RV Camping: the must-haves

Photography by Vincent Drolet

Finally! You are now the owner your first recreational vehicle. Congratulations! However, in order to fully enjoy your new acquisition, you must add equipment to make your adventures as much fun as in your dreams.

No matter the type of RV that you have chosen, some items are essential. In order to simplify your preparations, we have put together a list of basic items, which you can personalize with time and according to your tastes and needs. You can add or remove certain items, depending on the type of camper that you are (tent-trailer, truck camper, trailer, fifth wheel, class A, B, or C motorhome or even a tent).

We recommend that the things that are meant for camping in the RV stay in the RV for camping… Is this clear? Well it is true that put this way, it might not be so clear… In other words, if you bring something from the house, make sure to buy a second one in order to have one on your camping trip and another one at home. The trick is not to mix the camping material with that of the house. This way, you make sure not to mix anything and in time, your camping equipment will be complete.

By applying this principle, when we go on the road, all we have to do is to bring our clothes, our food and our photo/video equipment. It is so much simpler and quicker.

Obviously, we will find in our RV, the basic items of every good camper : an axe, fire starters, a tarpaulin, lighting (a flashlight, a headlamp or a lantern), the sleeping bags, the pillows, the blankets and everything you need for your meals (stove, mess kits, plates, utensils, etc.).

The objective here is not to make a complete list of all the camping essentials – we will have the chance to talk about it in more details in future collaborations with Latulippe – but rather to focus on items that are essential on board an RV.

Here is our list of RV must-haves

For Electrical Connections

-Adapter for sockets of 15 and/or 30 and/or 50 amperes to the type of connections in your RV;
-25-foot extension cord of 15 and/or 30 and/or 50 amperes to the type of connections in your RV;
-25-foot outdoor extension cord (15 A. 120V.);
-1, 2 and/or 3-meter indoor extension cords;
-Wall mount power strip with 3 outlets;
-Power strip with 6 outlets;
-Power inverter;
-Spare fuses;
-Spare lightbulbs;
-Multimeter or voltage tester.

Make sure that your electrical connections are safe. An unsafe electrical connection can cause a fire or worse, a fatal electrocution. Beware! Water and electricity are not good friends.

Plumbing

-Marine and RV drinking water hose ( ½ inch by 25 feet)
-Water pressure regulator;
-Y-connector with 2 brass shut-off valves;
-Sewer line (10, 15 or 20 feet);
-Sewer line support (10, 15 or 20 feet);
-Sewer line elbow;
-Dual flush adaptor
-Black hose for sanitary maintenance (never take the white);
-Spray nozzle;
-Waterproof PVC coated work gloves (for sewers)

Note: It is important to choose a connecting hose that is made for recreational vehicles. Its inside coating has been treated so that the water won’t taste rubber and its components are free from lead and non-toxic. Its white color helps reflect the sun’s heat. We recommend to put a filter disk for flexible hoses in order to catch impurities that could block faucets.

The pressure authorized by RV manufacturers is 50 psi. However, some camping sites offer a higher pressure. Water pressure that is too high can end up damaging your RV’s plumbing. A water pressure regulator should be used each time that you connect your RV to an external water supply. This device controls water pressure. The exit pressure is pre-set at 45 psi. Connect your pressure regulator on your source of drinkable water: it will protect your clean water system, as well as your vinyl hose. Without this essential item, you could find yourself in an RV equipped with a pool!

For owners of 45-foot RV equipped with a washing machine, a dryer, two air conditioning units, two TVs, a full kitchen and a semi-olympic pool, know that some pressure regulator models have a special filter for washing machines! Interesting, isn’t it?

To level and stabilize your RV

-Levels;
-Levelling blocks;
-Wheel chocks;
-Jack stabilizers or support pillows;
-Work gloves;
-Flashlight or headlamp (for late arrivals at the campground)

Mechanics

-Spare tire with a jack and wrenches;
-Complete roadside emergency kit;
-Hand Crank flashlight;
-Booster cables (jumper cables);
-Tire pressure gauge (manometer);
-Spare fuses (vehicle’s electrical system);
-Reflective triangles or flares;
-Orange reflective vest;
-Extendable tow strap;
-Traction aids;
-Power supply (minimum 800A);
-Basic tool box;
-Your RV manufacturer’s booklets;
-Duplicate of keys in a magnetic compartment that we hide under the vehicle;

To better enjoy your stay

-Groundsheet (To place on the ground under the RV’s awning);
-Tent stakes;
-Spiral stakes;
-Hammer or mallet;
-Step stool, step ladder or ladder;
-Nylon ratchet strap (at least two are necessary to attach to the spiral stakes that hold the awning);
-Bungee straps to hold the awning shut while on the move;
-Wheel covers (harmful sunrays can damage the RV tires);
-Portable toilet if your RV doesn’t have one;
-Liquid deodorizer for the toilet tank;
-RV toilet paper (less risky for the black water tank);
-Chemical products for used water tank (cleaning and treating);

There you go! We think that the essential is there, at least for the basic material and that, for all types of RV. With time and according to your specific needs, you will customize this list.

Of course, if you travel in a 45-foot RV equipped with a washing machine, a dryer, two air conditioning units, two TVs, a full kitchen and a semi-olympic pool, your list will be longer… Above all, don’t forget to bring 10 or 20 kg of chlorine for the pool!