Hitting the Road: Our Top RV Essentials for Newbies

So, you’ve gotten your RV—or you’re about to—and maybe you’re looking around thinking, “What on earth do I really need before turning that motor on?” We’ve been there. After using a lot of products recommended by other RV'rs... we've compiled our own list of products we use, trust, and recommend.

Tire Safety & Roadside Repairs

• TST 507 TPMS – Tire blowouts are no joke. This monitor keeps an eye on your tire pressure and temps so you can stay ahead of problems.

• Tire Plug Kit – Hopefully you’ll never need it, but one rogue nail can stop a trip fast. This kit can save the day.

• DeWalt Portable Air Compressor – Perfect if you already run DeWalt batteries. Keeping your tires at spec prevents blowouts and uneven wear.

• DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Impact Wrench – Changing a tire roadside is stressful enough. This tool makes it quick so you can get back to safety fast.

• BOEN 20-Piece Impact Socket Set – If you’ve got an impact wrench, you’ll want the right sockets.

• Heavy Duty Rubber Wheel Chocks – Don’t trust flimsy plastic. These heavy-duty chocks stay put and keep your rig from rolling.

• Andersen Hitches Leveler Blocks – Not every site is level. These blocks help you get your rig even and double as wheel chocks for extra safety.

• EternaBond RoofSeal Tape – One stray branch can cause a costly leak. Think of this as duct tape for your roof—an emergency fix that can save your trip.

Leveling & Camp Setup

• SnapPads – Add-on feet for your jacks. More stability and peace of mind on gravel, concrete, or uneven ground.

• X-Chock Wheel Stabilizers – Helps lock down trailer rock. The difference in comfort inside the rig is huge.

• LevelMatePRO – Park smarter. This lets you see how level your rig is before you even disconnect, saving a lot of back-and-forth.

Towing Essentials

• Hitch Ball Grease – For travel trailers and 5th wheels, keeping your hitch ball greased prevents wear and eliminates those awful squeaks when towing.

Water – The Good, the Bad & the Dirty

• Camco EvoFlex2 Drinking Water Hose – Compact, durable, and leaves no taste in the water. Our go-to fresh water hose.

• Water Pressure Regulator – RV park water pressure can be all over the place. This protects your plumbing from costly damage.

• GoBluTech Trio 3-Stage Water Filter – Once you see the filters after a few sketchy campgrounds, you’ll know why we swear by this system.

• Camco RhinoFlex Sewer Hose – Fits easily into standard storage tubes and has held up great.

• Camco Sidewinder Sewer Hose Support – Many parks require a hose support, but even if they don’t, this keeps things flowing downhill and clean.

• Camco RhinoFlex Wye Fitting – If you’ve got two sewer hookups, this is a must.

• Nitrile Gloves – For sewer hookups. Trust us—you’ll be glad you have these.

• Gorilla Easy Connects – Heavy-duty quick-connects for your water hoses. Way better than the cheap plastic ones.

• PRO+Aqua Portable RV Water Softener – Protects your fixtures, prevents water spots, and makes showers feel cleaner.

• Restmo Water Flow Meter – Avoid overfilling tanks. Essential when flushing or topping off.

• SHURflo Accumulator Tank – Smooths out water pressure, reduces pump noise, and extends pump life.

• Govee WiFi Water Sensors (3-pack) – Leak alarms that have literally saved us. We keep them under sinks and near the pump.

• Liquified RV Toilet Treatment – After testing lots of options, this one’s been the easiest and most effective for keeping odors under control.

Electrical Must-Haves

• Hughes Power Watchdog 50A – Surge protection with replaceable parts. We’ve run ours for years with no issues. Portable version is great if you don’t want to hardwire.

• 50A to 30A Adapter – Many campgrounds won’t have 50A pedestals. This adapter is essential.

• 50A to 15A Adapter – Perfect for moochdocking at a friend’s place. Just don’t try to run your A/C or big appliances on it.

• Automotive Fuse Kit – RVs run mostly on 12V systems. Fuses blow, and this inexpensive kit saves you from a store run mid-trip.

Propane & Accessories

• Mopeka Pro Check Sensors – Propane only runs out at 2 a.m. on a Sunday… unless you know your levels. These sensors let you stay ahead of it.

Comfort & Hygiene

• GenieBidet Toilet Seat – Compact, RV-friendly bidet that actually fits Dometic and Thetford porcelain toilets. The controls are subtle and space-saving.

• Cliq Chairs – The most comfortable AND compact chairs we’ve ever owned. Huge space-saver.

Extras We Love

• STARTWO Bike Cover – After trying several, this one zips up and holds up in the wind.

• Black Diamond Headlamp w/ Red Light – A good headlamp is essential. The red light helps preserve night vision around camp or at the dump station.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to buy everything before your first trip—but there are a few items you’ll regret not having. Prioritize safety, make your living space comfy, and test things out before driving hours away from help. Affiliate Shenanigans Disclaimer: Yep, some of the links on this page are affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, we make a tiny commission (think coffee money, not yacht money). It doesn’t cost you a dime extra, but it does help keep the wheels turning—literally. We only recommend gear we actually use and love in our own RV life, so no fluff or filler—just the stuff that’s earned its spot on board.