You made the decision to buy an RV, did your research, and finally brought one home, but now you need RV accessories. Whether you bought a new or a used RV, from a dealership or a private party, here is a list of things I’ve found that are must-haves for every RV.

Of course, there are always going to be plenty of fun things to buy for an RV. These may be the “not so glamorous” necessities, but getting the right equipment is essential for having a good experience.

There are lots of reviews out there on the best black tank RV hoses, the best RV toilet treatment drop-ins, etc. I spent months reading these reviews and doing my research and want to share the items I ultimately decided on.

RV Accessories Everyone Needs

Without further adieu, here is my list of RV accessories everyone should have:

• RV Sewer Hose
• Sewer Hose Rinser
• Water Pressure Regulator
• RV Water Filter
• RV Toilet Treatment
• Wheel Chocks
• Leveling Blocks
• Extension Cord
• Extension Cord Adaptor
• Leveling Scissor Jack Socket Drill Adapter
• Surge Protector

1. RV Sewer Hose

When I bought my used RV from a dealership, it came with a free starter kit with some RV accessories. The first thing the RV technician told me was “you get what you pay for,” and advised me to throw out the RV sewer hose that came in the kit. Having done lots of research on this topic (and being slightly terrified), I quickly learned the best bang for your buck was the Camco 20′ (39742) RhinoFLEX 20-Foot RV Sewer Hose Kit, Swivel Transparent Elbow with 4-in-1 Dump Station Fitting-Storage Caps Included.

While you can pay an arm and a leg for the most expensive hoses on the market, this one should do the trick for a long time, as long as you take care of it.

This hose is made of durable Rhino Flex polyolefin and reinforced with steel wire. It comes with two 20-foot sections that can be connected, and caps for keeping any remaining liquids in the hose during storage. The clear elbow allows you to see when you’re finished emptying your tank, and when the water runs “clean.” 

The biggest complaint I’ve seen in reviews, and experienced myself, is it can be difficult to connect the bayonets as it takes pretty good hand strength. However, this is also reassuring that if you do it right, these babies aren’t coming apart. Since we are all trying to avoid the ultimate mess, this can be a good thing. 

2. Sewer Hose Rinser

You will need to be able to clean out your sewer hose after use. It can be a messy job if not done correctly. This one I had no idea about, and just happened to come across it in all my reading. I went with the Camco Sewer Hose Rinser With Power Jet Cleaning Action and Shut-Off Valve.

It screws into a garden hose and locks securely to your sewer hose bayonet, giving you a secure hook-up and added jet-cleaning action to get the best clean you can. It’s inexpensive, well-made and will make a dirty job easier. 

3. Water Pressure Regulator

This is one of those RV accessories that could save you a lot of headache in the long run. The RV technician advised me to get a water pressure regulator prior to hooking up to any water supply. The reason being is sometimes water pressure can be too much for an RV and it can cause damage, including blowing off the faucets inside and blowing out the pipes. Water hookups can be quite unreliable in regards to pressure, so your best insurance to protect you from blowing things out and creating a massive amount of water damage is a cheap water regulator. 

Because Camco is a well-trusted RV brand, I bought the  RV Brass Inline Water Pressure Regulator. The brass construction will ensure it lasts a long-time and keeps your drinking water safe. It gives you safe and consistent water pressure at 40-50 pounds. 

4. RV Water Filter

An RV water filter will reduce bad tastes, odor, chlorine, and sediment. Because you never know what the water quality will be like where you’re hooking up, this is also cheap insurance to ensure you don’t ruin your water heater and other plumbing, and your water is safe to drink. 

You’re beginning to see a Camco theme here. After doing my homework, I went with their Camco RV Water Filter. It’s a large capacity filter that lasts about 3 months and is made in the USA. 

Of course, you’ll have to replace it every few months, but that is certainly better than unfiltered water. 

5. RV Toilet Treatment

As with the RV sewer hose, RV toilet treatment is something you don’t want to skimp on and you can’t live without. It helps break down your, uh, goodies, and prevents odors. 

There are many natural options on the market and they can be a bit expensive. The number of people using your RV toilet and how frequently you use your RV will dictate how often you’ll need to dump and add new treatment. Because I intend to live in my RV, I was looking for something both effective and cost efficient. 

I promise this post is not sponsored by Camco, but I did choose the Camco TST Ultra-Concentrated Orange Citrus Scent RV Toilet Treatment Drop-Ins. A 30-pack runs around $17 and is the most cost-effective of the ones that got consistently good reviews. 

One pack will treat a 40-gallon tank. It has a fresh citrus scent that some complain about being overpowering, but in my opinion that’s better than the alternative. 

6. Wheel Chocks

Wheel chocks are used to chock your tires when parked. It helps keep the RV from rolling forward or backwards when you unhook and are parked. These are an important safety measure. 

The MAXXHAUL 70472 Solid Rubber Heavy Duty Black Wheel Chock 2-Pack are heavy duty and surprisingly small, which is nice for storage purposes when you’re not using them. They offer good ground traction and wedge in nicely between your tires. The handle makes it easy to carry and place them. 

7. Leveling Blocks

While you can make your own leveling blocks out of wood, you want to make sure they are sturdy enough to support your RV and won’t sink into soft ground. I ordered the Quality Plastics Utility Block – Four Pack and found them to be a good product for the price. It beats the stacked up 1×6’s I started out using. Now when I got to an RV park, I actually look like I know what I’m doing! 

8. Extension Cord

An extension cord is another must-have for plugging into electricity at an RV park or any place with an RV hookup. RVs come with either 30-amp or 50-amp power and you’ll need to make sure you have either a 30-amp or 50-amp extension cord. 

The Camco 25′ PowerGrip Heavy-Duty Outdoor 30-Amp Extension Cord for RV and Auto is just right for my 30-amp RV. It gives me plenty of length to reach power outlets that are further away and is very heavy-duty. It comes in longer lengths as well. Of course, there is a 50-amp extension cord as well.

9. Extension Cord Adaptor

If you have 30-amp power, you should consider carrying an adaptor so you can convert from a 50-amp hookup. This 50 Amp to 30 Amp RV Adapter is heavy duty and doesn’t cost that much. 

I ran into this issue immediately and it was my own fault. I had an electrician install an RV plug-in at my house as I wanted a 50-amp plug-in so it could accommodate anyone who may visit, knowing you can buy an adaptor. Then, the first time I went to plug-in, I had to give myself a forehead smack, since I needed to plug in a 30-amp. Luckily I was able to order this one, I got it quickly and put it right to use. 

10. Leveling Scissor Jack Socket Drill Adapter

If your RV comes with automatic leveling jacks, you will not need to worry about this item. If it does not, here is a quick and easy trick to make this job easier. Buy a Camco RV Leveling Scissor Jack Socket Drill Adapter With 1/4″ Quick Connect to attach to your drill. Make sure you have one with enough power (I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my DeWalt Cordless Drill). You can then lower and raise your jacks with minimal effort. 

11. Surge Protector

An RV surge protector is necessary to protect your electrical system from getting fried by a bad electrical outlet. One voltage spike can cause A LOT of damage (think thousands of dollars). Getting a decent one is good insurance.

The POWSAF RV Surge Protector, Heavy-Duty Outdoor 50 amp protects your rig from high and low voltages and also identifies faulty power. It’s waterproof and has handles for ease of use.

Final Thoughts on RV Accessories

While there are plenty of other things that can make RV living more fun and convenient, this helps you know what to buy for an RV to get started. The best RV accessories for camping may not always be the most fun, but they will help you avoid unfortunate mishaps and ensure you’re enjoying your time RV camping rather than being stressed about it. 

If you liked this article, check out my RV renovation experience, including how to paint RV walls and cabinets.