RV Camping Accessories – 40 Must-Have Gadgets for RVers

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Let’s face it: some things are a lot more enjoyable if you have the right gear. RVing is no exception, but how do you know which gear is the “right gear”? It can be easy to get overwhelmed by all of the RV camping accessories out there, especially after you’ve already spent a lot of money on the RV itself. How do you know what’s just nice to have, and what you actually need?

Here are the RV camping accessories we’ve found to be the most essential since we started full-time RV living in 2015. Whether you’re new to RVing or have been doing it for a while, you’ll probably find something on this list that will surprise you. We’ve even gotten input from our friends who tow trailers and fifth wheels to make this the most comprehensive resource we possibly could.

So, in no particular order (but organized by category), this is our complete list of must-have accessories for new RVers.

General RV Camping Accessories Technology

1. RV-Specific GPS

When you’re in a motorhome or towing a trailer, you’re going to be much taller, longer and wider than the average vehicle on the road. That’s where an RV GPS comes in handy. You can input your specific RV’s dimensions, and the GPS will route you away from any roads that would be hazardous.

There are a lot of horror stories out there about Google Maps or other non-RV-specific software leading RVers on narrow, winding roads or under low bridges. This is because most mapping software assumes you’ll be driving a standard-sized vehicle like a car or truck.

When we traveled in a Class A motorhome, we wouldn’t have dreamed of going anywhere without our RV-specific GPS device. It was easy to use, convenient, and plugged right into the 12v cigarette lighter.

2. WiFi Booster & Repeater

This handy combo of a WiFi booster (also called an extender) and repeater means that we can park further away from a WiFi tower and still pick up a signal. This is great at RV parks, where the best sites are often at the edges or the back of the park, far away from the WiFi tower. It’s also useful if you’re traveling through town and want to use the WiFi at the local cafe to do some work.

We always recommend supporting these businesses by buying something if you use their WiFi, but it’s often nicer (and quieter) to get your food to go and work inside your own rig.

The setup we have is this WiFi desktop booster kit. Read our full post on how to Extend WiFi Range to learn more.

3. Cell Phone Signal Booster

This one probably sounds familiar. Similar to the WiFi booster, a cell booster will “boost” or amplify a signal in this case, a cell signal. This can mean the difference between a signal so faint that it’s unusable, and the ability to run our online business while boondocking.

We use the WeBoost, which can amplify the signal from any carrier. It then broadcasts that signal inside your RV so you can use it as your source of internet. Since we work on the road, anything that provides connectivity is definitely on our list of must-have RV accessories. Read our post on Cell Boosters for RV to see if it’s the right fit for your needs.

Weboost cell signal booster for RV

4. Electrical Management System (EMS)

The electrical system in an RV isn’t made to withstand power drops and surges. That’s why an electrical management system (or EMS) is a must-have to protect your RV against damage.

You’ve probably heard about surge protectors, but those will do exactly what the name implies nothing more. An EMS (like this one from Progressive Industries) protects against high and low voltage, accidentally plugging into a 220v outlet, reverse polarity, AC frequency and open neutral. Read our full review of the Progressive Industries Portable EMS.

An EMS will cost more up front than a surge protector, but trust me: they’re worth it. Your RV is a big investment and it’s probably your home, too. This is great insurance to have against campgrounds with overloaded or poorly installed electrical outlets.

5. Portable Solar Panels

If you boondock a lot, a portable solar panel or two can be very useful. Sure, you can install fixed solar panels on the roof of your rig, but portable panels have a lot of advantages. If it’s hot and you want to park in the shade, portable panels allow you to position just your solar panels in the direct sun while the shade keeps your RV nice and cool.

You can easily reposition them as the sun moves, so you’re always getting an optimal charge. Not to mention the fact that they are much easier to keep clean when they’re on the ground.

We started with Renogy portable panels and now use the Overland Solar panel, which we absolutely love.

6. Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

A TPMS will monitor the pressure and temperature of your tires, and will beep to alert you if there’s a sudden change. This is especially important for anyone towing, but can be useful regardless of what kind of RV you own. It sounds strange, but you might not know you’ve blown a tire, so these units can save your rims and your RV from extensive damage.

RV Camping Accessories – 40 Must-Have Gadgets for RVers 2

7. Apps for RVing

We talk about Allstays as one of our must-have RV gadgets a lot, because it really is that useful. No matter what kind of RV travel you do, this app is perfect for planning your trips. You can figure out where you’ll stay and also find things like propane, dump stations and fresh water when you’re on the road. We probably wouldn’t be nearly as good at staying flexible without Allstays.

Another item from the list of must-have mobile app for RVers is GasBuddy. This free mobile app displays real-time gas prices to help us find the least expensive fuel in the United States and Canada. We plan out where we will stop for fuel based on what we find in GasBuddy. You can see prices not only where you are but also in your destination or places you’ll pass along the way. This was a lesson we learned early on when tracking costs of RVing and it continues to saves us money.

8. Two-Way Radio

A set of handheld radios are great for helping you and your traveling companions communicate while you’re backing the RV into a spot, or if you’re driving two separate vehicles in an area with patchy cell signal. We used these quite a bit when we were in a motorhome towing a vehicle. The radio we had came with NOAA weather channels built-in which was very useful during the tornado warning.

9. Satellite Communication Device

When exploring the backcountry or dispersed camping in the national forest, there’s a high likely hood that cell service is not available. Accidents can occur like the one I mentioned in the RV safety and preparedness article. A satellite communication device can be a life saver and one of the reasons we bought the Garmin inReach Explorer+ GPS and Satellite Communicator with the annual recreation plan.

Garmin also has the InReach Mini, which is a smaller more compact version of the Explorere+ that connects to your mobile device for maps and aerial imagery. This option is great for backpackers, hikers and mountain bikers.

10. Pet Safety Temperature Monitor

For those of you traveling with pets and relying on your RV’s heating or cooling system to keep your them safe while you’re out exploring, a temperature monitor is great for peace of mind. These monitors run on a cellular network and will send alerts to your phone if the temperature gets too high or too low based on parameters you set.

General RV Camping Accessories Outside the RV

11. Roof Vent Cover

This is one of those items that you just don’t know you need until you get one.

Vent covers allow you to leave your roof vents open even when it’s raining. You can run your fans in hot weather or while cooking without worrying about rain getting inside, and even get some extra protection from the sun and debris that tends to collect on vent screens. We ended up with the Fan-Tastic Ultra Breeze Vent Cover on our Class A RV, but there are other vent cover options available.

12. Leveling and Jack Pads

We went through three sets of Lynx plastic leveling blocks in a very short time as newbies. That was before we figured out a trick: use Hosspads. The plastic leveling blocks sit on top of the pads and are protected from gravel or anything else that can damage them. We also used the pads under our jacks when we were parked on gravel or dirt. This prevents the jacks from sinking into mud if it rains.

13. Basic Set of Tools

I wrote a whole article on the tools we carry in our RV. It’s easy to go overboard with tools I did this myself when we first started out but having some basic tools and knowing how to use them will always serve you well.

14. Portable Air Compressor

If you’re thinking, “I don’t need an air compressor. I’ll just use the one at the gas station,” think again! We learned early in our travels that the larger, load-bearing tires on RVs and trucks typically require a higher PSI than passenger vehicle tires. This means that most gas station air pumps aren’t able to fill them. We’ve even lost PSI by using one. That’s why we bought our VIAIR compressor and never looked back. Be sure that the one you get is rated for your tire size and PSI.

15. Camping Stove

Even though we live in a very small space, we consider our Coleman camp stove essential. It’s great to be able to cook outside on a nice day, and it keeps messy or strong-smelling foods like bacon or fish outside our tiny indoor kitchen. They also make an adapter, so we can connect our stove to our large propane tanks without having to carry those little green bottles around.

If you have more storage than we do, a Weber portable grill might be more up your alley. Either way, it’s good to have a way to cook outside.

16. Dicor Lap Sealant

Okay, so dicor isn’t technically a gadget. But it’s still extremely important to have on hand, so it’s on our list. Over time, the sealant on your roof will degrade and crack. Cracks in your roof can lead to leaks when it rains, and water damage is dangerous to an RV.

We’ve had leaks in multiple RVs, and a little lap sealant in the offending areas puts an end to them quickly. While it’s a good idea to have your roof resealed every few years, having some dicor on hand to stop a leak before it does major damage can be worth its weight in gold.


17. Sewer Valve

I did most of the dumping when we were in our Class A. I soon figured out that when I’d take the cap off our sewer line, I’d get splashed with a bit of sewer water that had shaken loose in transit. Some of it ended up running down into the compartment, too, which made for an extra cleaning experience I didn’t particularly want.

The Valterra twist-on waste valve keeps things clean during the dumping process. I also installed this valve to dump the gray tank in our pop-up truck camper.

18. Drinking Water Hose

When it’s time to fill up your RV’s fresh water tank, you will want to use a hose that is rated for drinking water. The Zero-G hose is especially good, since it is lightweight, stores easily, and doesn’t kink.

While we love our 25 foot water hose, they do make a 50 foot water hose for those RVers who need the additional length to reach some of those challenging RV fill stations.

19. Water Pressure Regulator

A water pressure regulator can prevent over-pressurized water from bursting the pipes in your RV. Don’t hook up your water hose to the city water connection without one. Check your RV to see if it has a built-in water pressure regulator before you buy one.

20. Outdoor Camping Mat

This is a nice-to-have in good weather, but becomes essential if rain turns your campsite into a pit of mud. An outdoor mat can also help keep dirt and debris on the ground where it belongs, rather than inside your RV.

21. Clear Sewer Dump Elbow

It sounds gross, but you want to be able to see what’s coming out of your tanks when you dump, and you’ll need a clear elbow to do this. For one thing, seeing what you’re dumping can help make sure you don’t have a backup or a blockage. You’ll also be able to see when you’ve flushed your tank sufficiently.

22. Hose Splitter

Hose splitters are handy because you can connect your water hose to the water spigot at a campsite and still rinse your muddy shoes off or fill a dog bowl outside. Make sure to get one that’s rated for drinking water.

General RV Camping Accessories Inside the RV

23. Handheld Vacuum

We’ve found that we track a lot of dirt and others things into the RV when we’re camping. Add dogs into that mix and there are times we’ve vacuumed daily and having a good handheld vacuum can make this process a snap. Unfortunately, they no longer make the model we use, but this one is rated for dirt and dog hair and costs less than what we paid for ours.

24. Shower Shut-off Valve

If you spent even a night or two without RV hookups, you understand how important it is to conserve water. Showers use a lot of water, so we landed on the solution of just never showering when we dry camped …. Kidding, of course!

The shower head in our motorhome came with a “pause” switch, but it was difficult to use with soapy hands. So we installed a shower shut-off valve, which worked like a charm. Conserving water by taking “Navy showers” allows us to stay off grid longer, which for us is a great thing. This little piece of RV gear also ensures that the water stays hot since we aren’t shutting it fully off at the tap, so we don’t have to find that sweet spot of temperature every time.

25. Multi-cooker

Kait has been perfecting the art of using the Instant Pot multi-cooker for years, and now it’s such a staple of our RV kitchen that it’s hard to imagine how we’d eat without it. The great thing about a multi-cooker is that you can save space by having one cooking gadget with multiple features. It’s a rice cooker, slow cooker and so much more all in one.

26. Berkey Water Purifier

The Travel Berkey is another one of those gadgets that we can’t really imagine living without. With this water purifier, we can travel just about anywhere and be comfortable knowing that we can filter water for safe drinking.

We recommend using an inline water filter in addition to the Berkey, though. A RV water filter is one of the most iconic pieces of RV camping gear out there, and for good reason. While most of these don’t actually remove chemicals, bacteria and viruses the way the Berkey does, they do improve the taste of the water coming into your tap.

27. Scrubba Clothes Washing Bag

The Scrubba is a fantastic RV accessory to have when you need some fresh clothes, but don’t have access to a washing machine (or a pocket full of quarters). We’ve taken ours around the world and used it in RVs and hotel rooms alike.

While it doesn’t have the capacity to wash large loads, you can get a day’s worth of clothes in there at a time. This can help you avoid spending time at a laundromat while you’re traveling.

28. RV Holding Tank Treatment

When we had a traditional RV black tank in the Class A RV, we used Happy Camper holding tank treatment. The product has no chemical smell and eliminated black tank odor. There are many RV holding tank treatment options out there and you may want to test out a few to find one that works best for you.

General RV Camping Accessories Miscellaneous

29. Binoculars

For us, a huge part of RV travel is visiting National Parks and spending time in the wilderness. When we visited Yellowstone we learned how important it is to carry a good pair of binoculars with you, and added them to our list of the best gadgets for RV camping. We have the Vortex Viper HDs and love them. You never know what wildlife you may encounter when RVing.

30. Bear Spray

If you’re venturing into bear territory, it’s not just a good idea to carry bear spray with you. It can be a requirement! We have carried Counter Assault for years and thankfully haven’t needed to use it.

At the time of writing, you’re allowed to cross into Canada with Bear Spray, so long as it’s clearly labeled as such. Don’t try taking pepper spray or other self-defense sprays into Canada; they don’t allow them.

Motorhome-Specific RV Accessories

Whether you have a Class A, B, or C, you may need some items specific to motorhomes. Here’s our list.

31. Spare Tire Carrier

Most Class A motorhomes don’t come with a spare tire or a mount for one. We thought about getting a roof rack for the Jeep Wrangler to carry a spare, but didn’t love the idea of having to get a heavy RV tire from above head height if we needed to use it. Then we discovered the Roadmaster spare tire carrier. This hitch-mounted carrier works on almost every type of RV, with tire sizes ranging from 16” to 24.5”.

32. RV Level

This level from Camco was what we used to level our Class A. We liked the bright lights and ease of use. Sometimes using leveling blocks is unavoidable, but by keeping an eye on the lights we could sometimes find naturally level campsites just by driving around.

Towable-Specific RV Accessories

We’ve never had to tow an RV, so we got input from some friends who live full-time in travel trailers and fifth wheels to round out our list of RVing gadgets.

33. Weight Distribution Hitch

A weight distribution hitch can make all the difference when it comes to stability while towing. It takes the tongue weight of the trailer, which would normally rest on the very rear of the tow vehicle on one single point (the ball hitch) and distributes it more evenly onto both axles. This makes the tow vehicle and trailer more stable and helps prevent sway. The Equal-i-zer hitch comes highly recommended.

34. LevelMatePRO and Anderson Levelers

The Camco leveler we recommended is best suited for motorhomes, since you are in the vehicle with the device and can see the lights while you position your RV to use them as a guide. The LevelMatePRO does the same thing but with a mobile app. You can be sitting in the cab of your truck rather than back in your trailer, but still have eyes on when you’ve gotten level. Used with Anderson levelers, the whole process is much faster than if you do it all manually.

35. Backup Camera

Newer motorhomes will come pre-equipped with a backup camera, but for most towables, this is an extra. Having a good backup camera with a wide-angle view is useful not only for backing into a campsite, but also for changing lanes on the highway, since it allows you to see what’s happening near the bumper of your trailer or fifth wheel.

36. Electric Drill and Scissor Jack Adaptor

You’ll only bring your scissor jacks down by hand one time before, with raw and sweaty palms, you’ll look for a better way. Save yourself the trouble and start off with an adaptor for your electric drill. This inexpensive must-have RV gadget will make raising and lowering your manual jacks a breeze.

37. Torque Wrench

It’s a good idea to check the torque on your wheel lugs every so often. Carry a torque wrench with you so that you can inspect and tighten them as needed, especially if you go a long time between trips or have recently had your tires rotated.

38. Heavy-Duty Chocks

Particularly if you have a long or heavy trailer, invest in a high-quality set of heavy-duty rubber chocks. We haven’t towed, but we’re pretty sure that once you park a trailer, you don’t want it going anywhere.

39. X-Chocks

These can be both an added safety feature and a theft deterrent, if you get the kind that lock. X-Chocks sit between the wheels of trailers with a double axle, and help prevent any movement of the tires while you’re parked. They also help increase stability as you’re moving around in your trailer, or during high wind.

40. RV Hitch Lock

Hitch locks are said to keep the honest people honest, because a determined thief could bypass them. Still, to us it seems worth a small investment for some peace of mind.

Summary

There you have it our list of the best RV gadgets for RV living. If we missed anything that you consider essential, let us know in the comments. We’re always interested in the latest and greatest gear and would love to know what you think are the best RV gadgets for newbies, or even just the best RV gadgets in 2020.

Leave a Comment

23 thoughts on “RV Camping Accessories – 40 Must-Have Gadgets for RVers”

  1. Hi Joe and Kait!
    We are retired nurses and just bought a Forest River Vibe. Your information is so valuable and we love learning all about the RV life, thanks to your experiences. Could you please send me a link to your recipes you make in the instapot? Thanks so much. K and D

    Reply
  2. Do you have a recommendation for a motorcycle hitch rack? We have a Yamaha T7 so not light but not as heavy as a lot of bikes.

    Reply
    • Yes, we have a Joe Hauler Deluxe cam-loc and it has a 600 lb weight limit which would be perfect for your bike. It locks into the hitch and prevents any wobble and it’s rock solid. We’ve done over 25k miles with it on the back of various campers and had zero issues. I would suggest giving Joe a call, letting him know what we recommend and see what he thinks given your vehicle (you’ll need to know your max tongue weight) and the bike weight.
      https://www.joehauler.com/camloc/camloc.shtml

      Reply
  3. Hi! Thanks for all your useful and well produced videos. While back, from your clips from Maine trip, I saw Kait was wearing a bug protection jacket. I do also have mosquito problem that hinders me from outdoor life. Would you tell me where I can get the jacket? It had a hood with built in mesh cover and side vent, I think. Thanks!

    Reply
  4. Hi Russo’s

    Not sure if you still have your Hymer Activ. If so I was curious about a few accessories. Looking for mat/rugs, seat covers (tan is going to get dirty fast). Any ideas?

    Thanks,

    Reply
    • Hey MarQ, we haven’t had the Aktiv for a few years, but we did include the accessories we used in this post. As for mats, the one we used in that van was from Costco and we’ve never used seat covers in our campers. This cleaner worked wonders on keeping the light color seats clean.

      Reply
  5. Hi I enjoy your videos I’ve been following you and your wife for a couple of years my question is what’s the name of the Garmin GPS device that you use thanks again

    Reply
  6. Hey guys, really enjoyed watching all the videos. Thank you for the inspiration. Would you mind advising the insect repellent you use during camping? Thanks and all the best.

    Reply
    • Hi Zak – which video are you referring to? All of the showers we’ve shown in videos are things the manufacturers have built for their campers. I don’t believe any of them are sold separately.

      Reply
  7. Hello Joe and Kait,
    I am wondering if some type of security system (cellular?) can be installed in an RV. The system would send an alert to me if there were a break-in. Also, ideally I would like to add cameras that could be used to monitor the RV remotely.
    Any suggestions would be appreciated.

    I’m just starting my search for an RV for myself and 3 dogs.

    Thanks, Bruce

    Reply
    • Hey Bruce – I’ve not seen a system specially for RVs but I’m sure something is out there. The only special consideration will be power…if you’re not hooked up at a campground you’ll need a good battery set up so that it’s always running (or at least when you’re away).

      Reply
  8. Joe and Kait,
    Love the videos. Regular viewers and making a list of items to consider when we start. We are recently retired and looking at a class B camper van. Leaning towards Travoto.
    2 questions – from your https://weretherussos.com/rv-camping-accessories/ page –
    1 – Can you make a list of items just for a camper van?
    2- Do you have a van you prefer (or brand) and why?
    Much thanks from Myrtle Beach SC!

    Reply
    • Hey Scott,

      Most, if not all, of the accessories we listed in the general and motorhome specific categories are for campervans as well. I don’t think you’d want the Camco Leveler in the van, but it would be useful if you wanted to know how off level you are when you park.

      With regards to the van(s) we prefer and why, that’s a much longer discussion. We do offer one-on-one consulting to help you figure out what’s best for you, but there is a fee for that. If you’re interested, email me at Joe[at]weretherussos[dot]com

      Reply

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