Full Time RVing Essentials, Part 3

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

Welcome to our final list of RV essentials for full-time RVers. If you are brand new, we hope these lists have been helpful as you prepare for your leap into the world of full-time RVing. For those of our visitors who are seasoned veterans, we hope you've found some inspiration for your travels as well.

Some of the items you'll see in this list are items that you may be able to live without, but we include them because they have been incredibly helpful for us.

Garmin GPS System

Another gift from my parents was a Garmin Nuvi, which we love! For anyone who spends quite a bit of time on the road, the Garmin is a necessity! It includes lifetime map updates, has great search options, and saves our cell phone battery, since we no longer have to use our phone's GPS.

(Thanks again, Mom and Dad!)

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Outside Your RV

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Stanley Fat Max Jump Starter with Air Compressor

Marvin found that this jumpbox was a definite must. Unfortunately, when you are on the road full-time, mechanical issues will occur (hopefully not often) and it is best to be prepared. Fortunately we haven't had to use the Stanley Fat Max as a jump starter yet, but we do use it to check the tire pressure before each trip. It also has USB ports to charge phones should you find yourself in an emergency situation. And with its built-in flashlight, it's easy to use at night.

Tip: Fully charge it after every use and at least once a month. Marvin has an alarm set on his phone to remind him to charge it on the first of every month.

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Ryobi Pressure Washer

In an attempt to keep our tiny home clean, we purchased this small pressure washer made by Ryobi. It is easy to use, and we have used it for cleaning both the travel trailer and the SUV. And it's compact, making it easy to store when not in use.

Tip: As with any pressurized machine, use caution. Leave appropriate distance between the nozzle and whatever you are washing.

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Camco Jacks

Because RVs are typically designed for occasional use, some moving parts are prone to wear out when used full-time. One of those parts is the door step. Since we are in and out of our home all day, every day, we decided to stabilize the step with these Camco jacks. Shown is the set of four; if you click into it you'll see that it is also available as a set of two. We bought the four-pack. We use two under the step and have two extras. They are adjustable to any height between 11 inches and 17 inches, making it easy to get them just where you need them. 

I know some people have  made wooden stairs to replace their step, but we wanted to avoid that weight and bulk. And we know there are official "step stabilizers" out there. But this was the perfect solution, as these jacks are lightweight, easy to transport, and they are much more versatile than the step stabilizer.

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Expert Portable Propane Grill

The newest addition to our food preparation lineup is the Expert Portable Grill. With so many portable grills to choose from, making a final choice was difficult. We chose this one because it is lightweight, inexpensive, and the perfect size for two people. We love the locking legs, the lid lock, and the front-facing handle. We considered a stainless steel grill, but since this is small enough to store easily, we never leave it sitting outside, so this was exactly what we needed.

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Mr. Heater Propane Hose Assembly

The small propane bottles normally used with small portable grills are more expensive than a refill for a 20-pound propane tank, and they run out much faster. So to go with our grill, we also purchased the propane assembly to convert our grill connection to a 20-pound tank. The 5-foot hose allows ample space between grill and tank. This hose can be used for other appliances as well, such as a camping stove, etc.

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Inside Your RV

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Stanley Wet/Dry Vacuum

I LOVE this little wet/dry shop vac! Vacuuming 17 feet of living space is a piece of cake with this little guy! It's lightweight, it works well, and takes up almost no space. So far it has been used only indoors and only for dry vacuuming, but in case of emergency, we'll be prepared.

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Camco Adjustable, Collapsible Broom and Dustpan

Another great cleaning tool I love is Camco's collapsible broom. We fold it up and store it in the restroom.

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​Sink Strainers

We ordered two sets of these. The smallest strainer fits in the bathroom sink. The middle size fits in the kitchen sink and the bathroom tub, and I use the biggest ones as strainers for canned foods. 

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Made Smart Dish Drainer

I think that, of all the things we gave up when we moved into our tiny home (most of which I don't miss at all), I miss my dishwasher the most. But since I hand wash everything now, I need a dish drainer. I tried several dish drainers before I found one that would actually fit inside my tiny sink and collapse for easy storage.

Tip: Leave it set up and put it in the sink when traveling. This protects the sink and gives you extra storage for loose items.

Question for RV Veterans: What do you miss most about having a brick and mortar home?

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Collapsible Colander

I love to cook, but some cooking utensils take up so much space! Fortunately I found this collapsible colander that fits nicely in my cabinet and still leaves room for other necessities.

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YETIs

We LOVE our Yetis! We each have a 30 oz Rambler and a Colster. Our cold drinks stay ice cold and our hot drinks stay hot. The Ramblers are almost never out of eyesight!

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Check back later this month for Marvin's DIY improvement projects for our tiny home!

Question for RV Veterans: Have I left anything off these lists that should be included? What are your other "must-have" items you need for your RV lifestyle?

*Please note that, while these are affiliate links, and we will receive a small commission should you decide to purchase any of these products, these are all products we use and love. If you like our blog, please help support us by purchasing through the links we've provided. Thanks, all!

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