When you decide to live the RV lifestyle, be it a weekend RVer, or a full-time RVer, there is no getting around it. You’re giving up a lot! You do not have much room, so, you have to make the most of the items you choose to keep. Whether they are essential or serve a dual purpose. But, you want to make sure it not only makes your life easier but helps in keeping you entertained. I am not currently living the RV lifestyle, but I am doing my research and can’t wait! With camping weather coming up, here is my selected list of the 10 must haves for your RV lifestyle. (I’ve edited this list based on feedback received. Please note, these items are MY must haves. They may not necessarily be yours!)
Water Pressure Regulator – The regulator is a great idea that can help you in the long run. Most campsites have water pressure that may be too high. While this is good because it’s not taking forever to do dishes or wash shampoo out of your hair, it can possibly cause leaks and/or burst hoses.
Frozen Drink Maker – You cannot tell me that you go camping without a drink maker. Who doesn’t like a nice cold one at the end of the day? Whether you’ve been driving all day, or out seeing the sights of your new temporary hometown?
Bicycle – This is a great way to get around town if you have an all in one RV and no separate car. The only thing your spending is your energy peddling the bike. And there’s nothing wrong with that, especially after sitting at the wheel all day. But, this one serves a dual purpose. If you break down? You won’t have to walk to the nearest town.
Hoses and Cords – With RV living, things break, come loose, or just wear out. Hoses and Cords were popular ones from the people in RV groups that I asked. These include the Ultimate Sewer Kit
Music – There are many ways to have access to music, but I will always go with my new standby. The Alexa Echo Dot is a dual purpose device. You can get your news, the weather and play music. Add things to your shopping and to-do lists. I honestly can’t say enough about this device. And you will find it on just about every list I put out there :). If you’re afraid of it sliding around while you’re driving, you can also purchase the FitSand(TM) Wall Mount for Echo Dot
Data Storage – This one I view as one of the most important items in your keeping. Having hard copies of your documents is important, but what happens if you have a fire? I scan my documents into my computer as well, but also take it a step further and transfer the information to an encrypted flash drive. This is something that you can keep on hand, whether in your pocket, your pocketbook or on your Keychain
Mobile Wifi Hotspot – There are many options for this out there. From what I’ve gathered from other RVers, Verizon seems to be the most reliable. At least up to 8,000 feet! After that, it may get a little spotty.
Solar Panels – Yes, I’m coming back to Solar Power. It’s free! So why wouldn’t I? And if you are an RVer who prefers to boondock, instead of going to RV Parks? Why waste your own money to keep your power going? Let the sun do it for you. But, I’m not going to lie, this is a higher start up price. The smaller your RV or the more frugal you are with your power use, the fewer panels you will need. Larger RV’s? On the road full time? Like to Boondock or dry camp more often? You’re going to need more panels. You get 60 watts of power for every square meter.
So, depending on your needs and/or habits, you may need up to 800 watts of power, and you can spend anywhere from a couple hundred, to a few thousand dollars. Some panels do not include the inverters and controllers. This Complete Solar and Inverter System
GPS – Some RVer’s prefer the old fashioned method and pull out the paper maps. Me? I’m all for going fully modern where I can lol. Sometimes it wouldn’t be bad to get lost, but you’ll eventually need to get unlost, right? You can choose to get a regular car GPS, or spend a little more and get the RV GPS. The RV GPS provides RV-specific services and vendors, repair shops, truck stops and a comprehensive list of nationwide repair and tow facilities (including those offering after-hours road service). Not bad features to have! It also gives specialized RV routing based on customizable restrictions including height, weight, width and length. Cautions and advisories include the risk of grounding, lateral wind, narrow road, sharp curve, steep hill, tree overhang and state borders.
Memory Foam Mattress – As this is your new bed, you want to sleep comfortably. Having a Memory Foam Mattress can help with that since it will conform to your body and help you settle in much easier. Puffy Mattress is also a good option for a good night sleep! And right now, they are running a special of $100 off! They ship it in a box to you and you have a 101-night free trial period to try it out :).
So, there’s the list that I put together on must haves for your RV lifestyle from my research and listening to others in Facebook groups that I’m involved with. Again, please keep in mind that this is MY list of what I consider must haves. Not everyone has the same list. Some may not view electronics or a bike as a must have. Since I’m only researching it at this time, what would be on your list? Why would something I have listed not be on your must-haves list? Share in comments below!
Disclaimer: I am an affiliate with Amazon. If you click on any of the links in this post and purchase the item, I will get a small commission. To which the government will laugh at me and take away anyway. But, just seeing that I earned a commission makes me smile because you guys like me, you really like me! Ok, fine, you like my tips and suggestions :). Or you feel bad for me. Either way, it makes me smile :).
You’ve mentioned a few items that I’d never think about, like a water pressure regulator. Mobile WiFi is a must when traveling. This is a great list if you’re living the RV lifestyle.
Mobile WiFi is a MUST. There are a few things on this list I never would have thought of. What a helpful list.
I really need a mobile wifi for when I travel. I’d love to try RVing sometime in a big one! This is a helpful list!
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Wow you really need a lot of equipment to have on hand if you have an RV. I’ve never done a road trip in one before, but it looks a little too pricey for me!
Nice! We don’t own an RV, but we’ve been considering renting one and this will be super helpful!
We don’t own a RV and am not really into that kind of camping. We are more the back woods, mountain hiking tent campers. Getting off the beaten trail. I really don’t know anything about hoses or stuff that go with an RV.
I did the tent camping before and while it’s not bad, I love my four walls lol! I love being outdoors, going hiking and getting off the beaten path though!
These are some really great suggestions. We spend a lot of time in an rv over the summer.
Thanks for the great list! I have always wanted an RV and just spend the years driving to places I’ve never been, enjoying the scenic view, not owning much but just gathering memories. I told my husband it would be a great idea to get an RV when we go into our empty nest phase of life. He wants a tiny house instead of an RV. I think I have a lot of convincing to do! 🙂
Good luck! That’s what I’m waiting for! Once my son goes off to college, I’m ready to go! LOL
I don’t have an RV, but it sounds like fun, and we have a lot of friends who have RV’s. This would make a great list for when I need to buy them a gift!
We are actively considering the RV lifestyle. We already purchased a truck that can hold small fifth Wheeler or trailer. This looks like a great list.
These all look like great things to have in an RV and on the road. But the frozen drink maker is a new one for me. That looks awesome and I didn’t know they had them. Will have to check it out.
This is a great list of must haves for RV lifestyle. I would think that the Ultimate Sewer kit and the Drinking hose would be the first things I would think about. The solar panels are something I would not have thought of for sure. Thanks for sharing a great list.
I really wanted to try the RV life some day and thanks for this article I think I will know what I need or the must haves for it. Thanks for these tips.
This is a great roundup! I would love to travel around the country in an RV one day – definitely on my bucket list!
My husband and I always used to want to try the RV life out. This list would come in super handy to those who are new to it!
I don’t think I would even have a clue where to begin with compiling must haves for RV but loving your list
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I love my Alexa! I use it to play music while cooking all the time! It would be perfect for an RV.
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These products sound very useful for RV lifestyle! I never leave the house without my GPS 🙂
I have never tried the RV lifestyle. It’s not really that common here in our country but I would love to experience it someday. Now I know what the must-haves are in Rv lifestyle.
These are all must haves and great ideas. I love how they are available on Amazon.
Nice I gotta get me an RV now.
Somewhere in my dream life we ditch it all and travel in our RV forever… until then I’ll be saving this, because there are definitely things I never would have thought about.
And added copies if our personal information to my to-do list this week! That is genius! Thanks for the tips!
WOW. This looks great. Will keep this bookmarked for a friend thanks.
We don’t currently have an RV, but that lifestyle definitely appeals to my husband and I, so I could see us doing that in the future when/if we get our ducks in a row. 🙂 I have very fond memories of traveling with my grandparents in their camper, but they didn’t have any of these items back in the ’80s and ’90s–our ride would’ve been so much better with them (especially the frozen drink maker!).
Nice post,l like some of your ideas.lm a full time rv’er and heres some of my must haves….a small generator,a well stocked tool box,extra rv engine/plumbing parts,a 12v dvd/tv ,a hand crank/solar radio,an awning or pop up canopy,usb outlets,a gas can,good sams roadside protection services,an axe,a saw,a shovel,5 gal. Water container,gps,a good first aid kit,tv/fm antenna,battery charger and extra batteries. I want the solar panels/inverter/charger but haven’t saved up the big bucks for that yet
Gr8 ideas. Thanks for sharing. Yep – prep and the right equipment is everything when it comes to camping! Took me years to perfect our checklist and I recently put that on my site to help other fellow campers. Stop by if you like. Camp more, worry less. 🙂
Just use good RV with upgraded fixtures to make the RV lifestyle a lot better. RV is such a good camping vehicle.