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Camping has to be one of America’s favorite pastimes. Today, campers have more options than ever when it comes to customizing their trip. You can opt to camp in a minimalistic streamlined tow-behind trailer or a swanky fully-loaded condo on wheels.
While some of us are definitely more diehard at “roughing it” than others, the one thing we can all agree on is that the ideal accessories can take any RV camping trip to the next level. Whether it’s a tool to make life easier, or a piece of portable furniture that you can’t imagine living without, we’ve put together some of our favorite and most innovative RV accessories that you need to include on your list of must-haves.
Benefits of RV Accessories
- Keep your motorhome tidy. An item such as a pop-up trash bin is super helpful for keeping everything neat and tidy. You’ll find it a useful tool when you’re having big summer BBQs.
- Drive safely. An important part of a great camping experience is getting to the campground safely. To do that, you need to make sure that your tires are in good condition and pressurized correctly. One way to do that is by investing in a tire pressure monitoring system.
- Lock the tires. To properly park an RV, you should always use wheel chocks. There are many different ones on the market, so you’re sure to find one to fit your needs.
- Eliminate waste. We all know that emptying out a sewage container can be a pain. To make it a little easier, consider investing in a new sewer hose kit. It might not make things more pleasant, but at least there won’t be any leaks.
- Electricity where you need it. When you’re out in the wild, you might still want to have some creature comforts. To do just that, ensure that you have a heavy-duty outdoor extension cord on hand.
Top Brands
Camco
One of the biggest names in RV accessories, Camco has your back, whether you need a sewage hose kit for your holding tank, a water filter, an extension cord, or an RV circuit analyzer. Based in Sayre, Penn., they’ve got a couple of best sellers. Check out the company’s wheel chocks, which are very important when traveling.
Weber
The well-renowned grill manufacturer got its start in 1952 when founder George Stephen invented the revolutionary kettle grill. Today, the company continues to be an industry leader, manufacturing high-end products like the Genesis II E-335 Propane Gas Grill.
Coleman
William Coffin Coleman got his start selling gasoline pressure lamps in Kingfisher, Okla. back in 1900. More than 120 years later, the company has cemented its stature as a camping conglomerate by offering staple products like the Coleman 3 Burner Propane Camping Stove.
RV Accessories Pricing
- Under $20: A number of quality RV accessories can be found at this price point, but it really depends on what you’re looking for. If you want small kitchen accessories, chances are you’ll find some good stuff. However, if you want a circuit analyzer for this price, you’re probably out of luck.
- $20-$100: There are a wide variety of accessories available at this mid-range price point. Again, it all depends on what you’re looking for, some items include wheel chocks, tire pressure gauges, and storage caddies.
- Over $100: In this price range, you’ll find a myriad of high-quality accessories, from TV antennas to heavy-duty RV covers. If you’re looking for long-lasting accessories, it’s worth investing a little more.
Key Features
Quality
No matter what type of item you buy, you want the quality to be on par with the price. Plus, you want to make sure that what you’re getting will be durable. Look for the common hallmarks of a good quality item: a reputable brand, good workmanship, and solid material choices and construction.
Functionality
One of the ultimate factors when it comes to deciding if a product is a great RV accessory or if it’s just a useless gimmick has got to be its functionality. Great RV accessories don’t just look fun or cool, they significantly enhance your RV experience. Adding to the fun and ease of camping is what a great RV accessory should be all about.
Price
This is worth repeating: you get what you pay for. However, there are cases where spending more will not get you a better product. For example, RV TV antennas tend to be pricey, but ones that cost a couple of hundred dollars will often be just as good as pricier models.
Other Considerations
- Compatibility. Will the item work with your RV kitchen? Will the coupling fit onto the sewage pipe? These are the kinds of questions you should consider when making a purchasing decision for new RV accessories.
- Fit. If it has a size or other specification that makes it unique, make sure that it works with your RV. For instance, RV covers come in quite a large range of styles and sizes, so you’ll want to ensure a perfect fit for an item like this.
- Style. This will matter more to some people than others, but if you value aesthetics, you’ll want to consider the style and look of the accessories you’re buying and make sure they’re consistent with what you’ve already got.
Best RV Accessories Reviews & Recommendations 2021
Best Overall
YETI 14-oz. Rambler Mug with MagSlider Lid
Best Value
ExcelPure Inline RV Water Filter
Honorable Mention
Walex Porta-Pak Holding Tank Deodorizer Drop-Ins
Honorable Mention
GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker Camp Chair
Honorable Mention
Champion Power Equipment 3550W Weekender Portable Generator
Honorable Mention
Brightech Ambience Pro Waterproof, Solar Powered Outdoor String Lights
Honorable Mention
Weber Q 2200 1-Burner Portable Gas Grill
Honorable Mention
Coleman 40 qt. Power Chill Hard Sided Cooler
Tips
- For RV covers, make sure that they always dry out before you fold them and put them away. Otherwise, you might end up with a mildew and mold problem.
- Likewise, RV covers tend to bleach with direct sunlight on them, so make sure that whichever one you buy has a UV coating to minimize the damage the material will take.
- RV TV antennas can be a little finicky, so to get the best reception make sure you’re in an open area and you don’t have any interference nearby.
- For other accessories, like couplers, towers, and other cables and fittings, ensure that you’ve got a model that will fit your RV.
- Wheel chocks and other similar wheel blocking items need to be large enough to block off whatever wheel size you have. Make sure you measure properly and use one size bigger when in doubt rather than one size that’s too small.
- If you’re purchasing RV gadgets that are usable and disposable (i.e., trash bags, motor oil, paper towels, etc.), see if you can get a better deal by purchasing larger packs. This can be a great way to save on what you need, and it’s always good to have an extra on standby.
FAQs
Q: What RV accessories do I need?
That depends a lot on you and your RV. For example, what kind of camping do you like to do? What destinations do you frequent the most? These factors will affect the kind of RV accessories you need. There are, however, basics that every RV owner should have, including circuit analyzers, tire pressure gauges, wheel chocks, a water pressure regulator, and a good RV cover. A fire pit is optional.
Q: Should I get a TV antenna for my RV?
There seems to be two schools of thought on having a TV antenna for your RV. Many diehard campers go RVing to escape everyday life and maximize their love of the outdoors. They would never consider watching TV in their RV. Others see the practicality of having a TV antenna for days when the weather is bad, or if they spend prolonged periods of time at their campground. An easy alternative to a TV antenna is to add a portable hotspot to your RV setup that allows you to get Wi-Fi for watching movies and television. The added bonus of that is that you can also make cell phone calls and video calls with it too.
Q: What should I look out for when buying an RV cover?
Quality is most important. You’ll want one that is made out of UV-safe materials and that’s been manufactured in a way that makes it durable. It should also be water repellent or even waterproof.
Q: Can I buy a kit with all the must-have RV accessories?
While RV accessory kits do exist, we find they often come with items you don’t need or are missing items that you might find vital. Since every person has a different idea about what is an essential RV accessory, we suggest making a list and buying what suits your particular wants and needs individually.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to our favorite overall RV accessory, we love the YETI 14-oz. Rambler Mug with MagSlider Lid. This 14-ounce rambler is plenty roomy, so you won’t have to constantly get up and down to refill your cup. It will keep your beverage either hot or cold for hours and will withstand some serious wear and tear and still look just like new.
For a great, super functional, and low cost item, check out the EXCELPURE Inline RV Water Filter. It’s a great space-saving option that will maximize the taste and purity of your drinking water.