If you are new to RVing you may be overwhelmed thinking about everything you need!
But fear not, you’re in a good place!
Below I’ll be sharing what we think are great items to bring on your RVing adventures including items to help organize your RV, keep it comfy, and safe.
You’ll also find travel books and printed resources that have been a blessing for our trip planning process.
But here’s the truth – even these items you don’t have to get. Because all you need to have an amazing trip is your sense of adventure, a good attitude, and a map.
Keep this in mind whenever you see posts (like mine!) and others telling you the things you need to buy right now or life will be over.
* My posts contain affiliate links, which means I get a small commission from purchases you make at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks for supporting my content!
Just like any other hobby, RVing can get expensive fast. But it doesn’t need to be.
And if you already get tempted to purchase things outside of your budget, head over to another blog post that will be a little less temping;) I’m here to keep people living within a budget afterall!
How We Have Decided on This List
We’ve been RVing for three years and have spent at least 50 days in our RV each year. We are by no means RVing experts but we have definitely learned a thing or two about RV organization, packing, and which products you actually need.
We have tested and used every one of these products and can attest to their quality.
Read More: How to Plan an Unforgettable Two Week RV Road Trip
Who Is This List Meant For?
This list of RV items is meant for folks who are just starting out and needing direction on necessary items. But this list can also be for the folks that have been RVing but having trouble decluttering.
This list is also meant for those travelers who like to live within a budget and only buy what is practical and serves a purpose.
Read More: How to RV in the US for Less Than $2500
What This Product List Doesn’t Include
In another post we share the items you need to operate your RV on the road including sewer hoses, weight distribution hitches, etc.
This list is more for the fun things that can add to your RVing experience.
Our Favorite Travel Resources and Books
I love using books to help plan our RV road trips and international trips. They can be great inspiration for where to stay, what to do, and important tips.
Below I’ve included our favorite books and printed resources that you may want to check out!
- Mountain Guides for Western US and Eastern US – great resource for RVers to help confidently and safely pass over mountains in the US.
- US Road Atlas – we always have our US Road Atlas with us just in case our GPS stops working! I also love to look at these maps for inspiration for trip planning, especially for natural attractions.
- Journeys of a Lifetime – this one is geared more towards international trips but they have both Canada and US destinations.
- Ultimate Journeys for Two – I love reading other travel stories and this is a great resource from a travel obsessed couple.
- Where Should We Camp Next – I fell in love with this resource. The campground descriptions are really helpful when planning where to stay.
- Where Should We Camp Next: National Parks – same authors as the book above but all things National Parks!
- National Geographic Guide to State Parks of the United States – if you love state parks, this is a great bundle of the best parts in the US.
Best RV Trip Planning Tool
For the past three years we’ve used RV Life Trip Wizard to plan all of our road trips. We especially love using this itinerary building tool for long cross-country trips.
RV LIfe Trip Wizard allows you to view your entire personalized route, select specific campgrounds, and save trip routes for the future.
Read More: 7 Best Tools for Your Next Thrilling RV Road Trip
Best Products for Fixing Your RV
By no means is this an exhaustive list of items you may want for your RV, but it’s a great start!
Sometimes we overlook the simple tools, so use this as a checklist to get started!
- Adjustable screwdriver – For smaller fixes and power drill for larger projects on the road and corresponding chargers
- Universal drill kit with adjustable bits
- Socket set and wrench – It’s best to look at your RV and estimate which socket set would cover the bolts and nuts on your unit.
- Tire changing equipment – A tire patch kit or air compressor, the proper sockets and make sure you can either use your vehicle’s jack or buy a jack to lift the RV.
Read More: Tips for First Time RVers: Everything You Need to Know
Best Products to Make Your RV Trip Comfortable
If you’re RVing, your trip will already be more comfortable than regular camping, but why not make it extra cozy! Below are some of my favorite RV goodies to help make your trip that much more enjoyable!
- Picnic table cover – the tables can get super dirty!
- My all-time favorite chair perfect for days at the beach.
- Raised Dog Cot – so your furry friends won’t bring as much dirt into your RV
- Portable Hammock – everyone needs one!
- Gliding Portable Outdoor Chairs – one our chairs need replacing, we’re going to get these ones!
- Zero Gravity Chairs – we’ve started bringing these and LOVE setting them up by a campfire.
- Outdoor Folding Table – so simple but makes camp life that much easier!
Best RV Organizational Products
Once you purchase your RV and pack all of your belongings, you’ll realize how quickly storage space gets used up.
Consider adding these organization products to keep your home on wheels tidy and clutter free!
- Foldable laundry basket – we’ve found a foldable laundry basket like these are the best for tight spaces.
- Small hooks for keys, leashes, hats, etc – perfect right next to the door.
- Small basket organization for pantry items, movies, dog supplies – these are so handy and have multiple uses.
- Adjustable broom – don’t forget your cleaning supplies and save space with this adjustable broom
- Shower hooks – use your shower space to help organize your towels.
- Closet shelf organization – we put these in our RV closets.
- Contact paper – We use contact paper to prevent sliding in your shelfs and/or fridge. These have been super useful! We even cut them to shape for our bowls.
Final Thoughts
It can be overwhelming to know which items to get when you buy an RV. I hope this list helps narrow those choices down to what you exactly need.
Happy Traveling!
