RV Accessories :
The Ultimate Guide (June 2023)
Things don’t necessarily equal happiness — but they can equal comfort and convenience. When you’re headed out for life on the road, the best RV accessories can make or break your experience; as a general rule of thumb, the more time you spend in your recreational vehicle, fifth-wheel, or travel trailer, the more accessories you’ll probably need.
What's In This Article?
If you solely use your RV for occasional camping (maybe a once-a-year-trip upstate), you’ll just need the essentials. Think safety, sleeping (you’ve upgraded your RV mattress right??), basic hygiene, and rudimentary cooking. For those who plan to live out of their RV part- or full-time, however — especially off-the-grid — it’s best to be over-prepared.
To get started with said preparation, think about the things you need and enjoy now, in your permanent home. Do you work remotely, so is strong Wi-Fi a must no matter where you are? Do you love to cook — maybe even gourmet meals? Is a quality mattress paramount due to your bad back?
Once you’ve narrowed down the most important aspects of your lifestyle and daily routine, then it’s time to find RV-friendly versions of your must-haves. Items in your RV should meet the three following criteria:
- Space-saving: As you’ve probably noticed, you don’t have a ton of extra square-footage to work with. As a result, you should take space, size, and storage into consideration before you make any purchases. The more compact and travel-friendly it is, the better.
- Versatile: When possible, opt for tools and objects that tackle several jobs at once. This not only maximizes your storage space, but it also ensures that you have more of what you need when you need it.
- Extra durable: Life on the road isn’t always easy on your belongings — and good luck finding a nearby shopping center when you’re in the middle of nowhere. If you invest in strong, quality products from the get-go, however, you can save yourself some headaches down the line.
After that, it just boils down to choosing specific products from specific categories that’ll make your RV as comfortable, safe, and convenient as possible. According to both ratings and real travelers across the globe, these are some of the best RV accessories available online today:
The Top 9 RV Bedroom Accessories
You don’t have to compromise on comfort just because you’re on the go. The Luxury Gel Mattress from MattressInsider has a dual-sided design so you can personalize your firmness level, high-quality fabric to wick away moisture, and any combination of sizes and heights to fit your specific RV. Most importantly, over 20,000 RVers have experienced optimal comfort on the road thanks to the gel-infused memory foam.
If you already have a mattress, you can easily and affordably upgrade it with this easy-to-customize mattress topper. It’s made from open-cell visco elastic memory foam and you can even opt for a removable cotton cover — plus it comes in a huge range of sizes from RV bunk to RV king. Sleep in luxury with these premium RV and truck sheets
Instead of trying to make standard sheets fit your RV mattress, opt for Premium RV & Truck Sheets, which are made from 100% cotton and have a thread count of 300. Each set comes with a fitted sheet, top sheet, and pillowcases, and you can get it in dozens of pre-measured sizes (or you can call for a custom-ordered set).
Protect your bed with this zippered cover, which (unlike its competitors) comes in any size to actually fit your specific RV mattress. It fully encases the whole thing in a protective material that’s resistant to stains, moisture, dust mites, bed bugs, and aller
Excess moisture is a common problem when you’re on the road (see below for the best RV-friendly dehumidifier), but the Hypervent Aire-Flow Moisture Barrier helps to prevent it under mattresses and cushions. It uses a special woven polymer material to optimize circulation and decrease condensation underneath padding and fabric, and since it’s sold by the linear foot, it’s easy to personalize to your particular needs.
Keep your glasses, phone, remote control, and reading material within arm’s reach — even if you don’t have room for a bedside table. These shelf organizers are made from sturdy ABS plastic and adhere to most materials using self-adhesive tape. You get two sizes with every order.
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Available in three different pack sizes and six colors and light temperature options, these Facon LED pancake lights are a top-seller for RVs and motorhomes. They’re designed for easy wired installation anywhere you need additional illumination, and reviewers say they’re “so much better looking and brighter than the fluorescents” that come standard.
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Your furry friend deserves comfort, too — but space is still a valuable commodity. Luckily, the Coolaro elevated pet bed features high-density fabric that’s suspended more than 7 inches off of the ground. As a result, your pet stays cool, you’re able to optimize storage underneath, and (since the bed is easy to clean with a hose) you don’t have to worry about creating additional laundry.
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A dehumidifier is a great thing to have in any area of your RV, but the Pro Breeze is especially well-suited for the bedroom. That’s because it’s compact, portable, and capable of removing up to 9 ounces of water per day. It’s also quiet and automatically shuts off when the tank needs emptying.
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The 4 Best RV Supplies For Driving & Parking
Chocks are designed to prevent your RV from moving when you’re planning on staying put for a bit, and with a 4.8-star rating and over 2,500 reviews, it’s clear that MaxxHaul chocks are the best of the best. They’re made from solid rubber and have a special texture that’s resistant to oil, not to mention built-in handles for easy positioning.
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Optimize control while you’re driving with the CURT Anti-Sway Bar Control Kit, which uses a brake-pad material to limit lateral movement from your trailer. It’s highly adjustable to suit different vehicles and load sizes, and according to reviewers, the complete kit is “super easy to install.”
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Even if your RV isn’t the most high-tech option, you can still park in style thanks to the AMTIFO HD backup camera. It’s wireless as well as water-resistant, plus it comes with a 7-inch display screen so you can see exactly what you’re doing in high-def.
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In an ideal world, you’ll always find a flat, sturdy surface to park on. In the real world, however, you’ll probably need these Tri-Lynx leveling blocks. They come in a pack of 10 and stack on top of each other to create the ideal height for all of your wheels. Since they’re made from sturdy, modular materials, they can withstand a weight of up to 40,000 pounds.
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The 8 Best Outdoor Accessories
The Camco Tastepure hose comes in five different length options and is a best-seller among RVers. That’s because it’s compatible with most connectors, is made out of BPA-free PVC that resists kinking, and complies with all low-lead laws to produce safe drinking water.
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Because it’s designed to monitor and regulate your water pressure, this tool from Camco helps prevent damage to the appliances and plumbing fixtures in your RV. The adjustable screw cap even helps you customize your pressure, while the lead-free brass construction is especially durable for longevity.
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Whether you’re living off the grid or preparing a picnic for your family and friends, now you can cook outside using the power of the sun. The All American Sun Oven reaches temperatures of 400 degrees Fahrenheit, all thanks to its reflective, solar-optimized components. It even comes with several accessories so you can grill meat and fish, cook casseroles, make pizzas, and bake cakes.
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Nothing says “home away from home” like a fire pit. This one from Heininger is fully portable and smokeless because it’s powered by propane. It even comes with a 10-foot hose and lava rocks.
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Lounge in luxury with this set of two zero-gravity lounge chairs, which comes in your choice of seven colors. All of them feature a weather-resistant textilene fabric that’s comfortably suspended with elastic cords. Your drink is never too far away thanks to the attachable cup holder trays, and the whole thing folds flat for effortless storage.
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“Superb tables for limited RV space. Sturdy and useful,” one reviewer wrote about these Trekology camping side tables. Even though they have a chic, aluminum top that can stand up to cooking and fix-it jobs, they’re foldable and lightweight for easy travel. Get them in two colors and three sizes.
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Get shade and bug-free protection just about anywhere. The Gazelle pop-up tent has enough interior room for eight people and a table, plus it’s waterproof and offers UV50+ protection. Most importantly it weighs 34 pounds and can be set up in “under three minutes” according to past buyers.
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“I am a full time RVer so I use this mat everyday. I love that it is large enough to cover my area without having to use two rugs together and the style of it matches the design of my RV well,” one reviewer wrote. These reversible mats are also breathable to avoid damaging grass, UV-coated to prevent against fading, and mildew-resistant for easy cleaning. Get them in six colors and three size options.
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The 15 Best RV Kitchen Accessories
Cooking is perhaps one of the most space-demanding activities, so when you’re in your RV, you’ll want the most well-designed, versatile products. This one from Qimh acts as a colander, a strainer, and a dish rack all in one. Since it’s made from eco-friendly, BPA-free rubber, it’s dishwasher safe as well as collapsible.
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Keep your food (from your leftovers to your soda cans) secure and in place no matter what kind of terrain you’re trekking. These Camco bars are adjustable from 16 to 28 inches and are designed to fit inside of your refrigerator using a spring-loaded design and scratch-resistant rubber.
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It’s almost impossible to read through an RV accessory article without seeing the Instant Pot. This appliance is a travel must-have because it packs eight different cooking functions into one storage-friendly pot. You can cook rice, saute vegetables, bake bread, make yogurt, slow-cook stew, and pressure-cook a roast in under an hour, all at the press of a button.
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From the creators of the personal LifeStraw filter (ideal for emergencies, traveling, and survival) comes the family-sized pitcher version. It sits in your fridge or on your counter, but still has multiple layers of advanced filtration to remove lead, mercury, parasites, bacteria, microplastics, and chemicals. In other words, you could fill it with pond-water, and the result would be clean, safe, and fresh-tasting hydration. No wonder it’s a must for RVers.
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The K-Mini uses the same pods or reusable cups as its much-larger counterpart, but it’s less than 5 inches wide to fit in tight spaces — like your RV kitchen. That way, you can get a fast, fresh, hot single-serving of coffee no matter where you are. It comes in your choice of five cool colors and fits mugs up to 7 inches tall.
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No ice maker? No problem. These three trays are made from flexible, durable silicone, so they won’t crack and won’t leach BPA into your ice. A quick twisting motion releases all of the cubes without hassle, and since they come with included lids, they won’t leak all over your freezer, even if they’re placed on an angle.
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Reach those top cabinets, help your children brush their teeth, or hang your string lights without hassle. The Acko folding step stool can support up to 300 pounds thanks to its durable plastic frame, but it folds up flat so you can store it next to your appliances or under the bed.
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This brilliant trash bag holder fits most standard cabinet doors under .9 inches in thickness, so it’s a favorite for immobile kitchens, too — but one reviewer wrote, “Bought to use as RV trash can. Simple solution for trash where space is at a premium. Grocery store plastic bags fit perfectly. Highly recommend!”
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Simply mount it to the side of any cabinet, and the Camco counter extension flips out to provide you with an extra foot of space. Then, when you’re done chopping, cooking, or cooling your freshly baked cookies, it flips back down again so all doors and walkways are accessible again.
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There are countless features that make these Progressive Prepworks bowls a must for RV life: They’re made from flexible silicone that collapses when it’s not in use. They come with leak-resistant lids. They’re dishwasher-safe and color-coded. Each $20 set includes three different sizes. Basically, they function as serving bowls, storage containers, and mixing bowls, all in one.
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Ideal for camping, picnics, and life on the road, this Coleman dinnerware set comes with 24 pieces — specifically plates, mugs, bowls, and silverware for up to four people. Everything is made from double-fired enamelware that’s crack-resistant and dishwasher-safe, not to mention easy to store in tight quarters.
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Go ahead — try to break these wine glasses. Odds are you won’t be able to, because the BPA-free silicone is flexible, crack-proof, and fine in the dishwasher, microwave, or oven. Silipints come in fun, eye-catching designs and are “made for the outdoors,” according to reviewers.
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Blenders, food professors, and mixers take up a ton of space, but with the Magic Bullet, you can replace all of those appliances with a single, versatile tool. Even though it’s roughly a foot tall, pressing down on the top causes the high-torque stainless steel blade to whip, grind, chop, mix, or blend in seconds. This set comes with 17 pieces, including special lids, various blades, and blending capsules that double as to-go mugs.
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Double the space in your cabinets with this expandable shelf from Seville Classics. It has a sturdy iron construction and expands from 15.75 inches to 30 inches. That way, you can stack and organize your dinnerware and cooking essentials while optimizing accessibility. “Being full time RVers we needed better organization for our plates and bowls. This organizer fit like a glove in our cupboard. Excellent,” one buyer raved.
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Love to cook, but can’t exactly dedicate a full cabinet to your spice collection? Thankfully, these clips from SimpleHousewares secure most standard-sized spices to the inside of your cabinet doors. Each order comes with six strips (which can be mounted with the included adhesive or screwed in for extra stability), so you can travel with up to 30 jars.
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The 9 Best RV Bathroom Accessories
Quality water pressure is hard to come by while you’re on the go — in fact, it’s one of the things travelers miss most about living in a permanent structure. That explains why the PIH high-pressure showerhead has over 1,600 reviews and a 4.7-star rating: “100% improvement in my RV shower,” one reviewer says, while another raves, “Makes it feel like a real shower now. Easy to install and has a few settings on it.”
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Standard toilet paper often doesn’t break down quickly and thoroughly enough to avoid damaging your tank or sewage system, but Firebelly Outfitters is specifically designed to dissolve rapidly and completely. Since it’s 100% biodegradable, it’s the best pick for camping, RVs, and boats. This order comes with eight rolls of two-ply paper, 500 sheets in each roll.
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This ready-to-use kit comes with everything you need for a quick, easy sewer hook-up, including two attachable accordion sewer hoses, swivel fittings, an elbow fitting with a four-in-one adapter, and storage caps. Everything is extra durable and designed for easy installation, which is why it’s a top seller for RV owners.
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Available in 10-, 15-, and 20-foot options (in addition to adjustable and aluminum kits), these sewer supports from Camco cradle your sewer hose so it’s off the ground, out of harm’s way, and carefully mounted. They’re ready to use out of the box with zero assembly required, and even though they’re lightweight, collapse down to just a few inches, and come with a convenient handle, they’re shockingly durable.
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A composting toilet isn’t for everyone — and even those who are now in love with theirs say they were “hesitant” at first. But Nature’s Head composting toilet is easy to install, won’t smell, and turns waste into compost. It doesn’t require electricity or plumbing and it separates dry from liquid to keep everything extra hygienic.
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Just drop one Porta-Pak into the holding tank, and its biodegradable, Formaldehyde-free formula will provide impressive odor control for up to a full week. One reviewer said: “After each black tank dump, I just put a gallon or two of clean water back into the tank and drop one of these packets in and voila! No odors until the next time the tank needs dumping. I’ve never experienced any odors in our RV while using this product.”
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Even if you don’t have room for towel hooks, this gadget from YUMORE ensures that your towels and wet clothes can dry thoroughly and without unwanted odors. It mounts over your door with minimal effort and has 12 stainless steel hooks that can hold up to 110 pounds combined. (You can also put it in your living area or bedroom to hold coats, hats, and other accessories.)
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If that RV shower is feeling especially tight, the Stromberg Carlson Extend-A-Shower can help. It’s a fan-favorite because its brilliant design bends outwards to give you more room to wash. It can be trimmed to fit your specific RV bathroom, and it folds up when you need it out of the way.
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Last but not least for must-have bathroom accessories, there’s the accessory that doesn’t require any bathroom at all: Surviveware body wipes are large, biodegradable, unscented cloths that leave you feeling clean and smelling fresh, even when you don’t have any water to rinse yourself afterwards.
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The 8 Best RV Gadgets & Electronics
According to one reviewer, “This is the perfect adapter [for] using house current to power your 30Amp RV at home.” It connects 15 male amps to 30 female amps and it has a sturdy handle, a flame- and heat-resistant PVC sleeve, and a 180-degree bend that reduces pressure. (It’s also available in a range of other designs and intensities.)
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If you’ve ever driven a truck or RV around North America, you’ve learned fast that you cannot go anywhere you want. Thankfully, the Garmin Truck GPS customizes your route so you’re only guided onto roads that are suitable for the size and weight of your vehicle. It also offers easy-break planning, stop suggestions, hands-free calling, built-in WiFi, and free map updates for life.
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New to solar power? This starter kit from Renogy comes with everything you need to begin living off the grid, including a 100-watt panel, a negative ground charge controller, MC4 connectors, an 8-foot tray cable, and mounting brackets for your RV. “I just finished 3 weeks of Boondocking,” one reviewer wrote. “The panel allowed me to stay out the whole time with full 6v Trojan batteries and not once firing up the Onan generator.”
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Turn a 3G LTE connection (4G, in some places) into a reliable Wi-Fi hotspot anywhere in the world with this gadget from Huawei. It comes unlocked and without a specific carrier logo to offer up to six hours of working time — just plug in the SIM card of your choice (not included) and get surfing.
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Reviewers say they were able to set up the Alfa WiFi Camp Pro 2 in under 10 minutes, and after that, they were able to utilize a Wi-Fi connection even when they were far outside of the recommended range. How? The receiver is USB-powered and connects to your computer to get it online, while the repeater acts as a router that creates a hotspot network.
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This portable power station from Jackery allows you to power your electronics using a rechargeable lithium battery or one of your solar panels. It then offers two USB ports, a standard outlet, and a DC port so you can use your phone, laptop, lanterns, tablet, camera, or drone just about anywhere.
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Get fewer dropped calls, better voice quality, faster streaming, and a stronger hotspot with the weBoost three-piece set: Its magnetic exterior antenna pulls in a signal from the closest tower, its booster amplifies the signal from the inside, and the interior antenna distributes the connection throughout your vehicle. The best news? It can be used alongside all wireless networks.
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This Bluetooth speaker boasts an astounding 75,000-plus reviews on Amazon. Why? For one, it’s loud, clear, and has a special triangular design that points the sound in all directions. For another, it has a 100-foot Bluetooth range and is water-resistant to stand up to all of your adventures. Finally, the rechargeable battery lasts up to 14 hours and you can get it in your choice of seven colors.
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The 9 Best Emergency & Safety Items
Reduce chlorine, lead, fluoride, odors, and bad tastes from your water sources. The AQUA CREST inline filter easily connects to most standard hoses or faucets so you always have access to safe, clean, tasty water. This pack of two also comes with a flexible hose protector.
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This is not your average pump. The VIAIR Portable Compressor has a universal fit, a 150 PSI rating, and is capable of inflating tires up to 33 inches, quickly and for up to 15 minutes at a time without overheating. “The thing is a beast,” one reviewer said. Another wrote, “Inflated our RV tires in half the amount of time as all the others, with plenty of power to spare.”
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For a great price, you get 110 emergency essentials, including a multi-tool, tow strap, first aid kit, jumper cables, flash light, bungee cords, fire starter — you name it, it’s probably in here. Best of all, everything fits in a tiny, handled bag that’s easy to store.
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“I travel in a Class C RV and am constantly having people pull right out in front of me […] I am also pulling a tow car. It’s not an easy stop! I bought this in the event I ever bump into someone, I can prove that it wasn’t my fault,” one reviewer wrote about the APEMAN Dash Cam. It has a wide-angle lens, superior night vision, simultaneous recording, and a collision-sensor that forces the camera to kick on in the event of a collision.
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Whether you’re hiking on a mountaintop or parked on a campsite, these personal alarms can help you call for help during any kind of emergency. When the button is pressed, the alarm emits a 140-decibel noise that someone else can hear up to 606 feet away. The sound lasts up to 50 minutes, and since the alarm attaches to your keychain and comes in a pack of six, your whole family can carry around some extra protection.
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Since it doesn’t require a hardwired hookup, you can place this battery-operated smoke detector in any area of your vehicle. It also ensures that your carbon monoxide levels are safe, as the clear, loud voice alarm differentiates between both emergencies — plus it announces when the batteries need to be changed.
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This weather-resistant protector is meant to guard your RV against power surges, voltage fluctuations, and incorrectly wired power, which could damage your appliances and electronics. It also helps you monitor the quality of power going through your vehicle, and reviewers say it’s a “must-have item” that offers “great peace of mind.”
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Designed for a recreational vehicle because of its bracket, strap, corrosion-resistant exterior, and small size, this First Alert extinguisher uses a sodium-bicarbonate agent to fight liquid and electrical fires. It has over 2,000 reviews and a near-perfect rating of 4.8 stars.
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Get power even when you don’t have power. The Champion dual fuel portable generator is RV-ready and works with either propane or gasoline. It also helps you monitor your voltage and run-time hours and has a wide range of outlets for various uses. “I bought this for my RV,” one reviewer wrote. “This generator suits all my needs, runs the AC and everything else I need.”
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The 10 Best Fun RV Accessories
Road-tripping across the US? Showcase where you’ve been in a colorful, decorative way with the Travelisimo scratch-off map. Once you’ve visited a state, scratch off the standard yellow to display the vivid colors underneath. Each order also comes with 10 marker flags.
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Corn Hole is one of the best games for camping, picnicking, and barbecues, but it’s not particularly travel-friendly — until now. The GoSports portable set comes with two roll-up canvas-and-PVC boards and eight bean bags, all of which fit in their lightweight, easy-to-store carrying case.
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Bring some whimsy and charm to your RV, all without having to worry about outlets and batteries. The MPOWERD Luci string lights set uses solar power to create bright illumination around your camp. You can also plug it into a USB port to charge it, and the 18-foot cord is easy to wrap around its included charger wheel.
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With over 13,000 reviews, the Wise Owl Outfitters hammock is easily one of the most popular picks on Amazon. It’s lightweight, capable of supporting up to 500 pounds, and comes with everything you need to mount it to some nearby trees. “Best sleep I’ve had in the woods!” one reviewer raved.
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There are a lot of things to check off your to-do list every time you relocate, so if you’re the slightest bit forgetful, Camco’s RV check bands could just change your life. Each set comes with seven pre-labeled reminders and two blank ones, so you’ll never again forget your leveling, hookups, and antennas.
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Sick of roadside laundromats? The Laundry Alternative Wonder Wash is a non-electric, hand-cranked solution that’s small enough to fit in your RV’s storage. It also uses 90% less water than a standard washing machine, so you can clean your hiking pants, delicates, or linens in a pinch.
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These rechargeable walkie talkies have 22 channels, a 10-mile range, and a battery life of up to 10 hours. They’re a great thing to have for emergencies or phone-free communication, though one reviewer even uses them to park: “Bought these so my wife and I can communicate when backing up our RV at campgrounds with bad cell signal. They worked great.”
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It’s the number-one best-seller in touring kayaks for one revolutionary reason: It’s inflatable. The Intex Explorer collapses down to a tiny carrying bag, but when it’s time to explore a lake, it inflates with the included pump, spans 10 feet to seat two at a time, and supports up to 400 pounds. It even comes with two dual-sized oars.
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Set up a couch no matter where you happen to be — whether that’s outside of your trailer, at the beach, or on top of a cliff — thanks to the Wekapo air lounger. Using just the wind, it inflates to create a comfy, supportive, waterproof air hammock, complete with built-in pockets. Get it in over a dozen colors and patterns.
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To-do items, chore charts, grocery lists, family-wide game of Hang Man — the possibilities are endless with this dry-erase board. The best news? Since it’s magnetic, it sticks to your RV’s refrigerator to save precious space.
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In some of our articles, especially accessory related articles, we might earn a small commision when visitors purchase products through our links. Note: This does not affect which products which are included in the articles. In most cases our writing team is not aware of which brands or products offer us a commission. Everything we recommend is for it’s quality reputation, and performance regardless of any affiliate relationship.
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