RV Essentials Checklist: Gear We Actually Recommend
We get asked all the time what products we recommend for RV maintenance and setup. After working on hundreds of rigs, we’ve seen what fails — and what actually holds up. This RV essentials checklist includes the water, electrical, propane, sewer, and leveling products we consistently recommend and install for our customers. These are practical, field-tested items that help prevent damage, reduce headaches and costly repairs, and keep your RV systems running safely to protect your RV investment. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Water Hookup & Filtration Essentials
Adjustable Water Pressure Regulator (With Gauge)
Campground water pressure can fluctuate more than most RV owners realize. High pressure can damage fittings, lines, and even appliances. An adjustable regulator with a built-in gauge lets you monitor and dial in safe PSI instead of guessing — one of the simplest ways to prevent costly water damage.
Best for: Protecting plumbing from high campground water pressure
Premium Inline RV Water Filter (Multi-Stage Filtration)
For long-term campers or those in areas with inconsistent water quality, a higher-grade carbon or KDF filter provides improved filtration and better contaminant reduction. It’s a worthwhile upgrade if you’re on the road frequently.
Best for: Full-time campers or areas with inconsistent water quality
Inline RV Water Filter (Basic Protection)
Water quality varies from campground to campground. A simple inline RV water filter helps reduce sediment, chlorine taste, and minor contaminants without significantly restricting water flow. It’s an easy, affordable layer of protection for your plumbing system.
Best for: Reducing sediment and improving taste at most campgrounds
Drinking Water Hose (Non-Heated)
A potable water hose is essential for safe campground hookups. Regular garden hoses aren’t rated for drinking water and can affect taste and safety. We recommend a certified drinking water hose that stays flexible and holds up to repeated use.
Best for: Everyday campground hookups
Heated RV Water Hose (Freeze Protection)
For freezing temps, a heated RV water hose keeps water flowing and prevents costly freeze damage. Built-in heat tracing protects lines down to sub-zero temps — a must-have for winter or shoulder-season camping.
Best for: Freezing temperatures and winter camping
Electrical Protection & Power
30 Amp Bluetooth/Smart Surge Protector (Best)
If you want real-time power health insights, a Bluetooth or smart surge protector is a meaningful upgrade. These units monitor voltage, frequency, and connection quality, and alert your phone if there’s an issue — so you don’t discover problems after damage has happened.
Best for: Real-time voltage monitoring and alerts via smartphone
30 Amp RV Surge Protector (Good)
Most campground power pedestals are inconsistent at best, and dangerous at worst. A dedicated 30 A RV surge protector guards against voltage spikes, low voltage, and wiring faults so your coach’s electrical system doesn’t get fried. This is the baseline protection every RVer should have before plugging in.
Best for: Basic protection against voltage spikes and poor campground wiring
50 Amp Bluetooth/Smart Surge Protector (Best)
Same idea as the 30 A upgrade — but for 50 A service. A smart protector that monitors both legs not only defends your system but also gives peace of mind. For full-timers or big rigs, this extra visibility is worth the investment.
Best For: Big rigs and full-timers who want smart power diagnostics
50 Amp RV Surge Protector (Good)
For rigs with 50 A service, protecting both legs of power is equally critical. A quality 50 A surge protector defends against high voltage, poor pedestal wiring, and transient spikes that can damage air conditioners, inverters, and electronics. Don’t roll the dice on campground power.
Best for: Full-size rigs with 50 A service needing essential power defense
50 Amp to 30 Amp Adapter (Dogbone)
Campground pedestals don’t always match your plug configuration. A rugged dogbone adapter lets you safely connect when you have mismatched services — for example plugging a 50 A rig into a 30 A pedestal — without stressing the connection or creating unsafe conditions.
Best for: Safe connections when plugging into mismatched pedestal outlets
Propane System Essentials
Dual-Stage RV Propane Regulator (Automatic Changeover)
Propane regulators fail more often than most RV owners expect. Symptoms can include inconsistent appliance flames, difficulty lighting appliances, or complete gas interruption. A dual-stage automatic changeover regulator provides steady gas pressure and seamless tank switching.
Best for: Maintaining consistent gas pressure and automatic tank switching on dual-tank setups
Propane Leak Detection/Shutoff Valve
Propane safety is non-negotiable. A leak detection or automatic shutoff device adds an extra layer of protection, especially on older rigs or after replacing propane components.
Best for: Adding an extra layer of propane safety and leak protection
Sewer & Waste Management
15 Ft Heavy-Duty RV Sewer Hose (with Clear Elbow and Backflow Valve)
Not all sewer hoses are built the same. We recommend thicker-walled, crush-resistant hoses that hold their shape and resist leaks. A dependable sewer hose makes setup cleaner and prevents messy surprises.
Best for: Reliable waste dumping without leaks or hose collapse
Adjustable RV Sewer Hose Support
Many parks require sewer hose supports, and they help maintain proper drainage slope. Keeping hoses elevated improves flow and keeps your setup cleaner and more organized.
Best for: Maintaining proper slope and meeting campground requirements
Flush King RV Tank Backflush Valve
Black tanks don’t always empty as cleanly as they should. A Flush King backflush valve lets you force fresh water back into the tank to break up buildup and clear stubborn debris. The clear elbow also lets you see exactly what’s coming out, so you know when your tank is truly flushed.
Best for: Deep-flushing black tanks and clearing stubborn buildup
Water Gallon Meter (For Black Tank Backflushing)
During a backflush, you’re adding water directly into the black tank. A flow meter lets you monitor gallon input so you can clean thoroughly without pushing the tank past capacity and creating a mess inside the RV.
Best for: Preventing overfills when backflushing black tanks
Tire & Leveling Safety
Heavy-Duty RV Wheel Chocks
Properly chocking your wheels stabilizes your RV and reduces strain on leveling systems and suspension components. We recommend durable, high-traction chocks over lightweight plastic wedges.
Best for: Reliable waste dumping without leaks or hose collapse
Stackable RV Leveling Blocks
Uneven campsites are common. Stackable leveling blocks make it easy to stabilize your rig and keep appliances operating correctly without overworking your leveling system.
Best for: Stabilizing your RV and preventing unwanted movement during setup
Digital Tire Pressure Gauge
Underinflated tires are one of the leading causes of RV blowouts. A reliable digital tire pressure gauge helps you maintain proper PSI and extend tire life.
Best for: Maintaining proper tire pressure to prevent blowouts