A couple who've traveled 48 states in an RV share 17 things they would never do without on a road trip (2023)

Don't drive without an unleaded drinking water hose and only use it for drinking, the Bennetts say.

Instead of green or black like garden hoses, drinking water hoses are often white or blue, the Bennetts said. They recommendCamco Lead and BPA Free Drinking Water Hose.

You'll also need a quality sewer hose to dispose of the debris, the couple said.

"There isn't a huge price difference between a cheap drain hose and a good quality hose," Marc said. "So don't skimp if you want to avoid a leak or a drain hose failure."

Marc and Julie wear aRhinoFLEX drain hose.

A wastewater treatment product is essential to reducing odors, the Bennetts said.

The Bennetts advise wearing it on gray and black tanks and say they prefer wearing ithappy campersbecause it is organic, biodegradable and in your experience works well.

To check tire pressure before every ride, you need a pressure gauge, Julie said, or better yet, a monitoring system like the one below.

Julie said it's important to check tire pressures before every RV trip, as RV tires often need more air pressure than regular cars to support their extra weight.

“We check tire pressure before every ride and have never had a serious tire incident,” added Julie.

A tire pressure monitoring system is even better than a gauge, say the couple. If you are thinking of upgrading,Marc and Julie have revised their recommendation.- ATST 507 tire pressure monitoring systemby Truck System Technologies - on their website.

Although this isn't that important, the Bennetts said they wouldn't take an RV trip without a portable air compressor so they could inflate the tires themselves.

RV tires typically require high pressure, the Bennetts said, and many gas station air pumps can't. But small, portable air compressors like thatViairoften can, they said.

It also saves you the hassle of navigating a huge vehicle through tight gas stations, they said. You can findMore information about the Viair compressoron the couple's website.

Relying on cell service can get you lost, the couple warned, so having a road map is important. And if your RV is larger, consider getting an RV-specific GPS.

You won't always have service or internet, Julie said, so having a great paper road atlas is important.

The Bennetts also recommend getting an RV-specific GPS for your trips, especially if you have a particularly large trailer and trailer team.

"Many roads are unsuitable for trailers because of their height, weight, width, steep gradients, sharp turns, or tunnels that don't allow the use of propane," Julie said.

They said to bring basic tools like a multi-head screwdriver, pliers, and an adjustable wrench for minor repairs and adjustments.

RVs tend to wobble and rattle a bit when driven, Marc said, which can loosen bolts.

"If you have a few basic tools on hand, you can tweak things and make minor adjustments, which can help you avoid a bigger problem that could ruin your RV trip," he said.

According to the Bennetts, comfortable folding chairs make outdoor living more relaxing and enjoyable.

There are seemingly endless options when it comes to folding chairs, but the most comfortable ones that Marc and Julie say they've found areChairs with a strong backrestbecause they are portable, durable and easy to carry.

Level spots are hard to find in nature, the couple said, so leveling blocks are a must when you're camping.

Bring leveling blocks to put under the tires to keep your RV level and make sure they are rated for the weight of your RV, said Marc and Julie, adding that they use thoseTri-Lynx-Nivellierer,They come in packs of 10.

If you have a trailer, Marc and Julie recommend chocking the wheels to keep it from rolling away.

Similar to leveling blocks, if you have a trailer you will need wheel chocks on the front and rear wheels of the tires to prevent it from rolling away when disconnected from a vehicle. The Bennets recommend theseCamco-Unterlegkeile.

The Bennetts carry disinfectant wipes everywhere to quickly clean their hands after dirty jobs.

After you've emptied your waste water tank or made mechanical repairs, you'll be glad you have disinfecting wipes to clean your hands and tools, the couple said.

A sand-free patio carpet is a must for camping, the couple said.

"Any garden mat can significantly reduce the amount of dirt and sand that builds up in your caravan," Julie said. "But a litter-free mat works even better, catching dirt and grit that falls under the top layer of the mat."

Julie said that she and Marc use thatC-Gear Sandfreie Mattebecause it is light and compact.

Thick lining on the shelves in your closets helps keep items in place while the RV is on the move, the Bennetts said.

The couple recommends putting some food on the shelves (egDuck's) or bottle clamps (such asthose of Super Z Outlet) between dishes, pots and pans to avoid knocking or breaking them.

Water pressure can vary from camp to camp, Julie said, so a water regulator is essential to protect your caravan's plumbing system.

If the pressure is too high for your RV, it could cause a leak or other damage to your water and plumbing, the Bennetts said, adding that they recommend a lead-free adjustable water pressure regulatorThis is from Valterra.

Also the current can vary from camp to camp, Marc said, so you need a surge protector.

"A lot of RV parks were built decades ago when there were many different types of RVs," Marc said. "Today's RVs generally use far more energy and demand far more from their older systems, which can cause power surges that can damage sensitive electronic components or even cause a fire."

Although the Bennetts said some RVs have built-in surge protectors, they recommend getting one if they don't, adding that they like itSouthwire Surge ProtectionmiHughes Autoformer Power Watchdog.

A portable lithium jump starter isn't essential for everyone, the Bennetts said, but they wouldn't travel without one.

The Bennetts said they've used their jump starters several times during their trips when they or others had a dead battery.

The couple is wearing oneNOCO gainJump starters, they said, adding that you can also charge other electronics with a USB charger. Go to their websitea full product review.

Fires are more common in RVs than in traditional homes, the Bennetts said, so they travel with five cans of firefighting foam.

The Bennetts said they had threeFire brigade hand foam canson your trailer, one on the outside of the vehicle and one in the driver's area.