RV must have items

[carpsniperg2]

Well we have suddenly joined the RV club with my grandparents gifting me their smaller motor home a class B.
Just learning all the systems and learning some little do's and don'ts.

So the wall tent thread got me thinking. What are some of the items that y'all have that you feel are a must have when taking the RV on trips.

[Special T]

Roll up synthetic fake grass. Helps keep the dust and crap outside.

Cribbage board



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[carpsniperg2]

Oh I like that idea. Was looking at door mats/rugs but I bet that fake turf stuff scrapes and traps stuff good.

[Special T]

Works good for dust, mud or snow! Best to find an outside place to store it when traveling. I used a cheap 8x10 or 6x8 in front of the door.

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[Cylvertip]

Happy Camper for the black tank.  Kills the stink.

A tea kettle.  Heat the tea kettle and use hot water from it.  If you run the water heater in the summer, it heats the whole rv.  Plus to get hot water at the faucet, you purge a bunch of cold water first.  Water is a precious resource if you aren't connected to it.  And no constant running of the water.  A little really goes a long way.

Indoor outdoor thermometer that has the remote sensor for outdoor.  Put the outdoor sensor in the fridge to keep track of how cold it really is.  A couple of exploring cans of soda in the winter is not a fun way to spend an evening.  Just saying.

[BD1]

A jack that is high enough...trust me 

[Oh Mah]

Fly swatter.Tape up heater,water heater and hot water heater exhaust pipes during off seasons to keep wasp out of these units.

[Woodchuck]

Checkbook, a great big checkbook. 

[gutsnthegrass]

Small tool box, outdoor mats/turf, electric heater with fan so when plugged in at a campground, you don't have to use your furnace (This saves on the LP bill) Outdoor games, indoor games for when the weather sucks.

[Sandberm]

If you do not use your RV regularly, turn on anything that runs on propane every couple months to keep bugs from plugging up the propane nozzles.

We didnt use our travel trailer for a year last year and the furnace was plugged. Again, this fall we went camping after the travel trailer sat for a year, the fridge quit working when the nozzle got plugged. Some 9pm in the dark mechanic work, I got it unplugged.

[Special T]

If you do not use your RV regularly, turn on anything that runs on propane every couple months to keep bugs from plugging up the propane nozzles.

We didnt use our travel trailer for a year last year and the furnace was plugged. Again, this fall we went camping after the travel trailer sat for a year, the fridge quit working when the nozzle got plugged. Some 9pm in the dark mechanic work, I got it unplugged.

Ask for your grandparents checklist. anyone with an RV has one even if not written down. Do this not that. Write that stuff down! SOP LIST!

[Widgeondeke]

duct tape, epoxy in syringe & polyurethane caulking to fix almost any unexpected defect.
nitrile gloves for emptying the black tank      on serious note. learn the sequence for emptying tanks 
make sure if hookin up to "city" water, that your hose has a pressure regulator. too much pressure will blow RV hoses 

[Alchase]

If you do not use your RV regularly, turn on anything that runs on propane every couple months to keep bugs from plugging up the propane nozzles.

We didnt use our travel trailer for a year last year and the furnace was plugged. Again, this fall we went camping after the travel trailer sat for a year, the fridge quit working when the nozzle got plugged. Some 9pm in the dark mechanic work, I got it unplugged.

Ask for your grandparents checklist. anyone with an RV has one even if not written down. Do this not that. Write that stuff down! SOP LIST!

My dad had laminated checklists with a grease pencil, one for Prep, year end storage, and one for maintenance.

Another handy tip, mount bubble levels at each corner, so it is easy for a novice to level it out. The RV stores sell them. But you can also just make them from those inexpensive line levels.

An outside Propane valve comes in handy so you can cook outside as much as possible. Keeps the grease or stink out.

heater with fan so when plugged in at a campground, you don't have to use your furnace (This saves on the LP bill)

 

Once hooked up, electricity is free, save your propane.

A 10x10 popup with bug screens, makes relaxing outside more enjoyable.

I have seen some people attach bug screens to their awning, though I am not familiar with how they do it.

Cheap LED line lights for outside.

[Special T]

Any 12v lighting replace with LED. Use replacement bulbs or you can buy all kind of LED lighting strips. Ive used a small battery tender solar pannel to keep batteries fresh.

[metlhead]

Broom and dust pan. Clothesline, cable tethers for the dogs, and those lifetime tables, never have too many. Extra blankets inside. Ours is fully stocked at all times. Food/drink and go. A small and tip safe portable heater is always on for freeze protection. Sunscreen and pile of tp/pt and garbage bags. List could be endless

[Oh Mah]

  endless.

[BD1]

For summer camping (with hook ups) my wife bought misters....not what I want under the awning but nice to have when it is 108 on the eastside of the mountains. Yes it can be a lot of money when things happen, but so are boats, vacation trips and anytime you venture out. Enjoy it...even when the crapper hose blows out, you need to remember to have fun and laugh. Issues are temporary, but being out there...wherever it is, is priceless, especially with family. 

[carpsniperg2]

Awesome keep them coming. I'm making a list!

I have it stored in my garage so that's a huge plus compared to outside.

The thing is like new and my grandparents barely used it so they couldnt answer to many of my questions. They have a giant live in type motor home and bought this small class B as well but never really used it much besides trips to like the bigger cities. I have been watching videos and reading manuals and learning. I am not new to a rv per say as I have had a camp trailer before. However this is my first motor home. This thing is about as fancy as they get. To many bells and whistles for this simple redneck lol.

My aunt and "uncle" borrowed it and took a trip with it and somehow could not figure out how to dump it after using it and brought it back with 2/3 full black and grey tank and never told my grandparents. Lame I know and it sat for months like that.  So I read all the manuals and figure out how to use this turd blender system this fancy sucker has on it. Only to figure out they used wipes and regular tp in it "not smart people" and have it jammed up. So my first chore was using the emergency empty to get it all cleaned out and they had opened the valves and let all that nasty charge up the line. PUKE fun stuff to have to deal with first thing you deal with lol. So going to have to take it in and see if they can un clog this macerator thing or replace it. I tried back flushing it to get it to kick free but it wont work. So got the emergency dump system working and got a house fitting and old school dump line coming for that.

[Encore 280]

Handy little items for the fridge, those round, spring loaded extendable curtain rods that extend between 18 - 24" or so. Put them in front of the milk cartons or whatever so things stay put and don't come jumping out at ya when you open the fridge door.

[DRobnsn]

Handy little items for the fridge, those round, spring loaded extendable curtain rods that extend between 18 - 24" or so. Put them in front of the milk cartons or whatever so things stay put and don't come jumping out at ya when you open the fridge door.

Great idea! 

[Alchase]

Awesome keep them coming. I'm making a list!

I have it stored in my garage so that's a huge plus compared to outside.

The thing is like new and my grandparents barely used it so they couldnt answer to many of my questions. They have a giant live in type motor home and bought this small class B as well but never really used it much besides trips to like the bigger cities. I have been watching videos and reading manuals and learning. I am not new to a rv per say as I have had a camp trailer before. However this is my first motor home. This thing is about as fancy as they get. To many bells and whistles for this simple redneck lol.

My aunt and "uncle" borrowed it and took a trip with it and somehow could not figure out how to dump it after using it and brought it back with 2/3 full black and grey tank and never told my grandparents. Lame I know and it sat for months like that.  So I read all the manuals and figure out how to use this turd blender system this fancy sucker has on it. Only to figure out they used wipes and regular tp in it "not smart people" and have it jammed up. So my first chore was using the emergency empty to get it all cleaned out and they had opened the valves and let all that nasty charge up the line. PUKE fun stuff to have to deal with first thing you deal with lol. So going to have to take it in and see if they can un clog this macerator thing or replace it. I tried back flushing it to get it to kick free but it wont work. So got the emergency dump system working and got a house fitting and old school dump line coming for that.

We grew up with strict rules, no going No. 2 inside. Period, end of story!
My Dad believed if we were on hookup, that means there is a public restroom close by. If not on hookup, grab a shovel and move 100 feet away from the RV

Also when not on hookup, Dig a whole a couple feet deep, and run your grey water through an extended hose into to the hole.

[Alchase]

Those little bungies with the ball on one end are great for securing cabinets doors.

[carpsniperg2]

Handy little items for the fridge, those round, spring loaded extendable curtain rods that extend between 18 - 24" or so. Put them in front of the milk cartons or whatever so things stay put and don't come jumping out at ya when you open the fridge door.

Oh that is great I use to have that happen all the time in my camp trailer.

[carpsniperg2]

Awesome keep them coming. I'm making a list!

I have it stored in my garage so that's a huge plus compared to outside.

The thing is like new and my grandparents barely used it so they couldnt answer to many of my questions. They have a giant live in type motor home and bought this small class B as well but never really used it much besides trips to like the bigger cities. I have been watching videos and reading manuals and learning. I am not new to a rv per say as I have had a camp trailer before. However this is my first motor home. This thing is about as fancy as they get. To many bells and whistles for this simple redneck lol.

My aunt and "uncle" borrowed it and took a trip with it and somehow could not figure out how to dump it after using it and brought it back with 2/3 full black and grey tank and never told my grandparents. Lame I know and it sat for months like that.  So I read all the manuals and figure out how to use this turd blender system this fancy sucker has on it. Only to figure out they used wipes and regular tp in it "not smart people" and have it jammed up. So my first chore was using the emergency empty to get it all cleaned out and they had opened the valves and let all that nasty charge up the line. PUKE fun stuff to have to deal with first thing you deal with lol. So going to have to take it in and see if they can un clog this macerator thing or replace it. I tried back flushing it to get it to kick free but it wont work. So got the emergency dump system working and got a house fitting and old school dump line coming for that.

We grew up with strict rules, no going No. 2 inside. Period, end of story!
My Dad believed if we were on hookup, that means there is a public restroom close by. If not on hookup, grab a shovel and move 100 feet away from the RV

Also when not on hookup, Dig a whole a couple feet deep, and run your grey water through an extended hose into to the hole.

Oh yeah it wont be used to much by me I like the great outdoors. When it goes hunting it will probably not be used at all but with the little kiddos and ladies on trips and such will be about the only use. I hate using public restrooms and only do around big cities so I dont get a ticket for flashing to much skin if you get my drift lol.

Do you just leave the valve on the grey open to the hose so it can free poor down the line?

[Oh Mah]

when draining the tanks i always leave the grey for last,helps to clean out the hose after the black tank has drained.

[BD1]

Handy little items for the fridge, those round, spring loaded extendable curtain rods that extend between 18 - 24" or so. Put them in front of the milk cartons or whatever so things stay put and don't come jumping out at ya when you open the fridge door.

That is something I never thought about...great thread for all of us 

[Cylvertip]

 :

when draining the tanks i always leave the grey for last,helps to clean out the hose after the black tank has drained.

 

[Cylvertip]

Handy little items for the fridge, those round, spring loaded extendable curtain rods that extend between 18 - 24" or so. Put them in front of the milk cartons or whatever so things stay put and don't come jumping out at ya when you open the fridge door.

. I use the really small bungies with hooks on both ends.  Run them between the shelves as needed.  Through the milk jug handle from shelf to shelf, etc.

[Encore 280]

Handy little items for the fridge, those round, spring loaded extendable curtain rods that extend between 18 - 24" or so. Put them in front of the milk cartons or whatever so things stay put and don't come jumping out at ya when you open the fridge door.

I have to confess and give credit where credit is due. I got that idea from when I was tow boating in Alaska. The cook used those tension rods in the fridge on the tug. Really came in handy. Been using them since my first camper and now the travel trailer. Thanks Peg!

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Use a good wax on the whole RV. Especially the front. Before trip spray Armor All over the waxed front which makes cleanning bugs off easier.
Curious if anyone has a different way?

[Boss .300 winmag]

Handy little items for the fridge, those round, spring loaded extendable curtain rods that extend between 18 - 24" or so. Put them in front of the milk cartons or whatever so things stay put and don't come jumping out at ya when you open the fridge door.

I have to confess and give credit where credit is due. I got that idea from when I was tow boating in Alaska. The cook used those tension rods in the fridge on the tug. Really came in handy. Been using them since my first camper and now the travel trailer. Thanks Peg!

You can do the same thing if your door latch becomes weak, and you have a lip to tension it between.😉

[msg]

It is critical to keep rv refrigerators level. If it goes out and you open the panel outside and see a yellow sulfur looking powder it is toast. Seven to eight hundred and up for the cooling unit alone. RV repair shops don't want to go that route though. They want to sell you a brand new refrigerator for 2500 and up depending on size. I have a good friend that has always said that RV stands for Ruined Vacation

[trophyhunt]

Take care of the battery, I leave my trailer plugged in, I'm hoping it has a smart charger built in it.  But a tender would be best.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Take care of the battery, I leave my trailer plugged in, I'm hoping it has a smart charger built in it.  But a tender would be best.

Be careful with the on board chargers. Some will cook your battery faster than bacon.  For off season while being stored as Carpsniper2  is id disconnect all batteries and plug in Battery Tenders for the winter till the RV is used again. Seems RVs and Boats go hand in hand for maintenance and stuff breaking!

[tbrady]

Definitely keep a decent toolkit handy.  I can't think of a single trip where something didn't need to be fixed along the way (partly due to 3 boys roughhousing).  Also, one of the battery powered jump starters.  We are usually in BFE so jumper cables are of no use.  We've only had to use the jump starter once but we would have been screwed without it.  Also keep a small 12v air compressor just in case.  And chains.. and duct tape (if all else fails).   

The best upgrade we ever did was put in lithium coach batteries.  They cost a fortune but if you plan on keeping the RV a long time I think it's worth it.  Since we almost never have hookups the lifepo4 batteries help a ton.  They can charge at 30-50ah so the generator only has to run a little every few days to keep up.  Really helps in natl parks etc...  Plus, our batteries have a built-in bluetooth app so you can see actually what you are drawing and current state of charge.

[carpsniperg2]

For sure. I have one of those portable jump start boxes. Tossed a roll of gorilla tape in it. Working on a tool kit.

My uncle introduced me to the black tank cleaning wand today and I am ordering one of those!

[HntnFsh]

You can also dump a couple bags of ice in your black tank and let them slosh around while you are towing. Cleans things up pretty well.

[JKEEN33]

Must have a good attitude. They can be work and yes there is expense. Take it for what it is and have a great time. We love getting out in ours.

[JJB11B]

Spare Fuzes, a spray bottle with soap and water for checking propane fittings. some wood blocks (to go along with your jack) leveling blocks I just have the Campco brand ones, I bought 2 sets and they are very nice to have. A good quality hand saw, think firewood cutting in a camp ground.... battery powered lanterns are nice to have as long as you have lots of batteries, I rarely use my propane lanterns now, no mantles to mess with. I bought new folding lawn chairs and a folding table to keep in ours all the time.

[lee]

You can also dump a couple bags of ice in your black tank and let them slosh around while you are towing. Cleans things up pretty well.

[Wake1]

I second the wood blocks for the jacks. I used 8"X12" beam and cut down to about 12" long. I also stapled some rope to them to make a handle for easier transport. Used two under each jack. Also used a Makita(battery power) with a socket to crank jacks up and down. Outdoor carpet for under awning. Electric heater for when you are camping in parks with electricity. Also carried a couple 2"X6" boards about three or four feet long to drive the trailer onto for leveling.

[browney5er]

Coors light during the day and Jack and Coke at night, happy camping.