Outfitting a new RV

So you just purchased a new RV.
Congratulations. You have opened up a door to the potential for many wonderful and memorable experiences. You will be able to best enjoy your new RV if you are better prepared for the first trips out in it and that is what I hope to help you with here.
You will definitely encounter issues, at some point, with your unit but that depends on which company you buy from and just the ‘luck of the draw’. Even the best manufacturers turn out a lemon from time to time. Your level of ‘handiness’ with tools will be a big factor too. However, if you at least know which end of a hammer to hold then you can find plenty of help online. Search for RV sites on Facebook and join those closest to your need.
Too many new RVers get turned off on their first few trips due to not knowing what they truly needed and not being well prepared. If you outfit your unit well, you can maximize your enjoyment and minimize any issues with your rig. Many of these items are available at local stores for less than you will pay at the RV stores. Most are available for less online (especially from Amazon).
Now to the lists. I have grouped them by Essential, Important, and Handy then conclude with an RV Toolbox Checklist

Essential Items

Hydralic Jack –
Trailers do not typically come with jacks and most car jacks are too small. If you have a flat and need to change it, you need a hydraulic jack rated for at least half the weight of your loaded trailer. Even if you have road side service, you may find yourself in a situation where you cannot reach them or get help as quickly as you need it to keep on schedule. Available at your local automotive parts store.

Levelers / pads
I have NEVER found a campsite that was perfectly level. You can stack these to drive the wheels of one side onto in order to level your unit side-to-side before you disconnect from your TV (tow vehicle).
You will also need some to place under the tongue and corner stilts/jacks to keep them from sinking into dirt and when your site is very un-level. I ended getting three bags of them. Available online.

Chocks
You absolutely have to chock your wheels once your RV is in place and before you start leveling. If not, you RV can roll away – and possibly a far ways. Available online.

Fresh water hose
You need special hoses for your drinking water. Do not use a standard garden hose. At the least, your water will taste bad. Use a Drinking Water Hose – Lead and BPA Free, Reinforced hose. Actually buy multiple hoses. A ½” diameter is OK but 5/8″ is better and gives better flow and pressure inside the rig.
Sometimes the water connection will be right next to your RV connection but it may be a lot farther away. Sometimes, the water is out by the road and even at the very back of the site. I suggest two sections that add up to 10 foot longer than the longest distance from you RV connection to each end of the rig (to the front or back). Available online.

Other use hose
You will want another hose for other uses. I suggest an expandable hose. Available at your local hardware store.

Hose adapters
You need a variety of adapters. Depending on your connections to the RV and unknown conditions at the RV park, you may need a 90° elbow a flex adapter or a 45° elbow. I suggest two of each,
If you want to connect both your drinking water hose and another one to the source simultaneously, you need a ‘Y’. The flex “Y” is your best bet. Available at your local hardware store.

Water filter and a regulator.
You will want to place a filter inline on your drinking water hose. This is to make sure you filter out any impurities. It can go on either end of the hose.
You need a pressure regulator too. Some campgrounds have very high water pressure and this can cause your plastic plumping (inside the RV) to pop of or even burst. The regulator keeps the pressure within an acceptable limit. Available online.

Sewer pipe system
Wow!! This is a biggie ! ! Get cheap here and you may find yourself in a scene like Robin Williams in the movie RV (you have to watch this if you have never seen it).
Flex sewer pipe. This needs to be tough. Don’t go cheap here. at least rated as Durable High Tensile Strength Sewer Steel Wire Core with 12 mils of HTS Vinyl. As with the water hose, I suggest multiple sections that add up to 10 foot longer than the longest distance from you RV connection to each end of the rig (to the front or back).
Tapered 90° sewer pipe with clear elbow for connecting to the campground pipes.
Clear 45° elbows (at least 2)
Sewer pipe stilts – long enough to support the entire length of sewer hose. Available online.

Power Cables (30A/50A)
You need to know if your RV requires 30amp or 50amp (30A/50A) power. This is very important. A 30A RV can operate from a 50A power source (with an adapter) but NOT the other way around.
Make sure that the connections on each end are correct for the type of power you are looking to use. Take care to look at each end and what is required.
As with the water hose, I suggest multiple sections that add up to 10 foot longer than the longest distance from you RV connection to each end of the rig (to the front or back).
A surge suppressor – fault indicator is ESSENTIAL ! ! A defective/miss-wired campsite connection can wreak havoc on your RV electrical systems.
If your RV uses 30A power, you can connect to your home electrical system as long as you do not run your AC (unless you have a dedicated 30A line installed for the RV connection). You will need an adapter to connect to the regular home outlets. Be sure to use a heavy gauge extension cord. Also, a cable bike lock is a good way to make sure it stays in place. Available online.

Important Items

Levels Stick on/screw on
Adding permanent level indicators in a handy location just inside the door (or even on the outside – but they may get damaged outside) is a huge help for leveling your rig. Before installing them, use a construction level (the longer the better) to level your rig perfectly. Install one to show side-to-side and one for front-to-back. Available online.

Trailer Tongue Electric Jack Cover
You really should get some kind of a durable cover for the electric tongue jack to protect it from the elements and road debris. You can also stow the connector that hooks to the TV under it and out of the rain. Available online.

Spare Fuses
You will need a box of spare fuses for when you managed to blow one that runs something critical in your RV. Look to see what sizes are used in your unit and but an assortment of the needed sizes. Available online

Rechargeable drill
You will be glad you have one. It comes in handy for repairs and adding shelving and such. Most importantly : unless your RV has an auto leveling system, you will want a quick and easy way to run the corner stilts up and down. Add a socket adapter and a socket to fit the stilts (probably 3/4″) and the job goes so much easier. Just remember to keep the battery charged . . .
Available at your local hardware store.

Camp saw / hatchet
If you plan to have camp fires, these are essential. You will want to cut pieces shorter at times as well as split bigger pieces into thinner ones. Available online.

Emergency Warning Triangle Reflectors
Some states actually require either flares or these Warning Reflectors when traveling with an RV. Available online.

Step Stool
Unless you have an extension step for your entrance, you will eventually find a need for this. On a recent trip, we had a site that was not very level. I had to place four layers of leveler bricks under the right side. This resulted in the first door step hanging over 18 inches above the ground! We had to run out and get a stool. The 9″ folding stool worked perfectly. I would not go higher than 12″ for one.

Portable Waste Transport
If you will be insisting on ALWAYS camping with full hookups ONLY, you do not need this. However, if you ever camp where sewer hookups are not at the site, this will allow you to drain your tank(s), or at least part, and transport the waste to the dump station without unhooking your trailer and all the utilities and such. They come in a wide variety of capacities (sizes). Available online.

Camp Chairs
You must have some folding camp chairs. There is a wide selection from the basic chair to recliners and rockers.
Available in many stores and online.

Handy Items

WIFI / Cell Phone Extenders/boosters.
First, you need to understand what these can, and cannot, do. I was a tactical communications engineer for the USAF and designed and managed a wide variety of communications while deployed out into the field.
A booster CAN take an usable signal and make it stronger – not better.
If your connection is marginal, a better antenna might make it acceptable. If your signal is simply bad, none of these will help. All they do is amplify the signal.
Amplifying a bad signal is like showing your old worn out VCR tapes on a HD TV. It’s a big HD view of an old crappy quality recording.
That’s not to say they are useless.
I have a post dedicated to explaining the whole issue of mobile communications while camping here.

Satellite dishes
A great way to get a good internet signal and cable TV is with a satellite dish. Keep in mind that you have to be camping in a location where there is a clear, unobstructed view for the dish. This will not be the case in state parks and nice wooded camp grounds.

Tablecloth clips
A must to keep you table cloth in place. Available online.

Folding tables
You will surely want some small folding tables. I use one by my grill and we have some small round tables for next to our reclining outdoor chairs. Available in many stores.

Pie Irons
A great camp cooking tool. You can make a variety of items in this great little device. Great for making hot sandwiches for lunch then it serves as a fireside treat maker. My fav is fruit pies. (place 2 pieces of bread in it with lots of pie filling in between and cook up a great treat). Other ideas are cinnamon buns, pizza sandwiches (White bread, marinara sauce, pepperoni, and shredded mozzarella), pudgy pies (butter, bread,peanut butter, chocolate and marshmallows), and the sky is the limit. You need a good bed of red hot coals in the fireplace for this to work best. Available online.

Fireplace tools
What’s camping without a nice fire on a cool night? Needless to say, at least one person in your party will be that person who likes to tend yo the fire. Keep it safe with regular fireplace tools. The only 2 you really need are the poker and log grabber. Maybe pick them up from a garage sale.

Hammock(s)
You may enjoy just vegging out on a nice easy day. No better way than in a hammock. Just hope your site has 2 trees for it. Available online.

Wood tote
If you plan to have camp fires, this is handy. Pick a tote or crate that will carry enough wood but be careful not to go so big it ends up too heavy to tote around. Available in many stores.

Collapsible Colander Set
A good way to save space in your cabinets. Available online.

Egg Container
Since your eggs will be riding in the fridge – inside the trailer – while traveling (and bouncing down the road like crazy), you need something to make sure your eggs arrive unbroken. These work very well. Available online.

Wifi Booster
While not critical, you may benefit from a booster for Wifi signals. Understand that these do NOT improve the campground’s Wifi signal. They simply provide a solid connection. The booster provides a strong signal around your campsite so that you do not have weak spots. If the campgrounds signal is crappy, you end up with a stronger crappy signal. Available online.

Small Vac
You will need to vacuum up sand and grit from time to time and this is the best way. Available in many stores and online.

Bug Swatter/Zapper
No matter how many Citronela candles you have, there will times when those nasty gnats or flies just won’t give up. This handy racket style battery powered bug zapper is my favorite way to deal with them. It may even end up improving your tennis game. Available online.

Freezer Ice Packs
I always place a large freezer pack in the freezer and one in the fridge when heading away from home for the campground. Be sure to check the clearance inside the fridge and get blocks that will fit easily.
While most RV refrigerators will run on LP gas, it is not advisable to leave your LP gas on while driving and actually illegal in some states a cities.
These packs will keep everything in good shape for even a long drive as long as nobody opens the door during the trip. Available in many stores and online.

Fans
A larger fan for outside use can change an uncomfortable day into a pleasant one. Pick one that is quiet but has a good output (CFPM – cubic foot per minute). Available in many stores and online.

Outside/Camping rug
An exterior rug placed outside the door of the camper will provide a dust/grass free area and minimize tracking dirt into the trailer. It’s best to get one with it’s own carry bag. Available online.

Sonic Pest Repeller
While these do not keep EVERY pest away, they certainly do keep them from lingering around. They are especially good to keep mice, and other critters, away. Available online.

Water Filter
Even with the main line filter, you may detect strange tastes in the water. A good drip water filter, such as Britta, is a good investment. Available in many stores and online.

Command Hooks
Lots of command hooks and a variety of sizes. You will be surprised how much you end up using them especially when your RV is new and you keep changing your mind where you would rather hang things.
Available in many stores and online.

Baskets and Racks
Search the internet (and Amazon) for items like RV accessories, bathroom or kitchen accessories, or similar, and you will find a vast world of specialized racks and such. Consider where you plan to use it, measure the space, and make sure it will hold what you intend to place in it. Our fav is the toothbrush/toothpaste/cup rack in the bathroom.
Available in many stores and online.

Baskets and Bins
A trip to the dollar store, or Five Below, is a wise choice. You will find tons of uses for the little metal and plastic baskets, bins, and shelving they sell there. These 3 wire bins came from the dollar store. I simply screwed them to the top of the window valence by the door. If you have large storage areas (like an outside pass-through) you’ll also want some large storage containers to keep it all sorted – somewhat.
Available in many stores and online.

Decals and Decos
Once you name your trailer, you’ll want to display it. You can get vinyl stickers and custom tire covers – or both.
Available online.

Setting up a good tool box for your RV.

Just like in your house, anything in your RV can snap, loosen, tear, bend, leak, or break – and always when you’re out enjoying nature 40 miles from nowhere. No matter how well constructed your rig might be, eventually something will have to be tightened, loosened, pounded flat, pried or cut. In order to maintaining inner tranquility and not let a mini disaster spoil your trip you need a well-equipped RV toolbox on hand.
A good RV toolbox needs mostly inexpensive, yet important, items that newcomers and veteran campers alike should pack for every trip, big and small.

The Tools:

• Cordless drill with spare battery for turning the drill bits that make the holes. Also good for lowering and raising trailer stabilizing jacks.
• Small drill bit set with sizes ranging from 1/16- to 1/4-inch. Get the type that works with both metal and wood.
• Assortment of screwdriver bits for the drill.
• Socket wrench set.
• Phillips head and flat bladed screwdrivers (large, medium, small) NOT for prying items apart.
• Standard pliers.
• Channel-lock pliers.
• Needle-nose pliers.
• 10-inch Crescent wrench.
• Tape measure.
• Small pry bar.
• Sturdy claw hammer.
• Pocket knife.
• Hobby knife.
• Wire cutters.
• Small tape measure.
• Mini hacksaw .
• Small two-way bubble level.
• A miniature voltmeter – if you know how to use it.
• Folding tree saw for cutting trees that have fallen across the only road out and you can’t back up. Emergency use only; rangers and camp hosts frown when you start your own tree service on government and private land.

Hardware:

• Small can of WD-40
• Ball/hitch lube.
• Duct Tape
• An assortment of Stainless Steel Hose Clamps
• An assortment of wood, machine and self-tapping screws, nuts, bolts and washers.
• Plastic zip & velcro ties (removable and permanent).
• An assortment of fuses in various amperage ratings to replace blown fuses in your RV and tow vehicle.
• Spare bulbs for RV brake, turn and running lights.
• A small roll of 10- to 12-gauge insulated wire
• Electrical tape & plumber’s sealing tape
• A head-mounted flashlight can be invaluable.
• Spare water hose washers.
• Adhesives: “Super” glue, multi-purpose adhesive, silicon sealant & threadlocker glue.
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Next: Basic RV & Camping Skills