Full-Time RV Living Essentials

Are you fully equipped for setting out on the road?

You’ll need a lot of things to ensure you’re prepared for full-time RVing, from safety equipment to insurance, documents, and various products that are invaluable for life on the road.

To help you get started in the right direction, or simply level up your RV game, we put together a list of what we consider to be the essentials: those things you can’t or really shouldn’t live without when full-time RVing.

Read on to find out our picks for full-time RV living essentials.

21 Full-Time RV Living Essentials

The list below is a collection of a variety of things, including:

• Useful products
• Essential supplies
• Emergency provisions
• Legal items

Together, they form a collection of essentials that you can’t– or shouldn’t– do without on the road.

Here are 21 full-time RV living essentials:

1. Dependable internet

Reliable internet service is arguably one of the top 10 most important things you need while on the road.

We depend on the internet more than ever before on the road, including everything from getting our work done if you work remotely to entertainment, monitoring various internal RV systems via apps, and even planning out our trips.

Maintaining reliable internet service involves more than just a single solution, though.

To stay connected on the road you’ll want 2-3 connection types as well as to consider enhancers. 

A mobile hotspot can be incredibly useful as can a cell booster for enhanced cell signal among other things.

Check out our complete guide to RV internet and get yourself properly set up: 3 Best Internet Options for RVing. 

2. RV Water Filtration System

A proper RV water filter is important for removing sediment and bad odors from your water supply. Certain filters can even remove bad bacteria and viruses.

However, not every filter is created equal. When it comes to filters, quality is an even bigger factor than it typically is with other products.

Check out our pick for the best RV water filter system to find a high-quality filter that will last you: RV Filtration System: Ultimate Water Filter Guide.

RV Filtration System: Ultimate Water Filter Guide

3. Trip planning app and maps

Tip planning apps are incredibly handy to have on the road.

Before you even set out, you can plan your entire trip out, select and record destinations, and chart your entire adventure.

Then, as you travel, depending on the app you can be notified of accidents, find stops, or notable locations along your trip. 

Having a resource that not only allows you to plan your trip in advance, all the way down to the individual stops, as well as track your location as you go serves as a modern compass and an essential resource.

4. Wall rack and other unique storage solutions

While not absolutely essential, wall racks and similar storage solutions are absolutely invaluable for making the most of your RV’s storage.

They’re also invaluable for keeping everything in their place, as many typical household items do not like to sit still when traveling on the road.

A great wall rack is one example of such a storage solution.

With a wall rack, you can secure items that would typically be resting on your counter. This not only allows you to keep them put but saves you additional space as well by making use of vertical storage.

Check out some amazing picks for RV storage racks and similar products here: 9 RV Kitchen Storage Ideas and Organization Tips.

5. Detectors (Fire/Carbon Monoxide/Propane)

You need a variety of detectors as a safety measure against leaks and fires. The detectors you need in your RV include:

• Fire 
• Carbon monoxide 
• And propane

All three are potential safety hazards. Fortunately, setting up and managing detectors is simple and easy. 

For the most part, you just set it and forget it and only occasionally need to replace a few batteries in exchange for keeping you safe around the clock. 

6. Extra fuel

When traveling on the road, at times you can go a very long distance without encountering a gas station.

In addition, many generators use gasoline. Having some extra fuel on hand offers extra insurance in the event that you end up in a situation where either your rig or generator runs out and you need to refuel.

7. Water + sewage hoses

This one is pretty standard, but if you’re new to RVing it’s important to mention (and take note of the tips below).

A sewer hose is used to dispose of wastewater while a water hose is used to refill clean water, both together making two very important parts of your RV’s internal systems.

You’ll want to make sure that your water hose is a decent length as the location of some campground’s water stations is further than others.

8. Shore power cable

Another essential that might be a bit obvious, but is also key.

A shore power cable allows you to connect to shore power, which is the type of power available at campgrounds.

You’ll want a good power cable as well as some adapters to handle different amp levels. The most common being 15, 20, 30, and 50-amps.

9. Basic tools

As a full-time RVer, you can’t be afraid of occasionally getting your hands dirty. And to fix your RV up properly, you’ll need tools.

Some of the more notable ones for taking care of common RV maintenance items include:

• Multi-bit screwdriver with square bit
• Wrench, preferably a crescent wrench
• Hammer 
• Pliers
• Voltmeter for electrical maintenance and repairs

10. Maintenance products

This is a group of items that all fall into the same category.

Over time, you’ll find certain items that you love and can’t do without that are consistently handy to have around.

Some examples are:

• Super glue
• EternaBond tape or something similar
• Extra water filters
• Sewage treatment packs
• Seal lube
• Etc.

This is a big category, hence why we combined it into its own point, and somewhat up to preference and your own rig’s setup.

The important thing is to be extra safe and have some of everything you’d need on hand. Be constantly on the look out for new items you can keep stored to handle regular maintenance issues.

11. USB battery packs

USB battery packs are a great little tool for storing some extra power, either for emergencies or convenience.

This is especially useful if you don’t have an inverter or inverter generator that will allow you to convert DC to AC power, which is necessary to safely charge smaller devices like laptops and smartphones.

12. Bottled water

Might sound simple and a bit like a prepper topic, but you never know when you’ll be without access to clean water.

It doesn’t hurt to keep some extra bottled water stored away in your RV. This can be a large jug stored away in a cabinet or shelf or smaller bottles placed in your fridge.

13. Surge protection

Something like a surge protector or EMS is vital for protecting you from electrical surges when plugging into shore power at campgrounds.

They’re typically inexpensive and can save you from very costly RV repairs or even physical danger.

Check out this guide to see our top pick for surge protection: RV EMS vs Surge Protector: Which Is Best for Surge Protection?

RV EMS vs Surge Protector: Which Is Best for Surge Protection?

14.  Set up your domicile and mail forwarding

“Domicile” refers to the state where you have your legal, registered address. 

When full-time RVing, you’ll need to have a domicile or registered address where mail is being forwarded and for the purpose of things such as:

• Vehicle registration
• Taxes
• And voting

One important thing to note is that where you have your registered address will affect your taxes. 

Being a full-time RVer, you have the ability to take advantage of a more favorable tax structure by selecting the state that fits your needs best.

15. Leveling jacks (for trailers)

This is only relevant if you tow a travel trailer or fifth wheel, but if you do, leveling jacks are a must!

Which type of jacks you use will depend on preference and the size and weight of your rig, but regardless having them is key to ensure that you can stabilize your rig when camped.

There are a lot of options, but check out this guide for a great option: 9 Best Travel Trailer Accessories. 

16. Campground memberships

If you plan to regularly stay at campgrounds, a subscription to one or more of a variety of memberships can offer big cost savings.

Many RV memberships offer discounts (typically free overnight fees) to campgrounds they’re affiliated with or own, which can cover hundreds or thousands of locations across the country, sometimes even Canada and Mexico. 

Check out our list of the best RV clubs that offer discounts on campground memberships, community perks, and more: 7 Best Discount Camping RV Clubs.

17. Emergency supplies

Rather than one specific thing, this point refers to a collection of supplies for both medical and RV-related emergencies.

One thing you’ll want to make sure to have is a good RV fire extinguisher.

Another is a good first-aid kit. Just make sure to keep an eye on the expiration date as some of the supplies in a first-aid kit do expire after a few years.

18. RV roadside assistance

RV insurance is required, so we didn’t place it on this list. But make sure you get it!

Beyond that, when it comes to protecting and insuring your RV is taken care of in the event of an emergency, get roadside assistance. 

There are several great RV-specific roadside assistance companies and plans out there that will give you everything you need– and even a few things you didn’t expect.

Typical RV roadside assistance includes (among other things):

• Tire replacement (and sometimes installation)
• Fuel and other fluid delivery
• Trip interruption services

Check out our picks for the top RV roadside assistance plans: 4 Best RV Roadside Assistance Plans: A Complete Guide. 

19. Happy Camper Tank Treatment

Happy Camper! Seriously, don’t go without this.

It’s not only amazing at cleaning your black tank but your RV toilet as well. There really is no alternative here, Happy Camper’s tank treatment is in a league of its own.

You don’t want to use just any toilet cleaner for your RV as they can damage your RV toilet, and you absolutely need a tank treatment for cleaning your black tank regularly.

Check out our review of the best RV toilet bowl cleaners here: 3 Best RV Toilet Bowl Cleaner: A Quick Buyer’s Guide.

As well as our full review of Happy Camper’s holding tank treatment: RV Holding Tank Treatments Review: Happy Campers. 

20. Toothbrush wall mount

Might sound like a simple thing, but trust us: securing smaller items that tend to sit on countertops is key for RV travel.

A toothbrush wall mount holds way more than just your toothbrushes, it can store a variety of items that tend to sit on your countertop and bring it all together into one convenient place.

Plus, it has some neat features like a toothpaste dispenser and even a holding area for rinsing cups.

Check out a great toothbrush wall mount in our guide here along with other amazing bathroom storage hacks: 9 RV Bathroom Storage and Organization Ideas.  

21. Stackable Storage Containers

A simple but essential item, stackable storage containers are useful for a variety of purposes.

You can use them in your:

• Kitchen
• Fridge
• Cabinets
• Store large containers in the corner of a room and label them for extra general storage
• Or even place some in your basement storage outside for things like tools and other supplies. 

To see our pick for stackable storage containers as well as some other amazing RV storage hacks, check out our guide here: 20 Best RV Storage Ideas: The Ultimate RV Storage Idea List.

20 Best RV Storage Ideas: The Ultimate RV Storage Idea List