Top RV / Travel trailer Must-Haves and Wants To Get You On the Road
When purchasing a new RV or travel trailer you might be overwhelmed at the amount of stuff you are being told you need. Or you are clueless at all the things that come with owning a new RV/Travel Trailer. When talking with my wife about going camping we loved the idea but having the public shared bathrooms or snoring neighbors was never something that appealed to us. I decided to talk to my wife about campers and after starting research I realized I was so clueless about all the things that go into getting a camper or travel trailer started. It can get overwhelming with all the gadgets and gizmos you could get and the price could add up rather quickly.
After owning and renting our RV for 2021 I have compiled a list of the Essentials (Must Haves) and some Upgrades (Wants) to make life easier but are not a make it or break it. I suggest starting with the Essentials and buying 1-2 items every other camping trip to know what your real needs are going to be. The most important things are the ones that can get you going now. Do not let a large list of must-haves stop you from just starting your adventure. Remember this is more like Glamping, as it is still not a hotel but not quite primitive camping.
— Just Remember with and camper the adventure starts immediately. The destination is not the end goal it's the journey and memories you make that will last. —-
RV Essentials (Must Haves)
Power Supply (Should come with the RV) - 30 Amp vs 50 Amp
Sewer Hose (I recommend the Camco 20’ with Transparent Elbow) so you know what is going on.
Water hose (drinking BPA Free) / Freshwater
Water hose pressure regulator
Wheel Chocks
Directions/confirmation of the campsite (Confirm height, length and width of trailer)
Tire Pressure Gauge
Tools (Wrenches, Sockets, Screwdrivers, Hammers, Tape, Flashlights, Gloves)
4-way lugg nuts for RV
RV toilet paper / Black tank solution
Towels/ Blankets
Pots/ Pans, Plates, Bowls, Cups, Utensils, Paper Towels
Full Propain (if available)
Flashlights, Lighters, candles
First Aid kit / Fire extinguisher
RV Upgrades (Wants)
Water Regulator with gauge
Backup Camera
Water Filter
Adapters (50 amp to 30 amp), (15 amp to 30 amp), Extension, Surge Protectors (It’s worth spending slightly extra for something that can save your RV thats worth thousands of dollars more)
Tire Minder - Tire pressure monitor System (PSI and temp)
Power Tools (for use on Jacks)
Games (in case of poor weather)
Cleaning materials (you can always clean it when you get home)
Generator/ Power Bank/ Solar panels
Battery Disconnect
Portable Grill/ Firepit
Jack Stand (can save your jack and time)
Trip Necessities
Clothes
Toiletries
Food
Trash bags
Final Thoughts
Every camper is different as well as every RV. So my Must Haves might not be completely accurate for every situation but for 95% of the rentals I provide these are the bare bones that almost everyone is going to need. I would recommend starting a list and for every camping trip you can adjust and add to that checklist until you have it down to a science for your specific RV. The lists above are just a good starting point to get you pointed in the right direction. (There are a few linked items that I have personally used and recommend but it’s all up to your personal preferences on how much you want to spend)
Resources
If you are new to RV/Travel trailers there are many resources out there but one really beneficial YouTube site I keep coming across for gems is Keep Your Daydream. Here is a link to their notes on some camping essentials in their opinion that can also help.
The Checklist Every First Time RVer Needs