Whether you’re renting or already own an RV, recreational vehicle travel is way more enjoyable when you’re prepared and properly packed with the right essentials. That’s why we rounded up the top 21 RV must-haves for your next adventure. So don’t stress, and scroll down to discover the best RV products suggesting from camping experts around the world, including Brenda Puckett, owner of Queen Bee RV Inspection, Janine Pettit, founder of girlcamper.com, and more. Here at Parade.com, we’re all about sharing products we love with our audience. When you make a purchase on an item seen on this page, we may earn a commission, however, all picks are independently chosen unless otherwise mentioned.
RV Must-Haves
1. Hamilton Beach 1.7-Liter Electric Kettle, $29.99 at Kohl’s
Yes, the Hamilton Beach Electric Kettle for $29.99 is perfect for making a much-needed quick cup of tea or coffee while you’re driving for hours on the road, but it can do so much more. Brenda Puckett says she uses her electric kettle “for washing a few dishes (if I don’t feel like waiting for my water heater to heat up), for cleaning, even for a quick sponge bath when I want to wipe off bug spray or my feet before bedtime!” Talk about tons of uses.
2. HEETA Waterproof Dry Bag
3. Solar Lantern Lights Outdoor SUNWIND Waterproof Solar Table Lamp
Lisa Carra and her husband Mike from Wilbraham, MA, started RVing five years ago. Traveling at least two weeks every year in their 5th-wheel travel trailer, Carra tells Parade.com that she has two suggestions when shopping for RV essentials. For a clean RV and good night’s sleep, these are the products she swears by:
4. V7 Motorhead Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner, $299.00 at The Home Depot
Head over to Home Depot if you’re looking to keep your RV mess-free during your travels. “I like to be barefoot in the camper but don’t like feeling the sand and dirt we track in,” explains Carra. “The cordless Dyson vacuum helps me keep it clean and also keeps the fur from our yellow lab under control.”
5. Simmons Beautysleep Foldaway Extra Portable Guest Bed Cot with Memory Foam Mattress, $139.00 at Walmart
Another one of Carra must-haves for RVing is a foam mattress. “A good night’s sleep is so important and the mattress in our RV needed help,” she explains. “It’s just as comfortable as our bed at home—maybe more!” This $139.00 memory foam mattress at Walmart is portable and folds away so it’s perfect for having guests and friends crash your RV. Janine Pettit, founder of girlcamper.com, in Hamilton, NJ can’t live without these five products when she’s adventuring out on her RV. Read on to see her most-used items during her RV trips:
6. Lafuma Pop Up XL Camp Chair, $110.00 at Backcountry
7. Camco 58035 Big Red Campfire - Approved for RV Campgrounds - Includes 10-Foot Propane Hose, $189.00 at Walmart
Whether you’re a beginner or novice in the RV world, making a fire from scratch could be a daunting task. Pettit, who’s a pro in RVing, sometimes doesn’t have “the energy or time to build a campfire” so she brings along her portable campfire! device by Camco. She says “it’s easy to set up and provides just the right atmosphere without the work!” The Pull Start Firestarter for $19.99 is another great option.
8. Igloo - 26-Pound Automatic Portable Countertop Ice Maker Machine, $127.99 at Best Buy
You need a portable ice maker if you’re like Pettit, who loves her club soda drinks with a splash of cranberry. “I never go camping without my Igloo portable ice maker,” she says. “It makes ice so quickly and I can use my little freezer for other goodies!” You can grab the Igloo Portable Countertop Ice Maker Machine at Best Buy on sale right now for $127.99.
9. TailGater Tire Table Original Tire Table, $139.95 at REI
Next up is the tire table, which can have multi-purposes on RV trips. " I like having my cooler off the ground and also using it as a dining, serving table. or drink station if I need it," Pettit adds. “It takes up very little room in my truck and sets up in a few minutes.”
10. Camco Life is Better at the Campsite Wine Tumbler Set, 8 oz., $26.24 at Camping World RV & Outdoors
Get the party started on the RV (once it’s parked, of course) and whip out the CamCo Wine Tumblers. These travel-friendly wine cups are insulated so they keep your red or white wine chilled to the perfect temp. “They have a lid that keeps the bugs out and the stainless-steel cup is easy to clean,” Pettit notes. “And the different colored stems make it easy to remember which one is yours when everyone is gathered at the campsite!” Kim Hamilton, a Chicago, IL, native who bought an Airstream travel trailer with her husband to travel up the East Coast from Florida, has a few RV must-haves that she recommends:
11. Camp Chef Explorer Deluxe Face Plate 2 Burner Stove, $119.99 at Dick’s Sporting Goods
As a new owner of an RV, Hamilton’s most excited about cooking outdoors. “Since buying our new RV, I knew I had to get a Camp Chef,” she shares. " I have one back in Chicago but did not want to wait until we got back there this summer to be able to cook the way I like to when outdoors." This outdoor propane stove has two burners, kitchen-style heat control knobs for easy on, off, and adjustments while cooking, and detachable legs for easy storage and transport.
12. Soleil Sheet Set, $48.00 at Anthropologie
Skip boring, solid bed sheets and spruce up your RV with a fun, bright design. Colorful and comfortable bedding “brings in the sunshine and cheers me up on the dreary days,” says Hamilton. We’re flipping out over this happy, Soliel Sheet set at Anthropologie—it screams a fun RV bedroom.
13. Fitness Insanity Resistance Bands Set - 5-Piece Exercise Bands, $32.27 at Walmart
Keeping up with your routine on a long RV vacation may be hard, so try this Fitness Insanity Resistance Band Set for $32.27 over at Walmart. “With no gym in sight most days (thankfully) the fitness bands are awesome,” Hamilton says. “I attach them to picnic tables, tree trunks or anything nearby that is sturdy enough to hold the bands.” Ready for more RV must-haves? Keith and Tia Sims are RV Bloggers at Soulful RV Family and have a lot of recs:
14. Clear2O Dirt Guard Sediment Pre-Filter, $35.99 at Camping World RV & Outdoors
Instead of lugging cases of water bottles, be environmentally friendly and try the Clear20 Dirt Guard Sediment Pre-Filter. “We all know that campground water can vary widely from place to place,” they point out. “The Clear O2 double water filter system helps provide our family with clean filtered water wherever we go.” This affordable filter is $35.99 at Camping World RV & Outdoors—plus, it will inspire you to stay hydrated!
15. HONDO BASE CAMP CHAIR, $299.99 at YETI
Comfort is key when you’re eating outdoors, hanging out or taking some sun. “I love searching out the best, most comfortable chair for the campground. Some may love the zero gravity, but they can be a challenge to store.” This one comes highly recommended!
16. Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid, 6-Qt., $89.95 at Williams Sonoma
“An incredible versatile kitchen item,” is how Keith Sims describes the Instant Pot Air Fryer for $89.95. “Tia is very focused on our family eating as healthy as possible,” he says. “This allows Tia to cook ‘healthier’ onion rings, French fries, wings, etc. We don’t leave our sticks and bricks without it!”
17. Blackstone® 22" Tabletop Griddle in Black, $149.99
RV expert couple Keith and Tia Sims fire up their Blackstone Tabletop Griddle all the time ever since they purchased it. “I have always been a loyal charcoal griller, but recently added a Blackstone to my grill mix,” Keith explains. “Whether it’s hamburgers, steaks or kabobs, a great grill will complete your camping kitchen.” Our final RV camping expert, Diana Hansen, owner of Let’s Camp S’More from Downs, IL, points out RV must-haves that make camping easy. Here are two products you need to purchase if you’re hitting the RV with the fam.
18. DLLJ Aluminum Folding Platform Steps with Anti-Slip Surface
19. Landmann 1537 Log Grabber, 26", Black
Making a campfire is a fun activity while on an RV trip, whether you’re making a meal or telling ghost stories. Hansen says her secret to an epic campfire. “We adjust the heat of the fire and keep safe using a long-handled log grabber,” she notes. Snag these Sunnydaze Log Grabber Tongs for $28.95—they’re easy to use with a 36" claw and have a spring lever action feature.
20. iPEGTOP Adhesive Shower Caddy Bathroom Shelf Storage with Hooks
21. Pull Start Fire, $26 for 3 Pack
Ditch the matches and the lighter—with the Pull Start Fire, all you do is add wood and you have the campfire of your dreams. Windproof and rainproof, this nifty item can even light wet wood and burns for 30 minutes. Just enough time to make the ultimate s’mores with your kids! Up next, renovate your RV and give it a fresh makeover with these helpful tips from blogger Sarah Lemp.
