Author: Amanda Brandon
If you’re new to camping in an RV, you may find that you’ll need some extra “stuff” to make life more comfortable on the road. Little things can make a big difference in space and comfort in your RV. So, here’s a list of 15 RV essentials under $20.
A French Press – Like coffee? Coffee makers can take up precious counter space. Boondocking means you may not have full power to plug in said coffee pot. A French Press needs boiling water, coffee grounds, and four minutes to the perfect cup of java. The Bodum 8-Cup French Press is my choice for under $20 essentials. My Bodum has seen 35 states to date and makes a great cup of Joe.
A tea kettle – You’ll need hot water on the road. Since we’re working on a budget, a stovetop tea kettle is the perfect under $20 essential for your RV boiling water needs. A space-saving idea for tea is to put the bags in the kettle and pour directly from the kettle – no pitcher required, and it lasts all day.
A good door mat – Get the kind that you put in front of your front door at home. I recommend a door mat at the foot of your stairs and right inside the door to the camper. This keeps the dirt on the rug and not in your carpet. You can shake them out and they are a lifesaver on keeping the mud out on rainy days. This mat is awesome because it has built-in rubber mud scrapers.
Velcro straps – Keeping the fridge closed, securing the rolled up the rug, strapping down loose items for travel, putting the straps on the cup cabinet to keep it from launching cups and plates all over the kitchen – these are just some of the uses for a pack of Velcro straps. A pack on Amazon sells for about $8.
Cell phone portable battery bank – If you’re boondocking or busy exploring, charging your cellphone is an essential. Grab a portable battery bank that you can charge while you drive. It will give your cell phone a boost and provide charging backup in case you’re Wallydocking for the night.
A first aid kit – Camping in a RV is definitely a step up from a tent, but you still explore and need bandages and supplies to clean up cuts, scratches, and insect bites. A simple first aid kit is an essential in your RV. One of the premade ones takes up very little space and ensures you have the supplies you need while you’re traveling down the road.
A folding drying rack for your clothes. If you have an onboard washer or ever swim in a pool or lake, hanging clothes up to dry is an essential function in camping. You can get a sturdy drying rack that’s good for indoor or outdoor use for right at $20.
Shower dispenser – These have been popping up in hotels for a while now, and what better way to save space in your RV shower than with a dispenser that gets the toiletries off the floor? This one is available at Home Depot and other retailers, but I encourage you to go read the Amazon reviews. This one in particular will not disappoint.
Sewer hose support. This item is slightly more than $20, but it’s an essential for helping everything – should we say, flow smoothly – from your tanks to the sewer connection. This item has different heights to help you get a downhill flow going – to prevent clogs and this cradle also protects your sewer hose from damage.
A water pressure regulator – Ever wondered if you’re putting too much water pressure through your RV pipes? Solve that problem with a $7 gadget called an RV water pressure regulator. This device reduces the water pressure to a pressure that’s designed to work with your RV’s plumbing system.
Awning anchors – If you’re not strapping that baby down, it’s going to get damaged. It doesn’t take a whole lot of wind to damage your extendable awning. This kit is designed to keep your awning from flapping on windy days and filling up with water on rainy days.
A twist-on waste valve – After getting yelled at by a maintenance guy about my waste valve having a slight drip (grey water wasn’t closing all the way), I walked into a camping store and asked for one of these twist-on waste valves. It seals up the waste valve so you can hook up your sewer hose or get a honey wagon service with no yelling involved.
A good head lamp. If you have to walk the dog at night, you’re going to want a light you don’t have to hold. Many campgrounds require that you carry some sort of light at night. A headlamp with different colored lights can improve your visibility to others and your view of dark campground roads and paths. Everyone in our family has one of these headlamps.
Grill tongs – These are not just for flipping burgers. They help you reach stuff that falls into or sits in the deep, dark nooks and crannies. We use ours to retrieve the remote from the televator storage space all the time. It’s also great for reaching into high, deep cabinets when you need an extra arm length.
A good outdoor tablecloth and some tablecloth hooks. Eating outside is part of the fun of glamping. And if you build a DIY outdoor kitchen, you’ll want to sit down to a nice dinner complete with a tablecloth that doesn’t flap in the breeze. These $5 hooks solve that problem once and for all. And while you’re working on that outdoor eating arrangement, these popup food tents are essential to keeping the flies out of your food.
I hope this list gives you some new ideas for making your RV more comfortable and spacious. What RV essential under $20 did I miss? Tell us about it in the comments.
Related Tags
Boondocking, Budget, Camping Gear + Accessories, Education, First Aid, Gifts, RV Tips
March 13, 2023 | 12:00 AM
Since I write about RV electricity, not a week goes by without a reader asking how to test or repair a dead electrical system on an RV. Here’s a basic list of cheap electrical items that can save your bacon while camping. Basic digital multimeter Non-Contact Voltage Tester Box of fuses for your 12-volt systems Contact cleaner Electrical tape Multi-tip screwdriver Diagonal wire cutters Mike Sokol