Last Updated on March 31, 2024 by Jessica Lauren Vine
Wondering what to buy for your first RV trip?
Congratulations on your decision to jump into the exciting world of RVing! Planning that first RV trip and what to buy for your first RV trip is very exciting. Whether you bought a new or used RV, rented one, or borrowed one from a friend, it is likely you need to figure out what to buy for your first RV trip.
If you’ve purchased a new one, you’ll probably have the longest shopping list of the group since new RVs typically don’t come with many RV essentials you’ll need. If you didn’t buy new or are renting or borrowing, you can use this list to make sure you have everything you need, as many of these things are included in used sales and rentals.
There will also be some differences depending on the type of RV you have. For example, travel trailers have different needs than Class A’s, and I’ll do my best to point those out. It’s a long list, so let’s take a look at the RV essentials you’ll need for your first RV road trip.
The Most Important Item for Travel Trailers: A Good Anti-sway Tow Hitch
When heading out on your first RV trip with a camper trailer, it is critical to have a proper hitch setup. Don’t use a simple bar and ball tow hitch. Put this at the top of your what to buy for your first RV trip list.
Most manufacturers recommend, at a minimum, a standard weight-distributing hitch. I’ll go a step further and say get a sway control weight distribution hitch. In fact, if you already bought a standard hitch without integrated sway control, then return it, sell it, and get rid of it right now.
- 4-point
- High level of resistance
- Great at keeping your trailer under control
- Takes a bit of elbow grease to install
A good sway control hitch like a four-point Equalizer is a bit more expensive, but it will change your RV life. It provides the difference between sway-induced white knuckle panic attacks at 40 mph and cruising at highway speeds worry-free. That’s a huge difference and worth every penny. Make sure you read the instructions and set it up properly. You should only have to do it once per tow vehicle/trailer combination, so take the time and make sure it’s right.
Tools
Assembling a proper set of tools for your first trip is critical when you’re looking at what to buy for your first RV trip. Ideally, this tool kit will be specific for your RV and will always be stored in it. Life on the road is harsh. Things shake loose, break and fail. Without a good toolset, you can quickly find yourself stranded or without properly functioning systems in your RV.
If you have a towable, all the tools necessary to adjust, take apart and reassemble your hitch. Many of these will be large and specific sizes that won’t come in a standard mechanic’s toolset, so you’ll need to buy them separately.
A standard household tool set. The big box stores have these in toolboxes or tool bags. Make sure it has metric, and US-sized sockets, screwdrivers, Allen keys, a utility knife, wire strippers, box wrenches, a hammer, wire cutters, crescent wrenches, and pliers. A good example is something like the Kobalt 230 Piece Standard Household toolset with a soft case (Model #87085).
- 57 pieces
- Great for multiple situations
- Customer-friendly design
- Tools in the top of the kit sometimes fall out
A set of Robertson drivers. Robertson bits are square, and they are the most common screw drive type found on RVs.
A broom or large brush. This is handy for both cleaning the inside of the RV as well as brushing off the tops of the slides before your close them. This is a simple item on your what to buy for your first RV trip list but important.
- Stiff cleaning brush
- Adjustable handle deck scrub brush
- Lightweight
- Sturdy
- Long handle for easy use
- Some customers reported that the bristles weren't as strong as they'd like
A torque wrench. Keeping wheel lugs properly torqued is important. A torque wrench with at 200 ft*lb capacity is the best tool for that job. You’ll also need to make sure you have proper sockets and extensions to fit your lug nuts.
- 3/8" to 1/4" drive adapter
- 3/8" to 1/2" drive adapter and
- 3/8" drive extension bar
- Durable
- Easy to store
- One customer reported receiving a faulty unit but did get an exchange
You need all tools necessary to change a tire when you look at your what to buy for your first RV trip list. This includes a lug wrench that fits your RV lugs, don’t assume your tow vehicle wrench will fit. You’ll also need something to get the tire off the ground. On a single axle trailer, an extended bottle jack is the best option. For dual axle trailers, get two or three sets of interlocking leveling blocks. Large class A’s may need special commercial truck equipment. If that’s the case, then invest in a roadside assistance program that covers you for that.
- Premium quality
- Versatile
- Ergonomically designed
- A couple of customers noted pulling the handles off the main tool a couple of times
- SPXFLOW 9105A
- 5 ton capacity
- Compact design
- Easy to misplace
A digital multimeter with AC current reading. While you may not really need one, they are great tools for diagnosing common electrical problems, and you should have one in your tool chest.
- Battery powered
- Dual line display
- Easy to tote around
- Makes measuring simple
- Batteries not included
A 12V air compressor like the Viair 88P or one of their RV series compressors. These will run off the 12 batteries of your RV or tow vehicle and allow you to keep your tires properly inflated. Make sure you buy any necessary extension hoses so you can reach the tires from your main battery. For trailers, that means going from your tow vehicle battery to your trailer tires while you are hooked up.
- Portable
- Emergency LED light
- Fast inflation
- Highly accurate
- Ability to program inflation
- Lacks high-quality valve connector
Tire Pressure Gauge. Maintaining proper tire pressure in your RV is one of the biggest RV essentials. Proper pressure is the key to preventing blowouts while ensuring maximum tire life.
- 150 PSI
- 4 Settings
- Non-slip grip
- Backlit LCD
- Replacement batteries are expensive
Jumper Cables. Dead batteries are common on the road. A good set of jumper cables can get you back up and running quickly.
- Carrying bag included
- Thick vinyl
- 20 feet cables
- Heavy duty
- Convenient
- Trustworthy brand name
- Cables aren't super long
Duct Tape. While it may not really fix everything, it comes close.
- 394475
- 60 yard
- 1.88 inch
- Great for temporary repairs
- Works on multiple surfaces
- Waterproof
- Some customers noted it was a bit flimsy
Tire Patch Kit. Flats can be a common issue, and throwing on your spare will be the first choice. Being able to fix the original ASAP will prevent you from traveling far without a spare.
- 50002L
- Heavy duty
- Quick and easy
- Not too expensive
- A bit difficult to use
Spare Parts
Keep a set of common spare parts in your rig. These are things that break, fail, or get lost easily.
Spare fuses. Keep an assortment of spare fuses in your RV for the RV and any other vehicles that you travel with. This should include a spare primary battery fuse.
- Covers 24 commonly used bladed fuses
- Standard, mini & low profile mini blade fuses
- Fuse pullers included
- Well organized
- Great for any vehicles
- A bit flimsy
Extra hitch pins. If your hitch has parts that are secured by hitch pins, keep at least one extra of each of those. They are easy to lose, and you won’t get very far without them.
- 7009200
- 5/8 inch in diameter
Hose seals. On the female end of your water hoses, there is a rubber seal locked down in the threads. These fail and fall out from time to time. Keeping some spares will quickly fix that problem and keep the water flowing.
- 30 pack
- Thermoplastic rubber
- Easy to assemble
- Fit all standard hoses
- Some customers reported out of shape washers
Utilities
To hook up to shore utilities, you’ll need the following items:
White drinking
- 50 foot
- TastePURE
- Reinforced
- Multi-purpose
- Safe for drinking water
- Kink resistant
- Some customers reported packages showing up with kinked hoses
One general garden hose. This one should be a color other than white. It is used for running your black tank flush or draining your gray water if you’re staying somewhere that allows that. Never use it to supply freshwater to your RV. 25′ – 50′ should be good.
- 7 pattern spray nozzle
- 50 foot
- Lightweight
- Strong
- Durable
- Only 50 foot when totally stretched out
Sewer hose. This hose connects your tank dump port to the dump station or sewer line at your campsite. Like the water lines, you should have enough to reach both ends of your trailer.
- 39742
- 20-Foot
- Durable
- Trusted brand name
- Not super easy to store
Sewer connector. There is a 90-degree elbow that connects the sewer hose to the campsite sewer plumbing. Some sewer hose sets include them, and some do not. Make sure you have one. Most campgrounds won’t allow you to hook to the sewer without it.
- With 4-in-1 adapter
- 4-inch NPT, 3.5-inch NPT, 3-inch NPT, and 3-inch slip fitting
- Connect securely
- See things are moving
- Easy to store
- A customer reported it was difficult to remove
Shore power cables. This is the cable that connects your RV to the campsite electrical service. Your RV usually comes with the main cable, but buy at least one extension that will get you past the length of the RV.
- 125v
- 30 amp
- 25'
- Durable
- Quick shipping
- Fair pricing
- No UL listed
A collapsible RV septic hose support like the Camco Sidewinder. These are great for providing a steady slope for your RV septic line to run down to the campsite septic hookup.
- 43051
- 25 foot
- Sturdy lightweight plastic
- Easily supports sewer hose
- Works with common sewer hoses
- Folds for compact storage
- A bit delicate
RV Surge Protector. Many RV sites are poorly maintained and improperly wired. This can cause serious damage to your RV’s internals. A quality RV surge protector will tell you if there are any major issues with the power pedestal before you connect your RV to it.
- 30 amp
- Surge protection
- 1 foot cord length
- Offers 4100 Joules of surge protector
- Identifies faulty park power
- Easy-to-use handles
- Some customers reported that it isn't flush against what it's plugged into
Power Adapters. Some RV parks have limited options on their power pedestals. You may need an adapter to connect your RV in those cases. Do not buy or use adapters to service rated higher than your RV is designed for, like connecting a 30 amp RV to a 50 amp socket. Adapting to a lower service (50 amp RV to a 30 amp pedestal) is ok, but you will have to limit what you run in the RV.
- 55165
- Internationally certified product
- Safe and durable
- Easy conversion
- Easy to grip
- A bit hard to plug in
Water regulator. Many campgrounds have very high water pressure to ensure good service to all their sites. A water pressure regulator is a small, inexpensive device usually made of brass that screws into your freshwater hose on one end onto the water supply spigot on the other. It will keep the water pressure at a level safe for your RV.
- Brass
- Lead-free
- Adjustable water pressure reducer
- Gauge for RV camper
- Inlet screened filter
- High quality
- Easy to install
- Easy to use
- Universally compatible
- Can't get a rebuild kit
Water Filter. An RV water filter is a cheap add-on that screws in between your freshwater hose and the RV water port. I like to add a 90-degree brass elbow which allows the water filter to hang straight down from the water port. These filters will keep particulates out of your RV water system, and most of them have carbon to remove nasty chemicals and some odors. Make sure you run some water through it before connecting it to the RV each time you use setup. The carbon gets agitated from the rigors of travel, and the first few seconds of water will be black from that. You don’t want that in your plumbing.
- Flexible hose protector
- Large capacity filtration
- Reduces bad taste and/or odor
- Compliant with all federal and state lead-free laws
- Great for home, RV, or boat
- Will split in freezing weather
Stackable Plastic Totes for storage. We carry 3 locking stackable plastic totes, which measure 25″ x 18″ x 7.5″ to store our water and sewer hoses in. These fit in our pass-through compartment and can be stacked 2 high in there. It’s a great way to keep the yuck from spreading around the storage compartment. They also prevent cross-contaminating from septic to clean water hoses.
- 15 gallon
- 2 pack
- Extremely durable
- Easy to stack
- Impact resistant
- Not as thick of plastic as some customers expected
RG6 cable TV cable. This allows you to hook your RV to the campsite cable TV system if it’s available. I know you’re camping to get away from that and be in the great outdoors, but it is nice to have the hookup available when the need arises (and it probably will). Like the other connections, you should have enough to cover the length of your RV.
- 25'
- Indoor or outdoor use
- Low loss cable
- Weatherproof
- Good price
- A little tough to put on
Parking Goodies
There are a few things you’ll need to have to get your RV secured and leveled when you arrive at your site.
Wheel Chocks. Basic wheel chocks are fine if you’re on a budget. If you have a dual or triple axle trailer, X-Chocks are much better but more expensive. X-Chocks expand between the wheels and lock them in position relative to each other. This provides some extra stability and will help knock down some of the motion in the RV when you walk around inside.
- Solid rubber
- 8 inch x 4 inch x 5 inch
- Heavy duty
- Keep your RV secure in any climate
- Lightweight
- Not as good if you don't park on concrete
Leveling Blocks. There are quite a few options here, and they all work well for leveling on uneven ground. If you have a dual or triple axle trailer, then get the stackable interlocking block kind. You can use them for both leveling the trailer at the campsite and changing tires in the case of a flat or blowout.
- 10 pack
- Interlocking
- Can be used as a support base as well as a stand-alone leveler
- Not too pricey
- Long lasting
- Some customers noticed stress cracks early on
Hitch Lock. If you have a travel trailer or fifth wheel, then look at a hitch lock. Trailers do get stolen from campgrounds. These locks will not deter determined thieves, but they will cause thieves of opportunity to look for an easier target.
- Adjustable
- 9” x 9” x 3”
- Heavy duty steel
- Easy to install
- Deters theft
- Isn't universal so you need to check the size
Bathroom Stuff
Like the bathroom in your home, you’ll need the standard cleaning things like Lysol spray, a toilet brush, and a shower cleaner if your RV has a shower. RV bathrooms have some special needs like the following:
RV Toilet Paper. There are several brands of special toilet paper on the market for RVs. They are generally expensive and harsher than their standard home toilet paper counterparts. You really don’t need the special stuff. Any septic tank-safe toilet paper should work fine. If you’re concerned about buildup in your tanks, proper flushing plays a greater role than the type of toilet paper. However, you can go with the thinner septic safe offerings in standard residential products or choose the “RV” option that works best for you.
Scott is a brand you recognize for high-quality products.
- Rapid-dissolving
- 1-ply
- Unscented
- Soft
- Absorbent
- Not as quick dissolving as it could be
RV Toilet Chemicals. Your black tank can, and will, get nasty smelling. Keep some deodorizer products handy to toss in there when your trip is done. Put them in for the drive home with a little bit of water so they get mixed around the tank. Any brand will work. They all do basically the same thing.
This will help you avoid the nastiness and smell you might be experiencing from your RV.
- Ultra-Concentrated
- Orange Citrus Scent
- Keeps the stench away
- Easy to use
- Does not store well
Kitchen Goodies
One of the great things about many RVs is they come with pretty well-appointed kitchens. Here are a few things you should have to get the most out of that space.
Corelle Dishes. Paper plates are good in a pinch, but real dinnerware in your RV will help keep the amount of trash you generate to a minimum. Corelle dinnerware is very popular among RVer’s because it is lightweight, microwaveable, nearly indestructible, and available in some nice styles. If you plan on cooking and eating in your RV, this is the way to go.
- 8 Piece
- Winter Frost White
- Versatile
- Lightweight
- Durable
- A couple of customers reported plates arriving chipped
A pizza stone for the oven. RV ovens are very small, which means the food you are cooking is always very close to the heat source. It’s like cooking everything on the bottom rack in your home oven – everything ends up burned on the bottom and undercooked on the top. A pizza stone will solve this problem. Between the burner and the cooking rack in the oven, there should be a steel plate with holes or slots around its perimeter. Measure the space between those holes – you don’t want to cover them up. Find a pizza stone that will fit that area and place it on top of that plate and under the cooking rack. That stone will distribute the heat and allow the oven to cook evenly. If you can’t find one that fits and you have access to a tile saw, you can buy a larger one and cut it down. Terra Cotta floor tiles from the big box stores can work too.
- 12" x 12"
- Durable
- Great thermal shock resistance
- Great for multiple functions
- A little pricey
The Instapot. This is probably one of the most common and beloved appliances to cook meals in the RV world. It cooks great meals quickly, is lightweight, and doesn’t take up much space. A pressure cooker can have some safety issues, so be sure to read and follow the instructions carefully.
- Slow Cooker
- Rice Cooker
- Steamer
- Sauté
- Yogurt Maker
- Warmer & Sterilizer
- 3 Quart
- Multiple abilities in a compact design
- Allows for fast or slow cooking
- Quick and easy to clean
- A little bulky for some people
An Air Fryer. Just as popular as the Instapot, the air fryer is a great kitchen tool for fast meals.
- 4 Qt
- Quick cooking
- Makes meals easy
- Looks great in the kitchen
- Some customers note their air fryer died after two years
Utensils. You’ll need all your standard kitchen utensils if you plan to do any cooking or eating at the RV. Kitchen knives in a wooden block work well if secured properly for travel. You can go with plastics for the other utensils, but a good set of metal ones will serve you better with less trash creation.
- 25pc
- Nylon & Stainless Steel Cooking Utensils
- Everything you need to make things happen in the kitchen
- Work great with non-stick pans
- A tad more flimsy than some
Travel Aids and Apps
Some of the most often overlooked RV essentials are those that help you choose and plot a course to your destination. RV travel is a bit more complicated than in a regular car. Here are some travel aides and apps that can help you navigate and save money on your first trip.
RV-specific GPS. While on your RV road trip in unfamiliar territory, an RV-specific GPS like the Garmin RV series is a must-have tool. These GPS systems allow you to put in your RV specs like size, weight, and the number of propane tanks. It uses that information to chart a course that is safe for your rig. It will even alert you to state laws that may affect you as you cross state lines. This GPS doesn’t rely on cell phone signals, so you can navigate even in areas where your phone nav apps would leave you stranded.
- GPS Navigator for RVs
- Preloaded Campgrounds
- Custom Routing
- Easy-to-see 8" display
- Considers size & weight of RV
- Sturdy magnetic powered magnet
- No big rig restaurant info
A Rand McNally Paper Map. Yes, they still make those! And yes, I have one, and yes, I use it. GPS and technology are great until they aren’t. A paper map gives you a better perspective on where you are headed and where it is relative to other things. It’s faster and easier to scout routes, and they make it much easier to see your route relative to points of interest you may or may not know about. They also work all the time.
- Protective Vinyl Cover
- Trusted brand
- Doesn't depend on the internet
- Bulky
Gas Apps. Gasbuddy will help you find the cheapest gas prices in your area as you travel. If you have a larger RV, then look at the Loves and Pilot Flying J apps. These stations tend to be larger and more RV-friendly (particularly Flying J).
RV Travel Apps. Allstays Camp and RV is a great app for locating fuel and campgrounds along your route. For an app, it’s on the expensive side, but it’s well worth the money.
Camping and Club Apps. Goodsam, Passport America, and KOA are all great apps for finding campsites for any RV trip. Each has its own discount program, which you can evaluate to see if it will work well for you. Campendium is a free general campsite finder that includes many free camping opportunities around the US. Harvest Hosts is a great membership-based app that allows you to find and book free campsites at businesses that allow on-site camping.
Memberships and Clubs
- KOA, Goodsam, Passport America, Thousand Trails, and Harvest Hosts are some of the most popular discount membership services for RVers. They all have their benefits and limitations, but most pay for themselves in the first use or two, which generally makes them worth it.
- Roadside Assistance. Towing an RV is expensive. A roadside assistance program like GoodSam roadside assistance will easily pay for itself with one use. Check your RV insurance to make sure you don’t already have roadside assistance before buying it, though.
Safety Equipment
First aid kit. Anytime you travel, a first aid kit is an important thing to bring along. That’s especially true on an RV road trip.
- Easily clean and treat minor cuts
- Great for traveling
- Does not include burn relief
Reflective safety vest. If you are stuck servicing your RV on the side of the road, this will help keep you safe.
- 9 Pockets
- Class 2
- Zipper Front
- Reflective Strips
- High Visibility
- Meets ANSI/ISEA Standards
- Could use reinforced stitching
Roadside emergency kit. These usually include flares, reflective markers, and other items to keep you safe should you break down on the road.
- 42 Piece Emergency Car Kit
- Jumper Cables
- Flashlight
- First Aid Kit
- Feel confident and safe with this emergency car kit
- Heavy-duty and durable
- Trusted name brand
- Doesn't include a safety triangle
Miscellaneous Cool Things
A foldable wagon. Foldable wagons are great. You can use them to haul things around the campground like firewood, coolers, or your laundry.
- Collapsible
- Folding
- Holds a lot
- Easy setup
- No assembly
- Steering is a little flimsy
Portable fire pit. There are quite a few campgrounds that allow campfires but that don’t provide a fire pit. Portable fire pits for burning wood are lightweight and usually pretty cheap. There are also gas (propane) fire pits available. They are a bit more expensive, but you can use them in a lot of places that don’t allow wood fires.
- Portable
- Lightweight
- Full Size
- Don't worry about rust
- Easy to transport
- Simple setup
- Doesn't include the heat shield
A tripod grill. These allow you to cook over your campsite’s fire pit. There’s nothing better than a meal cooked over the campfire when you’re out camping. These tripod systems are cheap, lightweight, and take up very little space. If you like to cook over an open fire, you need one of these.
- 18 inch
- Sturdy design for a no tipping worries
- Heavy duty so no worries about a breaking chain
- Lightweight
- Packs easily
- Some customers reported missing pieces in their shipment
Folding camp chairs. Most campsites have a picnic table, which is great. You should bring along folding camp chairs for the sites that don’t or for something more comfortable. These are lightweight and will easily fit in most RV pass-throughs.
- Built-in 4 Can Cooler
- Includes carry bag
- Comfortable due to the fully cushioned seat and back & adjustable arm heights
- Feel confident when you sit down with this strong frame that supports up to 325 lbs
- Not as tough as the same model made 20+ years ago
Once again, congratulations on taking that first RV trip! Hopefully, this list of items to buy will help make your RV adventure more enjoyable. Just remember to keep your first RV trip simple, take your time, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. RV’ers, with rare exceptions, are the friendliest group of people you may ever meet.
What to Buy for Your First RV Trip – Conclusion
If you have everything on this list of what to buy for your first RV trip, you’ll be good to go when you’re ready to head out. Don’t get caught without something you need. Keep this list of RV must-haves close by so you can reference it when you go shopping for things you need before your next RV trip.
Over the course of two years, they saw 43 of the 50 states and 22 national parks. From standing atop Cadillac Mountain in the great state of Maine to scooting across the waters of the Everglades in Florida, they've seen some amazing sights.
With his experience of the highs and lows of RV life, he is more than able to help newbies and veteran RVers navigate the many challenges that come with life on the road.
His current rig is a 2017 Sporttrek 327VIK bunkhouse travel trailer.
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