Essential Gear for Full-Time RV Life

Full-time RVing can be a fun and adventurous lifestyle, but you’ll want to make sure you’re well-prepared for the adventure! You’ll need all of the items for your RV to run properly, plus everything for cooking, sleeping, and living in your rig. Here is a general list of important gear to help maintain a full-time RV lifestyle.

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Essential Items for Your RV

The essential items you’ll want in your RV fall into a few larger categories. Here are some things to make sure you have before heading out to RV full-time.

Safety & Maintenance Basics

You’ll want some basic safety gear, both to ensure that you can drive your rig safely, and to make sure you’re safe while using the living space as well.

• Tire pressure gauge
• Wheel chocks
• Leveling blocks
• Fire extinguisher
• Spare fuses & bulbs (for indoor lights and headlights)
• Smoke, carbon monoxide and propane leak detectors – one Redditor advised that if your rig is new to you, be sure to change out these detectors before using your rig

• Flashlight
• Basic tool kit
• First aid kit

Utilities

Some of the most important systems for your RV include your sewer and power connections. Here’s what you need to make sure you have clean water, power, and other necessary systems.

• Sewer hose and fittings: You’ll want to make sure you have everything you need for your sewer hookups. Don’t forget gloves to wear while you handle the sewer hookups, and a storage bag to keep your equipment in.
• Water pressure regulator: Since campground water pressure can be unpredictable, you’ll want a water pressure regulator when you hook up to water at a campground to make sure you get a reliable, steady flow of water.
• Electrical surge protector: Just like water pressure, campground power can be unpredictable, too. Electric pedestals are used by lots of people and exposed to the weather, so you’ll want to protect your own personal electronics with a surge protector for your RV.
• Sewer hose support: Some campgrounds require you to have a sewer hose support. Even if the ones where you’re staying don’t, you might want one to prevent your hose from sagging, and to make sure everything empties out of the hose (get gravity working for you!).
• Fresh water hose: You’ll also want a fresh water hose to provide clean drinking water for your RV. This is a dedicated hose used just for potable water. As a full-time RVer, you’ll want to replace your fresh water hose every 6-12 months, depending on its exposure to the elements.
• Dump station accessories: You may want some additional accessories when you’re using a dump station. A sewer elbow and seal will prevent leaks at the connection, create a snug fit, and protect the end of the hose from damage. A small squeeze bottle or a rinse tank with a hose allows you to flush your sewer hose before dyou disconnect it, ensuring that everything gets clean. A dump station mat or step gives you a clean place to stand while you work. A flashlight or headlamp is useful if you’re using the station after dark. And hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes are important for cleaning when you’re finished.

Electrical & Climate Control

You may want some extra supplies to keep your RV warm or cool. Consider bringing:

• Extension cords rated for RV use
• Space heaters
• Fans
• Window covers
• A heated water hose for cold-weather camping – this Redditor had advice for other items needed for camping during winter

• Sealant or caulk for window leaks
• Power adapters, especially adapters that let you connect your RV to a campground power pedestal that doesn’t match your plug type

Connectivity

If you’ll be working from your RV, or just need connectivity to pay bills and stay in touch, these items will prove useful.

• Cell signal booster: Get better cell signal strength, faster cellular data speeds, and fewer dropped calls with a cell signal booster.
• WiFi booster: You can get stronger campground WiFi connections and a better signal with a WiFi booster.
• Power strips
• Extra chargers

Kitchen & Dining Essentials

You’ll need a lot of the same items in the kitchen that you would in a brick-and-mortar home. But setting up an RV kitchen is a little different from outfitting a home kitchen. You’ll want non-breakable materials whenever you can. Also, appliances that perform more than one function are essential when space is at a premium.

Bedding & Linens

You might want to put more thought and money into bedding and linens if you’re RVing full-time than if you were buying linens to use on quick camping trips. You’ll also need to weigh how many sets of sheets and towels you want to bring against how much room you have in your rig. If you’ll be doing laundry at campgrounds and laundromats, that will need to factor into your purchase decisions as well. Here are some bedding and linens to remember to buy:

• Sheets & pillow cases: Keep in mind that many RV mattresses are different sizes from standard mattress sizes, so make sure you purchase the correct size.
• Towels: Quick-dry towels are the most convenient, so you can store them soon after using.
• Blankets/comforters
• Mattress protector: Again, remember to get the correct size of mattress protector for an RV mattress.
• Kitchen towels/dishcloths

Bathroom Essentials

You’ll want some bathroom items to help you keep the space organized and clean.

• Shower caddy: To keep shampoo, bath gel, and other items secure
• Non-slip shower mat
• Quick-dry bath mats
• Small trash can with lid

Organization & Storage

You’ll also need some tight storage solutions to help you keep your kitchen items, linens, and other belongings out of the way when you don’t need them. Storage bins that fit under the bed, drawer organizers, command hooks, and over-the-door organizers all offer good solutions for keeping clutter at bay.

Outdoor / Campsite Living

Part of the fun of full-time RVing is enjoying the beautiful outdoors! If you want to spend time outside your rig, pack some of these items to make your space more inviting.

• Outdoor rug: Not only do these look cute, they help guests get rid of dirt and dust before entering the RV
• Camp chairs: You can get inexpensive camp chairs, but if you plan to sit outdoors most nights, it’s worth splurging on nice chairs so you can be comfortable each evening.
• Small table: This makes a convenient place to rest a book, cocktail, or snack while you sit outside
• Portable outdoor grill
• Wheel covers: Protect your wheels from the sun and they’ll last longer!
• Picnic tablecloth: If you plan to eat meals outdoors, this can help you avoid sap and other messes on the table

Cleaning Supplies

You’ll need some general cleaning supplies, but you’ll also need some supplies that are unique to the RV life. Here are some things to purchase:

• Laundry supplies: Whether your RV has its own washer and dryer or you’ll be using campgrounds and laundromats, you’ll want detergent, fabric softener, and starch. If you’ll be using public machines, you may want a stash of quarters to use on older machines as well.
• RV-safe toilet paper: Regular toilet paper can cause clogs, smells, and tank problems so it’s best to use RV-safe toilet paper in your onboard bathrooms.
• Black tank treatments: Black tank treatments help break down toilet paper and waste, reducing the risk of clogs and making things easier on your sewer line, whether you’re hooked up on-site or using a dump station. They also reduce odors and can ensure your tank sensor is reading things more accurately.
• All-purpose cleaner: You’ll want a general cleaner to keep tables, windows, mirrors, and bathroom surfaces clean and sanitized. You’ll also want paper towels or a few cleaning rags to use for these chores.
• Broom, dustpan and/or compact vacuum

Hopefully, this list gives you a good idea of what you’ll need as a full-time RVer! If you want to try out an RV before buying your own for full-time RVing, check out the rentals at RVshare.