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Whether you’re taking a cross-country road trip or tackling long term RV living, the right camper accessories that work with your lifestyle are crucial. Practical bigger buys like bike racks and portable grills are imperative, but you’ll also need to consider daily items like coffee makers and heated blankets (we love the Serta Microfleece Heated Throw Blanket) that don’t take up too much space in your RV and personalize your portable home.
In order to help you prepare for your next RV trip, we’ve rounded up some of the best accessories to make your time on the road a journey to remember. The list touches on everything from essentials like our favorite portable fire pit, the BioLite FirePit+, to fun extras like racks for your kayaks and bikes — and even includes helpful pest control products. Wherever you plan on heading and whatever your preferred activity, our roundup has something you won’t want to forget.
Here’s our breakdown of the best RV accessories.
Why We Love It: You can use it as both a smokeless fire pit and a charcoal grill and adjust flame levels with your phone.
What to Consider: Because of its small size, this fire pit won’t warm a large group of people.
BioLite’s fire pit is a multifunctional must-have if you want to enjoy crackling flames and freshly grilled grub wherever you go. It can be used with wood to make a traditional campfire or with charcoal as a grill. Simply lift the fuel rack and throw in some charcoal to transform the fire pit into a hibachi-style grill, complete with a grill grate. The fire pit doesn’t emit any smoke, so you reap all the benefits of a warm, crackling fire without having to shuffle around to avoid smoke. It comes with a 12,800 mAh battery that lasts up to 30 hours and can be used as a power bank when not in use for a fire. Another cool feature? You can download the BioLite app and control the size of your flames remotely from your phone. The fire pit’s legs fold down for easy transport, and it comes with a carrying case so you can store it with ease.
Why We Love It: The foldable side tables provide extra room for plates and cooking utensils.
What to Consider: The gas line is in a bit of an odd spot, making it awkward to connect to your propane tank.
You can’t create your own oasis on the road without a way to prepare your favorite meals. Powered by propane, this portable grill from Weber comes with folding extended side tables to give you more space — 40 inches to be exact — while grilling. The grill grates are cast iron and coated in porcelain for maximum heat retention. You can adjust the flames to your liking, and electric ignition will have you grilling quickly. There’s also a removable drip tray for easy clean up and a built-in thermometer so you can see exactly what temperature you’re cooking at.
Why We Love It: At just 7 pounds, the chair is super lightweight for easy carrying while camping.
What to Consider: If you’re taller, the back might not be high enough for you, and it might have you slumping a bit.
We know there are some very luxurious camping chairs out there — ones that recline, rock, and come with foot stools — but many of them also come with a very steep price tag. We’ve chosen this one as our favorite because it’s affordable, lightweight, and still a very solid choice for a camping chair. It folds down and can be stored in its sack for easy carrying, and uses X-shape webbing to tension the seat and back panel to help distribute your weight evenly for comfortable lounging. The polyester seat material stands up against weather exposure, and the mono-mesh fabric helps drain water for quick drying. There’s a cup holder on one armrest as well as a pocket that holds a cellphone, wallet, or other small valuables. The pocket even comes with a drawstring and cord lock to keep items securely inside. The chair’s frame is made from steel tubing, and it has a weight capacity of 300 pounds.
Why We Love It: Collapsible legs and a dimming option make this lantern a great choice for RVers looking to maximize on space and power.
What to Consider: There is no locking mechanism to lock in the legs.
To light up your campsite for evening cooking, late-night gatherings, or outdoor game nights, a good lantern is a must-have. This one from Goal Zero provides 600 lumens of multidirectional and adjustable light. It has a rechargeable lithium battery, and its USB port can recharge phones and other devices. Charging capabilities are also possible via the hand crank. The legs are collapsible so you can fold them up when not in use, and a built-in handle makes it easy for storing and transport. Save on power and run time by using the adjustable dial to illuminate only half the lantern, if you wish. On high, the average run time is about 2.5 hours, and on low, the lantern can glow for up to 180 hours.
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Why We Love It: It’s machine washable, which is a huge plus when traveling for long periods of time.
What to Consider: The battery pack is a bit heavy and awkward.
We love this heated blanket from Serta because, unlike lots of other heated blankets, this one is machine washable — a huge win for those living the RV life or spending extended time on trips in their camper. There are five heat settings and a four-hour auto shut off, which is great for energy savings. The blanket is fleece on one side and sherpa on the other for cozy, warm comfort on cold nights. To wash, disconnect the blanket and remove the controller before placing it in the washing machine. Air dry, or use tumble dry on low heat.
Why We Love It: The plant-based formula protects from pesky mosquitoes and actually smells great while doing so.
What to Consider: If you’re sweating, you’ll need to reapply the spray numerous times.
There are lots of different types of pest control out there, including repellent lanterns, candles, and wearable repellent. We chose this tried and true spray because it’s affordable and easy to toss into your backpack, purse, or fanny pack while hiking or setting up your outdoor camping area. It’s made from lemon eucalyptus oil, which is a natural yet effective way to battle mosquitos that is safe for adults, children, and pregnant persons alike. One ingredient not used in this spray is DEET, which has been deemed safe to use, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, but can result in skin irritations and is toxic when swallowed, according to the CDC. This spray can last for up to six hours, and won’t leave your skin feeling greasy or sticky like other bug sprays.
Why We Love It: It allows you to haul kayaks on the back of your vehicle and save roof and truck bed space for additional accessories.
What to Consider: The VertiYak only supports kayaks 12 feet in length or shorter.
Attach this kayak rack to the back of your RV, SUV, or truck and leave truck bed space available for other items. The VertiYak is a vertical hitch-mount kayak rack for kayaks up to 12 feet in length. The VertiYak can carry two kayaks or paddle boards, and is equipped with foam padding to protect the rack and kayak. We love this option because it’s durable and more affordable than other kayak racks, plus it leaves truck bed space open in addition to roof space.
Why We Love It: The rack is light enough to bring along for lengthy journeys, yet strong enough to hold your bikes for long distances.
What to Consider: The locking hitch pin and security cable are sold separately with this model.
Designed for motorhomes and trailers, the Swagman works on numerous types of RVs, campers and trailers. It can be mounted on your hitch or bumper, and transports up to two bicycles at a time. When you’re not using the rack, you can fold the upright bar down to access the back of your RV. A black powder coating finish means the rack is corrosion and rust-resistant. Swagman RV products are rigorously tested to make sure they can be towed for long distances, so rest easy knowing this product will get your bikes to your destination safely.
Why We Love It: Use this coffee maker outside on the campfire or inside your RV on the stovetop.
What to Consider: Take caution when using on campfires, as the handle is plastic.
We chose this coffee maker from Farberware because it doesn’t require electricity and can be used on your cooktop, a propane burner, and over the campfire. It comes in 8-cup and 12-cup options, and there’s no K cup to throw away or other plastic waste created to make coffee. The stainless steel design keeps your coffee hotter for longer, and the clear glass knob lets you know when percolating starts. The coffee maker is dishwasher safe as well.
Related: The Best Camping Coffee Makers
Why We Love It: It’s lightweight and comes with a carrying bag.
What to Consider: Your legs might hit the underside of the table due to the cross bar design.
A sturdy folding table is great to have on hand for al fresco dinners at your campsite, card games with friends, or a place to have a glass of wine after a day of outdoor exploring. This one from Coleman can seat four people and fits into the included bag for easy carrying and storage. It has an aluminum slat top and a durable steel frame that can stand up to bad weather, and the entire table snaps together easily and folds up when you’re done. Add a festive floral arrangement from flowers and greenery, and you’ve got a casual-chic tablescape perfect for outdoor entertaining.
What We Love It: The cutoff valve is super useful for conserving RV tank water, and the design on this unit prevents you from getting blasted with cold water when you switch the valve back and forth.
What to Consider: When turned off, water still tends to trickle out of the shower head.
Traditional RV shower heads can be small, without much power behind them. OxyGenics makes an array of top-of-the-line shower head attachments, and the Fury is a winner. It comes with a control lever that adjusts the pressure to your liking, and rubber finger grips prevent slippage. Five spray settings are included, as is a wall mount and plumber’s tape for easy installation. The attached hose is 72 inches in length, providing enough room to reach anywhere in the shower. The shut-off valve helps reduce water usage as well, which is important when it comes to RVs’ limited water tanks.
Why We Love It: It offers home-like comfort and comes in multiple sizes and thicknesses.
What to Consider: It has a faint chemical smell right out of the box, so you’ll need to let it air out a bit.
Elevate your basic RV mattress with this comfy topper made from green tea-infused memory foam and moisture-absorbing charcoal. The unique foam helps wick away moisture and odors while providing you with body conforming comfort that will leave you feeling rested and restored. The topper ranges from 1.5 to 4 inches thick and fits under any deep-pocket or standard fitted sheet. It comes compressed in a box, so just unroll the topper and it will expand to its original shape within 72 hours.
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Consider what you’ll be using your RV for when buying accessories. Are you taking a long-weekend trip, or are you planning on tackling RV life and living in your RV full time? You’d need very different accessories for those scenarios, for example. For shorter trips, you can get away with bulkier and heavier items that you won’t spend too much time fussing over. But for extended trips in the RV, you’ll want to find accessories that are as lightweight, foldable, and as multi-use as possible to maximize tight RV space.
Think about how many people are going with you in your RV and what you might need for your crew. If you have a large family or a big group of friends, you might want to invest in a larger coffee pot that can make more cups of coffee at once, for instance. Or if you’re traveling with kids, you may wish to invest in some kids camp chairs or kids outdoor toys. Think about who you’re traveling with and what types of things you’ll need to accommodate everyone.
The type of accessories you’ll need depends on where you’re going as well. If you’re headed into South Texas in the middle of summer, chances are you’re not going to need a heated blanket. But you would definitely need one for a fall or winter trip in the Midwest. Take the climate of your destination into consideration when buying accessories. For warmer climates, portable fans, bug spray, and misters might be good purchases. But for colder climates (or places that get cold in the fall and winter), a heated blanket and durable fire pit are definitely needed.
RVs offer cramped quarters to begin with, so consider how much room you have inside the RV when buying accessories. You’ll also want to make sure all of your exterior racks for bikes and kayaks will hold everything you need.
Most campgrounds provide RVers with an external 120-volt electric source to plug into. RVs come with a power cord that you plug into the campground electrical source, and this powers your RV. The 120-volt power gives electricity to things like the AC, refrigerator, and microwave inside the RV. Other items within the RV run off of 12-volt DC power, which is also coming from electricity when you hook up at the campsite.
If you’re not plugged into a power source, the 12-volt DC system will still work as long as you have a 12-volt marine battery on your RV. If the batteries are charged up, you can use everything inside the RV except the microwave, refrigerator, AC, and outlets.
Typically, things such as mattresses, stovetops, ovens, microwaves, refrigerators, sinks, tables, showers, and toilets are included. Depending on the size of your RV, you might have more or less accessories. Older models also probably won’t have as many accessories as newer models.
Travel + Leisure writers are experts when it comes to traveling, packing, and adventuring. They’re well-versed in travel products that actually work and make your time on the road easier. For this article, Amanda Ogle used her personal expertise as a travel writer as well as expert recommendations to craft the perfect list of RV accessories for your next adventure.
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