Rule Number 1
The dealership will try to sell you everything you need to get started. Maybe give you a gift card to the store or some other “discounts”. Yes, if they give free money to the store, then use it up, as wisely as possible. Otherwise go shopping online. Period. Less expensive and the same products. Typically as a rule of mine, I won’t buy the hitch from them either. I have priced several over the years and they are never even close.
Recommended List of Needs
On a travel trailer—“Weight Distribution Hitch”, This needs to be heavier than what you need by at least one size. Under weighting this can cause injury and damage to any number of things. Bigger is always better in my opinion. In fact going from our first trailer to our second, I had to purchase a new hitch. The first wasn’t hardly going to do it on the new rig. I won’t have that issue again I can assure you with what I have now. Also, get one with “Sway control”.
These are Needs (Check the Products section for more info)
- Qty 2- pressure reducer ( I always have an extra in case I lose one or one breaks)
- Qty 2- 25; drinking hose ( can be qty1-50′ but 2- 25′ is easier to handle, easier to store and you often only need 1)
- Water shut off
- Water filters (usually cheaper in multiples and always keep an extra on hand) (check out hooking up water in the “setup section”)
- Standard water hose 15′ to 25′ ( this is a “just in case hose”, may need one at the dump station or just an extension on site)
- Surge protector
- 15amp to 30amp adapter
- 15amp to 50amp adapter
- 30amp to 50amp adapter
- 25′- 30amp extension cord ( a bigger trailer running 50amp, may want the 50amp extension but, they are hard to handle)
- Sewer hose (15′ will usually do the trick, I have 2 drains and still only need the 15′, I just drain 1 at a time)
- Sewer gate valve with clear tunnel ( need to know when the line is empty and when what is coming out is clear) yep it’s a dirty job.
- Rubber gloves
- Some sort of tote or totes for sewer supplies ( hose itself usually goes in the bumper at least on travel trailers)
- Leveling blocks or camper levelers
- Wheel chocks (stops the roll)
- Wheel “X” chocks (stabilizes the trailer)
- Broom for outside
- Small leaf blower (not a must but nice for cleaning your site and blowing debris off the roof)
- Small vacuum
- Small shop vac ( I use this a lot, I may clean out the truck or compartments or whatever, but I use it a lot)
- Camp chairs
- Folding table (6′ works great for us)
- Side table for our chairs
- Citronella candles (I built a small box to transport these easier) see picture in “Organization” article
- Camp grill (ours came with a decent one that hooks right into the exterior quick connect)
- Propane hose extensions (needed this to set the grill where I wanted it)
- Grilling supplies ( keep all mine in there own tote for easy access and storage)
- Ladder (if your trailer doesn’t have one on the back, get one)
- Toolbox ( set yourself up an essentials kit- knife, screwdrivers, hammer, drill, pliers, etc.) pictures in “Organization” article
- Always carry a few extra screws, Zip ties, rope or cord
- I carry a couple of tarps and pinch clips
- WD40- White Lithium Grease (lubricating slides, my sway bars, and hitch ball)
Not a “have to” but really good to have
- Slide supports (be careful with these, need daily checking so they aren’t to tight)
- Outdoor mats
- Outdoor door mat rug
- Indoor rugs or mats
- Tongue jack cover
- Sewer hose support (for longer stays) not something I use. I don’t leave my hose hooked up even when on full hook ups.
- Shit wagon ( for longer stays)
- Leaf rake (we like a clean site)
- Round nose shovel ( be surprised how often we use this to fix the firepit, move gravel around etc.)
- Fire poker (I made one)
- Outdoor lantern
The Upgrades
- Propane level monitoring system
- Tire pressure monitoring system
- Back up camera’s
- Site protection camera’s
- Rhino Vortex core Tech. (something relatively new that I may be adding to my collection soon)
On the Inside
- Mentioned the rugs at the door already
- Extension rod (hang it in the shower, you will never regret having it and easy to store)
- Battery puck lights are great for sticking in any cabinet that is to dark to see what’s in there
- Command hooks ( use them for hats, coats, pictures, you name it)
- Of course the rest should be relatively obvious but if there’s a question reach out. I will say we moved bedding and linens out of the house and got new for the house. We had an extra silverware set, so it got moved. Keep dishes and glasses to plastic. Saves on weight and breaking issues. Anywhere you can save weight is good for towing. Just use your head when loading. People have a tendency to overload with things they think they need. I fully admit to carrying a handful things that have never been touched or have only been touched a time or two, but I know they are there if I need them. That’s usually extra towels. A few more tools than I may need and such but I have them If I need them.
Maintenance Items– you don’t need now but will need
- Self leveling caulk for the roof
- Roof cleaner/ sealer
- Rubber protectant spray
- No wash cleaner and care products( not a have to at all but really convenient on the road)
- I don’t personally recommend tire covers ( We would have bees and spiders making homes in behind them. I keep all my tires coated with tire protectant spray.
There is plenty more you really should consider carrying. Look at the product page for a comprehensive pictured list for outside, inside and all around your camper.