Must-Have Gear

I’m sharing my favorite items for RVing and more!

Scroll down to see all my go-to gear!

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RV Gear

Power Cord

Youโ€™ll need a power cord toย connect your RV to electricityย at campgrounds. Make sure the cord is long enough to stretch from the power connection on your RV to the campgroundโ€™s shore power.

Itโ€™s also a good idea to have a threaded locking ring like thisย power cordย to create a secure, weatherproofย connection.

Power Adapter Cord

Itโ€™s always good to be prepared when RVing! Thatโ€™s why I recommend having aย power adapter cord. It will come in handy if the electric hook-up at your RV site only supports a different amperage than what your RV has.

For example, our travel trailer uses 30amp power, but we were at a site that only provided 50 amp power. So we used aย 30amp to 50amp adapter cordย to convert the power appropriately. Thereโ€™s also aย 50amp to 30amp adapter cordย option if thatโ€™s what you need.

Power Tongue Jack

If you have a Travel Trailer that came with a manual tongue jack you have to crank by hand, itโ€™s time for an upgrade! Thisย power tongue jackย makes it so much easier to raise and lower your tongue jack with power versus physical labor. Plus, itโ€™s actually super easy to install!

Power Tongue Jack Cover

When you have a power tongue jack for your Travel Trailer, itโ€™s a good idea to cover it to keep it protected from the elements and prevent fading. This handyย power tongue jackย cover does just that plus much more!

It also has a pouch to protect the electric plug that connects to your tow vehicle as well as hooks to hold the safety chains up off the ground. You can even lock the cover to prevent theft! I love how functional this cover is!

Sewer Hose

Youโ€™ll need a sewer hose to dump your RVโ€™s wastewater by connecting the black and gray water tanks to the dumpsite (whether at your campsite or at a separate dump station).

Make sureย the hose is long enough to stretch from the sewer connections on your RV to the dumpsite.ย You may need additional hose sections to extend the overall length of the hose.

And you definitely want a durableย sewer hose, one thatโ€™s flexible with locking fittings for a secure connection so you donโ€™t get leaks.

Sewer Hose Support

This accordion-style device will support your sewer hose and hold it in place while creating a slope for proper drainage. This helps the waste to flow down from the RV connection into the sewer connection so it doesnโ€™t back up.

Aย sewer hose supportย can be really helpful, especially if the sewer connection is above-ground. It also protects your sewer hose from getting dirty on the ground.

Freshwater Hose

If you want to haveย running water in your RV, youโ€™ll need a freshwaterย hose to connect your RV to the campgroundโ€™s water supply. And youโ€™ll want to make sure itโ€™s an RV-specific drinking water hose like thisย freshwater hose.

Water Pressure Regulator

A water pressure regulator is a valve used when a camproundโ€™s water connection has high water pressure. It reduces the water pressure to a safe level for your RVโ€™s plumbing.

Many campgrounds actually require you to use a water pressure regulator and most sell them in their camp stores. But rather than paying a premium or risk not having one, youโ€™re better off buying one in advance.

We actually like to have at least one extraย water pressure regulatorย with us for back-up because weโ€™ve forgotten them at the campsite before when unhooking our water hose.ย  Oops!

Water Hose Elbow

This small and inexpensive little tool helps take the pressure off the connection from the water hose to your RV, which in turn helps keep the hose from leaking. Weโ€™ve found that ourย water hose elbowย has made quite a difference.

Leveling Blocks

Most campsites are not level, so youโ€™ll want to use plasticย leveling blocksย like these. They stack on top of each other and are used under the stabilizers to help level out your RV as needed.

Wheel Chocks

Wheel chocks are heavy-duty plastic wedges that you slide under your RVโ€™s tires to prevent your RV from rolling away. They may seem unnecessary, but trust me, wheel chocks are very important!

Most campsites are not level. One time we were parked on a slope and forgot to use our wheel chocks before unhooking our Travel Trailer from our truck. Next thing we knew, our TT started rolling down the hill towards a lake!

Luckily, our RV didnโ€™t make it all the way to the water, but it scared us enough to always use wheel chocks before unhooking the truck now! We like theseย wheel chocksย that come with a rope to make it easier to pull them out from under the RVโ€™s wheels.

Portable Tire Pressure Inflator

We saw a fellow RVer using this portable tire inflator and wondered how weโ€™ve gotten by without one. This is such a handy tool to have!

You can check your RV tires as well as your tow vehicle tires and pump them up with air if needed. Plus, the digital gauge makes it super easy to keep track of how much air is in each tire.

This portable tire pressure inflator typically comes by itself, and you have to purchase the battery and charger separately. Butย this portable tire pressure inflator kitย comes with it all and includes everything you need!

It even comes with a carrying case to keep all the parts together making it super convenient to bring on the road! So glad I found this handy tool! Love it!

Plastic Storage Bins

One of the lessons I learned the hard way with RVing is to stow EVERYTHING that isnโ€™t bolted or strapped down while in transit! Remove things from counters and contain anything in cabinets (just because something is in a cabinet does not mean itโ€™s secure).

Our pantry door popped open while we were on the move, and the olive oil and salt fell out, opened up, and went EVERYWHERE! We made the mistake of thinking because they were in a cabinet, they wouldnโ€™t go anywhereโ€ฆ WRONG!

Now we have everything in cabinets kept inย plastic bins like these.ย Plastic bins and containers should be your BFF when it comes to RVing. Use them for everything you can fit into them to keep things contained, especially when youโ€™re on the move with your RV.

Mattress Topper

If you want a comfortable nightโ€™s sleep in your RV, a foam mattress topper is a must! The mattresses that come with RVs are usually very basic (i.e. thin and hard). They remind me of the mattresses in pull-out couches.

So if you donโ€™t want to feel springs poking you every time you move in your RV bed, get a foam mattress topper. Itโ€™ll seriously be one of the best things you purchase for your RV! You can get thisย mattress topperย in different sizes including a Short RV Queen which is the mattress size most RVs have. Make sure you get the right size for your RV bed.

RV Kitchen Gear

Keurig Coffee Maker

Iโ€™ve gotta have coffee in the morning, and Iโ€™m a sucker forย Keurigs because Iโ€™m all about convenience. Theyโ€™re just so easy, and thisย mini Keurigย is the perfect size for small RV kitchens without much counter space.

Instant Pot

Do you have an Instant Pot? If not, what are you waiting for?! Now that I have an Instant Pot, I canโ€™t live without it! I love cooking everything in just one pot for easy cleanup.

The same goes for a slow cooker, but with an Instant Pot, you donโ€™t have to plan so far in advance and can have dinner ready to go much sooner. I use thisย 6-quart Instant Potย but Iโ€™m thinking of getting aย mini 3-quart Instant Potย specifically just for my RV.

Electric Saute Pan

If your RV is hooked up to power, an electric saute pan really comes in handy for cooking. By using electricity instead of propane, you donโ€™t have to worry as much about running out of your propane and having to get your LP tanks refilled.

Propane costs can add up! So if you can use electricity instead of propane, go for it. And thisย electric saute panย actually folds for easy storage! Score!

Dish Drainer

Thisย RV-specific dish drainerย fits in small RV sinks. It also doubles as storage to hold items while youโ€™re on the move heading to your next destination. We keep our hand soap, dish soap, and dish brush in it on our moving days.

Adjustable Shower Head

The standard plastic RV shower heads are extremely basic and tacky with terrible water pressure. Upgrading your RV shower head is a simple way to improve your RVing experience.

This is a popularย RV shower headย with RVers. It features several different spray settings and claims to use less water while improving the water pressure. Win-win! Plus, I couldnโ€™t believe how easy it was to install!

Seat Cushion

Long drives can take a toll on your body. If you get lower back pain, aย seat cushionย will help immensely on driving days heading to your next destination.

Back Cushion

Lumbar support with aย back cushionย is also helpful for extended drives, especially if you suffer from back pain.

Photo Gear

Mirrorless Camera

Ever since we started RVing, I rediscovered my passions for hiking and photography, combining the two into a love for nature photography.

I have an older DSLR camera but never use it because it’s too big and heavy to tote around. I wasn’t motivated to bring it with me, soย I wanted something lightweight as well as small and convenient that would still produce excellent quality images.

I also wanted something in-between a basic point-and-shoot and a DSLR that wouldn’t break the bank. After much research, I decided a mirrorless camera would be the best option for me, and I ended up with this great camera, a Canon EOS M50.ย 

It takes nice photos, weighs practically nothing, and is a compact size perfect for hiking! โ I’ve found myself using it more than my phone camera, so that’s a win!

Camera Tripod

I scoured the internet, searching high and low for a lightweight (yet decent quality) tripod that I could travel and hike with without being weighed down to the point where I wouldn’t bother bringing the tripod with me. โ 

Most of the tripods I found weighed between 2-4 lbs. Not good enough! I knew there had to be a tripod weighing less than 2 lbs, and I was determined to find it! After many more hours of searching, I finally came across the ideal lightweight tripod weighing just slightly over 1 lb!

This tripod only holds a camera weighing up to 4 lbs, but lucky for me, my camera weighs much less than that!โ  The total weight for both my camera and tripod is just barely over 2 lbs!ย 

Wanna know what the best part is though? This tripod is only $30!โ  Sure it’s not top-of-the-line quality, but it works great! I’m so happy with it! I think I found the {dare I say} perfect tripod and camera combo for hiking and travel, at least for me!
โ 

Camera Remote

If you want to take group photos or photos of yourself that aren’t selfies, a wireless camera remote is a must! Make sure whatever remote you get is compatible with your camera.

There’s a Canon Wireless Remote Control, but it’s a bit on the pricey side. Luckily, I found this cheaper Camera Remote that works great with my Canon EOS M50 Mirrorless Camera! I’m all for saving a few bucks when possible!
โ 

Outdoor Gear

Reusable Water Bottle

I am obsessed with this reusable AND collapsible water bottle. This super handy and highly functional water bottle is perfect for traveling, flying, hiking, everywhere! The clip makes it easy to carry, and when it’s empty, it folds flat for easy storage. This reusable water bottle is a must-have for everyone!

Fire Torch

We had the hardest time lighting a campfire before we found this game-changing fire starter. You can read all about our initial disastrous attempt at a fireย here. Pair thisย fire torchย with one of theย fire-startersย below, and youโ€™ll have a blazing fire in no time! Youโ€™re welcomeโ€ฆ haha!

Fire-Starters

Sometimes you donโ€™t have access to kindling or the firewood is damp, making it nearly impossible to start a campfire. Using theseย fire-startersย with theย fire torchย above will make it so much easier to not only start a fire but also keep it going. I mean, isnโ€™t a campfire the whole point of camping?! ย ๐Ÿ˜‰

Water Raft

Aside from hiking, one of our favorite summertime activities in Colorado is floating on the river with our friends in this 2-person water raft that features a built-in cooler! It keeps me and my hubby together, and there’s also a connection to hook up to our friends who have the same raft. Good times on the river!

Snowshoes

One of the great things about living in Colorado is all the year-round outdoor activities! There’s so much to do in Colorado at any time of the year! Our favorite thing to do outside in the winter is snowshoeing, which is basically hiking in the snow with special footwear that straps to your shoes (i.e. Snowshoes). Both my hubby and I useย Atlas Snowshoes, and these are the women’s ones I use.

Dog Gear

Dog Water Bottle

We used to have a collapsible bowl to pour water in for our fur-baby while we were driving or hiking. It did the job, but it would leak and waste water. Then I found this life-changing dog water bottle and wondered where it had been my whole dog-parent life! What a game-changer!

Our pup loves drinking out of this convenient water bottle. And as a bonus, if there’s leftover water, we can just push the button and let it drain back into the bottle. It’s so easy to use, and there’s no wasted water! Yay!

Pet Sling Carrier

My 7-lb maltipoo loves coming along on hikes! But sometimes she gets tired on the longer trails or the terrain may be too rough for her little paws. This lightweight pet sling carrier makes it easy to carry her around and still be able to reach her to give her water.

Plus, she likes being alongside of us, so it’s a win-win. And if she’s walking instead of being carried, this sling is easy to store in a backpack or just carry on your shoulder without being heavy or in the way. We love it!

Personal Gear

Blow Dryer

I don’t usually blow dry my hair when I’m RVing, but this is the best blow dryer I’ve ever used! It’s lightweight and fairly small, so it’s not too much trouble to bring it along when I’m traveling. Plus, it’s super powerful and gets the job done fast!

When you’re in a tiny RV bathroom, you want to get out of there as quickly as possible. So if you need to blow dry your hair while you’re in an RV, thisย BaBylissPRO blow dryer is a good one to use!

Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoo is my BFF for everyday life and even more so when I’m RVing. I hate washing my hair in a tiny RV shower with only 6 gallons of hot water. Dry shampooย keeps my hair looking fresh so I don’t have to wash it as often. No matter which dry shampoo I try though, I always come back to this Batiste dry shampoo.

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