I have been living Full-Time on the road for two years and have found that there are things that I needed to have for one reason or another. Listed below are the items that I have purchased but are only suggestions. There are many products on the market that you may choose from. I may provide links for the ease of locating the products but am not affiliated with any of these products. I take no responsibility for the service or quality of the product that you may purchase.
Outside Security
Door locks on RVs are universal and for the most part can open up entry and storage doors. After a theft, I found that I had to replace all of my locks.
Entry Door Keyless Locks – manufacturers have universal keys that may open other models within their product lines. RV Lock has their own keying system and the locks can be replaced fairly easy if you have two people. A single person can do it however if may take a little more time and a slight tug to get the original lock out. RVLock.com
Side Storage Locks – manufacturers have universal keys that may open other models within their product lines. These will replace your original storage door locks. RVLock.com
Front Storage Lock or any CH751 – this is the most universal lock of all and should be replaced. The reason for using this website is because the locks can be customized. shoprvlocks.com
5th Wheel Hitch Lock – this particular lock can be purchased through Amazon.com or almost any RV Dealer. Hitch locks come in large variety and price ranges.
Front Camera – when driving it records what it going on in front of your vehicle. Excellent for emergencies plus can make good road memories when just plain traveling.
Backup Monitoring System – pictured right is a live picture taken from the Furrion Backup Camera.
Outside Stuff
5th Wheel Lube Plate – goes between the hitch on the truck and the anchor point on the 5th wheel. Makes sliding onto the actual truck hitch a lot easier.
EMS 50amp Surge Protector – this will manage the electricity that comes into your rig. Regular surge protectors aren’t as good as this for protecting your valuable investment. Progressive EMS 50/30amp protectors are considered by some to be the best on the market.
50amp to 30amp Dogbone – This will allow a 50amp electrical cable to run off of a 30amp electrical post.
50amp Extension – this comes in handy when staying at older parts where the sites don’t have any move ability and the electrical box is either all the way in the front or back of your site.
Power Cable Storage Strap
Lock for EMS
Sewer Hoses should be purchased in sections just in case one starts to leak putting another section in its place is easy. This hose set has a screw in cup that makes connecting to a dump connection easier.
Dump tank outlet hooks up between the outlet on your rig and the sewer hose. It will save getting your feet wet just in case one of your tanks happen to leak.
Dump tank – this makes a great addition when dumping your tanks. If hooked up directly to the drain stout you can monitor what is coming out and if the tanks are empty.
Rubber Sewer Connector – for those occasions where there are no treads in the ground sewer connector.
Sewer Hose Support – these come in plastic or metal supports.
Fresh Waterhose – fresh water hoses are either white or blue.
Water Gauge – helps regulate the amount of water going into the rig.
Water Filters come in different forms and these singles are good for starting out or doing short summer stays cause they can be tossed out at the end of the season.
Large Filter Holder is really easy to purchase a variety of replaceable filters to enhance water quality.
Large Filter Holder
Heated Water Hose – For those days that the temperatures are dipping to freezing. Keeping the water in the hose from freezing.
Water Faucet Winter Protector – purchasing an extra large cover will cover not only the water faucet but will protect your water gauge. I not only have this one but smaller ones where using this large one isn’t possible.
Flexible Hose – for other tasks
Vent covers – these keep out bees and other critters from entering open vents including those where propane maybe leaving. Propane attracts bugs that like to make nests.
Sewer Sock – great for those who have an open hatch where critters can crawl in. It comes in a variety of sizes that will fit your needs.
Rope lights – a necessary item if you are staying in the desert and want to keep the pack rats from eating the installation or getting inside your engine.
Leveling Blocks – they come in different colors and types. These are the most common and cost effective however there are other brands that are on the market that are more expensive and weigh more.
Wheel Chocks – good for putting behind your rig tires so it won’t roll.
Rubber Maintenance – should be used once a month.
Piggy – to hold down sewer hose that doesn’t screw in sewer connection. Can also be used to hold down the corner of a mat.
Inside Stuff
Water Doggies – are put where you have pipes to alarm you when you have a leak.
Toilet Paper – is always a topic of discussion. Any 1ply Toilet paper might work in your system.
Toilet Tank Treatment – comes in various forms; liquid and power. Happy Camper has served me well over the last two years. Some folks choose use the Geo System.
Door Locks – for the cabinets work great. You can use childproof locks or Velcro tape.
Drain Catchers – the holes in these are smaller and catch more before it goes into your holding tank.
Drawer and Shelf Grip – is a rubber roll that is not smooth. Holds cups, dishes and other items in place from sliding around.
Peppermint Oil – It is said that spraying Peppermint Oil around helps keep critters out of the rig. They come in various sizes and some you can mix with water to delute the contents. Pictured is a bottle that I pulled off of Amazon. I purchased another brand that is no longer available.
Inside Air Freshener – Renuzit is a non-electrical air freshener that comes in many different scents. Lavendar is known for keeping away bugs. I keep one in the living area and one in the bathroom.
Temperature Gauge – shows both inside and Outside Temperatures.
Travel Planning
Truckers Road Atlas – absolute must if you want to plan out your trip and want to stay on the same roads that the truckers use because your rig is tall.
Misc Stuff
Weber Propane BBQ – is small and light enough to be picked up and moved. Any BBQ will work for cooking outside.
Weber Propane BBQ Cover – this will help keep the BBQ clean and won’t open up in heavy winds that might damage it.
Weber Propane Connector – this will hook-up to the Weber BBQ so that you can use an refillable propane tank.
BBQ Mat – great for allowing meat to cook evenly plus stops things like hamburger from falling thru the grates.
Drip Pans – these will help keep the BBQ Drip Plate clean and are reusable. They come in a variety of sizes that will fit almost every portable BBQ. Can be purchased Amazon in quantity that fits your space and budget.
5gal Propane Tank – this will replace all of your small green bottles that are not refillable. It’s light enough to be moved (when filled) by most people and is easily refilled. Extra tanks can be used to supply propane to many outside devices such as BBQ, stove, or Fire Pit.
Outdoor Rollup Table – takes very little room and comes in several sizes. Sturdy enough to hold a Weber BBQ. Doesn’t take up a lot of space and not really heavy.
Outdoor Rollup Fire Pit – is great for when you want a fire and have no Fire Pit to contain your wood.
Outside Mat – to help keep dirt and stuff from coming in side the rig. Comes in a variety of sizes to meet your camping style.
Outside Chairs – chairs are personal choices. They have all kinds of styles from regular chairs to reclining to rockers. My advice is to actually sit in them to see if you like them. Some may look nice but maybe uncomfortable.
Flashlight – regular clear light that has an adjustable light beam.
Flashlight – red light for use in doing night astro photography
Flashlight – purple light for seeing critters that glow in the night. Handy for looking for scorpions.
Toilet Cleaner – if you need to wash the black tank from inside your rig.
Air Compressor – works off of the vehicle battery.
Tire Pressure Gauge – come in all forms and sizes. I prefer one that has a big readable dial.
TPM Tire Gauges – there are many on the market.
Might Need Along The Way
Plastic See Thru Tubs – come in handy for storing a number of things and the contents can be seen without opening the lid. Make sure the lid fully covers the contents so that no moisture or bugs can enter.
Fold-up Milk Crates – come in handy for temporarily placing shopping items and can be used to safely store a small propane bottle so that it doesn’t accidentally roll around.
Bungee Cords – these can be purchased anywhere and used for all kinds of things.
Tie Down Straps – these come in a variety of types including those with hooks. Pictured to the right are those that can be use to lash down table cloths so that they don’t fly away in the wind to strapping down moveable items like bikes and tables that can be moved in the wind.
Multi-purpose Velcro Straps – Velcro straps come in all kinds of sizes and colors and are handy when needing to strap things down.
Portable Solar Device Charger – great for recharging a cell phone or tablet when out and about.
Cell signal booster – used in areas where the cell phone signal needs a boost. This will not boost the RV/Campground WIFI connection.
Stick ON US Map – some place on the outside of a slide or on the back window of their rig. I chose inside the door so that it’s not rubbed off during the slides movement and is safe during inclement weather.
Stick On Canada Map – some place on the outside of a slide or on the back window of their rig. I chose inside the door so that it’s not rubbed off during the slides movement and is safe during inclement weather.
Truck/car Waterless Wash – great for cleaning up your vehicle when washing isn’t allowed.
Original California Duster – wipes off dust and makes vehicle look a lot better.
Microwave Popup Bowls – are good if you limited for space. I purchased the popup popcorn maker that I can use in the microwave.
Fold-up Cart – for carrying all kinds of things including laundry
Safe Way to get rid of Bugs – should be used before using actually spray pesticides. Used on levelers, tires and maybe stairs before the critters decide to invade your space. Safe to use around people and animals.
Glow Steps – to replace the original steps that slide under the door. Pulls out to make a solid place on the ground. Since this mounts outside of the rig, no dirt gets inside.
Truck Topper – great for covering up the contents in the truck bed along with keeping stuff out of the elements.
Mud flaps
Not yet purchased
Bicycle Cover – purchase a heavy duty bicycle cover to save your bike from wear and tear. Cheaper covers will tear easily if in hail storm.
Bike Rack – for use in front of your truck or on the back attached to your trailer hitch . Carries two bicycles very nicely. If mounting on front of truck, heavy duty trailer hitch must be installed.
Reusable Fruit/Vegetable Bags – reusable and washable bags can be used to save on plastic.
Stadium Seating – great if you need to go to sports events, sitting on benches or metal chairs.
Printer – light an compact for printing on the fly. Great if you have a small hobbies business and have to print flyers on the fly.
Paper Scanner – small light compact paper scanner for scanning all kinds of paper stuff on the fly. Campground layouts, informational brochures and receipts are easily scanned and the paper tossed to save space.
Slide and Negative Scanner – great for those who want to scan on the fly as the settings are easily scalable.
Multi-mode Film and Slide Scanner – for those who are planning on scanning a variety of film sizes. Small size is great if you have limited space.
Snake Gators – are good if you are walking in the desert.
Sandy Moniz RV Checklist of Needs and Wants, Sandy Moniz 5th wheel, RV Checklist of Needs and Wants, Sandy Moniz, Sandy Moniz Traveler Author Imagineer
