If you’ve just purchased your brand-new RV off the lot, then you’re definitely not ready to hit the road, especially for a camping trip. RVs might range from minimalist and modest vehicles to glamped-up mini-mansions on wheels, but camping outdoors with an RV is a whole other story. From hiking and sleeping gear to kitchen essentials, you need an entire checklist for the best accessories for RV camping that’ll help you get the most fun out of the great outdoors. After all, just because you’re sleeping under the stars doesn’t mean that you have to rough it. So, no matter where you’re counting sheep, some essentials on your packing list won’t change. Hence, whether you’re going off the grid with your campervan or parking at a swanky campground, there are some RV accessories and gear that you’ll certainly want to bring with you all the time.
That said, it can be very easy to get overwhelmed by all of the RV camping accessories that are available today. And especially after having spent a boatload of money on the vehicle itself, you’ll want to buy things carefully. So, how do you know what you actually need and what is just nice to look at or have? That’s why we’ve also included a buying guide that’ll help you select products that are deemed worthy of schlepping across the country. To that end, here is a checklist of the 13 best accessories for RV camping.
How To Choose The Best RV Accessories For Camping?
RV Essentials
All RV camping tools, gadgets, and accessories are must-haves, but some of them fall into the category of must-must-haves for your checklist. These are the accessories without which an RV can’t function, let alone be used to camp. These include what you should be looking for before buying an RV or those supplies that you’re planning to equip your present RV with. These include electrical, water, and sewage hook-up supplies such as a drinking water hose, the Best Water Purification Tablets, water filters, and a camper sewer hose. You’ll also need a water pressure regulator, leveling blocks, and a tire pressure monitoring system, among others. Are you going on a joyride across regions with varied weather conditions? You might also want to invest in the Best RV Covers.
Camping food
Gone are those days when you had to wait for slowly cooking peas soup or a bowl of beans on a camp stove. Today, you have some of the Best Camping Foods at your fingertips – think tuna salad with crackers, macaroni with cheese, ravioli bowl, and more. Apart from these, the market is literally flooded with the choicest of food options to choose from to make your camping food non-boring and something to look forward to. After all, you need something delicious and nutritious to perk you up after a long tiring day of driving the RV around or hiking. If you need some ideas to get started, here are the Best Easy Campfire Recipe Books.
Kitchen and cooking supplies
Kitchen and cooking supplies are perhaps what you need the most after camping food. After all, how are you going to cook camping food? Cooking in an RV isn’t lackluster or stressful, thanks to a hoard of excellent kitchen accessories. These include Dutch ovens, cast-iron skillets, and collapsible measuring cups. What’ll also be useful is the Best Camping Cookware such as an instant pot pressure cooker, stackable dinnerware set, and an RV utensil set. You’ll also need essentials to prepare food such as knives, cutting dish towels, dish soap, disinfecting wipes, a can opener, and disinfecting wipes.
If you plan to cook over an open campfire such as in a Dutch oven, then you might also want to invest in the Best Fire Starters For Camping.
Clothing, personal and bedroom items
The best bit about camping in an RV is that you get to take your entire world with you, especially when it comes to personal and clothing items. Since you’re going to be camping, make sure you include essentials such as extra socks, jackets and sweatshirts for cold nights, bathing suits for impromptu swimming sessions, rain gear, a hat, and toiletries. When it comes to comfort items for the bedroom, make sure you have comfy pillows, clothes hangers for drying, blankets for cold nights, and towels. Don’t forget to pack a sewing kit for patching up odds and ends.
Along with personal items, you’ll also need to pack personal safety essentials. These include everything from sunscreen and bug sprays to nail clippers, prescriptions, and medications.
Outdoor fun gear
Finally, we come to gear for outdoor fun – after all, you’re going to be spending a long time at the actual camp. Invest in a good set of camping chairs, since you want to sit comfortably wherever you are at the camp. A hammock is not a bad idea, especially for lazing by the riverside. Pack magazines, books, and also do invest in some of the most Fun Camping Games.
What are some RV essentials that you cannot do without?
Two sets of RV camping essentials that you cannot do without are kitchen supplies and safety supplies. Make sure to pack instant cookers that’ll do most of your cooking, a grill, and a portable fire pit for campgrounds where fires aren’t allowed. When it comes to safety supplies, you’ll need flashlights and a first-aid kit, yes, but you’ll also need a drinking water hose for filling up your RV water tank for safe water. You’ll also need a versatile GPS device for not taking your RV accidentally off the road, as well as lights for when you camp in lone areas where there’s no ambient light.
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
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One of the most useful kitchen accessories for RV camping is the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker. Not only is it easy to use and perfect, but also once it’s a staple of your RV kitchen, it’s hard to go back to a time when you wouldn’t use it. What’s great about the multi-cooker is that you can save a whole ton of space by having just one cooking gadget that’s equipped with multiple features. Not only is it a rice cooker, but it’s also a slow cooker, a stew pot, and so much more all in one. The best part is that it comes in four different quantities depending on how many people usually go RV camping with you. Besides quick and easy clean-up, the cooker comes with 13 smart-touch customizable programs for pressure cooking desserts, yogurt, poultry, rice, beans, soups, and more.
Pros:
- Can perform many cooking functions.
- Available in multiple sizes.
- Saves a ton of space in the kitchen for other gadgets.
Cons
- You have to buy the accessories.
Teknor Apex-4006-25 Zero-G Water Hose
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One thing that should be on every checklist for RV camping is a good quality drinking water hose. That’s because when it’s time to fill up the fresh water tank of your RV, you’ll want to use a high-quality hose that’s rated for drinking water. That’s why we recommend the Teknor Apex-4006-25 Zero-G Water Hose. Not only does it not kink, but also it stores easily in a contraption as small as a can and is very lightweight as well. Designed using materials sanctioned by the FDA, the drinking water hose is lead-free and complies with the law for lead content in it. What’s more, it’s significantly stronger too and doesn’t leak or gather any material. The best part? It’s strong, durable, and weighs just 2.5 lbs.
Pros:
- Lead-free content.
- Lightweight.
- Easy to store.
Cons
- Some users said that the connector wasn’t durable.
Coleman Gas Camping Stove
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One of the best accessories for RV camping also happens to be one of the Must-Have Camping Accessories – the Coleman Gas Camping Stove. This stove is perfect whether you have a small RV or a large one. This stove is a great way for cooking outside on a nice day. What’s more, it keeps strong-smelling foods such as fish or bacon and messy stuff out of your tiny RV kitchen. Moreover, this two-burner stove also features pressure-control technology as well as wind-blocking panels for consistent performance notwithstanding the weather conditions. The best part? It packs up easily as well, comes with two adjustable burners for precision control, and comes with a three-year warranty.
Pros:
- Packable and portable.
- Perfect for cooking outdoors.
- Three-year warranty.
Cons
- Little room for adjusting flame with control valve.
Bearifi BearExtender
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An important thing on your checklist for RV camping if you have to stay connected is a Wi-Fi extender, which is great at RV parks where you might end up getting a site on the edge. The Wi-Fi extender allows you to get a signal even if you’re parked away from a Wi-Fi tower. Plus, it’s also useful when you want to use the Wi-Fi at a local cafe when you’re traveling through a town. Behold the Bearifi BearExtender, which has both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz dual-band connections. Since fewer people use 5GHz, you can connect to it and get a faster connection. What’s more, this antenna is water-resistant, so whether it’s snowing or raining, you don’t need to worry about this even if it sits atop the trailer. Plus, it’s also dust-resistant.
Pros:
- Dust and water-resistant.
- Dual-band option
- Combination of Wi-Fi device and booster.
Cons
- Has to be mounted in line of sight of the Wi-Fi router.
Garmin RV 770 NA LMT-S GPS Device
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What makes an RV-specific GPS such as the Garmin RV 770 NA LMT-S one of the best accessories for RV camping? That’s because an RV is wider, longer, and taller than your car. So, you can input the specific dimensions of your RV and the GPS will route you away from any hazardous or very thin roads. With so many horror stories about non-specific RV software such as Google Maps leading RVers under low bridges or down winding roads, it’s best to get an RV-specific GPS. It’s portable and comes with a 7-inch high-resolution touchscreen display with Bluetooth functionality. The best part is that it offers not just updated traffic information, but also free weather updates with lifetime map updates for North America.
Pros:
- High-resolution screen with Bluetooth.
- Accurate and precise.
- Ensures safety.
Cons
- Some users found it slightly hard to operate.
Maars Bev Stainless Steel Stemless Wine Glass Tumbler
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Are you going to be doing a ton of lone-spot camping with lovely views? Then an important thing on your checklist for RV camping should be an excellent glass to sip a brew to enjoy those views. That’s why we have the Maars Bev Stainless Steel Stemless Wine Glass Tumbler With Lid, these versatile 12-oz stemless-wineglass tumblers are both spillproof and vacuum-insulated. So, they keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks icy cold, making it perfect for your morning cup of coffee as well as your evening glass of wine. Plus, the vacuum insulated and double-walled body is durable, thus preventing chipping and fading, and even cup sweat. What’s more, they come in a variety of fun colors, so even if more than one person has a tumbler, they won’t get drinks mixed up.
Meanwhile, you might also want to check out the Best Camping Mugs.
Pros:
- Durable.
- Vacuum-insulated and double-walled.
- Comes in many colors.
Cons
- Cannot be kept directly in the sunlight for long.
Delta Children 4 Pocket Over the Door Hanging Organizer
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One of the best storage accessories for RV camping is the Delta Children 4-Pocket Over-the-Door Hanging Organizer. Space is always a premium in an RV, especially the smaller and more compact ones. However, actually, there never seems to be enough space no matter the size of the RV. That’s why putting vertical space to use is the solution. Coming in a pack, these over-the-door organizers can easily be hung over the door with a hook or attach to the wall with hardware. The design is subtle too, even with the fun polka dots design. Moreover, it’s a great space for storing quick-access stuff such as flashlights, water, and toys for your kids.
Pros:
- Space-saving.
- Come with multiple compartments.
- Easy to hang.
Cons
- The hanger isn’t of the best quality.
INNOVA Charcoal Vista Shade
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Amongst the most important items on a checklist for RV camping is an awning to a shade, such as the INNOVA Charcoal Vista Shade. No matter the size of your rig, an awning or a shade allows you to expand your living space immensely to the outside and is especially helpful if you have a small rig. After all, you didn’t choose the RV life to stay inside. The inventive INNOVA Charcoal Vista Shade is an awning that zips and unzips quickly and can be disconnected and rolled up equally speedily, especially when bad weather hits. What’s more, it also blocks insane amounts of sunlight when it’s bright and sunny, thus making for a cozy and rather welcoming “shaded area” for relaxing. If that wasn’t enough, ground stakes and grommets are included, and it’s the only RV awning made especially for 12V Electric RVs.
Pros:
- Comes in two easy-to-connect and disconnect pieces.
- Made from fabric that blocks light and keeps the space cool.
- Comes with all equipment you need to set it up.
Cons
- The sizing is slightly off, so users are requested to check fabric width, not awning width.
Zero Gravity Lounge Chairs With Pillow and Cup Holder
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You’re not going to stay inside your RV all the time when you camp, which is why a good chair or seating is one of the most important accessories for RV camping. Introducing the Zero Gravity Lounge Chairs, which even come with a cup holder and a pillow to provide the ultimate comfortable seating no matter where you’re camping. The zero-gravity recliner is wildly popular amongst RVers for more reasons than one. Firstly, it’s a very, very comfortable folding chair lounge, sometimes even lulling you to sleep. Secondly, the side caddies are indispensable for holding cellphones and drinks. Finally, the chairs come with a weight capacity of 250 lbs and can be folded and easily stored thanks to a nifty and well-designed locking mechanism.
Pros:
- Foldable and packable.
- Very comfortable.
- Comes with a pillow holder and cup.
Cons
- Unsuitable for heavier people.
Camco 51885 Charcoal Large Adirondack Portable Outdoor Folding Side Table
4
If you have chairs, you’re going to need a table too as part of your checklist for RV camping. And while you’re at that, you must get the Camco 51885 Charcoal Large Adirondack Portable Outdoor Folding Side Table. There’s a lot to like about this table, starting with the fact that it’s extremely sturdy and can stay steady even on the roughest and most uneven of terrains. So, you can lay this table out on the riverbank and stash it with food, your speakers, and a flashlight, and it’ll still stay upright. Secondly, it folds down flat, making storage a breeze. All you need to do is unfold the legs and click them into place, making them perfect for your porch, balcony, deck, or patio. Finally, the UV-stabilized resin is weather resistant and also resists fading, rotting, peeling, chipping, cracking, or splintering.
Pros:
- Resistant to weather, cracking, chipping, and rotting.
- Easy to store and layout.
- Stable.
Cons
- Not meant for very heavy things.
Outland Firebowl 863 Cypress Outdoor Portable Propane Gas Fire Pit
3
If you’re traveling full time, there’s a chance that you might have gotten sick of the campfire smell always sticking to your hair and clothes. So, if you’ve been balking at the notion of a gas fire, then one of the best accessories for RV camping is the Outland Firebowl 863 Cypress Outdoor Portable Propane Gas Fire Pit. This easy-to-setup and use propane fire allow you to quickly start a fire, enjoy cooking on it and staying warm, and then easily turn it off and head indoors. This is especially useful if you were to park in a campground that bans fires, making this a rather nifty all-time best purchase. What’s more, this one runs on a basic propane tank and easily fits under your rig as well. Easy to pack and transport, this CSA-approved propane fire pit is a must-have for those RVers who’re always on the road.
Pros:
- Easy to set up and use.
- Very easy to pack up and transport.
- Runs on a basic propane tank.
Cons
- Some users found the size of the storage lid slightly smaller.
Brightown LED G40 Outdoor String Lights
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Camping outdoors doesn’t always mean that you’ll have the ambient campground lights or the moonlight that’ll make it easy for you to see around your RV. That’s why one thing on that checklist for RV camping should be outdoor lights, such as the Brightown LED G40 Outdoor String Lights. Perfect for all and any sort of campsite, these lights are made from durable plastic. Hence, you don’t have to worry about breaking glass with all the moving that you’ll do. The best part is that they come in three lengths – 25 feet, 50 feet, and 100 feet long lights, depending on how large your rig is. What’s more, they’re energy-saving and have a lifespan of 10-20 times that of traditional bulbs. Plus, they’re very easy to install and set up just about anywhere. So, while making that RV camping checklist, make sure to add these wonderful lights to your gear.
Pros:
- Made from durable plastic.
- Easy to store, pack, and set up.
- Come in three different lengths.
Cons
- Not weatherproof.
Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Bagless Vacuum
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Cleanliness is of paramount importance when it comes to traveling in an RV, which is why a vacuum should be part of your accessories for RV camping. To that end, we present the Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Bagless Vacuum, a well-designed and compact vacuum that breaks down for easy and simple storage. This “super-powerful” sucker, for the want of a better word, gets into every nook and cranny of your RV. At the same time, it fits and sits nicely in a corner, right beside the slide out. So, there’s no problem with storing it either. The best bit is that it even transforms into a versatile handheld vacuum for cleaning right from the floor to the ceiling. It comes with a precision duster, a pet multi-tool, and a crevice tool to reach even those corners that your hand won’t, ensuring that your RV is spic and span.
Pros:
- Versatile and transforms to a hand-held vacuum.
- Comes with tools for reaching nooks and crannies.
- Easy to store.
Cons
- Virtually none!
