Essential RV Gear: Top 10 Must-Haves for Your Journey

Choosing the Right RV Essentials

Hitting the road in an RV is one of the best ways to travel—comfortable, flexible, and full of adventure. Our family lived on the road for 8 months, and trust us: the right gear makes all the difference. These are the items we wish we had from the very beginning. Whether you’re a seasoned RVer or just getting started, these essentials can save you a lot of hassle and make life on the road way smoother

1. Portable Water Filter

Clean water is a must when you're living on the road. A good portable water filter lets you fill up from just about anywhere and still feel confident you’re drinking something safe (and not sketchy). Look for one that’s easy to use and actually removes the stuff you don’t want—no one wants mystery floaties in their coffee water.

2. Leveling Blocks

Keeping your RV level isn’t just about comfort—it actually helps everything run more smoothly, from your fridge to your sleep. We finally got around to buying wheel chocks, and wow, total game changer. But on our first trip, we loved these customizable leveling blocks that make it super easy to adjust for uneven ground, no matter where we park. They’re stackable, durable, and don’t take up much space, which is a huge win when storage is tight.

3. Mobile Hotspot

Working from an RV? A solid mobile hotspot is basically your lifeline. It's not just about comfy Zoom calls — it's about reliable uploads, streaming, and keeping your workspace up, even in a parking spot. One standout option is the TravlFi JourneyGo LTE RV Wi‑Fi Hotspot which is easy to set up and works well in rural areas. If you want more flexibility or faster 5G speeds, the 

Comfort and Convenience on the Road

Beyond the necessities for operation and safety, certain gear can significantly enhance your comfort and convenience during your travels. Let's explore some of these must-have items.

4. Solar Panels

Harnessing solar power is a sustainable way to keep your RV powered during your travels. Solar panels can provide electricity for your appliances and charge your batteries without relying solely on campgrounds or generators.

5. Portable Grill

A portable grill is one of our favorite RV additions—especially for cooking outside and keeping the heat out of the rig. We recently added a Blackstone griddle for our family of four, and it’s been a total game changer for everything from burgers to breakfast. Whether you go with a griddle or a traditional grill, look for something compact, easy to clean, and fuel-efficient so it’s travel-friendly and fits your cooking style. Bonus points if it has a quick-connect for your propane setup! I'm also a huge fan of the blackstone accessories - I actually think we've used all of them.

6. Folding Chairs and Table

Relaxing is a big part of RV life, and having a good outdoor setup makes it even better. A couple of comfy folding chairs and a small table can turn any campsite into your own little hangout spot—perfect for meals, morning coffee, or just kicking back. Go for lightweight, durable pieces that are easy to fold up and stash when it’s time to hit the road.

Indoor RV Essentials

When you’re living in a tiny space, every inch counts. After 8 months on the road, we quickly learned that staying organized (and keeping things feeling cozy) made a huge difference in our day-to-day sanity. From smart storage solutions to little comforts that made the RV feel more like home, these are the products that helped us keep things tidy, functional, and stress-free inside the rig.

7. Tension Rods

These tension rods might not look like much, but they’re total lifesavers in an RV. We used them in the fridge, cupboards, and even the bathroom shelves to keep things from flying out every time we hit a bump or opened a cabinet after driving. They’re super easy to install, adjustable, and make a big difference in keeping your stuff where it belongs—no more surprise avalanches when you reach for a snack.

8. Space-Saving Cookware and Utensils

One of the best space-saving upgrades we made was switching to GSI’s stacking pots and pans. They nest neatly into each other, take up hardly any cabinet space, and still give you everything you need to cook full meals on the road. The nonstick surface makes cleanup a breeze (huge win when water is limited), and the detachable handle means they store flat and don’t rattle around while driving. It’s the kind of gear that feels made for RV living—compact, lightweight, and super practical.

When it comes to cooking in an RV, bulky kitchen tools just don’t cut it. We switched to space-saving cooking utensils—think collapsible measuring cups, nesting spoons, and silicone spatulas—and it made a huge difference in keeping drawers clutter-free. Pair that with a compact toaster oven set (ours came with a tiny baking sheet, rack, and pan), and you’ve got a mini kitchen that actually works. Whether you're making toast, roasting veggies, or reheating leftovers, it’s surprisingly versatile without taking up much counter space.

9. Dehumidifier

Moisture builds up fast in a small space like an RV, especially when you're cooking, showering, or traveling through humid areas. Adding a small dehumidifier was a total game changer for us—it helped prevent condensation on the windows, reduced that damp smell, and kept mold and mildew at bay. It’s one of those things you don’t realize you need until you have it, but once it’s running, everything feels fresher and more comfortable inside the rig.

10. Laundry Must-Haves

Laundry on the road definitely comes with its own set of challenges, but a little prep goes a long way. We always kept a stash of Mini Tide bottles, travel-size fabric softener, and—most importantly—a big bag of quarters on hand. Having our own supplies meant we weren’t stuck overpaying at campground shops or hoping the vending machine had what we needed. It might sound simple, but being ready to do laundry without scrambling for change or detergent makes the whole process way less stressful.

After months of living on the road, we realized that the little things make a big difference. From staying organized with tension rods and stacking cookware, to keeping things cozy and functional with a dehumidifier, compact appliances, and smart laundry prep—each of these products helped our tiny space feel more like home. RV life isn’t always glamorous, but with the right gear, it’s a whole lot smoother (and more enjoyable). These are the items we leaned on daily—and we wouldn’t hit the road again without them.