We recently purchased a 5th wheel RV. Looking for a list of ideas of things to pack and take with us for camping trips and any recommended hacks. What are your must haves?

I know it's a little out there, but I bought a set of pex tubing tools and various fittings and kept in ours. We almost had a mess one day when a fitting failed. I was able to put a shut off in to get us through the night and able to make it through the night with one sink and the toilet working until I could better figure out what I needed for the fix under the sink.

Ez roll up trailer jack. Remote air pressure and temp monitors.

Rivet gun and an assortment of rivets

Reversi Mat

Rv roof tape. Grease gun for your hubs and 5th wheel. Slide spray. Clear dump drain to make sure everything is washed out. Rubber gloves (Rv park drains are nasty).

Reading this from RV site in Ouray, CO. Last night, two families in rental RVs from TX pull in next door. Immediate, big electrical Problems. Amazing park owner was in their RV diagnosing electrical issues until at least 9:30 last night when I went to bed.

-Full set of tools, sockets, etc.
-Drill/bits including square screw driver set
-Multipack of fuses that fit your RV; find all the little obscure ones you didn't even know existed in your trailer and make sure you're covered
-Multimeter
-ViAir RV air compressor (biggest one you can afford, no scrimping on this one, will save your ass)
-While you're at it, get the ViAir attachment kit to blow out your lines/winterize
-Air pressure monitoring system for all trailer tires; monitor your pressure like an obsession
-Progressive Industries surge protector with full protection; note, not just surge protection/cheap model, but the one that actually monitors for incorrect voltage, etc. Will run you $300-500 depending on 30 or 50 amp. Worth every penny and can save you thousands of dollars. You'd be amazed the high dollar RV parks and even camping world where the lines aren't set up correctly and could have fried my electronics
-Spare water pump - these go out at the most inconvenient possible time
-Extended warranty protection from Good Sam or similar. Ask me how I know
-RV Travel Assist from Good Sam or similar
-Roadside assistance specifically for RVs; need a tow? your regular insurance isn't going to be much help here
-Decent set of walkie talkies for parking, etc. with your wife. Phone won't always work. Parking your new big RV Is a recipe for divorce best be able to communicate clearly and quickly
-Good attitude, patience, and realize that things will break.
-Rhinoflex sewer hose; longer than you think you need. Don't scrimp; get the good orange and black one
-Wilson 4GX cell booster and antennas
-Umbrella insurance policy. Kicking myself here as I haven't done this yet, and it's stupid that I haven't.
-heavy duty Command Strips and industrial grade Velcro roll. We use these all the time. Don't drill into your walls. Hang electronics, jacket hooks, you name it.
-Your water heater Likely has a special fuse that you've never seen before, won't come in any kit, and can't be found in any hardware store. Go look find out what it is (look at model, call Camping World for fuse model, and get a 2 pack)
-Decent headlamp and good flashlights. Guess who's going to be outside fixing some random thing in the middle of the night?...you'll need both hands and good visibility
-Those refillable humidity sucker uppers; put one in bath, closet, elsewhere. Your wife will know.
-Camco water filters that attach to your hose
-Brass water pressure regulator
-Decent set of tire covers (and use them)

I'll post more if I think of anything else.

I'll add to it. A good set of wheel chocks. I use a set for both sides. Also a container to keep all of the extra sewer hose fittings you may have like the clear 90*. Don't just throw them in the basement that's just nasty. I use a tripod on the front of mine to cut down on the shakes and wiggles. Some people use x-chocks. If you have a black tank wash out get a extra hose for it don't use your water hose for the rv. I have a hose from Rino that I use. Join the rv forum for your rv. Those guys on those forums are a wealth of knowledge. Happy camping.

X-chocks really cut down on the movement. Patio mat. Carpeted or AstroTurf covers for the steps. Pressure regulator, in line water filter and screw on end caps for the water supply hose.

Speaking of hose, one of those collapsible, extendable sewer hose ramps that imparts a gentle downward slope to the hose is good to both keep it off the ground and cleaner, and keep it moving, if you are at a site with sewer hookups.

This might have already been mentioned, but don't wait until you go camping the first time to practice setting up your camper. Make a dry run, even if it's to a local park for a night or two.

Also go out to a vacant parking lot and practice backing up if you're not already proficient at it. You can practice setup there also.

If you don't want to completely disconnect then I'd look into internet for the RV. I use cell based service for my home since WISPs were terrible and Starlink isn't here yet. So, if you have any questions, I've done a lot of trial and error with the stuff.

https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/

https://www.youtube.com/c/MobileInternetResourceCenter/videos

- A battery powered impact drill. I use it for the jacks and chocks.
- A 5 ton jack to easily jack up the trailer axles for when you change a tire, because you WILL change a tire on the side of the road at some point.

Other people had everything else that I keep in my trailer.

If you haven't done a lot of RVing or camping, you may find that cooking outside is a significant part of the experience. With that in mind, here are my suggestions:

A bag of charcoal and lighter fluid for when you can use the charcoal grill
A good propane grill/griddle
A conversion hose to use 5 gallon propane tank instead of 2# bottles
A plastic milk crate to hold your 5 gallon cooking propane and keep it from falling over easily
Grilling tools

Cutting boards and knives

Plenty of plastic utensils, cups, and paper plates

Disposable aluminum pans

A couple of gallons of drinking water for cooking and coffee

Not cooking related:

Electrical converters to convert from your trailer plug to other amperage plugs

A plan for when your water hose freezes (a spare hose or move it to a heated area in/under the trailer to thaw)

A plan for if/when you screw up your tailgate hooking or unhooking

A ladder that stows easy, but can reach the top of your trailer in case your powered awning decides to quit working

Flagpole. You can get a base that goes under your tire for support so you can show your A&M fandom wherever you are...

trutexag89 said:

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Flagpole. You can get a base that goes under your tire for support so you can show your A&M fandom wherever you are...

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Do you tow that toy-hauler with an F150?

Ignore

Ignore

Are you at the KOA by chance?

As others have said, get good at changing tires. We ditched the 5 ton jack though for a tire change ramp like I posted below.

http://www.cowboyway.com/TireChangingRamps.htm

A few other things that came to mind:

EZ UP
Thermacell
Bug A Salt
Black Tank Treatment.
Electrical Pig Tails (30-110, 30-50Amp, 30-25Amp, etc.)
Storage totes for water hoses and electrical cords.
Coax cable
First Aid Kit.
Large area floor mat for under awning.

TacosaurusRex said:

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As others have said, get good at changing tires. We ditched the 5 ton jack though for a tire change ramp like I posted below.

http://www.cowboyway.com/TireChangingRamps.htm

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This won't work if you have leaf springs on your trailer

You're right, and I should have added that. Works for my trailers and camper though

Corps_Ag12 said:

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Are you at the KOA by chance?

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No Sir; At a different park a couple miles North. Why do you ask?

17 or 22" Blackstone Griddle

FIDO*98* said:

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17 or 22" Blackstone Griddle

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I gave away a 22" and replaced it with a Camp Partner Stove. The Blackstone didn't work very well if it was cold or windy.

A lot of people like the Camp Chef Big Gas Grill if you have room for it.

To add a couple more:

Victron Smartshunt, or some other battery monitor. Got to keep the batteries healthy.
I keep a torque wrench in my bag and check the lug nuts fairly regularly.
Infrared thermometer to check the hubs at gas station fillups
Maybe add suitcase solar panels if you like to boondock. The smartshunt is even more important then

Countertop ice maker.

Also, plasti mend for when your freaking holding tank develops a leak.

LOL guys we're going to scare the poor OP to death. He's Sitting here thinking "I just spent $XY now I have to buy all this **** too?!?!"

Andersen leveling jacks!

What TPMS are you using for your rig?

cohibasymas said:

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LOL guys we're going to scare the poor OP to death. He's Sitting here thinking "I just spent $XY now I have to buy all this **** too?!?!"

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Better advice to the OP would be to buy the few items above that are most important then consider the rest based on his/her needs.

The essentials are food, water, tire changing tools, power cord and water hose to go camping. Take at least those then you'll figure out what else you want as you go.

Wow thanks for all the advice. Sounds like an endless list. Is this supposed to be fun? Lol

EvenPar said:

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Wow thanks for all the advice. Sounds like an endless list. Is this supposed to be fun? Lol

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Yep. Upgrading your rig, unit and gear...over and over...is fun! And remember it's an investment in your family's memories and adventure! No one ever looks back and regrets the time spent together but the opposite is certainly true.

cohibasymas said:

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Corps_Ag12 said:

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Are you at the KOA by chance?

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No Sir; At a different park a couple miles North. Why do you ask?

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My buddy and his wife run it with her family. He's a TCU guy but they're good people!