35 Must Have RV Accessories For Super Successful Camping - The Roving Foley's
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35 Must Have RV Accessories For Super Successful Camping

The Only List Of RV Accessories You Will Need

YES! You’ve got the rig, now it’s time for some RV Accessories! This is the good stuff, the fun stuff, the poop handling stuff! (Yup you need THAT too!) Below are our best recommendations for best in class RV must-have necessities.

Stop by any outdoor outfitter or RV supply store and you will find a million different ways to spend money. Almost any veteran RVer will tell you that they bought too much junk when they started out.

We all do it- all of that stuff looks so great- and the articles you read will be full of scare tactics regarding safety equipment or RV accessories that, if you don’t buy them, will certainly result in death or dismemberment somewhere along Route 66.

The truth is, there are some RV accessories you absolutely need, and a whole bunch that you don’t.  This is the only list of RV necessities you will need! Everything on this list is a MUST HAVE or at least adds so much value to us that we would not do without it.

Many of these may make great gifts for RV owners as well. Read on!

RV Hookups and Maintenance

RV Sewer Hose:

If you ever plan to poop while on an rv trip, this is a must have rv accessory. Yup. You need one (at least.) That poop isn’t going to get itself out of the tank and into the hole in the ground. I tend to carry 2 of them- 15 feet long. It is not often you need both, but when you do…WOOF!  

There are a few different brands but I prefer RhinoFLEX Hoses. They telescope up nicely and are long-lasting. A bit more pricey, but I think it is worth it, at least for my main hose.

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Camco Sewer Hose

  • Complete, 20 foot ready-to-use kit includes everything you need for worry-free grey and black water tank dumping.
  • (2) 10′ RhinoFLEX camper sewer hoses with pre-attached bayonet & lug fittings, (1) transparent elbow with 4-in-1 adapter, and (4) storage caps. Fittings swivel for easy connecting.
  • Fits a variety of dump station pipes. The 4-in-1 adapter fits 3″ slips or 3″, 3 1/2″, and 4″ threaded dump-station pipes.

Sewer Hose Support:

When I was young, my dad was a Construction Superintendent. He would take me to work with him sometimes where I would meet the most interesting tradesmen.

It was from an old German plumber named Hans that I learned the 4 things I needed to know to become a plumber: “Hot goes on the left, cold goes on the right, s**t goes downhill and payday is Friday.”

Unfortunately for all of us travelers, many RV park owners never learned these rules. Therefore you will come across more than a few sewer connections that are raised off the ground leaving an uphill section at the end of your hose. Since we all now know that s**t goes downhill, this is an issue!

Plus, you don’t want your RV sewer hose laying on the ground. It gets all messy and is a pain to pack up on moving day. You will need an RV sewer hose support to keep your waste flowing in the right direction. 

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Sidewinder Hose Support

  • Lifts and guides your sewer hose to help waste move downhill.
  • Fits up to a 20-foot RV sewer hose; Works with all 3-inch diameter hoses
  • Flexible design allows the support to curve around obstacles.
  • Telescopes when in use and folds for compact storage
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RV Surge Protector

This is one of those must have RV gadgets. Not all RV parks have good, stable power to their sites. You will hear horror stories of newer RV’s burning up their electrical systems due to power surges. Definitely get one of these for your motorhome, fifth wheel or travel trailers. 

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Surge Protector

  • Protects your RV from dangerous high/ low voltage levels and power surges.
  • Protects against faults for reverse polarity, open neutral, and other wiring issues
  • Contoured grips make plugging and unplugging easier.

Wheel Chocks

Yes, you can use old bricks or chunks of wood, but a nice set of wheel stabilizers will keep your rig where it belongs all of the time. I hate that feeling of waking up in the middle of a downhill roll, don’t you?!

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Wheel Stabilizers

  • Keeps your tandem tires in-place while you are parked or re-hitching
  • Works with 26 to 30-inch diameter tires and fits a tire spacing of 1 1/2-inches to 3 1/2-inches
  • Installs easily between tires

RV Leveling Blocks

Again, many people use a variety of wood bits to support their stabilizers, but you can’t pass up the opportunity to get some huge “man-legos.” They stack up nicely and neatly for storage and look a lot better than old 2×6’s. Plus when not in use, these RV accessories can be built into a fort! Now THAT’S a MUST-HAVE!

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Leveling Blocks

  • Interlocking blocks stack to the desired height for customizable leveling
  • Can be used with single wheels, double wheels, hydraulic jacks, tongue jacks, stabilizer jacks, fifth wheel jacks and tandem axles
  • 8 ½-inches x 8 ½-inches x 1 ½-inch. As the blocks are nested together, each block adds 1-inch of additional height
  • Includes a zippered storage bag with handle

Ladder

You will have need of a ladder from time to time, and it is really nice to have one when you need it. I found this great telescoping ladder on Amazon and have loved this purchase. It folds down to fit easily into my basement and makes washing and maintenance duties a snap. Also, kites stuck in trees, frisbee’s on roofs, etc.

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Telescoping Ladder

  • Simply push down on the thumb buttons and the ladder will slowly slide down effortlessly
  • Extension ladder has passed the test of American National Standard for Ladders
  • This collapsible ladder is more than 60% overlapping on each casing tube.
  • Standard work load of 250 lbs, non-slip end caps hold the base firmly in place, while extra-wide steps ensure safe climbing

RV Tools

I carry a pretty good supply of hand tools. All RV owners shoud as well. I keep most of them in a soft-sided tool bag and the larger, less used ones in a large Tupperware container. This makes it easy to grab both holders and set up on a picnic table, or the bed of the truck, or to the location of any repairs I might need to do. 

Outside general hand tools, I keep a hatchet for splitting wood, hand saw for cutting up small deadfall branches, a caulking gun, tow strap, clamps, and tie down straps. Oh and Gorilla Tape– make sure you have some Gorilla Tape! Did I mention Gorilla Tape?

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Tool Bag

  • Durable tool bag with large, zippered main compartment, 17 exterior pockets and 10 interior pockets
  • Internal metal frame allows for easy access and prevents the bag from collapsing on itself
  • Triple needle-stitch construction, rugged haul handles, YKK zippers, metal hardware, abrasion-resistant base
  • Made of sturdy synthetic fabric with Rain Defender durable water repellent

Assorted Cans Of Stuff

WD-40

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White Lithium Grease

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Slide Out Gasket Conditioner

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Then there are the cans and jugs of various goops and sprays. WD40 (of course) Canned grease for stabilizers, dry lubricant for awnings, etc., Gasket Conditioner for slide gaskets.

Hoses

They make a special type of garden hose for Fresh Water RV hook up. These hoses are white/blue and should be labeled safe for potable or drinking water. If your rig has a black tank flush connection, you will want a second, standard type of garden hose for that hookup to prevent any possibility of black water backing up into your drinking hose. 

I carry 2 hoses for each. A bit of overkill I know, but I have 25’ and 50’ for each so I am prepared for any type of hook up situation. These are must-have RV accessories!

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Fresh Water Hose

  • This NSF certified drinking water hose is lead, phthalate, and BPA-free— ensuring your family enjoys refreshing water in confidence wherever you travel.
  • Provides maximum kink resistance fo.r worry-free enjoyment!
  • 20% thicker than our standard hoses
  • NSF certified Camco FWH hose & certified to NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 for drinking water & NSF/ANSI 372 for lead-free content.

RV Water Softener

Water quality varies greatly from place to place. Some campgrounds use well water for their hookups. This water can be full of minerals leading to rust stains in your shower, sinks and toilets. A water softener filters out these minerals and keeps your water flowing cleanly. Simply hook up between the supply and the RV. 

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RV Water Softener

  • This 16,000-grain unit is a perfect fit and supplies approx. 40% more soft water than most units on the market for your RV/Marine
  • Provides the owner with soft water up to 1600 gallons (or up to 40 days); Flow rate: 3 gpm
  • Its compact design allows it to be installed in the tightest of places.
  • Requires no tools or electricity; Utilizes a standard hose connection between park faucet and your RV/Marine

RV Water Filter

Most RV’s come with one of these.  This is one of those RV accessories you want to make sure you have. Some water you hook up to is going to taste as though it came from the local sewage plant. 

We have one in the refrigerator so we get our drinking water through that. We were getting the replacement on Amazon and then we found it on Ebay for 1/2 the price! Of course, now we have like 74 water filters- anybody need one?

Also, get an inexpensive water pressure regulator to maintain a safe water flow into your rig. 

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In-Line Water Filter

  • Features GAC filtration in combination with KDF to control bacteria and mold.
  • A 20-micron internal sediment filter protects against silt, sediment, etc.
  • This product can be attached to any standard gardening or drinking water hose to provide healthier, cleaner drinking water.
  • Included with the water filter is a flexible hose protector that minimizes kinks and reduces strain on connections that can impede water flow.
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Tire Pressure Gauge

You always want a tire pressure gauge on hand to check your tires on a regular basis.  Whether you have a tire pressure monitoring system or not, you should have one of these to check between every camping trip. 

We keep ours in the truck. Oh and by the way…check your tires on a regular basis- RELIGIOUSLY! Check at every gas stop while on the road. 

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Tire Pressure Gauge

  • Top-rated high-quality tire pressure monitoring system perfect for RVs and Trucks such as Ford F-Series, Ram Pickup, GMC Sierra, Chevrolet Silverado, others.
  • Take pressure readings easily on awkwardly located valves with no air leakage.
  • Precise pressure adjustment and a holding function so you can easily read your vehicle’s tire pressure, even when it is taken off the valve.
  • RELIABLE analog tire pressure gauges don’t need batteries, so it a perfect truck accessories that won’t let you down and work perfectly in all weather conditions.

Coaxial Cable

Many RV Parks offer cable TV.  You don’t want to miss out on  ESPN or HGTV if you don’t have to.

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Coaxial Cable

  • Premium quality RG6U coaxial cable
  • Provides outstanding color and reception
  • Use this type of cable for connecting TVs, VCRs & DVDs to your antenna or cable TV source

Washing / Waxing Gear

 I came across Wash Wax ALL looking for an easier way to keep my rig looking its best. This is high-end aircraft polish. Nice thing is, you put it on while the rig is still wet, wipe on, wipe off, DONE!  No waiting for it to haze over. It really works well.

 Expensive, but a huge time saver.  These towels work awesome with the wax! Works well on the tow vehicle as well! 

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RV Wash/ Wax

  • Gently Cleans and Protects while leaving a Non-Stick UV Protective Coating on All Vehicle surfaces
  • Aircraft Quality Wax for your Car, Boat, and RV. 
  • Our plant-based Eco-friendly formula is biodegradable and Safe on ALL surfaces.
  • Kit includes 1 full gallon of Wash Wax ALL, 1 full 16 oz spray bottle of Wash Wax ALL, 4 Microfiber Towels (16 in x 16 in), Mini Aero Bug Scrubber, Product Guide

Holding Tank Treatment

When it comes to the black and gray tanks, there are a ton of different products on the market for keeping them fresh and flowing. Buyer Beware. Some of these products are not very good, and some will do more harm than good. After 3 years with no issues in my tanks, I decided to use one of these products. It created so much gunk in my tank that I nearly had to get it professionally cleaned. 

That was when I switched to good old Rid Ex. This product has been on the market for septic tanks for about 1000 years, and it works just as well in your RV tanks. Put a cupful into each tank right after draining, and enjoy the freshness and lack of blockages. 

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RidX Tank Treatment

  • #1 BRAND septic professionals have used in their own tanks
  • BREAKS APART SEPTIC WASTE: RID-X is specifically formulated to break apart toilet paper, grease and waste that clog the septic tank
  • 100% NATURAL BACTERIA AND ENZYMES: Gentle on pipes and tanks
  • EASY TO USE: just add to toilet and flush!

Generator

If you plan to do any dry camping, do your research to find the right sized generator for your rig. We started with a Westinghouse generator but it died after a few weeks. Junk!  We switched to a 4000/ 3500 Champion Hybrid. It is new technology allowing an open rack generator to behave like an enclosed Inverter (but at a much lower cost). 

The generator itself IS an inverter and delivers pure sine wave energy so our electronics are safe. At normal operating, it runs pretty quietly, but I will admit – the cats run away when the microwave comes on!

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Inverter Generator

  • Advanced Open Frame Inverter Design: 50% quieter and 20% lighter than a traditional Champion 3500-watt generator, plus our Economy Mode feature saves fuel and extends engine life
  • Quiet Technology and Extended Run Time: 64 dBA is great for RVs, tailgating, your next project or home backup, with 4000 starting watts and 3500 running watts for up to 17 hours run time on gasoline
  • Clean electricity for sensitive electronics: RV Ready with a 120V 30A RV, plus two 120V 20A household outlets with clean power (less than 3% THD) and 12V DC outlet with dual USB adapter

RV Cover

An RV cover is essential if you are storing your rig for the winter. It will protect your RV from ice, snow, and moisture as well as continued sunlight exposure.  Just click the image and head over to Camping World to find the perfect cover for your rig. 

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Premium RV Cover

  • Thick extra strong ProTop4 roof fabric protects against rain, snow, and dirt
  • SoftGuard foam inserts protect the cover from sharp edges
  • Reinforced elasticized hem corners for a custom-like fit
  • Adjustable front and rear tension panels
  • Air vents on both sides help vent moisture

Wheel Covers

Any time your rig is parked, it is a good idea to cover your wheels.  UV radiation from the sun will continually wear away and age your tires- even when you are parked. Wheel covers also provide a nice finished look to your outdoor space. 

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RV Wheel Covers

  • Protects tires and wheels from sun damage, rust and dirt when your vehicle is parked.
  • Ideal for use on Jeep, car & truck, SUV, trailer, camper, motor home & RV, or anything with the correct tire size.
  • Durable water resistant coating with UV stabilized treatment, long-lasting and tough enough as a tire cover, bonded with soft, non-scratch backing.
  • Elastic cord with auto-lock design easily makes a snug-fitting installation within seconds. 

Gutter Extenders

Gutter extenders stick out from the corners of the RV roof. From time to time they will need to be replaced. Thos set is easy to install and will keep rain water from running down the sides of your RV. 

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Rain Gutter Extensions

  • Designed to fit most of recreational vehicles like travel trailers, camper trucks, motorhome, and toy hauler.
  • One-piece design with extensions, Includes (2) left & (2) right Gutter Spout. Easy to install, complete in a few minutes
  • This high-performing rain gutter redirects the water off to your RV roof to prevent that unsightly black streaks from raindrops.
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Sway Control Hitch Kit

Sway control is extremely important for any trailer, but especially for some of todays larger towables. This kit will keep your load under control and between the lines. 

sway bars
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Trailer Sway Bars

  • Pre-installed components save you time
  • 2-5/16″ hitch ball and sway control ball are torqued to specification on hitch head
  • U-bolts and chains are pre-installed on the spring bars
  • Mounting hardware is included
  • 1000-lb. max tongue weight / 10,000-lb. max gross weight

Extension Cord

All kinds of uses for an extension cord. Just a useful item to have around.

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Extension Chord

  • Indoor and Outdoor use. Great for landscaping, gardening, and powering appliances
  • Yellow jacket provides extra safety and will not mark floors or walls
  • Flexible vinyl jacket provides protection of the cord against moisture, abrasion, and sunlight
  • Reinforced blades add durability that protects prongs from bending and/or breaking

Roof Repair Tape

Roof repair tape is an absolute ESSENTIAL to have on hand. With all that jostling down the road, it is not uncommon for seams to split around the roof. Make it a part of your regular routine to do a monthly check of all the seams on your rig. If the roof splits, repair it with this tape. Super strong and durable. 

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RV Roof Repair Tape

  • Synthetic rubber tape made especially for RV roofs.
  • Repairs most “crack” type issues caused by roof movement.
  • Seals the crack, keeping out any water

Toad Tow Kit

When towing you every day driver (toad) you need a strong reliable tow kit. This unit from Kurt will do the trick.  It is solid steel and rated up to 7500 lbs. 

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Auto Towing Kit

  • Rambler RV tow bars have patent-pending, non-binding latches that allow for hassle-free disconnect on uneven terrain.
  • Provides a standard, square 1-1/4-inch receiver hitch and comes with a ball mount with a 3/4-inch ball hole to connect a small trailer
  • Rated for 7,500 pounds, the Rambler adjustable flat tow bar has a strong steel construction.
  • The Rambler RV tow bar is protected in a durable black powder coat finish for lasting corrosion resistance.

Outdoor Living Accessories

Bike Rack

Our bike rack is a Swagman Bumper Mounted 2 bike rack which is installed on the rear tube bumper of a 5th wheel or travel trailer. It has worked really well for us, however as the kids are growing it is getting harder to store their bikes inside for travel and we will soon need to find a new system to rack all our bikes.

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Bike Rack

  • Transports 1 to 2 bicycles on an RV or camper trailer bumper (max 30 lb. per bike)
  • Designed for 4″ to 4.5″ square RV bumpers, installs with a 6.5″ and 8″ long bolts around the RV bumper
  • Heavy duty steel construction with a black paint finish and powder-coated to resist corrosion
  • Secure the steel U-Bolts provided with the rack to your bumper. The upright bar in the center of the rack gives added support to your bikes while towing

Bikes

Of course! For those of you with less space for transporting bikes, these folding babies are fantastic. The tires are only 20 inches, but the seat and handlebar stems are extra long so the bike fits adult riders perfectly! It easily folds right in half for easy transport in any vehicle. 

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Folding Bicycle

  • Lightweight foldable bike, step-through frame, folds for convenient storage, fits riders 4’8″ to 6’2″ in height.
  • Experience smooth gear changes with the 7-speed twist shifter, ensuring effortless shifting on your rides.
  • Enjoy secure and confident stops with the front and rear linear pull brakes, providing reliable braking performance on this bicycle.
  • Rear cargo rack for bags, fold up into a heavy gauge nylon bag, allowing for convenient storage and easy transport.
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Folding Chairs

Quintessential RV necessities. To each their own here. We have had the “O gravity” chairs and they were nice, but now we just use folding chairs like these Colemans. 

We really like the attached table and portability. They have a handle at the top when folded up to carry them around easily. The kids use those simple bag chairs.

Zero Gravity Chairs

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Directors Chair

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Canopy Camping Chair

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RV Rugs

One of our Must Have RV accessories.  We Love our rugs– they turn your outdoor space into living space very quickly and really help to keep dirt and dust out of the rig.  You can read more about them here.

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Outdoor RV Rug

  • Designed with a woven structure making it breathable and safe to use on grass.
  • The special woven structure means the mat will easily shed water and dries quickly.
  • Very useful for keeping out dirt, sand, and other things from your camper.

Portable Propane Fire Pit

Many places these days have open fire restrictions during a good part of the year. Not surprising with all of the forest fires that have happened over the last few years. This portable propane fire pit is great to have along. Most places allow this type of fire pit. While it is not a real wood fire, it is far superior to having no fire at all. 

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Propane Fire Pit

  • Includes lid, stones, tank holder, gas hose and regulator
  • Steel frame with rubbed bronze finish
  • Uses 20 pound propane tank (not included) and has a 50,000 BTU output
  • Safe for wood decks and great for camping or tailgating

Awning Screen/ Tie Downs

Another of our best rv accessories.  We simply LOVE this Vista Screen Awning Shade. It connects easily to your awning and then easily comes off and on with just a zipper. 

It closes in your outdoor area, adds shade and privacy AND ties down the awning for windy days. No, you don’t NEED this item, but we would not do without it again!

Hammocks

There is nothing like spending a lazy afternoon swinging in your hammock and enjoying a soft breeze. Have one or two of these amazing portable hammocks along for just the right situation. 

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Hammock

  • Hammocks are the ideal addition to help you unwind and relax in ultimate comfort.
  • 18+1 separate loops on each strap, allowing for easy and adjustable height and comfort.
  • Crafted using high-quality 210T parachute nylon material and triple interlocking stitching

Screen Room

Outdoor spaces get buggy. It’s just a fact. So it is nice when you have the room to create an outdoor space to enjoy the fresh air and not the skeeters! 

We have had a couple of different models but just love this Coleman room,  one person can set this up in about 5 minutes. Not too expensive and works great! If you like to be outdoors most of the time, a screen room is an essential accessory.

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10 x 10 Screen Room

  • INSTANT SETUP: The screen house body with pre-attached poles that lock into place creates a setup time as short as 60 seconds.
  • SUN PROTECTION: 50+ UV coated fabric provides shade and protection from the sun.
  • INSECT PROTECTION: The 4 mesh screen walls keep out bugs and other insects.

Games and Toys

It’s nice to have some outdoor fun rv accessories at hand. Especially if you have kiddos. We have ring toss, bocce ball, croquette, and the usual smattering of balls, bats, sidewalk chalk, fishing gear. 

Just think about what you like to do and then think: high entertainment value, small space! I see the weekenders show up with huge cornhole games- not great for full timing!

Bocce Ball

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Ring Toss

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Croquet

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Ladder Toss

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Grill/ Accessories

If you like to grill, you will do it a LOT on the road. If you don’t especially like to grill, you will probably do it anyway on the road. RV’ing and grilling go together like hot dogs and buns. You will need propane or charcoal as well. Some rigs have propane hookups built in for a grill. Makes life pretty easy.

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Portable Grill

  • 3 ADJUSTABLE BURNERS: With improved burner technology for more precise temperature control
  • LARGE GRILLING AREA: 285 sq. inches
  • EASY SETUP: Sturdy quick-fold legs and wheels
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Grill Tools Set

  • TWENTY ESSENTIAL TOOLS FOR GRILLING: Chef’s spatula, grill tongs, digital temperature fork, silicone basting brush, four pairs of corn holders, five skewers, cleaning brush with extra brush head are all contained in a durable aluminum carrying case – perfect for the on-the-go or at home.
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Inside The RV Accessories

Electric Space Heaters

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Some days are just chilly and it does not make sense to run the heat inside the rig. If you are on shore power many times a small ceramic space heater will do the job for the entire RV. Shop carefully here. There is a lot of junk out there.

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Space Heater

  • With 11 different temperature settings you’re sure to find a comfortable setting.
  • Overheat protection ensures the space heater does not overheat even if left on for an extended amount of time.
  • The space heater also features a cool-touch exterior. 
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Hook

No matter how much storage you have, extra hooks are a necessity in the RV. We use 3M Command Hooks all over. They hold up really well and come off nicely if you don’t need them anymore. 

We use them to hang towels inside the shower when not in use, and added towel hangers in the bathroom. We use heavier hooks in the closets for hanging sweaters etc.

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Command Hooks

  • Includes seven wall hooks and 12 adhesive strips
  • Wall hooks work without leaving holes, marks or sticky residue.
  • Each utility wall hanger can hold up to 5 pounds
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Over Door Storage

One great buy we made was this over the door hanging storage unit. RV Kitchens are notorious for not having enough storage space. We like to shop at Sams so we come back with big boxes and bags of dry foods like snacks for hiking, etc. 

This unit is fantastic for holding all of this. Then it comes down easily to lay on a bed during travel days. NICE!  If you want to know more about saving money through bulk shopping, read our blog post ‘How to buy in bulk and save money.”

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Over Door Storage

  • Hanging storage printed with subtle polka dots and contrast piping
  • Perfect for storing toys and accessories
  • Can hang over the door with hook or be attached to the wall with the provided hardware

Vacuum

You will need a nice powerful, yet compact vacuum. We love this Shark Rocket unit. It is really powerful, has a revolving brush for carpets, and all of the attachments for sucking dust out of all the nooks and crannies. RV’s are a hotbed of nooks and crannies! BONUS: the kiddos love to use this vacuum and change out all of the attachments. WHOOP!

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Shark Stick Vacuum

  • Ultra-powerful, corded cleaning on carpets and hard floors.
  • Powerful pet hair pickup attachments like the pet-multi tool make cleaning pet hair a breeze.
  • For excellent control and a low-profile design for under-furniture reach.
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Crock Pot

We use our crock pot a TON! As mentioned earlier, we like to shop in bulk. A crockpot allows us to take advantage of deals on BIG MEAT. Pork Loins, beef roasts, chicken. Whatever is on sale we can stock up on and then cook several days meals in the crock. 

We consider our slow cooker an indispensable rv kitchen accessory. Saves money, saves time!

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Large Crock Pot

  • The 8 quart, large capacity slow cooker has a stoneware crock that can fit everything from lasagna and desserts to large cuts of meat.
  • Mix and match warm, low or high heat settings with adjustable programming times from 30 minutes to 18 hours.
  • No watching or stirring needed. You can set it and forget it.

Space Saver Bags

Clothing is always a difficult subject. What to bring, what to have available. These space saver vacuum bags are a godsend for this very reason. Most RV’s have a large storage area under the master bed.  We vacuum seal our out-of-season clothes in these bags and store them under the bed.

This allows us to be ready for any weather without needing to shop. We can also take advantage of great seasonal sales on kids clothes by purchasing sizes a little too big, then storing them for later. Good for extra blankets, pillows etc. Oh, and guess what, the Rocket vacuum works perfectly for these bags too!

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Vacuum Seal Storage bags

  •  Vacuum-sealed bags for clothing fit 4 pillows or 1 queen bedding set per bag!
  • Unique double-zip seal and the triple-seal turbo valve designed to get every ounce of air out.
  • Save 80% on clothes storage space without having to clean out your closet!

Technology Accessories (RV Gadgets)

Internet

Depending on your internet needs, there are a lot of options here, from utilizing the never reliable RV Park wifi’s to getting your own hotspot to ensure a good signal. We are online a great deal, our business is online so we cannot be without good internet. For several years we had an unlimited plan with Verizon.

 The service was very good all over the nation, but unfortunately, Verizon has gotten greedy and eliminated the old unlimited plans. The new ones are much more expensive. SO we switched to ATT.  So far so good and it’s cheaper!  

We were able to work, download Netflix and stream when necessary. We don’t stay in places that don’t have a good signal.

Laptops

Much more portable and much less space-consuming than a desktop. I have seen some folks who have desktops in their rig, but for us, laptops work much more easily. They also allow us to change places to work, if we want to be outside, etc. Who wants to be in a park near Yellowstone and be strapped to a desk inside?

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Laptop Computer

  • A good laptop is just the right thing for an RV life. Desktops can be too large in a small space and a good laptop gives you the flexibility to work through your busy life.

Camera

Get good photos! Today’s cameras and even phone cameras can take really nice photos. You don’t have to have a high-end DSLR and a bag of lenses. If you are into it, by all means, go for it, but for us- we want to be light on our feet. 

Do some research on your phones. If you can get into a phone with a great camera (LG, Samsung) that is a good first step.

We also use a NIKON Cool Pix super zoom point and shoot which is portable enough for hiking and takes super photos. We have gotten some awesome wildlife photos and videos with it (see our Facebook Page). The zoom gets way out there and remains clear. We highly recommend the Nikon Coolpix cameras.

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Nikon Coolpix Camera

  • Offers 16. 0 Megapixels of resolution
  • Features an 83X optical zoom/166X Dynamic Fine Zoom
  • Built-in Bird and Moon modes along with scene modes for simple shooting
  • COOLPIX P950 can capture stills and 4K UHD video

Phones

The camera is the biggest thing for us. We used Sprint as a service because it is inexpensive. The coverage sucks, but our plan includes a good deal of roaming minutes so we pretty much always can make a call. 

Everyone has an opinion here, so suit yourself. I used an LG for years because the camera was so good. It takes really nice photos in a rush or when we don’t want to carry the larger camera along.

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Mobile Phones

  • Built-in stylus. The stylus is perfect for navigating, highlighting, editing, or any task that requires pinpoint precision.
  • With a 48 MP main sensor and Quad Pixel technology, the moto g stylus 5G delivers 4x the low-light sensitivity.

Tablets

Great backups for the laptops. They are especially useful when traveling. We download stuff for the kiddos to watch, games etc. We also use them to watch Netflix in bed. Handy for areas where we don’t have tv or are boondocking.

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Tablet Computers

  • With 7″ touchscreen display, 2 GB RAM and quad-core processor.
  • Unwind with your favorite apps like Kindle, Netflix, Spotify and more.
  • Enjoy up to 10 hours of reading, browsing the web, watching videos and listening to music at home or on-the-go.

RV Camping Accessories For Travel Day

Cooler

cooler
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Food in the car. It is nice when traveling to have some sandwiches ready and cold beverages so we don’t have to stop as much. This small wheeled is perfect for an in the car cooler. It can fit right between the seats.

When it is closed, it makes a perfect platform for the dog to lay on. Just have to watch our fingers trying to get in for a sandwich.

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Small Wheeled Cooler

  • Wheeled cooler features an insulated front compartment and an easy-access lid for quick access to food and beverages.
  • Deep Freeze Performance Insulation with a radiant heat barrier.
  • Includes a detachable all-terrain cart with an expandable, extra-wide base.
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RV GPS

GPS Unit
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Almost a MUST HAVE. So much nicer than using a map. I also like to be able to look for gas ahead when the time comes. We have not subscribed to the dedicated GPS as yet. We just use a phone and Google maps. 

We put a mount on the dashboard and plug in the phone so the battery stays charged. Works just fine for us. However for those who do want a dedicated unit, this Garmin is the best seller on Amazon.

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Garmin GPS

  • 6” high-resolution navigator includes map updates of North America
  • Hands-free calling when paired with your compatible smartphone.
  • Road trip–ready features include the HISTORY database of notable sites.
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Kids Stuff

We do not allow our kids to spend a ton of time on electronics, so travel days can be a bit difficult. We try to get ahead on school work, do word searches, or magnetic puzzles and IQ games. Keeping the kids occupied and quiet is an absolute necessity when hauling the RV.

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IQ Twist Game

  • IQ Twist features 120 challenges. Thanks to its compact size and portable travel case
  • You and your children can build concentration skills and problem-solving abilities.
  • This puzzle is perfect for kids and adults alike.
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Soft Sided Cooler

This is really more for grocery shopping days. As I mentioned earlier, we like to bulk shop so Walmart and Sams Club are our friends. However, you are not always camping right next to one of these establishments so there may be a road trip involved.

Rather than clean up after a frozen food meltdown, we use a collapsible insulated cooler bag which holds a TON of frozen/ cold foods and keeps them cool for up to a couple of hours. That is always enough time to get us back home.  You can check it out here, we purchased ours at Sams Club. Also here is a similar one on Amazon.

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Soft Sided Cooler

  • Made of heavy duty oxford, foldable, waterproof, not only for car trunk, but also for home and office storage.
  • Two temperature-insulated compartments, the organizer can keep the stuffs warm or cool according to your needs.
  • Extend to 45.3″ long x 11.8″ wide x 11.8″ tall.
  • 2 handles on the sides will make you remove the box easily. Suitable for all car trunk.

 Let us know if you think we missed anything in the comments below.  What are some of your must-haves?

PIN FOR LATER

frank foley the roving foleys
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Frank Foley

Frank is the Head Hubby, Daddy, and Fix-It Guy of the Roving Foleys clan. He ia an avid traveler and has spent over 5 years traveling full time with his family. he loves helping others learn about the RV life. He has also traveled in Europe, Asia, and Australia with his wife Grainne.

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14 thoughts on “35 Must Have RV Accessories For Super Successful Camping”

  1. Thank you.. Great suggestions, we have been on the road for one year, about the only thing we don’t have is a generator. I would suggest adding an Instant Pot, especially if run a small rig like ours (26 feet) where storage is at a premium. Also electrical adapters like 50 to 30amp.

    1. Thanks for the tips Larry, we will add those for sure. We do have the instant pot added to our recommended kitchen accessories 🙂

  2. You might think about adding a air fryer, they are great. If you have electric or a generator air fryers are a must have thing. We are mostly weekend or vacation campers. We do our weekend or three day cooking at home or on the BBQ. The air fryer and/or crockpot/instant-pot are something I would take on a 3 or 4 week vacation. A instant-pot is more versatile than a crock pot.

  3. Thank you this is very helpful. I like how you categorized each suggestion. Do you use your phone or the Nikon camera more often?

  4. These suggestions are really helpful! We are just starting!

    In other articles, could you go over these topics? Or you may have already…

    1. More detail on the dreaded black water routine

    2. More detail on boon-docking…. We are , as most on a strict budget, BUT, I am VERY warm natured and do not do well in heat and humidity…. I live in the South and I want to get away from it!

    3. I have a beyond fear of spiders, especially a certain kind. Without posting any pictures, how can we avoid them? I mean, literally I am so afraid that a spider scare could give me a real heart attack! I am actually going to get hypnotized before I begin my travels in the hopes of not being so afraid. It is serious! I’m not worried so about snakes and other things, although I don’t want one to bite me! But I won’t have nightmares if I see one in the road like I would with a spider!

    4. I have questions about generators: some friends told us we don’t need one. If we were boondocking, could we run the generator all the time and have everything we need (other than sewage?)

    I guess for now, these are the things I am most curious about. My husband is a retired truck driver, so that solves a lot of issues that others may have.

    Thank you!

    1. The Roving Foleys

      Hi Janet,

      Congratulations on getting out there! A few answers for you…

      1) Black tank is not really that bad- you will get used to it quickly. A few quick tips:
      * NEVER leave the dump valve open- close it, and dump when the tank is full
      * Forget about the “full tank” sensors. If you can, look down the toilet, if not wait until it starts “burping” when you flush. You will learn a schedule.
      * Use ONLY septic safe toilet paper. Scotts 1000 is sold almost everywhere and it is decent on the toushy.
      * When you are flushing the black tank (filling with clean water and draining to rinse it out) do NOTHING else. Stay focused on the task at hand. It is easy to get distracted while you wait for it to fill overfilling is something you do not want to experience! Like the time I left to take the dog for a walk…

      2) Read these articles on boondocking: https://therovingfoleys.com/rv-boondocking/ and https://therovingfoleys.com/boondocking-accessories-for-camping/ should be pretty helpful.

      3) Spiders- can’t really help you there. They are nasty and they live everywhere. You can expect to see them when you hike etc. Hope the hypnosis helps.

      4) Generators are pretty necessary to boondock unless you have a super good solar system or are making VERY short stays. There is pretty much nowhere that will let you run a generator 24/7. Typically you would run it during daylight to charge up your batteries and then run off the batteries overnight. Here is an article on the subject: https://therovingfoleys.com/how-long-run-rv-generator/

      Hope that helps you out. Best of luck and happy travels.

  5. Presto makes a Nomad slow cooker. It is a rectangle slow cooker instead of the oval shape that you can’t do anything with. Has a spoon holder on top and a white chalk marker and little chalkboard on the front to say what’s inside.

  6. Here are a few items I use regularly and would add to the list.
    1. Water pressure regulator.
    2. if using an external surge protector lock it up.
    3. Extra fuses and batteries.
    4. Flashlight(s)
    5. Camp mats anchors.
    6. RV Lock door lock is nice to have.
    7. Broom for inside and outside, dust pan and small broom and Swiffer for inside.
    8. Wheel chocks.
    9. Work gloves.
    10. Water hose dual outlet adapter for running 2 hoses. One for trailer water and the other for black tank flush/ campfire extinguishing.
    11. Electric fan for when it’s hot outside and to keep the mosquitoes away.
    12. Hitch lock.
    13. Tongue lock.
    14. JT Strongarms for the corner stabilizers to help reduce internal movement.
    15. Jack, lug wrench and safety reflective triangles.
    16. Maxxair roof vent covers.
    17. An adjustable height step.
    18. Entry steps fold down support.
    19. Latex gloves for dumping the black tank.
    20. Tub O Towels and/or blue work paper towels.
    21. Propane torch for starting camp fires. Easier than a spark lighter. Fire starters.
    22. Stackable storage tubs for water hoses, black hoses, electrical cords, etc.
    23. A 2′ level.
    24. Poo-Pourri spray. Enough said.
    25. Bluetooth speaker.
    26. Hobo pie irons, marshmallow sticks and Dutch oven(s).
    27. Lantern (battery or gas).
    28. RV TP.
    29. Shower head aerator.
    30. Pad of paper and pen. There are always things to do, shopping lists, etc.

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