Are you ready to finish out summer in your RV and on the road? Aside from a tune up and double checking everything is in good working condition, now is also the time to be updating your gear list so that you'll have a safe, comfortable, and epic summer RVing. In this post, we've put together 10 essentials that every RVer should have in their vehicle before they hit the road. Here's a look:
1. Awning Mat
You don't want to be living in an RV that is covered in sand and dirt. Remember, your RV is a home on wheels - it's not just a means of getting you to your destination, but where you'll relax, sleep, and eat. Just like how a doormat is designed to capture debris before it can be tracked into your home, an awning mat is designed to catch sand, dirt, leaves, grass and more before you can track it back into your RV. It's a great accessory to help keep your vehicle tidy and clean for your travels.
2. Solar Panels/ Solar Power Station
Do you know how you're going to charge your electronic devices while boondocking or dry camping? That's where solar panels shine (pun intended). If you're in need of little power, you can opt for a solar charging station. If you're looking to power your rig off-grid while continuing to use all of your powered gadgets, we recommend checking out our guide to choosing the right solar options for your RV.
3. Table Fan
It can get hot out there on the road and you might not want to continuously run your air conditioning. That's where a high-quality table fan can come in handy. Some models deliver a stream of airflow powerful enough to cool an entire room - something that will be more than adequate enough for your RV. Many models also come with various airflow settings, rotations and even a sleep timer if you want to power it down after hours. While there are battery-operated table fans, most run on electricity - which is another reason why the aforementioned solar power station is an ideal accessory.
4. The Annual National Parks Pass
Several of America's stunning recreational areas are likely on your list this summer - and there's no better way to see them all while saving money than spending $80 on an annual pass. When you consider that National Parks can cost upwards of $30 per vehicle to visit just for a day, the pass will literally pay for itself after your third visit. You can learn more about all the benefits of the pass and other discounts you may qualify for at the official National Park Service website.
5. Camping Hammocks
Chalk this one up on the "nice to have" list and not necessarily the "need to have" one, but there's bound to be a fair amount of downtime on your adventures - and it's always good to relax in the fresh air. That's where a camping hammock can come in handy. Most hammocks are easy to store and can be quickly set up for you to take a load off. All you need to find is two trees or structures that will be able to support it.
6. Security Lighting
Just as you want to keep your home secure, you also want to keep your "home on wheels" secure. We suggest investing in a set of motion security lights for your RV. Make sure to invest in a solar model so you won't have to rely on electricity to hook them up and power them on. They'll come in handy for more than just security purposes - but if you need to use the restroom after hours or just don't want to take the dog out in the pitch black.
7. Yard Games
Like we said earlier, there's bound to be some downtime on your travels. And while a good book makes for a great, quiet way to pass the time, various yard games can entertain as well, especially if you're RVing with Kids. We suggest purchasing some fun games that anyone can play, like corn hole, ladder ball or horseshoes. If you're into disc golf, you might even take your gear with you and look for courses in the area to play when you have some free time.
8. Air Compressor
Keeping your RV's tires properly inflated isn't just critical to optimizing fuel economy and maximizing vehicle safety, but it's necessary on long road trips - especially if your adventures will take you off the road and into the desert to boondock or if you plan to be driving on the beach when you'll have to let out air from your tires so your vehicle can drive properly on this terrain. Additionally, you should know that for each 10 degrees Celsius the temperature drops, you could lose up to 2 pounds per square inch in your tires. The bottom line is that checking your tires and adjusting them accordingly is a good habit to get into before you put your RV in drive. Ideally, you'll want to get an air compressor with a tire pressure gauge. If you don't, be sure to pick up a separate gauge.
9. Walkie Talkies
If you're boondocking frequently or often driving off the beaten path to get to your destination, then you know that cell phone service isn't always reliable. Walkie talkies, however, are. Walkie talkies work over radio frequencies, so you don't have to have a good cell signal for them to work effectively. They're especially helpful to have on hand if members of your group like to explore solo or split up from time to time. You'll always be able to stay in communication with every member of your party with a walkie talkie.
10. Tools
Finally, every RV should have some sort of toolbox on hand. You never know when you're going to need a hammer, screwdriver or cordless drill. Invest in a toolset just for your RV. We guarantee you that you'll be using it at some point.
RVing during the summer is a time when family memories are made, bucket list items are checked off, and relaxation is achieved. Sure that you're all stocked up on everything you need so that you can make this summer your best summer yet!
