Whether you’re a first-time renter or a seasoned full-timer, small annoyances can turn a great trip into a headache fast. The good news: experienced RVers have already figured out the fixes. These 50 RV hacks — covering everything from organization and pest control to comfort and makeovers — can save you time, space, and frustration on your next adventure.
This post contains affiliate links. RVshare may receive compensation if you make a purchase after clicking on a product link.
Why RV Hacks Make a Difference
RVs pack a lot of living into a small space, which means everyday problems — broken glasses, pests, poor storage, uncomfortable mattresses — hit harder than they would at home. The right hacks don’t just fix annoyances; they make the difference between a trip you want to repeat and one you want to forget.
Here’s what the best RV hacks help you do:
- Protect fragile items during travel without adding bulk
- Maximize storage in tight spaces
- Keep your rig clean and pest-free
- Stay comfortable in extreme heat or cold
- Maintain your RV without expensive tools or professional help
General RV Hacks
The best general RV hacks focus on protecting your belongings during transit and making everyday tasks easier at the campsite.
Drink Koozies for Glasses: One of the best camper living hacks – if you’ve ever broken drinking glasses while traveling, this one is for you. Slide koozies over them, and place them back in the cabinet to keep them nice and safe.
Wine Bottle Sleeves: Protect your wine bottles while en route with mesh sleeves. If they knock together, they won’t break.
Collapsible Laundry Basket for Trash: To save space, use a collapsible laundry basket as a wastebasket when camping. They can be collapsed between uses and stored out of the way.
Clothespins: Most people realize the benefit of keeping duct tape in their rig, but what about clothespins? They can be used for laundry, chip clips, and even securing trash bags.
Clothesline: Keep some clotheslines handy as well. You can use it to assist with laundry, hang wet towels and swimsuits, and tie cabinets closed when in transit.
Bungee Straps for Cabinets: Another option to keep cabinets closed while traveling, is to secure them with bungee straps. The 3-inch loops with a ball end are useful for cabinet doors, and the ones with hooks on the ends are great for drawer handles.
Dry Erase Boards: Dry erase boards have many uses. Magnetic ones can be hung on the refrigerator. Along with emergency information, you can post a checklist of things to do before heading out, a grocery list, or the WiFi password.
Cordless Drill to Deploy Rear Stabilizers: If you have a travel trailer or fifth wheel without electric stabilizer jacks, then you are familiar with the chore of hand cranking them up and down. An easy solution is to use a rechargeable cordless drill. Simply attach a socket extension that fits your stabilizer jacks. Plug the socket into the jacks and let the drill do the work.
Prevent Burned Food With a Baking Stone: Place the stone in the center of the oven (make sure it doesn’t block all the ventilation holes). The stone will absorb the heat and distribute it evenly throughout the oven. No more burned cookies!
Pantyhose Soap Holder: This is one of those popular RV camping hacks that works for regular camping as well! Use pantyhose to tie a bar of soap to the water spigot. This makes hand washing easy.
RV Hacks for Organization
Organization is where most RVers struggle most — and where small hacks pay the biggest dividends. The goal is making the most of every inch without creating clutter.
Badge Clips for Hanging Items: Badge clips can be used to hang lights from your awning and more.
Towel Rod for Storage: Use hooks to hang items from a towel rod such as cosmetics, kitchen utensils, or even decor.
Shoe Organizer Bed Storage: Create easy bed storage with a cut-up shoe organizer.
Shoe Organizer Shower Storage: Shoe organizers are one of the great RV storage hacks – they can also be used for shower storage!
Electrical Adapter Mounts: Keep electrical adapters organized by mounting them to the wall.
Peg Board: Use peg boards to hang kitchen items like pots, pans, and wine bottles.
Square Storage Containers: Save space by using square containers instead of round ones to store food items in your cabinet or refrigerator/ freezer.
Plastic Containers for Tissues: Place tissue boxes in plastic to keep them from getting wet or smashed.
Velcro for Curtains: Hold back your curtains with Velcro tabs on the ends.
Plastic Container for Trash Bin: Create a wastebasket out of a dry food container.
Kids’ Comfort Hacks
Keeping kids comfortable and entertained on the road makes the whole trip better. These three hacks address spills, storage, and somewhere to relax.
Press n’ Seal for To-go Cups: Keep things clean by using Press n’ Seal to turn a regular cup into a travel cup.
Shower Caddies for Kids Items: Use shower caddies with suction cups to hold and organize activities for the kids while on road trips.
PVC for Makeshift Hammock: Use PVC pipe and cloth to make a front seat hammock for the kids to hang out in when you’re not driving.
Makeover and Upgrade Hacks
You don’t need a full renovation to make your RV feel newer and more comfortable. These six hacks cover everything from flooring to lighting to furniture — most requiring minimal tools and no professional help.
Syringe For Fixing Woodwork: Fix warped veneer with a syringe and some glue to fill in small gaps.
Vinyl Flooring: Replace current floors with vinyl plank flooring. Pre-glued and waterproof, they are easy to install.
Wrap Your RV Cushions: If you don’t like to sew, use the wrapping method to re-upholster your RV cushions! If you can wrap a present, you can reupholster your furniture — just wrap with fabric and secure the back with clothespins.
Strip Lights: These LED strip lights will run on a camper’s 12-volt system.
Floor Mats or Yoga Mat: Place foam floor mats or a yoga mat under your bunk mattress. They provide insulation and comfort.
Spray Paint for RV Parts: Makeover your RV by sprucing the plastic parts, faded by the sun, with a bit of spray paint.
RV Hacks for Keeping Clean and Pest-Free
Waste Tank Cleaner: Use a ½-cup of Calgon water softener and a cup of Borax detergent to make your own cleaner for the waste tank.
Flea Collars for Wasps: Propane attracts wasps. Place cut-up flea collars in compartments to avoid wasp infestations.
Soap for Deterring Mice: Eliminate mice with a bar of Irish Spring soap. They hate the smell. Bounce fabric sheets are reputed to do this as well.
Pine-Sol for Flies: Keep flies away by wiping down awnings, tables, and counters with a 50/50 solution of Pine-Sol and water.
Shelf and Drawer Liners: Use non-slip liners to line drawers and shelves. This keeps items in place when traveling.
Reuse Plastic Containers: Don’t dirty up a bowl! Scramble your eggs in an empty water bottle.
Install a Clear Sewer Pipe Elbow: Installing a clear elbow at the end of your sewer hose can prevent many potential problems. Seeing what’s going on in your hose allows you to check for undissolved toilet paper (in which case you might want to switch brands), to know ahead of time if a clog is about to happen, and to have visual confirmation that the tank is done emptying.
RV Camping Hacks for Comfort
Hang With Command: Use Command hooks or strips to hang anything from hats to keys to pictures.
Wrap Your Windows: Use bubble wrap to cover the RV windows and insulate your space during cold weather.
Use a Vent Cushion to Reduce Heat Loss.
Light Up Your Steps With Glow in The Dark Tape: A few pieces strategically placed can make a huge difference.
Make Awning Track Hangers From Paracord.
Use a WiFi Booster: Although many campgrounds provide wireless Internet, the signal is not always strong. Improve the WiFi reception in your RV with a booster.
Use Condiment Packets: Stock up on free condiments from fast-food restaurants. They’re free, and they take up less space than full condiment bottles.
Pool Noodles for Protection: Protect your head from hitting the metal awning strut by slitting foam swimming noodles and slipping them over the struts.
Curtain Rod for Wet Clothing: You can hang your clothes while they’re damp if you place a suspension rod in the shower.
Light Up Dark Closets and Cupboards with Motion Sensor Lights: These battery-operated LED lights are easy to install and even easier to use. The motion sensing function allows you to simply open the closet or panty and immediately be greeted by a bright light.
Use an Oxygenics Shower Head to Increase Water Pressure: Replace your shower head with a low-flow, high-pressure Oxygenics shower head. This ingenious product mixes air into the water as it sprays, giving you a great shower while saving water.
Get Comfy With a Mattress Topper: A two-, three-, or even four-inch mattress topper can go a long way in increasing the comfort of your existing mattress.
Bring a Portable Fan: Most RVs already have AC and a ceiling fan, but you’ll be glad to have a portable fan on extra-hot days. Place the fan anywhere in your RV to create better air circulation.
Use Silica Packets: Place these in tough spots that don’t get enough ventilation to keep your RV free of moisture and reduce the risk for mold or mildew.
Key Takeaways
- RV hacks can transform your camping experience by solving common issues like storage problems, pest control, and comfort.
- Effective RV hacks help protect fragile items, maximize space, and keep your RV clean and comfortable during trips.
- Using simple items like bungee straps, dry erase boards, and shoe organizers can enhance organization in small RV spaces.
- Kids’ comfort can improve with clever hacks, such as using PVC for makeshift hammocks and shower caddies for storage.
- Upgrading your RV doesn’t require a renovation; small changes can make a big difference for a more enjoyable trip.
Frequently Asked Questions About RV Hacks
The cordless drill for stabilizer jacks is one of the most immediately useful — it turns a tedious physical chore into a 30-second task. For organization, shoe organizers are the most versatile single item you can bring.
Place bars of Irish Spring soap in compartments, storage bays, and under the RV. Bounce dryer sheets are also reported to deter mice. Seal any gaps in the exterior where mice could enter — steel wool works well as a temporary gap filler.
Combine bubble wrap on windows, a vent cushion on roof vents, and foam floor mats under mattresses for a budget-friendly insulation setup. For a more permanent solution, upgrade to insulated window covers and a heated water hose for your hookups.
Replace the stock shower head with an Oxygenics model. It uses air-injection technology to boost perceived pressure without increasing water consumption — important when you’re managing a freshwater tank.
Start with non-slip liners in every drawer and shelf, square food storage containers in the kitchen, and a hanging shoe organizer in the bathroom. Command hooks handle everything that would otherwise pile up on counters.
Ready to put these hacks to work? Browse RV rentals near you and hit the road — you’re more prepared than you think!
