If you’ve finally decided to go for RV living full-time, you’re probably wondering what items you’ll need. Luckily, we’ve created this RV gear guide that tells you exactly that.
Whether new to camping or RV veterans, this list will walk you through the 22 must-have RV accessories for successful full-time RV living.
Based on real-world experience and countless conversations with full-timers, we’ve carefully curated this list of RV accessories to include everything you need and nothing you don’t.
From basic tools to comfort items, we’ll cover everything you need to prepare for your full-time RV living adventure.
Essential Items for RV Living Full-Time:
1. Basic Tool Box: Your RV’s First Line of Defense
Living full-time in your RV means becoming your own maintenance crew, and a well-stocked basic toolbox is essential for handling the inevitable minor repairs on the road.
From tightening loose cabinet handles after a bumpy mountain pass to fixing a leaky faucet in the middle of nowhere, your basic tool kit should include items like screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, a socket set, zip ties, duct tape, and WD-40.
2. Emergency Road Side Kit: Your RV Safety Lifeline
An emergency roadside kit is always a good idea, but when you’re living the full-time RV lifestyle, it isn’t just a good idea, it’s a must.
A comprehensive kit should include jumper cables, road flares or LED flashing lights, a tire pressure gauge, a tire repair tool, an air compressor, a basic first aid kit, work gloves, reflective triangles, and a flashlight.
3. Leveling Blocks: A Foundation for Your RV
When full-time RVing, perfectly level ground is about as rare as a vintage camper from the 1950s, which is why leveling blocks are crucial for comfort and functionality.
These sturdy RV leveling blocks ensure your RV’s appliances and systems, from the refrigerator to slide-outs function properly.
4. RV Power Cord: Where Your RV Power Comes From
Your RV power/shore cord is the critical link between your home-on-wheels and the electricity that keeps everything running. Available in two main amperages 30 or 50-amp, based on the RVs electrical system.
As a heads up most RVs will come with an RV power cord but even if it does, it’s not a bad idea to get a high-quality RV extension cord for those hard-to-reach shore power connections.
5. RV Surge Protector: Your Electrical Guardian Angel
When living full-time in an RV, you’ll encounter all sorts of questionable power poles at campgrounds and RV parks, making a surge protector your first line of defense against potentially harmful electrical issues.
A quality RV surge protector which is available for both 30 amp and 50 amp RVs (check to see which one you need) not only shields your expensive RV electronics and appliances from dangerous power surges, but it also monitors for incorrect wiring, low/high voltage, and reverse polarity.
6. RV Water Hose: Your Fresh Water Connection
If you’re living in a camper full time having a reliable source of fresh water is a must, and a drinking water-safe RV hose is the crucial link between your rig and the water connection.
I recommend investing in at least two high-quality, drinking water hoses (about 25 feet each) because they’re specifically designed to prevent chemicals from leaching into your water. Plus, 50 feet of hose should allow you to reach almost any campsite water connection.
7. RV In-Line Water Filter: Water Quality Protection
When RVing you’ll be hooking up to water sources of varying quality across different campgrounds and regions, making an in-line water filter an absolute necessity for safe, clean water.
A quality RV water filter not only removes sediment, bad tastes, and odors but also filters out harmful bacteria and chemicals. I’ve seen the inside of filters after just a few months of use, and trust me, you’ll want this barrier between questionable campground water and your family’s drinking water.
8. RV Water Pressure Regulator: Your Camper Plumbing’s Best Friend
Campground water pressure can vary from place to place. Because of this, a quality water pressure regulator is your first line of defense against burst pipes and costly water damage.
A reliable pressure regulator keeps your RV’s plumbing system safe by maintaining a consistent pressure (typically around 40 to 55 PSI is recommended). It’s a small investment that can prevent major headaches down the road.
9. RV Sewer Hose Kit: Essential Connection Nobody Wants to Talk About
Living full-time in your RV means dealing with the less glamorous aspects of mobile living, and a high-quality sewer hose from Camco is one piece of equipment where you don’t want to cut corners.
A heavy-duty, durable sewer hose kit with secure fittings will help maintain proper sanitation and prevent messy disasters that can ruin RV life.
10. RV Sewer Hose Elbow Adapter: Sewer Hose Upgrade
If you already have a sewer hose but not an elbow adapter you need to get one. A sewer hose elbow adapter ensures a secure, leak-free connection between your sewer hose and the campground’s sewer/dump station inlet.
This often-overlooked RV item provides a tight seal that prevents nasty backups and spills and helps maintain proper flow during drainage. And because the elbow is clear on this adapter, it’s easy to see when the job is done.
11. RV-Specific GPS: Your Path to Peace of Mind
Living full-time in your RV means navigating unfamiliar roads while piloting a large rig, and a GPS designed specifically for RVs is key to avoiding low bridges, weight restrictions, and other potential hazards that regular car GPS units won’t warn you about.
An RV-specific GPS doesn’t just plan your route, it takes into account your RV’s height, weight, and length to create safe travel paths. Plus, it can guide you to RV-friendly fuel stations, campgrounds, and points of interest.
12. Physical Backup Maps: Fail-Safe Navigation Backup
You can’t always count on cell service or GPS signals. This is why physical maps and atlases remain essential tools for any full-timer.
A good road atlas like this Rand McNally version is a great backup navigation system for when, not if technology fails.
13. Weather Radio: Your Early Warning System
Living full-time in your RV makes you particularly vulnerable to severe weather, and a reliable NOAA weather radio provides crucial real-time alerts and updates that could mean the difference between safely evacuating and getting caught in a dangerous situation.
Unlike your phone’s weather app or standard radio stations, a dedicated weather radio works 24/7, even without cell service or internet connection, providing immediate alerts about tornadoes, flash floods, severe storms, and other weather emergencies.
14. Mobile Internet: Connection to the World
When living full-time in your RV staying connected is essential for everything from route planning and campground reservations to remote work and emergency communications.
A reliable mobile internet setup, typically combining cellular data plans, a signal booster, a mobile hotspot, or satellite internet from Starlink, becomes your digital connection to the outside world.
15. First Aid Kit: Mobile Medical Station for RV Life
When full-time RV living you can’t always count on quick access to pharmacies or medical facilities, which makes a comprehensive first aid kit an absolute necessity for handling everything from minor scrapes to more serious emergencies.
A well-stocked RV first aid kit like the one featured here should go beyond the basic bandages and antiseptic wipes to include ointments, tweezers, medical scissors, burn treatments, eye washes, and other emergency supplies.
16. Portable RV Generator: Off-Grid Power Solution
Living full-time in your RV means you need a reliable power source even when shore power isn’t available, and a quality portable RV generator provides that crucial backup.
Whether you choose a conventional gas generator or a quieter inverter model, having enough power to run your essential appliances, CPAP machine, or even your air conditioner can make the difference between a comfortable stay and a miserable experience. Just make sure you choose the right option for your RV’s amperage (30 amp or 50 amp) and power needs.
17. RV Security System: Peace of Mind Protection
Living full-time in your RV means your entire home and possessions are potentially vulnerable when you’re away exploring or sleeping at night. This makes a security system an essential investment for protecting your mobile lifestyle.
A good RV security system should include door and window sensors, motion detectors, and ideally cameras.
There are many alarm system options, including ones from home security companies like SimpliSafe. Before choosing one make sure you understand the system’s requirements as many require Wifi, a cellular connection, and/or a monthly subscription fee. If you’re looking for a low-cost simple alternative, this basic option from KERUI is a popular option with over 2,300 reviews on Amazon.
18. Dehumidifier: Take Control of Moisture & Condensation
Full-time RV living means dealing with condensation and humidity challenges that can lead to mold, mildew, and potential damage to your RV’s interior.
Because of this a compact, efficient dehumidifier is crucial for maintaining optimal moisture levels inside your RV, especially in humid climates or during rainy seasons.
19. Portable 12 Volt Fan: Energy-Efficient Comfort
Portable 12-volt fans provide efficient air circulation without the massive power draw of running your air conditioner, which is important while RVing and boondocking.
These versatile fans are perfect for maintaining airflow throughout your camper while boondocking or during mild weather, helping reduce condensation and maintain comfort.
20. RV Window Coverings: Better Temperature Control & Privacy
Living full-time in your RV means dealing with temperature extremes and privacy. Quality window coverings serve double duty as thermal barriers and protection against prying eyes.
While most campers offer some window coverings or RV curtains, adding additional reflective bubble insulation for extreme weather or blackout curtains for better sleep and privacy, can improve your comfort level and energy efficiency. Just make sure to choose an option that will fit your windows and work with any current window coverings.
21. Document Binder/Cloud Storage: Your Mobile Command Center
Living full-time in your RV means keeping critical documentation organized and accessible, because of this, a combination of physical document storage and secure cloud backup is essential for managing everything from vehicle registration to birth certificates.
A well-organized system should include a physical binder with copies of insurance papers, emergency contacts, and other important documents. Plus, digital backups of everything.
22. RV Camera System: Your Extra Set of Eyes
While an RV backup camera is a great place to start when full-time RVing, adding a full RV camera system with backup and side view cameras provides even better visibility for safe driving, parking, and nighttime security.
Upgrading from a basic backup camera to a multi-camera system will improve your driving experience, especially when navigating through busy campgrounds or maneuvering in tight urban areas.
Things You Don’t Need While Full-Time RV Living:
Now that we’ve covered everything needed for full-time RV living, here are a few things you definitely don’t need.
- Excessive Kitchen Gadgets: That fancy margarita maker and electric pasta roller might be great in a traditional home, but in an RV, they just eat up storage space. Stick to versatile, multi-use kitchen accessories.
- Tons of Cookware: You don’t need a complete set of 15 pots and pans. A good cast-iron skillet, a couple of saucepans, and a Dutch oven will handle 90% of your cooking needs.
- Large Cookie Sheets: Full-size baking sheets will only lead to frustration. RV ovens are notoriously small, so don’t waste space on cookware that won’t fit.
- Bulky Furniture Pieces: Those overstuffed recliners and large ottomans from your traditional home will quickly turn your RV into an obstacle course. RV living demands streamlined, multi-functional furniture that fits the space.
- Large Grills: That massive gas grill from your backyard has no place in RV life. Opt for portable versions like a small tabletop grill or a collapsible charcoal grill that can be easily stored.
- Full-Size Vacuums: Your upright Dyson is overkill for an RV’s compact space. A small cordless vacuum or handheld model will do the job.
- Too Much Home Decor: Those decorative pillows, multiple throw blankets, and wall art collections just collect dust and take up space. Keep RV decor minimal and functional.
- Paper Clutter: Monthly magazines, old newspapers, and paper bills have no place in an RV. Go digital with your reading materials and paperwork to save space and reduce clutter.
- Large/Rarely Used Tools: Keep only the essential tools you’ll actually use.
- Excessive Outdoor Gear: You don’t need multiple sets of camping chairs, three different types of outdoor rugs, or countless outdoor games. Choose versatile, compact options that serve multiple purposes.
More Full-Time RV Living Resources:
- Can You Live Full Time in a Class B RV? (Unpacking the Truth)
- Best RV Parks for Full-Time Living: By State
- Full-Time RV Living with Kids: 7 Keys to Success
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