RVers Share Things They Thought They Didn’t Need But Now Can’t Live Without

You don’t have to be an RVer long before you discover a long list of things you need to buy. Unfortunately, since most people don’t have an unlimited budget, they can’t buy everything. 

You’ll have to choose which items you need the most. We certainly had several things we quickly added to our shopping cart once we jumped into RVing.

Today, we’re sharing some items RVers have underestimated and have discovered they can’t live without. Let’s get started!

RVer Asks Fellow RVers What they Can’t Live Without 

You’re gambling whenever you post a question to a massive Facebook group. You have to have thick skin and ignore those attempting to live out their dream of being comedians. Fortunately, many people can still offer some assistance.

Recently, a fellow RVer, Jessica, asked a full-time RVing group, “​​What is the one item you did not expect to need/want in the RV but are so glad you have now?” 

She’s, like many others, preparing to hit the road in her RV full-time. She’s selling her house and wants to ensure she has everything she needs to live comfortably on the road.

Over 200 Responses with Great Recommendations 

As you might expect, Jessica received a handful of boneheaded responses. They were anything but helpful and not even remotely funny. 

However, she also received more than 200 responses with fantastic recommendations. Many of the suggestions are items that we think work great for all types of RVers, whether traveling full-time or recreationally. 

But, we don’t have a one-size-fits-all approach to RVing. So take the time to evaluate your needs before making a quick decision when buying gear.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwvRvMJG3Y0&t=10s

Gear and Equipment RVers Can’t Live Without

We took the time to sift through the comments and narrowed it down to the best of the best recommendations. These are all items that experienced RVers have shared they couldn’t imagine RVing without. Let’s find out what they are!

1. Clothes Rack for RV Ladder

The ladder on your RV is going to be useless 99% of the time. For most RVers, their ladder’s only purpose is to allow them to access the roof of their RV. However, we were surprised to see several commenters share how they turned their ladder into a clothes rack.

You may have numerous times when you need to deal with wet clothes and towels but have nowhere to put them. 

Whether you’re trying to save a few bucks by not drying your clothes at the laundromat or don’t want wet towels on your picnic table, this clothes rack is the answer.

2. Air Fryer and Crockpot Liners

RVing is full of fun and exciting moments, but doing dishes isn’t one of them. Air fryers and crockpots may make it easier to prepare a delicious meal, but they don’t do you any favors regarding dishes. This is especially true if you must conserve water while boondocking or camping without hookups.

One commenter, Emily, shared that these cost-effective liners save her a ton of time and dishes. Less time doing dishes means more time spent doing activities you enjoy. Don’t waste more time, energy, or water than you have to.

3. Kitchen Appliances That Make Cooking Easier

You may be able to prepare a feast for a king in a residential kitchen, but RV kitchens can be comically small. 

Because of this, many RVers commented that their kitchen appliances get used substantially more in their rigs. Some popular suggestions were Blackstone grills, crock pots, instant pots, and air fryers.

However, before you buy all these appliances, you need to consider the type of cooking you’ll do. You’ll likely not need them all, so choose wisely. 

In addition, you want to consider how much storage space you have. You’ll need a safe place to store these items when not in use and on the road.

One added benefit of many kitchen appliances is that they allow you to take the cooking outside. The heat from cooking can quickly raise the temperature inside your rig and put the air conditioners in your rig to the test.

4. Ice Maker

There are few things better than an ice-cold drink after a long hike. However, most RV refrigerators don’t come with ice makers built into them. 

Most RVers think that if you want ice in your drink, you will take up your limited freezer space with a big, bulky bag of ice. But tons of RVers shared how their ice maker has become a game-changer for them.

With these countertop units, simply add fresh, clean water, and it’ll turn it into ice. You can then take the ice from the unit and place it in a container in your freezer. 

Whether making margaritas or staying hydrated, you’ll love always having ice on hand while RVing.

5. Cordless Vacuum

Some RVs have built-in vacuums to help keep nature out of your RV. Unfortunately, they’re not always easy to use. 

Lee shared, “I love my cordless vacuum. While we have a built-in vacuum, the hose is long and heavy, and I hated to use it.” Instead of battling a bulky hose, they opted for a lighter, more manageable cordless vacuum.

Many RVers shared that they love using a cordless vacuum in their rig. It makes it easy to get into hard-to-reach places, and you don’t have to worry about needing access to an electrical outlet. Plus, you can easily store these items under a bed.

6. Headlamp

Another popular response for Jessica was a quality headlamp. Seriously, you’ll have many projects where you’ll need both hands. Having a headlamp strapped to your noggin means you can see and keep your hands free.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t have to be nighttime for you to use a headlamp. You may need to crawl into a storage compartment or address a plumbing issue where the sun doesn’t shine. 

You’ll likely be glad you have a headlamp ready to go when this time comes.

7. Heated Mattress Pad

RV mattresses can make cheap hotel mattresses feel like a puffy cloud. Most manufacturers use the cheapest possible mattresses in their rigs. It only takes sleeping on these poor excuses of a bed a single night before you’ll look at options for a solid night’s sleep.

Many RVers opt for a mattress pad to get the job done. However, one RVer shared how they upped the ante by purchasing a heated mattress pad. 

Who wouldn’t like crawling into a warm, cozy bed after a day of adventures? Count us in!

Keep in Mind: RV mattresses aren’t known for being comfortable. Wilderness RV Mattress is popular option, but we have a few Reasons We Avoid Wilderness RV Mattress

8. Additional Shower Rod 

Life hacks make your life easier, and RV hacks make it easier to enjoy your camper. Leona was the first of many to share how she purchased an additional shower rod for her shower. This allows her to maximize space by hanging items in the shower, out of the way.

With such limited space in an RV, you need to take advantage of every possible inch of space. Whether it’s your favorite sweater or a mesh bag you haul to the shower house, this is a great way to let items air dry.

9. Knife Magnet Bar

Just like the space in the shower, RVs lack counter space and drawers in the kitchen. The last thing you want is something you don’t frequently use taking up space. 

Amanda shared that she loves her knife magnet. She says it’s great not having a knife block on the counter or a drawer full of sharp knives.

You can attach a knife magnet to just about any surface in your kitchen. The magnets are powerful and keep your knives and other commonly used utensils in place.  Then you can quickly and easily access them when you need to use them.

10. Over the Sink Dish Drying Rack 

RVing still means you have dishes to do. Unfortunately, it’s not always the easiest task to accomplish with limited space. 

However, an over-the-sink dish drying rack lets your dishes air dry without taking up your precious counter space.

Jocelyn recommended this item and stated that it could be expensive but worth every penny. The water automatically drips down into the sink and your gray tank, where you can dump it at the end of your trip.

Keep in Mind: Looking for more ways to save space in your kitchen? Try these kitchen Storage Ideas for your RV

Be Ready to Hit the Road with the Right Gear

Whether you’re preparing to hit the road full-time, already have, or enjoy using your rig recreationally, you need to have the right gear. 

The items these RVers have recommended make it easier to enjoy the lifestyle. What things will you add to your cart to help take your adventures to the next level?

Last update on 2024-12-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API