Life on the open road is an experience like no other. With your very own comfy hotel on wheels, you can move at your own pace and stop whenever you choose. With more storage and personalized kitchen equipment, you can turn your RV into a useful living area. You can also use tire covers, stabilizers, and a variety of other items to secure your basics. All of these items will keep you secure, warm, and organized from the moment you brew your first cup of coffee in the morning to the moment you put your head down at night.
There are many accessories that you can buy for RVs or recreational vehicles, but only a few are considered to be the best in providing comfort, safety, and convenience. Here is a list of the best RV accessories that you can buy in physical stores or online.
Essential RV Accessories
Wheel Chocks
There are two different kinds of wheel chocks available for campers. One is designed to halt the roll, and the other—called a chock—is used to support the trailer wheel.
They are:
- Blocks of ice
- Cutlass Chocks
The blocks are just what they appear to be. They come in large chunks. (Or they should be smaller ones are not something we advise; more on that later.) The block design of chocks is ideal for usage with RVs. They ought to be substantial, strong, weighty, and long-lasting. Some people utilize scissor chocks, sometimes known as x-chocks, to prevent trailer roll. Although it is not advised to use them for this purpose, they are free to do so.
Levelers
Leveling ramps are designed to stop your trailer from rocking and moving when stationary. They are simple to use and very transportable, and they may prevent your trailer from sinking into the damp ground in addition to the bothersome side-to-side motion produced by movement within the trailer. There are several varieties available, but the majority may be utilized with single wheels, double wheels, hydraulic jacks, tongue jacks, stabilizer jacks, fifth-wheel jacks, and even tandem axles with tires up to 32 inches in diameter. Choose buildable blocks that are lightweight but exceptionally sturdy or drive your RV into your jacks and increase the level in 0.5-inch increments.
Water Pressure Regulator
A modest but effective device called an RV water pressure regulator controls the psi of the water entering your RV to a safe level to avoid plumbing lines from developing pressure leaks. What psi is ideal for your RV? Around 60 psi is the recommended water pressure for newer RVs and 50 psi for older ones. You will not know the water pressure when water is entering your RV without a gauge since it might vary significantly from campsite to campground. By adjusting the water spigot, you can try to guess the pressure, but once a leak appears, you will wish you had not.
Surge Protector
Power surges may be harmful to the electrical system of your RV and, in the worst situation, might even destroy your expensive devices. Use a surge protector to keep yourself and your electrical equipment safe from voltage spikes. An RV surge protector is simple to operate and may be connected to the electrical system of your RV or placed in between your RV and the power pedestal. Surge protectors provide portable protection against surges and voltage spikes, particularly those brought on by lightning strikes. Connecting to a campground’s power supply might expose you to the malfunctions of that location’s electrical system. RV surge protectors have different varieties that correspond to different power levels, so be sure you know your RV power rating before you buy.
Sewer Hose
An RV sewer hose is a rubber or vinyl hose that connects an RV sewage output to an available sewer dump. RVers may empty their gray and black waste tanks with this hose while reducing the likelihood of a problem. According to how much hose is required for a condition, the hose may expand and compress and often resembles the well-known children’s Slinky toy. This vital piece of gear is known to some RVers as their “Stinky Slinky.” Every RVer will require this one essential item if they intend to use the bathroom or run water inside their vehicle. You won’t be able to empty your waste tanks if you don’t have an RV sewer hookup. We advise making this one of your first purchases if you purchase an RV for the first time.
Kitchen and Cooking Accessories
Non-Stick Cookware
Nonstick surfaces do not require oil to grease food and prevent it from sticking. For greater health, fat reduction eliminates extra calories. Even though your body needs fat, you should only eat as much as is necessary to receive the correct energies for a favorable influence on your body. The nutrient benefits of meals prepared with a lot of oil are reduced. To cut or eliminate cooking oil or fat from your low-calorie meals and cooking procedure, nonstick pans are useful.
Coffee Maker
The finest coffee maker for RV travel is this coffee dripper if space efficiency is your top priority. It is simple to use, clean, and most importantly, store. Hario also produces several colors and sizes to suit your style requirements and how much coffee you like to brew.
Portable Grill
A portable, scaled-down version of the outdoor barbecue you could have at home is what an RV grill is. RVers utilize a variety of barbecues, including electric, charcoal, propane, and even wood-fired models. Each has advantages. You can cook outside while camping using an RV grill. And let’s face it, grilled food is delectably delicious! Additionally, it may be a healthier way to prepare some foods. A transportable, lightweight barbecue is simple to pack for camping vacations. Additionally, cooking outside on a grill can lessen odors inside your RV.
RV Grill Types
Propane
RV propane barbecues provide versatility. They come in different sizes and forms. If you have a propane tank for the grill, you can carry it about and use it whenever you need to without having to find a plug or be concerned about the charcoal leaking. You don’t even need to bring a separate propane tank for the barbecue if your RV has a quick-connect for the gas.
Electric
Typically, electric grills are the lightest and most portable types. There is no requirement to keep gas or charcoal on hand or to locate a store at the last minute. They do, however, need an electrical outlet to function. They can be a wonderful choice if you are camping in a campground with electricity. But if you’re boondocking, we advise using charcoal or propane.
Charcoal
Another alternative for RVing is a transportable charcoal barbeque. We concur that food tastes better when it is cooked over charcoal. There are certain disadvantages, though. The charcoal must first be transported with you on your journey. Second, you will not be allowed to use the charcoal barbecue if you are camping in a no-burn area. Electricity or propane would be preferable in this situation.
Wood Fired
A type of RV grill is a portable wood-fired unit. Although they typically run on 12V and can be plugged into the batteries of an RV, this type of grill requires electricity to operate. Pizza may be baked, grilled, or baked in wood, which gives food an amazing flavor!
Electric Skillet or Griddle
An electric skillet is highly multi-functional and even though I only use it when we have reliable electric hookups, it is one of my favorite appliances to bring camping. For flipping large batches of pancakes or stir-frying vegetables, the spacious, flat non-stick cooking area is perfect. When cooking soups, stews, and chili on the stove over low heat, the high sides, tight-fitting lid, and temperature controls are helpful. Even deep frying can be done with an electric skillet. It is also really simple to clean.
Instant Pot or Slow Cooker
Another excellent tiny RV kitchen device is an Instant Pot. Because it can cook food so much more quickly than a crockpot, the Instant Pot is preferable. If you are using your generator to power the Instant Pot, this is extremely crucial. This is not as big of a concern if you are connected to power. Cooking crockpot meals while camping is really simple and always delicious with the help of an Instant Pot or slow cooker. On a rainy day, nothing beats a great butter Indian curry.
Refrigerator Fan
RV refrigerator fans are installations that help evenly circulate the cold air produced by your fridge, relieving some pressure on your central cooling unit, and keeping every corner of your RV refrigerator cool through hot summer days. Avoid letting bad lettuce ruin your next summer getaway. To help you save some electricity and gas while maintaining the quality of your food, we have investigated every element of RV fridge fans.
Camping Chairs and Tables
If you plan to do a lot of boondocking or stay somewhere other than a campground, having an outside table will be extremely useful. You may use a picnic table at most campgrounds. It is convenient to have a table outdoors so that you can use your outdoor propane burner, make crafts, play games, and dine outside. This outdoor folding table can be stored below an RV and takes up very little space when folded up.
Safety and Security Accessories
Carbon Monoxide Detector
Carbon monoxide is a silent killer. Because of this fatal gas, acquiring a new RV also has to comply with a legal need for a carbon monoxide detector. If you purchase a secondhand one, be sure the CO detector is functional and up to date. Appliances that use propane, oil, or natural gas emit carbon monoxide. These kinds of equipment are frequently used in RVs for amenities like heating. The location of a generator, though, might potentially let carbon monoxide into your RV. Make sure the exhaust is blowing away from you if someone is operating a generator close to you.
Fire Extinguisher
Did you know that if you purchase an RV from a dealer, it must be equipped with a fire extinguisher? In particular, in the kitchen, having a fire extinguisher nearby can save you and your RV. Your RV may catch fire in an instant. Emergency services may take a while to reach campers in remote or difficult-to-reach areas. Before a fire escalates into a more dangerous condition, an RV fire extinguisher can assist in putting it out.
First Aid Kit
While camping, first aid kits can help you treat minor illnesses or help you care for a more serious situation until emergency personnel arrives. No matter if you need to halt bleeding or remove a splinter, first aid equipment can come in handy.
Toolbox
The following should be inside your toolbox in your RV:
- Uses for a 3/8-inch ratchet and socket set are numerous
- It is feasible to look for a kit that contains a screwdriver
- Every time you travel, it is a good idea to remove the water heater drain plug with a half-inch drive ratchet, extension, and socket
- An assortment of common hand tools is essential
- metric and standard wrenches
- Adjustable wrench
- Needle-nose pliers
- Regular pliers
- Vise grips
- Diagonal cutters
- Hammer
- Simple Knife
- Consider carrying a cordless drill with assorted bits and nut drives
- Your RV batteries’ lifespan can be increased with the use of a battery refill
- Sandpaper, safety glasses, and gloves are also beneficial for maintaining the batteries in your RV
- Keep a few funnels on hand so you can add liquids and sanitize your water system
- You need a tiny LED flashlight in your toolkit
- A dual-foot tire inflation gauge that can check high air pressure is a must
- A digital voltmeter is another necessary tool that you should have in your RV
Propane Detector
A propane gas leak in your RV can be found with a gadget called an RV propane detector. To notify everyone inside the rig that there is an LP gas leak, the gadget makes a loud alarm or beeping sound when the leak is discovered. This warning might potentially save a life. They are often hard-wired directly into your RV’s 12V power supply since they are necessary safety equipment for any vehicle that has propane on board. As long as the system in your RV is fully charged, this guarantees they will always have electricity. Some propane detectors are linked to a safety feature that cuts off the propane supply if the detector sounds (usually on Class A motorhomes where the onboard propane tank is mounted in a spot where an on/off valve is not conveniently located).
Tire Pressure Monitor
A tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) for an RV is beneficial for just one specific purpose. the security of your family and you. Maintaining proper tire pressure will help prevent harm to your RV in the event of a blowout. In addition to being expensive and inconvenient, tire blowouts may be dangerous for you and other drivers on the road. A TPMS can alert you when your tire pressure varies due to weather, heat, cold, and other circumstances. TPMS can save you not just money but also your life by alerting you to potential issues before they become serious. TPMS avoids 33,000 injuries as well as 660 fatalities per year. The primary reason for tire failure is under-inflated tires. The result might be breakdowns, ply separation, sidewall damage, or tire disintegration due to temperature and mechanical strain. Maintaining tire pressure can increase gas mileage because under-inflated tires can also waste gasoline. Of course, a TPMS will cut down on the amount of time and money needed to repair or replace tires.\
Conclusion
This article offers a ranking of the top RV accessories that may boost convenience, safety, and comfort while on the road. Each item is detailed in-depth, along with how it works and why having it is crucial for RV travelers.