Ready for your next summer adventure? We’re thinking road trip! There are so many wonderful landscapes to explore in North America. Whether you’re taking out your own RV or renting one, don’t leave home without these must-haves! The open road is calling.
- Water Filtration
- Setting Up Camp
- Safety and Maintenance
- Keeping Cool
- Compact Kitchen Essentials
- Eco-Friendly Products
- Road Trip Playlist
- Bonus: Hepvo – The Waterless Trap
Water Filtration
Clean water is non-negotiable. Investing in a reliable water filtration system ensures that you will have clean and safe water throughout your RV travels. You’d be surprised by how poor water quality can be at RV parks and campgrounds. Effective water filtration is even more necessary when you’re boondocking.
Options range from in-line filters to multi-canister systems. When choosing a water filter, consider qualities such as micron rating, NSF certification, material, flow rate, and lifespan.
In-line filters – recommended for part-time RVers
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You can add a UV water treatment system at the tap for an extra layer of protection. If you are renting an RV without a water filtration system, bring a countertop water filter.
Scroll down or click here for our water filter picks.
No matter what filter you choose, it's essential to perform regular maintenance, including cleaning the tank annually, to ensure it functions optimally.
Want to know more about tap water quality as you tour the country? Environmental Working Group has a Tap Water Database where you can search for contaminants in drinking water by zip code.
Setting Up Camp
Once you’ve found a spot to park your RV, you’ll need a few essential items to ensure your RV is safe and secure. Wheel chocks are the most basic must-have to keep your RV stationary while ensuring stability for your stay. Use leveling blocks to keep your rig balanced for function and comfort. Once you’re set up, an outdoor rug, foldable camping chairs and a Bluetooth speaker will have you chilling in no time.
Check out Campspot’s 2024 awards for industry leading campgrounds across North America.
Safety and Maintenance
Stocking up on safety essentials will make any unforeseen situation easier to handle. These include a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, and a roadside emergency kit. Regular maintenance is key to keeping your RV in top shape, so make sure you have a basic tool kit, tire pressure gauge, and extra motor oil and coolant. A travel air compressor can be a lifesaver for keeping your tires at the right pressure. And remember to pack a flashlight and headlamp.
Cruise for America has useful insights on RV Safety Tips for First-Time RVers.
Keeping Cool
Beat the heat and stay comfortable with these cool must-haves. Outfit your RV with a vent insulator, portable fans and a dehumidifier to keep cool and save energy.
Heard of Shade RV? Avid RVers Jason and Rae Miller, aka Getaway Couple (@getaway_couple), share their insights about the product in this blog post: Shade RV: A Hot Weather RVing Must-Have.
A few portable misting fans are a fun addition when lounging outside. An awning shade is a great way to level up your campsite. And don’t forget the cooler! Find one that matches your road trip vibe, from a large one for the campsite to travel coolers for hiking.
Compact Kitchen Essentials
Having a well-equipped kitchen makes all the difference when it comes to prepping meals and sips. The MVP items for RV living will be compact and multi-functional. Think collapsible bowls, nesting pots and pans and stackable cooking tools. We are loving these pot and pan protectors to keep your cookware scratch-free while on the move. A grill or propane stove are great companions for outdoor cooking. Trying to decide on which of your larger kitchen items to bring from home? We may be partial from our Dutch roots, but a Dutch oven is versatile from savory to sweet, and it can be placed directly over an open fire.
Eco-Friendly Products
There are so many ways to go green for your RV adventure. Bring biodegradable soap, shopping totes, and reusable tableware to travel sustainably. Solar powered chargers and lanterns will reduce your reliance on the grid and come in handy if you don’t have a power hook up. Go one step further with a solar generator, perfect for remote locations.
Want the scoop on solar? Check out this blog post from Grand Design RV: What to Expect From Using Solar to Power Your RV.
Don’t forget DEET-free bug spray and safe sunscreen. Not sure where to start when it comes to personal care products? Environmental Working Group has search powered guides for safer sunscreen and personal care products.
Road Trip Playlist
Every road trip needs its tunes. Pump up the energy for a long drive, relax in rhythm or take a trip down memory lane with your favorite classics. A good playlist will boost your mood and offer connection, whether that’s with your RV pod or neighbors along the way.
We can help get you started with one of our playlists, available on Spotify.
Your summer RV adventure awaits!
Bonus: Hepvo – The Waterless Trap
If you own an RV with a bathroom, you may have experienced foul odors coming from the drain at some point. Sink and shower drains commonly use P-traps, which use water to seal the drain and waste system from the living space. When the sink is used infrequently, the water can go stagnant or evaporate, letting unpleasant odors as well as bacteria and viruses through.
That’s why Hepvo is ideal for RVs! Instead of using water as a seal, Hepvo is a sanitary waste valve that uses a self-sealing membrane, and it actively maintains the right pressure.
Why you should ditch the P-trap and go Hepvo:
- You won’t have to worry about extended periods of non-use causing odors in your bathroom.
- There is no risk of the water seal freezing in colder temperatures.
- In an RV, space is at a premium. Hepvo is a space saver.
- No routine or seasonal maintenance required.
Our Water Filter Picks
In-line: Camco Tastepure RV Water Filter with Flexible Hose Protector
- Easy to install
- 6-step filtration technology with 20 micron sediment filter
- KDF controls bacteria and mold growth when not in use
Canister system: Blu Tech R3 - Elite Series - 0.2 Micron 3-Stage RV Water Filter System
- 3-stage stainless steel canister system with quick connects
- Hospital grade 0.2-micron high flow filter
- Activated carbon filter for taste
- Sediment filter for longevity
- Durable and lightweight with compact design
UV treatment at the tap: Acuva ArrowMAX 1.2 UV-LED Water Treatment System
Countertop Water Filters: Berkey Filters
- Varying sizes
- Stainless steel and easy to use
- Removes a range of metals, plastics, chemicals and sediment
SimPure Y7P-BW Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water Filter Dispenser | RO+UV Sterilization
- 4-stage reverse osmosis filter
- Removes 99.9% of contaminants including microplastics, bacteria, heavy metals and PFAS
- Tested and certified by SGS against NSF/ANSI 58 standard
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