Why Do You Need This? 5 Items That You Need for Your Next RV Trip That You Haven’t Thought About
As you head out on your next RV trip, what about those handy items that will make your trip so much easier and hassle-free? Have you thought about what you really need to bring and what you don’t need?
We have some suggestions for some of the top five most needed items that you may not have thought about. And some tips on what to bring and what to leave behind.
1) Potable Water Hose
You have to ensure that you always have a supply of clean and high-quality water in your RV for drinking and even cooking. However, not all hoses are created equal, and some could add some taste or smell to your water.
Go for a potable hose suited specifically for drinking water so that it will not add any smell or taste to your water. The hose may also can have a mechanism that allows you to connect one of its ends to the other when you are not using it to ensure that no dirt or insects get in it.
2) Water Filter
Even if you use a drinking water hose, there are chances that the water may still contain some bacteria and impurities that you cannot see. That’s why you need to connect a water filter or other purifier to your water supply. Sometimes we travel with those water purifying tablets which are a nice inexpensive alternative to a full-blown filter. Just follow the instructions on the package for how many to use in whatever quantity of water you have. But a good water filter is a nice addition to any RV if you can afford it.
Some of the current filters on the market even eliminate bacteria, fluoride, viruses, chlorine, heavy metals, parasites, chloramines, pharmaceuticals, radiological, pesticides, herbicides, petroleum contaminants, etc. They ensure that you quench your thirst with the best water possible without any chance of getting contaminated water. This is an important and often overlooked item that many RV’ers say represents a worthwhile investment.
3) Levelers
Sometimes you may encounter a camping site that has a lot of uneven or bumpy ground. Leveling your RV will not only ensure that you sleep and operate comfortably, but it will also ensure that your supplies in the RV remain steady and nothing falls over.
If you run your refrigerator while on uneven ground, your fridge will not always work properly and your food won’t stay cold, which is more reason for you to always have levelers with you on an RV road trip.
4) Sewer Hose and Supports
It is only practical that you will have to empty your RV sewer tanks to avoid any unpleasant smells and leakages on transit. To do that, you need the best quality and strongest sewer hose you can find.
You should have one that is about 15-20 feet long, just because some sewer connections can be far from your camping site. You also need connectors and supports to ensure that nothing goes wrong.
5) RV Toilet Chemicals
One of the biggest things that could make your RV trip uncomfortable is bad odors coming from your RV toilet. Having toilet chemicals helps you fight all those bad smells and also helps break down waste in your RV waste tank. That not only makes the drive more comfortable, but it also makes it easier for you to transfer your waste to a sewer when you connect the sewer hose.
So that represents the top five items that you absolutely should have on your RV when you travel. What about what you should pack?
Pack this, not that:
When going on an RV road trip, you always want to have enough things to ensure comfort, but sometimes it may be hard to decide what you need and what you don’t. This is a list that will help you pack intelligently for your next RV trip.
Food
This is one of the most important things you should never leave behind. Remember that you better have food that you will need for that first morning because you may not know where you will park for the night and how far or close the shops will be to you. On the other hand, don’t overdo it as there are stores almost everywhere to restock. You won’t want to bring a bunch of canned goods, for example, as they are heavy and you can find a can of baked beans almost anywhere. Just be smart, plan your menus ahead of time, and bring with you some items that you know you want to have handy.
Electronics:
Bring along the essentials for communication and for your phone and laptop including:
• Wi-Fi router- This will keep you connected to the internet no matter where you are. Alternatively, you can bring along a mobile hot spot and often, your smart phone can serve as a hot spot for you.
• Adapters, chargers, and extra batteries- Bring along these accessories for your phone, laptops, cameras, and tablets to ensure you can communicate anytime.
• Walkie-talkies- These help you communicate with your friends on the trip in case you get separated to ensure nobody gets lost. They may also help you call for help in case anything happens on your trip. And they are a great asset when you are backing into an RV site and you want to know where the end of your rig is. A must-have for every RV’er!
Some other things to consider bringing:
Extra Clothes
Nobody ever knows the weather of the destination where you will stop, which is why you need to pack extra clothes. You may also need them to change and remain fresh. Always throw in a bathing suit because you might come across a waterfall or lake where you can swim.
Documents
It is important to always have your documents like passports, ID, and driver’s license and insurance proof, just in case. You also should have your RV manual and maintenance history in case it runs into a problem.
Personal Effects
These include toothbrushes, soap, shaving gadgets, shampoo, lotion, RV toilet paper, and deodorant. Those ensure that you remain clean, fresh, and comfortable throughout the whole trip.
Camping and Outdoor Gear
When you plan for a road trip, you are sure to stop at a campsite where you will spend the night and maybe even a few days. Some of the things you should bring for this include:
• Camping chairs and a folding table.
• Hammock or rafts or rings for floating on water.
• Fishing equipment such as fishing rods, fishing licenses, and tackles.
• Sports equipment.
• Bikes and safety gear.
What Not to Bring in an RV?
One of the biggest limitations of having an RV is that you have limited space, which limits the number of things you can bring. You should pack only the things you really need so that you are left with enough space to do other things like cook, eat and shower.
You should avoid carrying things that you will not need or those that you can get from stores around where you are going. Some of them include;
• Firewood, which is also prohibited to be brought in from outside in many places due to bringing with it exotic bugs, etc. Buy your firewood at the campground where you are staying.
• Excess and unnecessary kitchen items like instant pots and ice makers.
• Too many clothes. Only carry pack the necessary ones.
What Does Every RV Owner Need?
While there are important things you should pack from home on your RV trip, there are some things that you should always have on your RV no matter where you are going. Some of these include:
Surge Protector
Surge protectors keep your RV safe from under and over-voltage by shutting off the power automatically to save the RV electrical system. They alert you when there are problems and turn off its current, even when you are not there.
Fire Extinguisher
Fires can start anywhere, and accidents could happen to you that may start a fire in your RV or at your campsite. Having a fire extinguisher handy helps control the fire before anyone gets hurt.
Roadside Emergency Kit
Nobody knows what might happen when you are out on your road trip, and it is always better to be safe. You should have an emergency kit that includes warning triangles and a first aid kit. Those help you get help if your RV breaks down and if you or anyone else in the RV gets hurt.
Before you go on your next RV trip, consult your local El Monte RV Sales dealer for tips and ideas to help you have a safe and successful trip. And, remember to check out their inventory of gently used RV’s when you are ready for a new one.
