Full Time RVing Essentials, Part 1

Getting started on your full-time journey may be daunting, but having the proper equipment will help tremendously.

Today marks the six-month anniversary of our sojourn in our tiny home. In the past six months, we have traveled through five states, spending the majority of our time in South Texas. During the past six months, our main teachers have been our own mistakes, others' mistakes, and trial and error. We have discovered several items that have made RV life much easier for us, and we would like to share those must-have items with you so you can learn from our trial and error.

Amazing GOOP

Marvin has used GOOP for two main projects thus far, but plans to keep some on hand, as it is versatile and works well.

On our second voyage, we failed to take down the bar we had hung across the shower to dry clothes. Predictably, the bar fell and put a hairline crack in the floor of the shower. With a touch of GOOP, the shower looks (almost) as good as new and, more importantly, it doesn't leak.

He has also used it for a larger project that involved putting screens over all the exterior vents to keep bugs out. More on that in a later post.

Tip: GOOP is an adhesive. It can be used to help secure and seal items similar to the way caulk works, but it can remove exterior paint if you try to remove it after it is has set for a few minutes. Use caution. Measure twice; apply once. (Marvin learned this hard way and now has a touch-up paint project on his "honey-do" list.)

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Outside Your RV

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Camco Drinking Water Hose

We use the 25-foot drinking water hose, and so far, it's been long enough for our needs. If you anticipate boondocking or just want to be prepared, you could opt for the 50-foot hose. Marvin wants to purchase a second 25-foot hose to have on hand, as we'll be visiting more campgrounds across the US and Canada in the coming months.

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Camco Water Filter

Water filters: you need them! You can buy a single filter which comes with the hose protector, or invest in the two-pack and purchase the hose protector separately.

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Water Pressure Regulator

Piping in RVs is a bit more delicate than in a brick and mortar home. Just as electricity can fluctuate, so can water pressure. The water pressure regulator protects your pipes in campgrounds with high water pressure. We leave ours connected to the hose at all times so that when we are ready to connect, we know where it is, and it's ready to go.

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90-Degree Elbow, Y-Adapter, and Backflow Preventer

We found that it is much easier to connect the water filter to the city water connection with the water hose elbow.

The Y-adapter makes it possible to use your city water connection with a water hose to wash your RV, truck, pet, etc. without having to disconnect your main water connection.

​The backflow preventer keeps you from contaminating your fresh water when using an additional hose.

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30 Amp to 50 Amp or 50 Amp to 30 Amp Adapter

Because some campgrounds have only 30 amp hookups or 50 amp hookups, you will want to have a power cord adapter, either a 30 amp to 50 amp or 50 amp to 30 amp, depending on your camper.

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Progressive Industries Portable Surge Protector

I will not hesitate to admit that I know absolutely nothing about how electricity works. I do know that this surge protector protects my precious computer, TV, cell phone, coffee maker (oh my gosh - my coffee maker!), and other electronics from being fried and rendered useless. Thankfully, we have had only one night in which we have noticed the surge protector doing its job - a particularly frustrating night a few weeks ago when the electricity continued to flick off and on for what seemed like an eternity but probably was only 45 minutes or so. But the surge protector worked its magic and my coffee maker was spared an untimely death.

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Inside Your RV

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Camco Cupboard and Refrigerator Bars

In order to ensure that items in the refrigerator and cabinets stay where they are supposed to while we travel, we secure everything with these bars prior to pulling out. 

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Aroma 3-in-1 Grillet

Because of its versatility, I use my indoor grillet almost every day. On its lowest setting, it functions as a slow cooker, with its higher settings functioning as grill and steamer. I have cooked every meat from pork chops and steaks to chicken legs and turkey burgers. I have made one-pot fajitas, soups, and dips. I've steamed cauliflower and sauteed spinach. I LOVE my grillet!

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Oster Single Burner

In spite of the grillet's versatility, I have found a handful of food items that are difficult to prepare in it (eggs being the most difficult). So for nearly everything else, I use my Oster Single Burner Cooktop. I brought with me exactly one skillet and one pot, both of which fit perfectly atop my burner, making it possible for us to happily consume our freshly fried or scrambled eggs.

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Sterilite 3-Drawer Tower

Living in an RV or tiny home full time means limited space. It also means limited storage. To solve our storage needs, we purchased four (that's right, folks - FOUR!) of the narrow towers - two for clothing and two for kitchen items. Made by Sterilite, they are sturdy without being heavy, and with the weave pattern, they don't look half bad either!

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That's all for now! Thanks for checking out our full-time RVing starter pack today. We'll add parts two and three later this week (hopefully!).

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Heart Full of Leaves - an original photo design by exquisitDESIGNS