Family RV Essentials: Accessories and Equipment We Use
Welcome back to Family Travel Go! Whether you are setting out on your very first road trip with a travel trailer or you are a seasoned camper refining your rig setup, having the right gear is the difference between an unforgettable stress-free outdoor adventure and a campsite headache.
Over our miles on the open road, we have tested, refined, and dialed in our setup to ensure every trip goes smoothly. Here is our complete, tried-and-tested checklist of essential RV accessories and gear we never leave home without!
*TIP* – Buy these on amazon to save money, many dealers attempt to sell you these items when purchasing your camper but they are not as affordable as Amazon offers the same products.
For your convenience I have included links to these products on amazon.
1. Fresh Water & Plumbing Essentials
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A heavy-duty, drinking-water-safe hose is a non-negotiable must. Standard garden hoses can leach harmful chemicals and bad tastes into your water supply. This 50-foot kink-resistant hose ensures clean water reaches your RV, whether your hookup is right next to your camper or stretched out across the campsite.
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Campground water quality varies wildly from state to state. Attaching an inline water filter at the spigot greatly reduces bad tastes, odors, chlorine, and sediment, protecting both your family’s drinking supply and your RV’s internal plumbing pipes.
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High water pressure at RV parks can easily blow out delicate camper plumbing lines. A high-quality pressure regulator connects directly to the campsite faucet to keep water flow at a safe, stable PSI level.
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Essential for cold-weather camping or late-autumn trips. A heated water hose prevents your fresh water connection from freezing overnight when temperatures dip below freezing, saving you from frozen lines and costly repairs.
2. Waste Management & Sanitation Gear
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Reliable sewer gear is essential for any comfortable camping trip. The RhinoFLEX kit includes durable, heavy-duty bayonet fittings and transparent elbow sections so you can visually verify when your tanks are thoroughly flushed and clean.
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Proper drainage requires a steady downward slope toward the campsite dump station. The Sidewinder cradles your sewer hose off the ground, protects it from sharp rocks, and maintains a natural gravity gradient for effortless draining.
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Keeping black tank holding odors under control is crucial in a compact RV space. These convenient pre-measured drop-ins break down waste and tissue while eliminating unpleasant smells with a fresh scent.
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Camco Rhino 28 Gallon Portable RV Tote Tank
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When staying at campsites without full sewer hookups, a portable tote tank is a game-changer. It allows you to drain grey and black tanks and transport waste to the dump station without unhooking your camper or breaking down your camp setup.
3. Setup, Leveling & Electrical Power
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Safety comes first as soon as you put the tow vehicle in park. Heavy-duty wheel chocks keep your trailer securely locked in place on any gradient, and the attached rope handle makes retrieval clean and easy.
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Uneven campsites are standard in full-service parks and boondocking spots alike. Modular, stackable leveling blocks allow you to easily build custom ramps under your RV tires or stabilizer jack pads for a perfectly level camper setup.
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Providing stable 30A/50A power to your rig requires a rugged, weather-resistant extension cord. Pair it with an inline surge protector to shield your camper’s electronics from power spikes and faulty park pedestals.
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Cordless Drill with Socket Attachment
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Save your energy for hiking and campfires! A high-torque cordless drill equipped with a stabilizer jack socket lets you raise and lower your manual RV stabilizer jacks in seconds instead of hand-cranking.
4. Outdoor Comfort & Maintenance Essentials
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Insects, mud daubers, and wasps love nesting inside warm camper furnace vents. Heavy-duty mesh stainless steel vent covers allow proper airflow while preventing pests from invading your furnace housing.
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Wet grass, muddy campsites, and early morning sewer dump runs call for reliable waterproof footwear. These easy slip-on ankle deck boots keep your feet dry, offer incredible slip resistance, and clean up with a quick hose rinse.
- These boots have become one of my favorite pairs of shoes. I wear them regularly not just when out camping.
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Hands-free lighting is essential for nighttime camp setups, late-night walks, or checking under the rig after dark. Rechargeable, lightweight headlamps are far more convenient than holding a flashlight while managing gear.
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Tire Pressure Monitoring Caps & 12V Air Compressor (Don’t Forget!)
Maintaining optimal trailer tire pressure is vital for road safety and blowout prevention. A portable high-capacity 12V air compressor ensures quick top-offs anywhere.
Family Travel Go Tip: Always keep a dedicated storage container or tote in your camper pass-through storage reserved strictly for fresh water lines, and a separate tote for waste equipment to avoid cross-contamination!