Tips, Tricks and Hacks - RV Gadgets and Accessories for Comfort and Convenience

RV Tire Covers comes in a variety of sizes and colors.

Whether you're new to RV camping or have been traveling for a while and want to see what's new to make RVing easier, you'll appreciate the tips we have for you. As you'll find out, the longer you live in an RV, the more information you'll discover by research or word of mouth. Some items become invaluable, and you wish someone had told you about them sooner.

Here are several gadgets to make your RV life easier in a fifth-wheel, motorhome, or travel trailer.

RV Stabilizers and Safety

There are stabilizers specific to fifth-wheels, motorhomes, and travel trailers. If there are slide-outs, they have their own stabilizers to prevent sinking and add stability. In addition, you may want additional leveling jacks and blocks to prevent sinking into sand, dirt, or grass and extend the life of your camper leveling jacks.

King Pin RV Tripod Stabilizer

Fifth wheels tend to vibrate and feel unstable, especially in the front overhang. To correct this, you'll want a King Pin stabilizer to support the front overhang and restore its stability.

Travel trailers and motor homes come with leveling and stabilizer jacks. Sometimes, a travel trailer will need additional jacks for the camper's front and/or rear. These are called bumper stabilizers or leveling jacks. The jacks will give stability and help keep your camper level, which is key to your stove and refrigerator working correctly and ensuring you get a good night's sleep. Another stabilizer you'll definitely want, especially if you're a permanent resident, are RV slide out supports. These will prevent your side outs from sagging, which will create problems with the seal and motor for the slide outs.

You'll want snap-on heads or heavy-duty leveling blocks to support the leveling jacks. Either of these will ensure that your leveling jacks do not sink into sand, dirt, or grass, which will throw off the level of your camper. Other options are for your tires. For these, you can use covers and leveling blocks to prolong their life and avoid damage from the sun and ground. Don't forget that RV tire chocks are a safety measure to prevent rolling backward or forward.

Other RV Gadgets and Accessories to Improve RV Living

Additional bubble levels to help level your camper are essential to keeping everything working. Strategically placed, such as on a tongue, front corners, or in the middle of a side, they will give you reference points.

Another necessity is a collapsible ladder. Even though a ladder may be attached to the back of your RV, it is not always the best way to access an area that needs repair or maintenance. A moveable ladder, easily stored and ready when you need it, lets you get where you need it when maintaining your RV camper.

To optimize your electrical system, you'll also want a surge protector and an extension cord. The surge protector, a guardian against power surges, and the extension cord, a versatile tool for outdoor use, will ensure you're always connected and protected.

RV Gate Valve - photo from Amazon.com

Last but not least, a gate valve is easy to use and allows you to empty your septic system cleaner. Once you install one, you'll appreciate the convenience and wonder how you got along without it.

Stay tuned for the next article in our series of helpful tips, tricks, and hacks for simplifying and improving RV living with RV gadgets and accessories, plus maintenance on items such as jacks, slide-out motors, seals, and more.

All links are to Amazon.com.