. Note: some people will add to black tank products like RidEx that will degrade toilet paper. The more you put into the black tank (such as TP) the more often it will need to be emptied. A toileting hack when having a BM, place RV TP in a cross over drain hole to the BM travels from bowl cleanly upon flushing.
• toilet chemicals to drop in tank 
• Engine/Vehicle
• spare tire, cover
• jack
• compressor w/ long 12V connection and long air hose (tires, tubes, air mattress, bicycle tires, pool floats)
• tire pressure gage
• funnels
• wheel chocks and leveling blocks to keep RV safe to operate mechanical systems.
• oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze, windshield washer fluid
• Tool Kits, Fasteners, Tools
• variety of screwdrivers, adjustable wrenches, socket wrenches and automotive sockets, hand-drill, hammer, scissors, xacto knife/box cutter, tape measure, rasp, scraper, awl, nail set, magnet, magnifying glass, circuit tester/multimeter, tape measure, and wire strippers/cutter.
• screws, nails, machine screws, cotter pins, wire nuts, cup hooks or command clips 
• zip ties, electrical tape, duct tape, Velcro, gorilla glue, super glue, command hooks, plastic clothespins, glow in the dark tape, bungee cords
• rechargeable drill with bits, axe, small saw
• First Aid Kit
• OTC medications
• sewing kit
• hand sanitizer, antibiotic ointment
• bandaids in assorted sizes, bandages and gauze pads, surgical tape, sling, splint
• scissors
• CoreTex IvyX pre and post exposure towelettes
• Gatorade powder packs
• snakebite kit, if appropriate
• eyewash
• burn gel and dressing
• defibrillator (if you have a heart condition and are boondocking or camp ground is remote)
• travel medicine and first aid guidebooks
• Pest control
• Thermacell bug zapper and refills
• bug zapper rackets
• Deep Woods Off
• Pine Sol
• Irish Spring soap
• citronella candles
• essential oils
• mosquito wrist bands.
• Roadside Emergency Kit
• battery jumper cables
• disabled vehicle yield signs
• emergency lights
• shovel

• Safety
• Fire extinguishers for interior kitchen, automotive engine, camp fire just in case 
• box of salt, box of baking soda (in case of fuel spills)
• emergency crank radio
• Swiss Army Knife
• motion sensing alarms (from www.Travelsmith.com)
• bear whistle and bear spray
• pepper spray or mace
• Personal protection/gear for each person
• sunglasses
• sun hat
• bandanna
• sunscreen 
• clip on alert siren, pepper and bear spray, whistle, airhorn
• water safety life jackets if marine activity/boating
• camera and charger
• backpack/daypack
• Campsite Gear
• folding camp chairs with cases (see Yeti) 
• small snack table or portable picnic table
• table cloth (Vinyl) for picnic table with clips
• doormat
• plastic yard rug with carry case
• cooler 
• pop up trash can (30 gal) with bags
• optional: hammock
• Picnic supplies
• Biodegradable cutlery (wood, bamboo, or cornstarch)
• Biodegradable plates and bowls (palm leaf or cornstarch)
• Biodegradable napkins
• Grill and fire
• LP gas grill or other unit with source of fuel
• fold up camp fire grate, fire starter logs, camp wood, poker
• folding table for grill and cooking supplies
• grill tools
• butane lighters and matches
• LP gas adapters, regulator and hose
• Cleaning items
• ITVanilla stick vacuum 
• OXO 4 gal bucket and collapsible pails
• Swiffer dry and wet 
• Method spray cleaners
• Multi surface antibacterial
• Bathroom/shower
• Squeegee
• Scrubby sponge
• Magic Eraser
• OXO scrub brush
• OXO toilet bowl brush and holder
• Paper towels
• Latex gloves
• Waste cans for kitchen and bathroom with bags
• Organizers
• cab seat-back
• garage storage
• drawer dividers
•  zipper bags for clothing

Kitchen and cooking/eating supplies:

• Water bottles, Britta water filter pitcher, cups, non-breakable wine and beverage glasses, ice cube trays, dippy cups for kids
• Cutting board (bamboo or antimicrobial plastic) 
• Utensils - slotted spoon, spoon, strainer, ladle, spatula, tongs, meat fork
• Steak and cutting knives, pizza cutter, magnetic knife bar for wall
• OXO hand can opener, cork screw, silicone jar opener, peeler, microplaner, grater, meat thermometer, ice cream scoop, lemon reamer
• Microwave lids, splatter guard to fit skillet
• Bamboo or metal skewers, toothpicks
• Dish soap, Dawn spray, sponge, nail brush, OXO dish brush, food scraper for pots/dishes, OXO sink drain strainer, collapsible dish pan and drainer
• Double sided cast iron grill and griddle, cast iron skillet, pie iron, hot dog and marshmallow sticks
• Cookware - see Calphalon stackable non-stock sets
• Pizza stone or wire/vented pan, peel
• Cutlery - options are: metal, plastic, bamboo, wood, cornstarch
• Dishware - melamine or palm leaf or recyclable paper: large and small plates, bowls, mug, and cups
• Paper towels, napkins, placemats, table cloths, table cloth clips
• Garbage bags in 2-3 sizes
• Plastic wrap, zipper bags, beeswax wraps, heavy duty and non-stick foil, foil pans in assorted sizes
• Potholders, grill gloves, Dish towels
• Coffee maker (Keurig), instant pot, microwave combo toaster/air fryer, small electric fry pan.
• Disinfecting wipes, windex, soft scrub, Lysol spray
• Matches and lighter
• Food storage containers

Buy a vacuum sealer for pre-trip food prep

Food staples:

• Closet organizers, magnetic metal spice jars with labels, drawer and door organizers
• Spices, salt and pepper shakers
• Refrigerator basics and condiments - milk, eggs, yogurt, butter, mayo, pickles, relish, ketchup, mustard, salad dressing, specialty sauces such as soy sauce, Siracha, salsa, Sambal, hoisin, fish sauce, Thai sweet chili sauce, honey, maple syrup, vinegar, olive oil, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, steak sauce, BBQ sauce, etc.
• Fresh and canned vegetables and fruits, soups, peanut butter, jam/jelly
• Grill or kebob meats: chicken, pork chops, hot dogs, burgers, sausages, lamb
• Beverages including canned/bottled, dry mixes, beer/wine, drink mixes and alcohol, coffee, tea
• S’more ingredients, snacks (such as nuts, popcorn, chips, crackers, pretzels, candy)
• Bread products and cereals
• Pancake, muffin, brownie, and cornbread mixes, flour, sugar/sweetener, cooking spray

Bedding and Linens

• Mattress and pillow covers
• Sheets, pillow cases, and blankets/quilts or sleeping bags
• Towels and quick drying towels 
• Bath mat
• Throw rug
• Alarm clock
• Hangers

Clothing Items for each Traveler

• Hats
• Rain gear
• Shoes, including sneakers, hiking boots, sandals and slippers
• Bathing suit
• Sweatshirts, sweater, and jacket
• Socks
• Underwear
• Pants and shorts
• Short and long sleeve t-shirts

Personal items

• Cell phone, computer/iPad/kindle, small printer, and chargers
• Cash and credit cards
• Watch
• Medications, vitamins, and prescriptions (including for glasses)
• Glasses or contact lenses, sunglasses 
• Toiletries: Soap, shampoo and conditioner, gel, toothpaste and toothbrush, floss, lotion, and deodorant 
• Hair ties, comb, brush
• Makeup
• Razor and shave gel/cream 
• Nail clippers
• Books and magazines
• Notebook, calendar or journal
• Music, headphones, or instruments (guitar, Native drums or flutes, pan drum, small keyboard, etc.)

Things I love and will take on the road as “Essentials”

• Logistics
• GPS
• atlas
• highway maps
• travel books
• Camping guides
• My dog Daisy and her stuff
• harness
• leash
• seat harness 
• travel dog crate
• dog food (dry) in a pouring container with flip up lid
• small automatic water feeder 
• anti-spill bowl and bowl for outside use
• food bowl
• wipes
• poopy bags
• bed
• toys
• bark collar and charger or e-collar and charger
• sweater, thunder shirt
• coated and reflective tie out cable
• ear and flea/tick meds
• tick removal tool
• Calendar/Journal by Silk and Sonder
• markers
• Bikes
• helmets
• baskets
• locks
• pump
• tools
• Books to read
• Games
• decks of cards 2
• Uno
• Banana grams
• Scrabble
• puzzles
• corn hole 
• Music
• Sirius membership
• Pan drum
• Spotify
• Hot Glass supplies
• safety glasses/didymium 
• glass cutting tools
• Basketweaving supplies
• pine needles 
• ceramic vases
• sinew
• beads
• needles and thread
• Sports hobbies supplies and equipment based on itinerary 
• golf clubs (or rent, take fav clubs)
• tennis racket/balls
• ping pong paddle/balls
• binoculars