15 Essentials — Listed in Order of Importance
Start at the top. The first few items protect your investment before you ever pull into a campsite.
Power Watchdog Smart RV Surge Protector
This is the single most important purchase before your first trip. Campsite power is notoriously unreliable — low voltage, power surges, and miswired pedestals can destroy your RV's electronics and appliances instantly. The Power Watchdog monitors incoming power in real time and automatically shuts everything off if it detects a problem. Bluetooth connectivity lets you monitor your shore power from your phone.
Camco RhinoFLEX 20-Ft RV Sewer Hose Kit
You'll use this every single time you dump your tanks. The Camco RhinoFLEX is the go-to sewer hose kit for RVers — durable, with pre-attached swivel fittings and a clear elbow fitting so you can see when the tank has fully emptied. The 20-ft length gives you the reach you need at almost any dump station or full hookup site.
RV Sewer Hose Support
A sewer hose laying flat on the ground doesn't drain properly — waste pools in the low spots. A hose support holds the hose at a consistent downward angle so everything flows cleanly to the dump connection. Lightweight, folds flat for storage, and makes every dump faster and cleaner. Pair it with your sewer hose kit and you'll never deal with a clogged connection again.
Renator RV Water Pressure Regulator
Campsite water pressure can easily hit 80–100 PSI — far too high for your RV's plumbing, which is designed for 40–50 PSI. Without a regulator, you risk burst pipes, blown fittings, and damaged water heaters. This adjustable brass regulator includes a pressure gauge so you can set it precisely. Connect it to the spigot before your water hose — takes 5 seconds and protects thousands of dollars in plumbing.
Water Flow Meter — RV Fresh Tank Filling
When you're filling your fresh water tank without hookups, it's nearly impossible to know how full the tank is from the outside. This inline flow meter attaches between the spigot and your hose and tracks exactly how many gallons you've put in — so you stop at the right amount and never overflow. Also great for monitoring your water usage at the campsite.
Teknor Apex Zero-G RV Water Hose — Kink-Free, 50-ft
Never use a regular garden hose for your RV's fresh water — they can leach chemicals and leave a plastic taste in your water. The Zero-G hose is drinking-water safe, weighs almost nothing, and lives up to its name — it truly doesn't kink. At 50-ft, it handles virtually any campsite hookup with room to spare. A premium hose that makes every setup easier.
Heavy-Duty Rubber Wheel Chocks
Wheel chocks are a safety essential — they prevent your RV from rolling while parked, whether on a slope or level ground. These solid rubber chocks work on RVs, campers, trucks, and boat trailers. The bright orange color means you'll never accidentally drive off with them still in place. Always chock your wheels before unhitching or doing any campsite setup.
RV Level — Turns Green When Level
Sleeping and living in an unlevel RV is uncomfortable — and it's bad for your refrigerator, which needs to be level to work properly. This clever bubble level turns green when you've hit a perfect level, removing all guesswork. Stick it on a flat surface inside your RV and you'll know exactly when you're good to go. Simple, accurate, and under $10.
Camco Leveling Blocks
Most campsites aren't perfectly level — you'll need to build up one or more tires to get your RV level side-to-side. These interlocking plastic blocks are the most popular leveling solution on the market. They're stackable, work under any tire size, and hold thousands of pounds without shifting. Use them together with your level to dial in every campsite quickly.
RV Toilet Treatment — Liquefied Formula
Your black tank needs treatment after every dump to break down waste, control odors, and prevent the dreaded "poop pyramid" — a hardened buildup that forms when tanks aren't properly maintained. The liquid formula is easy to measure, works fast, and a little goes a long way. Add it every time you dump and refill your tank. Don't skip this one.
Twist-On Waste Valve with Built-In Clear Adapter
The standard gate valve on most RVs gets the job done, but this upgrade adds a secure twist-lock seal, easier operation, and — most importantly — a clear view section so you can visually confirm the tank has fully emptied before you disconnect the hose. Connects directly to your existing sewer outlet with no tools required. A simple upgrade that makes every dump cleaner and more confident.
Brass Y-Valve Hose Splitter
At many campsites there's only one water spigot — and you may need two hoses from it (your fresh water hose plus a separate line for rinsing or washing). This solid brass Y-splitter lets you connect two hoses to one spigot, with independent shutoff valves on each side so you control flow separately. Brass construction means it won't crack, corrode, or strip like plastic splitters.
Nitrile Disposable Gloves
Keep a box of these in your RV or tow vehicle. You'll reach for them every time you handle the sewer hose, add tank treatment, or do anything involving your black or gray tank connections. Nitrile gloves are more puncture-resistant than latex and completely disposable — cleanup means tossing them in the trash. Once you start using them, you'll never do a dump without them.
Camco TastePURE RV Inline Water Filter
Campsite water quality varies wildly — some spigots smell like a swimming pool, others carry sediment or an off taste. This inline filter connects between the spigot and your hose to remove chlorine, bad tastes, odors, and sediment before water ever enters your RV. No tools required, installs in seconds, and dramatically improves the quality of your drinking and cooking water at every campsite.
Collapsible Dish Tub
Space is precious in an RV, and a rigid dish tub takes up too much of it. This collapsible version folds flat when not in use — perfect for washing dishes at the picnic table, rinsing produce, soaking pots, or catching drips when you disconnect hoses. It also doubles as an outdoor wash basin. Once you use one, you'll keep it on every trip. Small item, big payoff.