10 Essentials for New RV Owners

Let's simplify the complex world of RV gear purchases by narrowing down the 10 essential items every new RV owner needs. From wheel chocks and leveling blocks to water pressure regulators, this video covers crucial safety and operational gear. Ensure your travels are smooth with these must-have tools and accessories.

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Connect with RV Miles:

00:00 Introduction
00:52 Essential Safety: Wheel Chocks
02:35 Stay Connected: Internet Solutions
03:54 Leveling Your RV: Blocks and Ramps
06:52 Tire Care: Pressure and Air Compressors
08:30 Electrical Must-Haves: Cords and Surge Protectors
11:28 Water Essentials: Hoses and Regulators
13:29 Sewer Solutions: Choosing the Right Hose
14:52 Towing Equipment: Hitches and More
16:11 Toolkit Essentials for RVers
17:10 Conclusion

[iusedBAfireman]

Wheel chocks from Harbor Freight. Heavy recycled rubber for next to cheap.

[havenonwheels]

Spot on! I’m a 68-year-old grandmother who has been traveling full-time for almost 4 years. You really hit the ESSENTIALS. I highly recommend that your viewers get the brands you recommend. The VIAIR compressor was expensive, but saved us in Utah. The Watchdog surge protector saved our electrical system at a fair campground. It was much easier replacing the surge component (by myself) than replacing our whole electrical system because of faulty wiring at the facility. Now I just need to replace that white drinking hose with an evoflex. Wish I’d had these recommendations before we hit the road. Thank you for this video!

[Chimp_]

I have been RVing since I was a boy in the 1950's and agree with your list 100+++%.
One thing I would add is a collapsible sewer hose support. I use the Camco Sidewinder RV Sewer Hose Support. It will help with less wear & tear for the hose but more importantly insure a good down hill angle for maximum flush pressure when dumping. Unless you enjoy "walking the snake" up hill you will thank me!

[joelhansen]

Everyone needs:
1) a level!
2) a fire extinguisher! Actually 2. One for grease fires in your kitchen. One for electrical fires/wood fires. I have a vintage bus & keep 2 in my engine bay.
3) Smoke detector!
4) Carbon Dioxide detector!
5) Propane Detector! There are detectors that double up some of those detectors in the same box.
6) I have both a generator & an engine in my bus so I also carry a carbon monoxide detector too. Not everyone needs this.
7) Jumper cables.

[penelopebartell]

For people with travel trailers, the right size wrench for the Lug nuts

One thing I keep meaning to buy is a tire plug kit. Our class C does not have a spare tire or wheel. A high-enough pressure tire pressure gauge is critical.

[calledtojourney]

Great list! I'd add
(1) a torque wrench with sockets appropriate for your trailer and tow vehicle/motorhome,
(2) a couple of 5 gallon water jugs, and
(3) a 100 foot 15 amp extension cord.

The first two are pretty self-explanatory. Some will justly point out that you shouldn't draw 15 amps from most 100 foot extension cords due to voltage drop. But even if you can only draw 8 amps from them, 8 amps is better than 0 amps. We've used our 100 foot cord several times, especially when moochdocking.

[rmccabe]

TravlFi for almost 3 years now! Love it, bought for credit card transactions at Craft shows!! I use it at work when not traveling!

[jerryflynn]

Great video! Things to add: A 3' foot level, tire iron/4-way for changing a tire, Bottle Jack, Road safety cones, reflective safety vest to wear if you break down. These are the things I would add as essentials.

[susanryan]

Always such good info! I love that you explain why, and not just “do this, not that”. Give a man a fish, he eats for a night. Teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime!

[turnbullstravels]

My husband jokes we need to tow a second RV for all the spares I want to carry. Great list…we are in a DP and Freightliner told us we absolutely needed to carry a set of spare belts and filters. We now also carry a kit for the dreaded DEF head sensor failure. I would really love to carry more leveling gear but the plastic blocks just aren’t rated for our weight. Most of the time we can make do but every once in a while, when we have to have wheels off the ground, Ugh. Looking forward to Homecoming next week!

[tristramstout]

It’s a good idea to have a quality torque wrench and actually check the torque of all your lug nuts. The torque setting should be listed in your owner’s manual.

[tdr]

"and learn how to use it." The most important words for any RVer.

[kenmcclow]

I got the water regulator when I was flushing the toilet and the water was shooting out of the bowl. I didn’t know about the flexible hoses when I bought mine, but I got a short and long hose to avoid having tangled messes.
I have leveling blocks that came in a bag, but I still use a block of wood under the tongue jack.
I have a weight distribution hitch, but my trailer is 3500 pounds GVWR and 2275 dry with dual axles, so I usually use my U-Haul hitch.

I use an Avid air compressor that can run on 12 volt, but also has a small 18 volt lithium battery, so it’s just like using a cordless drill. It also has a bag and has been useful for airing up and down the truck tires. It shuts off when it hits the selected air pressure which is nice.

[sherriweber]

Thank you Jason for giving a list of the essentials you need to have for your Rv to set up the Rv with. I think those are all great to have. I like them chalks and Lego to help your tires so they won’t roll and levelers to keep the Rv level. Thank you Jason. See you soon!

[jamesr]

A screwdriver or drill bit for those funky square drive screws rv manufacturers love to use. So many times I’ve needed to pull a panel to tighten up plumbing or get something that slipped under the slide out cabinet!

[stevekoester]

Extension cord 30 or 50 amp. I use mine on pull thru’s, sometimes

[WILDEBILL]

Good list for a beginner. Something I would include is a tablet and a pen. So when you are camping and you say where is the XXX you can wright it down so you can have a list of things you need. Next work the list when you get home.

[hammerful]

We use wooden leveling blocks made from 2x12's and 3/4 plywood. I tapered some on one end to act as a ramp when we use them to level the camper. Bubble levels for leveling the camper.

[rickw]

We use the leveling blocks with toppers that Jason doesn't like. We really like them because they are really rugid and don't crack under a load. So to each their own, but really appreciate your videos!

[Swimmingwolf]

Leveling blocks can also be used to change the tire on a duel axle trailer. Many trailers don’t come with a jack! Just be sure to chock the other wheels.