Key Takeaways
- Water pressure regulator protects your plumbing system from high pressure.
- Drinking water hose ensures a safe and clean water supply.
- Water filter provides clean and fresh-tasting water.
- RV GPS (Garmin 795 7") helps avoid road hassles by providing RV-friendly routes.
- Tank odor remover keeps your RV fresh by breaking down waste and eliminating odors.
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After six months of full-time RVing, we’ve learned a lot about the must-have items for RVing. These 10 items will make your RV journey smoother, safer, and more enjoyable.
Some items we initially thought were optional turned out to be essential, while others proved invaluable in unexpected ways. These are the tools and gadgets we can’t live without, and they’re guaranteed to improve your RV experience.
Whether you’re preparing for your first trip or looking to enhance your setup, at Time to RV, this guide will help you prioritize the right gear for every adventure.
Table of Contents
Water Pressure Regulator
Why It’s Important: Protect Your Plumbing System
An RV’s plumbing system is designed to operate within specific water pressure ranges. Connecting to high-pressure campground water sources can damage your system, causing leaks or ruptures.
Our Recommendation: A water pressure regulator helps you maintain safe pressure levels, ensuring your pipes and fittings remain intact. Look for a regulator with an adjustable gauge for more control and visibility.
Drinking Water Hose
Why It’s Important: Safe and Clean Water Supply
Unlike a standard garden hose, a drinking water hose is specifically designed for potable water. It’s made with materials that won’t leach harmful chemicals into your water supply.
Our Recommendation: Choose a lead-free, BPA-free, NSF-certified hose for drinking water. Select a 25- or 50-foot length to ensure you can connect to water sources from various distances.
Water Filter
Why It’s Important: Clean and Fresh-Tasting Water
Campground water sources can be unpredictable. They may contain impurities or have an unpleasant taste. A high-quality water filter ensures your water is clean and safe for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.
Our Recommendation: The ClearSource Ultra water filter. Known for its superior filtration, it removes sediment, chemicals, and other impurities, delivering crystal-clear water every time.
RV GPS (Garmin 795 7”)
Why It’s Important: Avoid Hassles on the Road
Navigating an RV is different from driving a car. Low bridges, weight restrictions, and narrow roads can quickly become problematic without the proper guidance. An RV-specific GPS takes these factors into account and keeps you on RV-friendly routes.
Our Recommendation: The Garmin 795 7” GPS is a game-changer. It provides detailed maps, real-time traffic updates, and alerts on road closures and restrictions, ensuring a safer, stress-free journey.
Tank Odor Remover
Why It’s Important: Keep Your RV Fresh
Managing your black and gray tanks is an inevitable part of RVing. Without proper treatment, odors can become unbearable. A tank odor remover breaks down waste and eliminates unpleasant smells.
Our Recommendation: We use Liquidfied. This product is highly effective at breaking down solids and controlling odors, making tank maintenance more manageable.
Also See: The ultimate guide to full time rv living!
RV-Specific Toilet Paper
Why It’s Important: Prevent Clogs and Protect Your Tank
Regular household toilet paper doesn’t break down easily, which can lead to clogs in your RV’s sewer system. RV-specific toilet paper is designed to dissolve quickly and thoroughly.
Our Recommendation: We prefer Scott’s RV-specific toilet paper. It’s soft yet firm and dissolves efficiently, ensuring a trouble-free tank system.
Wheel Chocks
Why It’s Important: Secure Your RV
Wheel chocks prevent your RV from rolling when parked, offering stability and safety, especially on uneven terrain.
Our Recommendation: Look for durable, high-grip chocks made from heavy-duty materials like rubber or high-density plastic. Using them is a simple yet essential step to protect your RV and its occupants.
Quality Sewer Hose
Why It’s Important: Easy and Hygienic Waste Disposal
Dumping your tanks is much easier and less messy with a high-quality sewer hose. Inexpensive hoses can tear or leak, leading to issues.
Our Recommendation: Camco Rhinoflex Hose. Its sturdy construction and leak-proof connections make it a reliable and hassle-free choice for waste management.
Dehumidifier
Why It’s Important: Control Moisture Levels
Humidity can cause condensation, mold, and mildew inside your RV. A dehumidifier helps maintain a comfortable and healthy indoor environment by reducing excess moisture.
Our Recommendation: Choose a compact, energy-efficient dehumidifier suitable for small spaces. It’s crucial if you’re traveling in humid climates or during colder seasons when condensation tends to build up.
Surge Protector (Watchdog 50 AMP)
Why It’s Important: Protect Your Electrical System
Campground power sources can be unreliable, with risks of surges, low voltage, or faulty wiring. A surge protector safeguards your RV’s electrical components, including appliances and sensitive electronics.
Our Recommendation: The Watchdog 50-AMP surge protector offers excellent protection, with features such as real-time monitoring and surge protection. It’s an investment that can save you from costly repairs.
Final Thoughts
These 10 items are more than just accessories; they’re essential tools for ensuring a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable RV experience. Investing in the right gear not only enhances your travels but also protects your RV and ensures peace of mind.
As you gear up for your next adventure, double-check your setup to make sure you’re equipped with these must-haves. Happy RVing!
Lauren Gamble is a wife, mother, and seasoned entrepreneur with a background in digital, affiliate marketing, and content creation. She and her husband run multiple remote businesses that give their family the freedom to live and travel full-time in their RV. As a homeschooling mom, Lauren is passionate about creating a life rich in experiences and connection. Through Time to RV, she shares her family’s journey, along with practical insights, travel tips, and resources to help others explore the road less traveled, without sacrificing stability or success. Lauren and her family have been full-time RVing since November 2024.
How We Review: At Time to RV, we only recommend products and places we have personally used or visited. Our reviews are based on real-life testing during our full-time travels. We never accept payment for a positive review; our goal is to give you the honest truth so you can hit the road with confidence.
