Just bought a new RV? You may assume that you rolled off the lot with everything you need. However, you still need to purchase some must-have RV gear for a safer and easier first camping trip.
RV stores and dealers are chock full of RV accessories and supplies – but what is the essential RV gear that beginners actually need? String lights and RV gadgets are fun, but these are the items new RVers will need to make sure their rig functions properly.
Longtime RVers compiled this list of must-have RV gear, explanations of why these are essential RV supplies, and some RV tips for beginners. So, what are you waiting for? Start packing!
Note: This blog post includes Amazon affiliate links. All prices are current as of May 2022.
RV Supplies For Electric Hook Ups
Progressive Industries Smart Surge Protector (SSP)
Cost: $124 | buy
Those electric posts at campsites can be unreliable. It just takes one surge to wreck the entire electrical system in your RV. Portable RV surge protectors with a built-in surge indicator will note the condition of the surge protector. A sleek, compact, portable design makes this unit easy to use, and it’s engineered for weather resistance to stand up to the elements.
RV Extension Cords
Cost: $17-245 depending on length | buy
You pull into a campground after a long drive only to find out the power is too far away for your power cable to reach. These extensions can be hard to find in remote areas. It’s always good to have an extra cord on hand just for these situations.
RV Supplies For Water Hook Ups
90 Degree Garden Hose Gooseneck Elbow
Cost: $20 | buy
Relieve the strain of your hose hanging off the spigot in the campground or in your water compartment. This 90-degree hose elbow will keep your hose in top condition and has an easy shut-off valve.
Brass Water Pressure Regulator with Gauge
Cost: $18 | buy
A water pressure regulator protects your RV plumbing and hoses from damage caused by high-pressure city water. This one features an easy-to-read gauge, so you know if your water pressure is getting too high. Green on the meter indicates the regulated pressure is between 40 and 50 psi.
Travel Berkey Gravity-Fed Water Filter
Cost: $362 | buy
Stay hydrated in your RV travelers without the wasteful and bulky plastic bottles.
Berkey systems are equipped with Black Berkey Purification Elements to purify water, not just filter it, by removing more than 99.99% of viruses and greater than 99.99% of pathogenic bacteria. The portable Travel Berkey Purification System effortlessly purifies water for about 1-3 people per day.
Camco TastePure RV Water Filter
Cost: $20 | buy
Water quality will differ greatly everywhere you travel. These filters can be attached to any standard water hose to provide healthier and cleaner drinking water. This RV accessory is great for RVs, boats, campers, pets, and much more. It removes particles greater than 20 microns.
RV Accessories For the Dump Station
Camco Sidewinder RV Sewer Hose Support
Cost: $37 | buy
This sewer hose support keeps everything flowing smoothly to the dump station. Sturdy and lightweight, the plastic support system has strong interlocked hinges and deep cradles to hold the sewer hose in place. The accordion design easily stretches around obstacles to stay where you put it.
Rhinoflex RV Bayonet Elbow Fitting with 4-in-1 Adapter
Cost: $15 | buy
The attached swivel bayonet fitting makes the elbow compatible with any lug fitting. The 360 degree swivel makes it easy to connect to your RV sewer hose. The adapter’s built-in gasket provides an odor tight for four sizes of dump station inlets: 4-inch NPT, 3.5-inch NPT, 3-inch NPT, and 3-inch slip fitting.
Valeterra Twist-On Waste Valves
Cost: $21 | buy
Prevent unwanted spillage with this added valve to gate your RV sewer pipe. The tight bayonet attaches to your existing RV fittings to ensure a leak-proof flow. Open the gate once your hoses are connected, saving you from messy surprises.
RV Gear For Safety
300 Piece First-Aid Kit
Cost: $37 | buy
Always be prepared! This easy-to-carry, organized first-aid kit is easy to tuck into any car or RV to have at the ready for scrapes, bruises, and emergencies.
First Alert Standard Fire Extinguisher
Cost: $22 | buy
RVs pose more fire hazards than stationary homes, so keep your camping crew safe. This multipurpose fire extinguisher fights wood, paper, trash, gasoline, oil, and electrical-equipment fires. First Alert’s Rechargeable Fire Extinguisher can be recharged by a certified professional after use, allowing for reuse.
RV Gear For Driving
Garmin RV 785 Advanced GPS Navigator for RVs with Built-In Dash Cam
Cost: $550 | buy
Regular GPS navigators can get big rigs in sticky situations. Custom routing takes into account the size and weight of your RV and then finds the best route for your vehicle. This RV gadget provides road warnings to keep you aware of steep grades, sharp curves, weight limits, and more.
Furrion Vision 7 Inch Wireless RV Backup System
Cost: $651 | buy
Anything that makes backing into campsites easier is a winner in our book. We love this piece of RV gear for its easy & quick installation. Most RVs are already prepped for the Vision S sharkfin camera system, eliminating extensive drilling requirements. This RV gadget includes a waterproof camera with night vision. The wide viewing angle offers a 120° viewpoint.
Tekton Digital Tire Gauge
Cost: $13 | buy
You should check your tire pressure before every driving day to prevent dangerous tire blowouts.
With a lighted nozzle and display screen, this gauge provides ultimate visibility in low light or at night. The digital display instantly shows the exact reading, eliminating the guesswork of analog gauges. The nozzle seals to valve stem for quick and accurate measurement.
Basic RV Gear For The Campsite
Carmtek Camper Leveler Kit
Cost: $90 | buy
Not every campsite will be level for the comfort and functionality of your RV. Skip the hassle of setting up your camper with travel trailer leveling blocks or planks under your tires. Level your RV, camper, or trailer in 5 minutes or less with the best RV leveling system on the market!
RV Leveling Blocks with Built-In Ramps
Cost: $50 | buy
These RV leveling pads handle the heaviest of travel trailers, campers, and motorhomes. A thick molded high-density plastic block design allows water and dirt through the leveling block. Built-in ramps keep the leveling block in place while driving up on it and won’t ‘kick’ it out.
Tongue Jack Cover
Cost: $9 | buy
Keep your trailer tongue jack accessible and well-maintained by using a jack cover. With an adjustable both-side pulling drawstring that holds the cover securely and tightly in place, this cover will ensure no hazards penetrate or damage your electric tongue jack.
Outdoor Mat
Cost: $120 | buy
Living life outside is a whole lot easier when the kids aren’t playing in the dirt! Get an easy-to-clean, weather-resistant outdoor mat. The reversible design and corner stakes to extend your living space outside without the mess.
Aluminum 12.5-foot Telescoping Ladder
Cost: $145 | buy
Between sweeping off leaves and routine maintenance, you might be on your RV’s roof more often than you think. Getting up there doesn’t have to be a chore with a telescoping ladder like this one. With one button to extend or retract, it’s easy to pick the height you need for any given job. Aluminum is lightweight, durable, and strong, holding up to 330 lbs.
RV Must-Haves For Exploring
America the Beautiful Passes
Cost: Free-$80 | buy
This gift keeps on giving, all year long! If you’re taking an RV trip, you’re likely to stop at one of our country’s beautiful National Parks. The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands pass is your ticket to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites. One pass covers everyone in your vehicle.
Rootless Living Subscription
Cost: Starts at $10/year | buy
Rootless Living Magazine is the perfect place to find inspiration and RV tips for beginners. You can learn from real full-time RVers about how to explore, work, and live on the road. Both digital and print subscriptions are available.
Must-Have RV Gear For Beginners, Full-Timers, Weekenders & More
There are many more fancy RV gadgets and RV accessories out there. This lineup should be all the RV gear you need for a smooth RV trip, whether you’re traveling to a local campground or embarking on a cross-country adventure.
This list is compiled from the Rootless Living RV Gear Guides. Subscribe for more gear guides like this, along with stories, destinations, and inspiration from RVers, nomads, and travelers.
