Trail Gear Every RV Needs

Have you recently invested in an RV and want to know exactly what trail gear you require for your next big trip? Have you been browsing the internet, trying to decide what gear is essential for your RV and which items you can leave at home?

Or, are you just looking for a refresher to make sure you’re well packed for a longer than normal trip — or your first one in ages?

Choosing the right trail gear for your RV takes forethought and planning. You need to have gear specific to the function of the RV itself and supplies to keep inside the camper throughout the duration of your trip.

The right gear can make or break your outdoor excursion, we understand that. Your RV is your ticket to adventure, your home away from home, and that’s a large order to fill.

What Is Trail Gear?

Trail gear is an all-encompassing term. It refers to outside accouterments for your RV such as the hitch, locks, and levelers, but it also includes the supplies you will bring on your trip like bedding, food, storage containers, flashlights, and so on.

Without the proper trail gear, you will find yourself unprepared for your trip, no matter how long or short it may be. You need to make sure you have the right supplies to keep things functioning smoothly, provide you with all the comforts you need while on the road, and give you some essentials to rely on in an emergency.

Outside Gear to Bring

Before we delve into the inside gear and supplies you will need for your RV outfit, it is important to discuss outside trail gear items you should always bring.

About your hitch 

First, make sure you have your hitch and its accompanying gear squared away for towing anything with your RV. The ideal hitch will balance weight evenly to keep the RV from moving too much or sinking from excess weight. Be sure to bring lubricant along for your hitch in case things squeak.

You always want a hitch ball cover to protect the ball from weather or damage, and keep the lubricant from spreading on anything other than the ball.

Bring leather work gloves along to keep your hands protected when working with the hitch and loading trail gear. They will also keep your hands from becoming too oily or dirty.

Always have hitch locks to secure your RV and one to prevent people from hooking up to whatever you were towing when you leave the campsite or walk away from your parking spot.

Tires, trailers, emergencies

You will always need a good tire gauge for both your RV and whatever you are towing. And a lug wrench in case you need to change a tire on either on the road.

If you have a dual axle (two sets of tires next to each other) you might wish to consider investing in a trailer aid in the event of a flat tire. It will save your back and speed up the tire change, avoiding considerable time and trouble.

No matter how much or how little you use your RV, you want to have tire covers to protect your tires whenever the camper is in storage. Get four chocks to put against your tires when it is in storage or parked to keep it from rolling away.

Purchase caution triangles in the event of break downs, tire changes or roadside emergencies when you have to pull over on the road. This will keep other vehicles from colliding into you in the night and is well worth the investment.

Keeping it level

Another important elements of trail gear for your RV to have on hand are levelers. Most newer RVs come with stabilizing and leveling equipment – check you owners manual.

If you need extra leveling equipment to keep your RV leveled out, a carpenters level or specialized levelers and chocks may be a good purchase.

Handy on the road 

You never know when you might need a drill, power cord, and other electrical trail gear, so pack those in your RV too, just in case.

Some additional items to have on hand in case you need to tinker with the hitch, water, or sewage are rubber gloves, thick shop towels, storage containers, and your trusty tool kit.

Power and water

You always need to make sure you have plenty of power for your RV, so another essential piece of trail gear is a dog bone or plug adapter. Cables and surge protectors may come in handy too. 

To simplify your water connection within the RV, purchase a food grade water hose to keep everything running smoothly.

You always want your RV’s water and sewage system to in top form. You need to have a quality water pressure regulator, water filter, and sewer hose kit to keep things copacetic. Depending on the climate you live, travel, or store your RV in, buying good winterization gear to protect your RV from the elements is crucial.

Why It’s Important to Be Well Prepared

Without the right trail gear, your RV is just an empty shell in need of filling. 

The importance of inside RV trail gear

It is important to have items like cooking utensils, chairs for the campsite, blankets, pillows, storage containers, a first aid kit, and other household items to keep things functioning smoothly while on your trip.

It is just as crucial as having the right outside gear and tools for sewage, water, hitch, and camper maintenance. You never know when something might break down or stop working.

While this may never happen, you always want to be prepared in case of emergency so you can easily deal with any issue that arises.

It is imperative to have the right trail gear to protect your RV from the elements and keep it ready for use for years to come.

Miscellaneous items 

Before delving into some additional trail gear that every RV needs, there are some miscellaneous items you will want to tick off your checklist and be sure to have on hand.

You probably already know this, but be sure to invest in a generator for your RV that will stand the test of time.

Smaller items like a toilet bowl brush to keep your bathroom clean and sheets to outfit your camper beds do not take up much room and will serve you well throughout your trip. Take a dump hose along so you can drain your tank with ease after continued use and bring a water tank filler valve along so you can keep your fresh water replenished.

Be sure to bring movies along to keep you, or more to the point your kids, entertained on the road. Store a small, hand-held vacuum in the RV so you can eliminate dust and dirt as it gathers.

Finally, don’t forget to purchase insurance for your RV. It provides coverage in the event of an unforeseen accident, but it can also cover you if anyone were to become hurt or injured when visiting your camper.

You will probably never need to use the insurance policy, but it is a wise idea to plan anyway.

Trail Gear Every RV Needs

Let’s take a look at some more really essential trail gear. You want every trip to be the best it can be, and we want that too.

Food Storage and Meal Prep Supplies 

Now that we have gone over some essential outside gear and extras you need to outfit your RV with, it is time to get into the key staples you need to pack and bring along on your next trip.

No camping adventure would be complete without the right trail gear for food storage and meal prep. Space is often limited in a camper, so you need to make the most of every item you bring and make sure it serves your purposes fully.

Always bring along dishes like mugs, cups, bowls, and plates, along with forks, knives, and spoons. Depending on the length of your journey and how much you expect to cook, have mixing spoons and bowls, pots, and pans on hand too.

Pack kitchen essentials like cleaning supplies, dish soap, paper towels, napkins, sponges, plastic bags, and Tupperware containers. Pack small containers of salt, pepper, and cooking oil to give your food an added boost of flavor.

Include bottle and can openers to make your life easier on the road. Don’t forget some skewers for roasting marshmallows or hot dogs over the fire wherever you camp!

Sleeping Gear 

Sleeping gear is one of the most important types of trail gear you can pack. You need to make sure that the rest you get on your trip is sound and comfortable, so always remember to pack sheets, pillows, pillowcases, blankets, and sleeping bags in your RV.

Also, a cot or a few hammocks may make your next adventure that much better so don’t forget the outdoor sleeping possibilities.

Relaxation Gear 

Undoubtedly, you will have time to sit and relax while on your trip. When those respites come up, you want to have the right trail gear to enjoy your rest time.

Pack lounge chairs to sit in, and bring entertainment options like books, cards, games, puzzles, and lawn games. If you have room, include lanterns and firewood to enjoy cozy, lit evenings of relaxation beneath the open sky.

Bathing Gear 

Having an RV means you get to enjoy the comforts of home when you bathe, so bring the right bathing trail gear along to keep you fresh and clean throughout your trip.

Items like biodegradable toilet paper, soap, shampoo, and conditioner, and toothbrushes, toothpaste, towels, and toiletry items are essentials.

If you would like an outdoor shower, a shower tent can elevate your experience. It can also keep lakewater, mud, and crud out of your RV, which makes cleaning it easier.

Activity Gear 

Depending on what types of activities you enjoy when on the road, you will need to pack the right trail gear to support those interests. If you want to bring things like bikes, kayaks, or canoes, your RV or trailer should have plenty of room to take them with you.

Some standard trail gear you should always have on hand to support any activities you enjoy include water bottles, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and bug repellent. 

Be sure to include plenty of snacks, and store all these smaller essentials in a backpack to wear as you go. Remember shoes that offer you comfort and support too.

Essential Extras 

There are essential extras you always want to include in your trail gear to keep you well-stocked on the road and prepared for any unexpected occurrences along the way.

Remember things like flashlights, batteries, scissors, a rope, a fire extinguisher, water hose, shovel, light bulbs, tarp, trash bags, and trash cans.

The Final Word on RV Trail Gear

Preparing to take your RV out on the open road requires time to gather the right trail gear and make sure you have everything you will need on your trip.

Allow yourself some wiggle room ahead of your trip to shop for and purchase the necessary items, pack them, and get your RV ready to go. You never want to be without these essentials while you are away as they will give you peace of mind and the comforts of home while you travel.

Keep a working list of what to bring with you. If you brought an item on a recent trip but didn’t use it and you know you won’t need it in the foreseeable future, strike it off the list. 

Even more to the point, put on the list what you forgot or didn’t know to bring. That way, as your adventures progress, so too does your collection of essential trail gear.

What RV Trail Gear do you find indispensable? Do you have advice for first time RVers that you’d like to share? Let us know down in the comments!