20+ Travel Trailer Must Have Accessories [2021 List]

Being a full-time RVer is a desirable lifestyle, given that you are well prepared for the countless problems associated with camping and living in your RV. The good news is these handpicked travel trailer must have accessories will make your journeys on the road a whole lot more pleasant.

From the absolute necessities like power- and water-related devices and space-saving homeware and kitchenware to handy outdoor equipment, this list of 20+ travel trailer accessories includes all the items that seasoned full-time RVers have tested and would highly recommend. 

2021 Travel Trailer Must Have Accessories – Absolute Necessities

The first category is of course the must have RV accessories without which you will NOT be able to survive intact on the roads. 

Traveling in a camper plus setup and maintenance is no simple business. Many first-time RVers have underestimate the importance of thorough research on what to equip their travel trailer with, only to regret later on when they are in the middle of nowhere. 

The following travel trailer must have accessories include the tools and devices for powering your RV, for managing its water system and for the most basic maintenance. 

1. RV Water Pressure Regulator

It’s not that uncommon to blow out the water system on your trailer due to the unusually high water pressure on the campgrounds. High water pressure can cause extra stress in your RV’s water system which eventually will lead to troublesome leaks.

While some campgrounds already have the pressure regulated on their water source, it’s best not to leave this to chance. Imagine the time, efforts and irritation having to find and fix the leaks yourself. 

Water pressure is measured in pounds per square inch (PSI). While a typical recent model would be capable of handling up to 100 psi of water pressure, the recommended water pressure for RV is around 50psi for older models or 60 psi for newer models. 

The regulator is attached to the water supply at the campground and your RV water hose will connect to the regulator. If the water pressure at the campground is higher than 50 or 60 psi, the regulator will keep the psi of the water entering your RV down to a safe level. 

Since there are a wide selection of reliable water pressure regulators at a price range of under $15, this is an affordable and worthy insurance for your RV. A cheap but good option is Camco’s all-brass water pressure regulator, offered at about $10.

An adjustable water pressure regulator would be ideal to deal with inconsistent pressure levels at the campground. You can easily adjust the water pressure setting by using a screwdriver to turn the screw head. The setting is displayed by a gauge. 

RV water pressure regulators are commonly factory preset to a certain psi. For instance, if your regulator is preset to 45 psi and you find the water pressure to be too low in the shower, use a screwdriver to turn the screw: typically clockwise to increase water pressure for stronger stream and counterclockwise to reduce water pressure. 

There will be instructions for adjustments on the screw in the form of a two-way arrow and the “ +” and “-” symbols.

2. RV Surge protector

Similar to a water pressure regulator, an RV surge protector is like an insurance for your electronics. It is more than a good-to-have but is one of the travel trailer must have accessories you will need for hassle-free travel on the road.

An RV surge protector is a device that you plug into the power source on the campground, then you would plug your RV’s cable into the surge protector.

This surge protector protects your RV’s electrical system from any problems stemming from the power outlet. For example, the power outlet might be wired incorrectly or its voltage might be too low. In case of a lightning strike, the outlet might provide a sudden electrical spikes to your RV. 

Since your RV’s appliances require a consistent level of voltage to operate safely, all of these issues will wreak havoc on your electronics. In short, an RV surge protector keeps your electronics safe.  

An RV surge protector typically detects and shuts down when the power supply is at dangerously low or high levels, thus not allowing this problematic electrical source enter your RV and power your electronics. 

2 Types of RV surge protectors:

There are two types of RV surge protectors with different levels of protection. You can find an entry-level RV surge protector for $100 and above, while an EMS can cost from $250 to $500. 

An RV surge protector typically protects your RV’s electrical system from higher-than-normal voltage and sudden electrical surge, hence the name of the device. This is an entry-level protective device, thus is considered by many first-time RV owners.

An RV electrical management system (EMS) can protect your RV’s electronics from a range of electrical problems, including power surge, low voltage, high voltage, and also other common issues such as overheating plug or receptacle, reverse polarity, high neutral, open ground and mis-wired power outlet.

Such is really an extensive protection, thus it is well worth the price if you are a full-time RVer. While an EMS is quite the ideal surge protector for RV, you should make a decision based on your budget and your camping needs.

3. Lithium Jump Starter

A portable jump starter can be a lifesaver on the road especially when you travel to less populated areas. 

Look for a jump starter that is powerful, compact and lightweight. Another handy tip is to look for a jump starter with low discharge rate. One with a discharge rate of only 1-2% per month means you can leave the jump starter in your RV in 1 year and still have enough charge in case of emergency. 

A reliable jump starter loved by full-time RVers is the Wagan Corporation’s iOn Boost V8 Air Lithium Jumpstarter.

Being effective and safe for 6.0 L V-8 engines, this jump starter uses lithium-polymer battery technology that produces 300 cranking amps or maximum 500 amps. It is also conveniently equipped with an air compressor, two high-speed USB ports and an LED spotlight.

A bonus is its built-in safety features that protect against overvoltage, overcharge, short-circuit and reverse polarity.

4. RV Battery Charger

Most RVs come with a built-in battery charging system, however, more likely than not such system would fall short of expectations. It may actually under-charge or damage batteries by over-charging them, especially in older RVs.

Therefore it’s a good idea to upgrade your RV’s battery charger when you’re planning on a long trip in more remote areas. An option that receives great reviews by seasoned RVers is the UltraSafe Smart Battery Charger, a notable feature of which is its ultra-safe spark-proof technology.

Getting a reliable RV battery charger will ensure safe and efficient charging without any undercharge or overcharge. These advanced battery chargers are designed to convert energy up to a few thousand times faster than your typical built-in battery charging system, thereby minimizing energy consumption. 

You can find many compact, lightweight, and portable battery chargers on the market. In addition, you might want to grab one like the NOCO Genius Chargers that comes complete with a built-in battery desulfator to rejuvenate underperforming batteries.

5. A Quiet Generator with Remote Start

This one is quite obviously among the top travel trailer must haves.  Seasoned RVers will insist that you need a generator for your camper, ideally a quiet generator.  

A permanently installed generator supplies power to your RV when you don’t have access to home and campground electrical hookups. 

The top choices for many RVers are the Yamaha and Honda generators, however, they come at steep prices. A more affordable yet powerful and quiet generator is those by the brands NOCO and Champion, such as the Champion 3500-Watt RV Ready Portable Generator.

The added remote start feature would be handy when you don’t want to have to leave your RV to go outside and start your generator. 

While there are more expensive models by other brands offered at above $800, RV generators by Champion and a few other brands including Predators typically costs between $400 to $800.

6. WiFi Ranger

An RV campground is huge, and being parked a mile away from the campground router might mean weak wifi signals or no access to wifi at all. Furthermore, RV campground’s wifi is always plagued with problems and security issues.

You will no longer have to pull your hair out with irritatingly weak wifi. A nifty contraption like the WiFiRanger boosts weak WiFi from up to two miles away and tether multiple wifi signals together to create an even faster wifi.

An important feature is connection encryption to protect you from the massive number of unsecured wifi signals you’ll be connected to on the road. In addition, these RV wifi boosters are designed to withstand harsh outdoor conditions.

7. Hoses

While hoses do not sound sexy, they are definitely travel trailer must have accessories.

It’s generally recommended that you get two garden hoses with different colour for easy distinction: one RV fresh water hose to fill the fresh water tank and another RV sewer hose to empty the black water tank at a dump station.

One handy tip is to get lead-free hoses so they are safe for drinking. 

While the ideal length is generally 25 inches as recommended by experienced RVers, it’s useful to get extra hoses for when you need extra length. A longer hose can be troublesome to take out and unkink.

The price of a hose usually depends on the length. A 25-inch hose typical costs around $10.

8. RV Water Filter

When it comes to the water you drink, extra precautionary measures is never a waste of money. Traveling on the roads mean you will be using water from a variety of sources, the quality of which is questionable.

An RV water filter that ensure your RV water pump is free from particles and sediment out of  As you travel around in your RV, thus it usually comes up in discussions on travel trailer must have accessories.

Check out the best RV water filters here!

9. Air Compressor

Again, among the things you need for a camper trailer, an air compressor isn’t very sexy. However, when you live the RV life, you will be thankful you have one.

Having an RV air compressor to ensure tire health is key in preventing a blowout and avoid excessive tire wear. 

Travel Trailer Must Have Accessories: Parking

10. Chocks

These blocks keep your RV from rolling away when parked. Since a travel trailer doesn’t have any kind of automatic brakes, chocks is a travel trailer necessities.  

There are a variety of block styles offered at different price range for you to choose from. Plastic and rubber chocks typically costs between $10 to under $30 for a pack of two, while more advanced metal wheel stabilizers like the X-Chock Wheel Stabilizer can range between $30 and $60 for a pair.  

11. Bubble Level or Leveling Blocks

When you travel off-road into nature, parking on uneven ground is common, which means you won’t get your trailer level.  

There’s a simple and affordable remedy for this: bubble levels or leveling blocks. You can get a bubble level for as little os $5 or even get a fancier level with raving reviews on Amazon, which can cost from $20 to under $40.

In addition, you can get leveling blocks instead of bubble levels. You can stack these flat blocks up like Lego to achieve the desired thickness, a super simple yet effective and convenient mechanism.

The two best sellers in this domain are Tri-Lynx RV Leveling Blocks and Camco Heavy Duty Leveling Blocks. Tri-Lynx and Camco are among the most loved brands by RVers thanks to the usefulness, quality and variety of their offerings.

The model from Tri-Lynx costs around $36 for a pack of 10 blocks, and is claimed to withstand any RV weight. Camco’s blocks are more affordable: ~$23 for a pack of 10. 

Travel Trailer Must Have Accessories: Interior

12. Hampers & closet organizers

Open storage compartments in an RV are never adequate, even if you are a minimalist. Hampers and closet organizers will help you effectively optimize space and keep things organized. 

These come in a variety of forms and shapes. Most are foldable for space saving and super lightweight. You should definitely get some foldable storage bin cubes, which you can stack up, and some hanging shelves with sturdy metal frame.

Storage bin cubes usually come in packs of 4, 6 or 8 at $12 to typically under $30 for a pack. Hanging shelves can range from $13 to $30 for one. 

If you are a neat freak, maybe grab some drawer divider for underwear and thin summer clothes. When you don’t need them any more for your RV, they will always be useful in your home. 

13. Hand-Held Vacuum

WIth so many dirty shoes coming in and out from the campground, an RV gets messy more quickly than you would expect. While a broom would not be very helpful, a lightweight and compact hand-held vacuum will keep your RV clean without any hassle.

Good news is, you can get one with amazing reviews from fellow RVers without paying a fortune. An example is the ThisWorx For TWC-01 at $30. 

14. Bladeless Table Fan

This is one of the coolest RV accessories, or home devices, that will save you the trouble of cleaning the fan blades.  

This bladeless fans guarantee smooth airflow and quick cooling. They typically come with a 2-year warranty. 

The price range is huge, so while you don’t need to grab a fancy fan for something between $150 and $300, do take some time to browse and check the reviews for the more affordable fans offered at under $80. 

15. Reflectix

This is a great RV hack that not many RVers know about. 

If you travel during summer or in areas with year-round hot weather, then Reflectix is definitely one of the travel trailer necessities you need for economical temperature control. 

Reflectix is a reflective insulation roll, which covers all your windows to reflect sunlight away from your RV, thus keeping your RV cooler. These rolls typically costs around $15-$20 each, an economical and effective way to survive brutal summer days. 

Travel Trailer Must Have Accessories: Outdoor 

16. Camping Hammock

You might think a hammock is only a good-to-have, however, many full-time RVers would challenge you otherwise. For me and my fellow travellers, a life on the road is not complete without the perks of reading a book or a nap in a hammock. In fact, many campers love to sleep outside under the stars in good dry weather. 

You can grab a basic, entry-level camping hammock for as little as $20, or if hammock is really your thing, you might get a fancy one with mosquito net and/or rainfly cover for around $80-$110.

A durable option with great reviews on Amazon is the Therm-A-Rest Double Camping Hammock, which can easily accommodate 2 persons.

Want to upgrade for the optimal hammock experience? Many brands, including Therm-A-Rest, also sell ultralight foam hammock mattress for between $40 to $100 for a top-notch quality mattress that will last you many trips to come. 

17. Portable Propane Fire Pit

Like a hammock, you might think a fire pit is not that ‘essential’ to include in your bucket list of travel trailer must have accessories. Spend some time camping and you’ll think again. 

Camping and outdoor gatherings won’t be the same without a centerpiece campfire. 

Say goodbye to dirty ash, expensive firewood, and bothersome smoke. For typically $80-$130, you and your fellow travelers can enjoy clean, hassle-free and realistic propane campfire with cozy warmth and beautiful ambiance.

In addition, a big plus is a CSA-approved, spark-free propane fire pit is safe to use during most campfire bans, the objective of which is to  protect campgrounds and forested areas.

18. Liquid Propane Grill

A huge perk of the RV life is outdoors BBQ. Do not compromise this, as there are a wide range of compact, go-anywhere grills offered at different price range you can choose from to perfect your RV experience.

Portable outdoors grills also solves the nuisance of cooking in limited space in the RV. 

You can find compact, portable gas grills with a 6,500 BTU-per hour burner and porcelain-enameled cooking grate for $60-$90. For easy carrying, look for one that features handles, plated steel legs and pivot to lock lid in place. 

A liquid propane grill, which runs on disposable liquid propane cylinders, would typically cost a little more. For $150-$250, you can get a grill that offers some 12,000 BTU-per-hour, 280 square-inch cooking area and easy-start electronic ignition.

Travel Trailer Must Have Accessories: Kitchen

19. Multi-Functional Cooker 

A multi-functional cooker will save you space on your small RV by combining typically 7 kitchen appliances in 1, including: pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté, yogurt maker, and warmer.

The most user-friendly, reliable and affordable cooker is arguably the Instant Pot Duo Mini 7-in-1 ElectricInstant Pot Duo Mini 7-in-1 Electric, which costs $60. It receives a 4.5 overall rating from almost 50,000 positive reviews on Amazon, making it the absolute best seller. 

20. Stove Top Oven

If your RV has an oven, you can skip this item. However, if yours does not and you do not want to compromise great oven-cooked dishes, a stove-top oven is a convenient choice.  

A great option is the one by Omnia, which costs around $70. The brand also offers a variety of accessories for oven cooking. 

21. Coffee Maker

There is no doubt that every traveller needs a coffee maker, which does not take up space and does not cost a lot. You can easily get a stove-top coffee maker for under $25 that offers at least 6-cup capacity, durable cast aluminum design and also includes 1 replacement filter plus 3 replacement gaskets.

There are also plenty of options for programmable coffee makers with fast brewing feature and stainless steel design for under $40. 

22. Plate organizers/protectors

This might not sound super grand, but is an RV accessories you will love more and more the longer you spend on the roads. Towing on bumpy roads can cause annoying rattling and worse, your cutlery can fall off the shelves and brake. 

A favourite cutlery protector by full-time RVers is the Camco Stack-A-Plate, which costs around $10 for a pack of 2, one small and one big.

While you’re on it, getting some organizers for your fridge would also prevent rattling and things knocked over as well as maximizing space.

If you’re a full-time RVer, then you will definitely need the items in this carefully selected list of travel trailer must have accessories.