Camping Essentials – 10 Important Items

There are those “must have” items when you head out for a camping trip. Aside from the typical items, food, entertainment, clothing, the dog….it’s those camping essentials to ensure you can connect the campground amenities along with a few items to keep your camper safe. Over the last many years, we have bought a number of items that have worked and those that were a complete waste of money. In the video we share the camping essentials that we believe are must items. None shown are new. They are used every day we camp and we never leave home without them.

Camco RhinoFLEX 15ft RV Sewer Hose Kit

While not the most expensive RV sewer hose, the Camco RhinoFLEX 15ft RV Sewer Hose Kit had severed us well for several years. We’ve used in hot and cold climates and we’ve always had a solid connection. The handy elbow and bayonet adapter provide a tight seal to the campground dump station.

Camco RhinoFLEX 10ft RV Sewer Hose Extension Kit

It never fails. Once or twice a year we go to a campground with full hook-ups where our 15ft RV sewer hose will not reach the campground dump station. This Camco RhinoFLEX 10ft RV Sewer Hose Extension is that perfect addition for those occasions providing a quick fix for our stay.

Valterra 45 Degree Clearview Sewer Adapter

This simple item allows you to monitor your black tank waster to ensure the tank flows clear before you close the release valve. This is helpful if you have a blank tank flush system allowing you to see the black tank outflow until the water becomes clear.

Sewer Hose Donut

We use the sewer hose donut most time in older private owned, state or federal campgrounds where a screw in connection will not work. The donut provides a rubber seal connecting the RV sewer hose for an odor proof connection to dump station.

Heavy Duty Rubber Chocks

These can be bought from Amazon, Harbor Freight and Tractor Supply. Heavy, solid rubber construction providing a stable block to help prevent your RV from rolling forward or backward. I have a set of 4 and place in the front and back of a wheel on each side of the RV. A must to ensure you secure your camper.

RV Drinking Water Hose

This is one of those items you don’t want to purchase on the cheap. This 25ft hose usually run less than $10. We have two for those times when the water spigot is just in the wrong place. For closer distances, we don’t have a bunch of hose and one 25ft works best.

Water Pressure Regulator Valve

We camped in a park recently that had 90 pounds of water pressure at the spigot. Without a water pressure regulator we would have had water leaks all over the 5th wheel or worse yet, blown a water connection in a wall. We’ve tried a number of pressure regulators and this model has served us best. It provides an adjustment to allow you to set your desired pressure (we use 35lbs) and a gauge to ensure the water pressure is safe for your camper.

Surge Guard Power Protection

This unit has saved our electronic appliances on multiple occasions from faulty RV park power to the most violent electrical storms. Simple to use, no special set up. Continuously monitors for voltage and amp draw and reverse polarity (miswired pedestal, elevated ground voltage). These units can be purchased for both 30 amp and 50 amp powered RVs.

Dogbone Electrical Adapter 30 Amp Male to 50 Amp Female

This is adapter converts a 30 amp connection to a 50 amp. Although a connection with much lower amperage, we still are able to visit those beautiful state and federal parks only offering a 30 amp connection.

15 foot 50 Amp or 30 Amp Extension Cord

It never fails, at least a couple of times a year we arrive in a campground where our 30ft power cable will not reach the power pedestal. This 15ft extension cord saves the day and prevents us from having to move the 5th wheel often times, loosing space to park the truck or placing us to close to the campground access road. These can be purchase for 30 amp or 50 amp plugs and recommend extension cords with 10 gauge or large wire.

Products discussed in this video

15ft RV Sewer Hose Kit – https://amzn.to/3g4HAta

10ft RV Sewer Hose Extension Kit – https://amzn.to/2JzsAUK

Valterra 45 Degree Clearview Sewer Adapter – https://amzn.to/3kF60gh

Sewer Hose Donut – https://amzn.to/2IphSk8

Heavy Duty Rubber Chocks – https://amzn.to/2Iu95gP

Camco 25ft TastePURE Drinking Water Hose – https://amzn.to/2GN5OLG

Water Pressure Regulator Valve – http://amzn.to/2FBDYNw

50 Amp Surge Protection – https://amzn.to/2WySccA

30 Amp Surge Protection – https://amzn.to/2ChZr1X

30 Amp to 50 Amp Adapter – https://amzn.to/3iHbipH

15 foot 50 Amp Extension Cord – http://amzn.to/2ufWVDA

15 foot 30 Amp Extension Cord – http://amzn.to/2ufWVDA

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel? Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.
 

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