The Best RV Kitchen Necessities!

The Best RV Kitchen Necessities!

by | Products We Love, RV Tips

As you may know, an RV kitchen is tiny compared to your average house kitchen.

RV Kitchens have less storage space, smaller ovens, smaller fridges, and a pantry that is tiny or somewhat nonexistent.

However, that shouldn’t stop anyone from utilizing your RV’s kitchen just as you do at home kitchen.

We live full-time in our RV, therefore, we cook in our kitchen on a daily basis.

There is nothing we cannot cook or bake, except baking is done on a much smaller scale.

After a full year of living in our RV, there have become essentials that we have used to make our life easier in our small kitchen. 

RV Kitchen must-haves

1. Slow Cooker / Crockpot

Slow cookers have been around forever and I feel like they are still an amazing investment. We absolutely love cooking roast, slow-cooked brisket, soups, and so much more in our slow cooker. 

Plus, the recipes are pretty much endless when it comes to what you could make in a slow cooker. Another thing I love about the slow cooker is it can make meals that last for days and it is an easy cleanup.

2. NuWave 14QT Air Frying Oven

This incredible machine will have you baking, frying, roasting, slow cooking, pressure cooking, and more in your RV.

The NuWave oven has made it to our RV Kitchen Must-have list because it is that AMAZING!!


3. French Press Coffee Maker

Making coffee in an RV seems to be a big question on a lot of people’s minds.

The French Press is one of my favorites because you can measure exactly how much coffee you want and make your coffee as strong or weak as you’d like.

Using a French press doesn’t require any electricity which is a huge plus if you’re Dry Camping.

Curious about other ways to make coffee while camping, check out “The Best Ways to Make Coffee While Camping” post!

4. Keurig Single Serve Coffee Maker

If you’re not interested in the French Press way of making your coffee, then maybe a Keurig is what you need.

To save counter space, I recommend the Single-Serve Keurig K-Cup Mini to save space but will give you that delicious cup of joe.


5. Hot Water Kettle

Speaking of Hot Water Kettle, this is my third favorite item we have in the RV kitchen.

I love making coffee and hot tea to wake me up in the morning or calm me down at night. Having the ability to boil hot water in a kettle is super convenient.

6. Cast Iron Skillet or two

Cast Iron skillets are the best! Seriously, the variety of meals you can make in a cast-iron skillet is endless.

You can even make some delicious desserts!

I love having our cast iron skillet because of the versatility it has when cooking.

RV kitchens are tiny, therefore anything that you are able to use in multiple ways is a huge plus.

7. Cast Iron Dutch Oven

Just like the Skillet, having the Cast Iron Dutch oven opens up a variety of dishes you can cook in your RV Kitchen.

The wonderful thing about cast iron products is you can use them over a campfire too and not just on your stove or in your oven.

8. Personal Smoothie Maker

The majority of blenders use too many electrical watts, therefore, the smaller personal blender is perfect for the RV life.

We personally love making protein shakes and fruit smoothies. However, the use of the Personal Smoothie Maker is endless.

If you want to whip up a coffee frappuccino or a delicious margarita, then you definitely need to get one for your RV Kitchen.

9. Mounted Paper Towel holder

Surprisingly this is a common question that many RVer’s have, is “where do you put the paper towels?”

We had the same question and with very little counter space I was determined to find a solution.

Therefore, we purchased a mounted Paper towel holder. This thing saves space and gives us easy access to towels when they are needed to clean up spills or wipe your hands.

10. Dish Drying Rack 

This is a must because the majority of RV’s do not have a dishwasher.

I love the ones that are over the sink because they save so much counter space. Plus, when you’re dish drying rack is in one portion of the sink, this prevents dirty dishes from piling up.

It also forces you to clean the dishes and set them to dry almost immediately. I don’t know what I would do without this in my RV Kitchen. 

11. Ice Making Trays

We live in Texas and the summer heat can be brutal! Having an ice-cold glass of water or tea is highly desired.

Now there are many people who love the portable ice makers, however, when you’re limited on counter-space, going for the old fashioned ice-making trays can be more convenient.

You just have to make sure you re-fill them. 

12. Utensil Holder

Just like counter-space, drawer space is also limited in an RV. We opted to use up a tiny portion of the counter space to hold our larger cooking utensils like the spatula and ladle. I love having them in their designated holder because it has relieved the utensil drawer for other items like forks, can opener, and more. 

13. Magnetic Knife Holder 

This is one of the first things we purchased when we moved into our RV back in April of 2018.

I saw how much space they saved because you were able to utilize the vertical wall space in your kitchen.

Plus, it provided easy access when cooking. I do recommend that if you plan on traveling, that the knives be removed and placed in a drawer before moving. 

14. Pizza Stone for Oven 

If you love to bake, then you definitely want to get a pizza stone to place at the bottom of your little oven.

This helps regulate the heat of the oven so whatever you are baking, bakes evenly.

I have heard many stories of RV ovens burning the sides of dishes and leaving the middle raw.

The pizza stone will help you make those perfectly baked cookies, cakes, pizza, and more! 

Final Thoughts 

These are just the top 14 items that we definitely love using in our RV Kitchen. They have made our journey of living Full-time easier.

Living or traveling in an RV is a different lifestyle than living in a home, so some things have to be adjusted.

By having kitchen items that are versatile is our top priority. If we cannot use an item in the kitchen multiple ways, then it’s out!

I hope this list helps you decide on what to bring along on your RVing journey. Maybe one day we will invest in the famous Insta-pot that most RVer’s swear by.

Thanks for stopping by and don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter to get updated on new blog posts with amazing RVing and Camping information.

Pin Me to save for later!
RV Kitchen must-haves

RV Tank Treatment: Comparing GEO Method to Happy Camper

RV Tank Treatment: Comparing GEO Method to Happy Camper

by | Products We Love, Reviews, RV Tips | 4 comments

Let’s be real… Living in an RV or traveling even part-time on the weekends with family, your grey and black tanks will hold a lot of gross things and can develop a horrible stench.

There I said it!

It can get extremely stinky when you open those valves to dump both the black and grey tanks.

If you RV, you probably already know this. If you’re new, like we were at one point, you will soon find out.

We have found two reasons why your Black and Grey tanks wastewater can smell when the valves are released.

GEO Method VS. Happy Camper Tank Treatments
  1. The vents system is improper and instead of the air being forced out of the pipes, it is getting trapped and seeping through the walls when another source of air or valve is open.
  2. The holding tanks have deposits from either dishes or human waste that needs to be treated and cleaned/flushed.

We are going to discuss number 2. There are many methods on the internet that guarantee to break up the deposits in the tanks to prevent backups and smells. We have tried a multitude of them and will be comparing the two common types many RVer’s turn too.

First, what are your Grey and Black tanks used for?

When we first moved into our RV, we were a bit confused about how things worked. So, don’t worry! It’s a great question to ask especially when you’re new at RVing.

In a nutshell, the Grey Tank(s) holds the water that is used by cleaning dishes, hands, clothes (if you have a washer), and showers. You may think; ‘oh, it’s just the water you clean stuff with, it shouldn’t develop a stench’…..Wrong!

The oils, soaps, and food that drops down the sink from doing dishes and taking showers accumulate and it’s not the greatest smell. These tanks usually hold 35 to 40 gallons before having to release them.

The Black Tank is for human waste from your toilet(s). This is the nasty one. Usually holds 35 to 40 gallons of waste before having to dump.

In case you’re wondering about your City/Clean Water tank, this tank holds usually 40 gallons of fresh clean water that can be used to shower, drink, and flush toilets.

This is only used usually when you want to clean out your water system or you plan on being somewhere that does not have the option to hook a hose up to your RV aka ‘Boondocking’ or ‘Dry Camping’.

Now you know what the tanks are and what kind of waste they hold. A little background on us.

We have lived in our RV for a year now. I remember the first time we dumped our tanks and the smell fumigated the entire RV. It was the kind of smell that made you gag and even Febreze didn’t cover it up. We only get this smell when the tank valves are open! Once they close the smells begins to go away. 

After the second time dumping our tanks, I just couldn’t handle it. I didn’t want to deal with this smell every time we open our tank valves. Therefore, I went to the internet and found that there are actually ‘tank treatments’ that will help break things down and help the horrible smells. Who knew? We were newbies at the time.

Through my research, I found out that Walmart carried a couple of brands specifically for treating your tanks wastewater. These treatments came in nice citrus smells which I enjoyed. However, after using them completely as directed, they did not work. I was frustrated and thought “why are there products that say they “help” but do not actually work?”

Trying the GEO Method …

So I took to the internet once again and found the GEO Method for RV tank treatments. If you don’t know what the GEO method is, it is Dawn Dish soap and Calgon Water Softener. Some choose to include Bleach or Borax with the Dawn and Water Softener.

I would be cautious with bleach in the black tank because urine holds a chemical called Ammonia. When the chemical of Ammonia is mixed with Bleach it will cause a toxic gas. Be Careful mixing any chemicals! 

Now, this method is doable and it did kind of work to help combat the smell but I found that it took a lot for it to cover the smells when we dumped the tanks.

Also, we had to place the mixture in every single time we dumped. Now, this is still a great option and I would still use it if I had to. It’s better than the cheap RV tank treatments by TSP and other brands at Walmart.

Although the GEO method seemed to work ok, there were still times the smell just wouldn’t fully go away. So again, I was frustrated.

I did more research, checked out other Full-time RVers blogs and social media to find out what they used. I found the GEO method again and again until I came across one couple that used “Happy Camper”.

Truth be told, I was skeptical! Why wouldn’t I be? I had tried all the “recommended” store bought treatments and the DIY treatments; so what was so special about this one?

I did more research, read all the reviews for “Happy Camper” tank treatment on Amazon, but I still wasn’t convinced. It took me months of using the GEO method until I just couldn’t take it anymore. The smell when dumping was still horrible, I was tired of using so much Dish Soap and Calgon that my patience was running thin.

Trying Happy Camper…

So, finally caved and made my purchase of “Happy Camper” on Amazon. I felt like I had nothing to lose at this point, and if it didn’t work, I would just send it back.

It only took two days to come in the mail, because we have Amazon Prime. I’m glad it only took two days because I was excited to use the product to see what all the hype was about.

When we received it our tanks were full, so I decided to go ahead and release them, close them, and pour one scoop in the black tank and one scoop in the grey tank, as instructed, with about ½ a gallon of water.

We went on like normal then after about a week, we repeated the process.

Of course, I knew I needed to give it some time to see if it would work. I decided I would use this product for a month to test it out and see if it was everything it says it was on the Amazon description.


(Just so you know, in a months’ time we usually release our tanks once a week, grey tank sometimes twice depending on how many dishes and showers we take. On average it was 6-7 dumps and retreats.)


Did it work?

Now that we have used the “Happy Camper” tank treatment for a month now, I can truly say I am a ‘Happy Camper’. The horrible smell is now under control. I can go into my bathroom and not hold my breath. I can release the tanks without having to worry about the smell fumigating the entire RV. Truly I am amazed that it works.

Not only has it eliminated the smell in our tanks from fumigating our RV when we release them but it’s also all organic.

The highly concentrated mineral blend neutralizes the toxic smells in the black and grey tanks without a heavy perfume smell. The treatment works in hot and cold temperatures, is biodegradable, environmentally friendly, and completely odor free.

The only negative is it does take a couple of treatments for it to fully start working to combat the smells.

After a couple of times of emptying the tanks and placing a treatment after every dump, it really does make a huge difference. Although it takes a few times to begin combating that smell, once it does, you don’t have to treat the tank after every dump. We now only treat the tanks every other dump.

What is the price? Is it a good value?

As I mentioned, I was hesitant to purchase Happy Camper because of my previous experience with tank treatments and also the price compared to other treatments. It’s not $5 or $10 like the stuff you get from Walmart or Camping world.

The smallest tub is about $22 and can go up to a larger tub of $79.

But…. Let me tell you, IT IS WORTH IT!!!

We will never go back to another tank treatment.

If you live fulltime in an RV or even RV on the weekends and holidays during the summertime, this tank treatment is a life changer. It keeps your RV from smelling like disgusting sewage and after using the product for a long period of time it will begin to save you money.

You can try it out yourself here!

Comment below let us know which you prefer! Have you tried either the GEO method or Happy Camper? Love to hear your response! Thanks for stopping by! Remember Sharing is Caring!

Pin for Later!

The Best $5 Meal Plan for RVers | Free 14 Day Trial

The Best $5 Meal Plan for RVers | Free 14 Day Trial

by | Products We Love, RV Tips | 44 comments

Meal planning and grocery shopping!

We all have to eat, and as much as we wish we could eat out every night or have a fancy chef cook our every meal, in reality, that just doesn’t happen. So, if you are tired of wasting time making a grocery list or trying to figure out what’s for dinner every night? You’re not alone!

For us, eating out happens only on occasions! Therefore, we have learned to cook at home and purchase the right ingredients for our planned out tasty meals. However, that wasn’t always the case.

What Made Us Start Meal Planning?

For years I would go to the store, walk down every aisle, grab items off the shelves and then later figure out what was for dinner with what I bought.

I knew my way of grocery shopping wasn’t working when too many of our perishable items would rot and wither before we had a chance to make a meal. Also, when Matthew and I moved into our RV full-time our fridge just wasn’t as large as an industrial one and our pantry storage became almost non-existent.

I did always try to purchase the Ingredients for basic meals like Tacos, Chicken w/veggies, and Spaghetti. Although basic meals are easy and quick, they can get repetitive and boring.

I specifically remember my husband saying, “what do we have for dinner?”

And I replied; “chicken and broccoli with rice”.

He said “Again?”

That’s when I knew something had to change. We needed new recipes and new ideas!!

We couldn’t continue with our normal routine because we either ended up with not enough room or eventually wasted food. Wasted food equals wasted money, right? We definitely had no room to be wasting money! Especially when we are on our way to becoming debt free which you can read about here on our monthly goal posts: Our Journey to a Debt Free Life. 

So I went on to Pinterest and started searching. I came across a blog post regarding meal planning and they recommended the $5 Dollar Meal Plan service. I instantly became interested clicked on their link in the post.

Through my scrolling of www.5dollarmealplan.com website I, of course, read the whole page and the reviews. After all, the reviews are so important.

After about 5 minutes, I realized that this service was exactly what I was looking for. I wanted to save money, save time, and most importantly stop buying items and ingredients that never get used. I saw this service as being the answer to my problem. 

So, we signed up for the 14 free day trial to try it out. As soon as we did, we received our first planned meals. I also did some searching on my own to see what kind of recipes they had as options.

Do we like the meals and service?

So far we have loved the service! Every week we receive in our email a complete list of meals for the week including a detailed grocery list at the end of the recipes. The list is downloadable, printable, and saves so much time.  

We take the list, mark off any items we already have in our fridge or pantry. Then when we go to the store we purchase the items that we still need. The service has been great!

What do you get with the service? 

You get a full week of meals sent to your inbox every Friday, with cooking instructions and a grocery list.

The option to build your own perfect plan according to your specifications.

Search for meals designed by cooking method. So, if you love using just one pot for your meals to save on dishes there are recipes for that. They also have meal specifically for crock pot/slow cookers, meals that are freezer friendly, meals for baking, meals for Dutch Ovens, and more.

Search by dietary preferences such as gluten-free, paleo, dairy free, soy free, or vegetarian there are specific meals for you.

Search and create meals plans for the time of day. If you want to plan meals for breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner there are plenty of recipes for you to add variety for weeks.

Search by ingredients like beef, salad, beans, chicken, eggs, and more.

They really have thought about their customers with a great meal planning service. Plus, Free Coupons that you can print for your grocery shopping to save even more money. Here are some images of the dashboard and what to expect by searching the categories.

Is it worth it?

Well, you can sign up for a free 14-day trial to see if the service is something that will benefit you and your family. We did exactly that and after the 14 days decided to purchase the full service at only $5 a month.

I feel like the price is definitely affordable and reasonable for the amount of time it has saved us and can save you.

How has the product benefited us?

By using the $5 meal planning service we have saved over $100 a month on groceries by only purchasing what we needed and using the coupons they provide with the service. This, in turn, has prevented us from eating out and wasting food.

I now have more time to focus on playing with my dogs on the weekends, writing, and spending time with my husband, instead of spending my Sunday trying to meal plan and create a grocery list.

If you’re single, a couple, or a family with children this service has so many benefits. It also allows variety for your weekly meals. Before we would always eat chicken, pasta, and tacos, those were my go-to ingredients when I went grocery shopping. Now, we have opened up our meal options and have tried a variety of fish dishes, vegetarian dishes, nutritionally packed smoothies and more!

So save your weekends for the family and let Shane, Erin, and Jim do your meal planning for you! You can start your free 14-day trial here! 


PIN TO SAVE FOR LATER

7 Unique Gift Ideas for your Happy Camper (Valentine’s Edition)

7 Unique Gift Ideas for your Happy Camper (Valentine’s Edition)

by | Products We Love, RV Tips | 1 comment

It’s February! Do you know what that means? Valentine’s day!

Now, this holiday is such a great way to show your significant other or friend that you’re thinking about them. Everyone deserves to feel a little bit of love this month, even your Happy Camper.

Do you know someone who loves camping? Maybe you and your family actually live in an RV fulltime, like us! But… you’re having a hard time figuring out something unique to get them for Valentine’s day in place of or in addition to flowers and/or chocolate?

Well, do not worry! I’ve compiled a list of great gift ideas for him and her that you can get right from Amazon.

Apparel for Him and Her!

Let’s start with some Apparel! These adorable t-shirts and sweaters are perfect for your Happy Camper wife, girlfriend, or friend! She is bound to make one of these t-shirts or sweaters a piece of her camping outfit!

Buy Now

Buy Now

Buy Now

For the men in your life! These perfect t-shirts are comfortable and versatile. Great for everyday camping activities like setting up the RV, Grilling, or building a fire! I Especially love the U.S. National Parks shirt. It pinpoints all the parks you can travel and camp at in the United States.

Buy Now

Buy Now

Buy Now
Happy Camper Jewelry Gift Ideas for Him and Her!

Jewelry is a staple gift item for Valentines Day, but why not grab something for him or her that has a little twist. Some great jewelry to show their love for the outdoors. Items can include a great watch with a compass, a beautiful mountain scene necklace, or even a Happy Camper Key chain.

Buy Now

Buy Now

Buy Now
Coffee Mugs and Tumblers!

What about your coffee lover that wakes up every morning and enjoys a nice cup of delicious coffee while watching the beautiful sunrise. These mugs are such great gifts! Wake up and be adventurous with these gift mug selections!

Buy Now

Buy Now

Buy Now
Personalized Gifts for your Happy Camper

Nothing says I’m thinking about you more than a personalized gift! Personalized gifts become sentimental items and even key pieces in someone’s house. Here are our some great picks for your happy camper!

Buy Now

Buy Now

Buy Now
Gifts for the Camps Cook

There always seems to be that one person who loves to do all the cooking. From roasting and stewing, these awesome gift ideas will make the camping food experience even better! My favorite is the popcorn roasting set.

Buy Now

Buy Now

Buy Now
Gifts for the Camping Writers and Readers

The great outdoors provides such a beautiful and peaceful place that can spark one’s creativity and provides a serene environment to dig into a great story! These gifts are for those who love to write, draw, read, and find inspiration from the peaceful outdoors.

Buy Now

Buy Now

Buy Now
Camping Gift Ideas for Couples

Camping with your loved one makes the experience even more special. Experiencing the great outdoors, hiking, and sitting by the campfire are memories that will last forever. Check out these products designed for couples to enjoy their camping trip together! MR and MRS mugs, Couples Hammock and the popular Inflatable Lounger.

Buy Now

Buy Now

Buy Now

I hope you enjoyed all of these amazing gift ideas for your Happy Camper!   Mix it up from the popular Flowers and Chocolates and get your person something they will love, use, and enjoy on every camping trip!

Happy Camping! Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletters to stay up to date on our journey, and more tips, tricks, ideas, and travel stories from Exploring New Sights. We are also on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! Check us out! 

Thank for your support and HAPPY VALENTINES! <3

 

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER!

Stay up to date and get notified for new blog posts and much more! No spam, we promise!

Pin Me!

12+ Must Have RV Essentials For New RV Owners

12+ Must Have RV Essentials For New RV Owners

by | Products We Love, RV Tips | 14 comments

Must-Have RV Essentials | Owning an RV is such an amazing adventure to embark on.

According to the RV Industry Association, it is estimated that approximately 10 million Americans own RVs. That is an impressive number and it is continuously growing. 

So, you are not alone in your RVing journey!

If you are looking to purchase or already own one there are definitely items that are needed that do not come with your RV purchase.

Items like leveler blocks and sewer hoses that you just cannot camp or live without as an RV owner.

must haves rv essentials

​Now, when we first purchased our RV we had a lot to figure out. However, after the first couple of weeks of living full-time in our RV, we quickly realized that we were missing some much-needed items.

Must have RV essentials that have now made our living and traveling so much easier, safer, and cleaner!

Therefore, with our knowledge, trials, and expertise as full-timers, we put together a list of accessories we have purchased.

We also added explanations on why they are necessary for the RV journey!

So, whether you made your purchase for weekend camping or you are going to be living full-time like us, this list is everything you will need to get started!

Leveler blocks

These are a must! We figured this out the hard way.

In our first month of living full-time, the RV was un-level.  It was frustrating, to say the least.

We purchased these leveler blocks and made sure on our next site we leveled the tires first.

You can also use the blocks under the stabilizers to keep from overextension as well as the front jack. 

Wheel Chocks

These are a safety must-have RV essential to prevent any accidental movements. 

Many places actually require that wheel chocks are used when you set up an RV or Trailer. 

Power extension cord

The 50amp power extension cord was the first item we purchased after buying our RV. 

Where we were parked we needed about 70ft of extension and the 35ft cord that came with just wasn’t enough.

Plus, it is always nice to have extra in case one surges out. 


Amp Converter

Every RV Park is going to have different amp plugin options. Many times it is either 30 amps or 50amps.

Having a converter is going to save you a trip to the store and allow you to stay at more parks. Our RV takes 50 amps, so we have the 50amp Female/30amp Male.

Drinking-Water Hose

This type of hose is a must to have because the material in a regular garden hose can contain unsafe materials/minerals for drinking.

The Drinking Water Hose is BPA and Lead-Free for safer water consumption.

Water Pressure Regulator

Water regulators help control the city water pressure and protects your RV’s Pipes from busting.

They regulate the pressure to being a safe 50 to 55 psi.

Water Purifier

We love this because you never know what the water will be like going to camp to camp.

Therefore, a purifier to hook up to your hose before the water comes into your tanks or lines is a nice safety measure for your tanks as well as drinking.

Mattress topper or new mattress that fits in a RV

Let’s be honest, the mattresses that are provided with the RV (unless you custom order) is extremely hard and uncomfortable.

Whether you live full-time or camping on the weekends, no one wants to sleep on a rock hard mattress. Therefore, purchasing an RV Mattress topper was a must-have RV essential for us!

Check out our post on Tips for Making Your RV Bedroom Cozy & Comfy + Lucid Mattress Review

Dehumidifier

I can’t tell you how many stories I have read about mold in an RV due to humidity!

Many times the mold forms near windows and beds especially when it’s cold outside and warm inside.

A Dehumidifier can help prevent the build-up of moisture and further prevent mold growth. This is a Must-Have RV Essential for us! 

Sewer Hose

Honestly, no one with an RV should be camping without one. A sewer hose is a must-have RV essential for safety and sanitary reasons!

A sewer hose is designed to hook up to the black and grey tanks output pipes and then hook the other end to a dump station pipe.

It prevents disgusting mishaps and allows one to properly release the tanks’ waste.

Tank Treatments

Honestly, we have no idea we needed this until the horrendous smells after taking a shower or dumping fumigated our RV.

We tried many methods to help with the smell including the GEO method of Dawn and Fabric softener. This does help, but I also highly recommend Happy Camper. It helps break down the waste as well as combat the smells.

Check our our review RV Tank Treatment: Comparing GEO Method to Happy Camper


Decomposing Toilet Paper

You can buy special RV toilet paper or another kind like SCOTT but whatever you decide you want to use decomposing because it prevents build-up and blockage.

I have read horror stories of RV toilets and black tanks clogging up due to toilet paper blockage. Therefore, the soft fluffy toilet paper like Charmin is NOT the best to use in an RV.

Air Compressor

When traveling, this is a must-have RV essential!

Before leaving a camp checking the air in the tires should be a priority and having a portable air compressor available is extremely convenient. 

Power Surge Protector

Surge protector can help prevent your RV’s electrical system and appliances from frying. This can be due to either a badly wired power supply at a campsite or Lightning.

Tire Covers

Tire Covers prevent the tire’s rubber from sun exposure that causes them to lose the moisture in the tire’s rubber, also known as Dry Rot!

Having Dry Rot in your tires can be a disaster on the road. A great preventative measure is to have tire covers, especially if you are going to be camped without moving for a while.

No Sway/Weight Distribution Bars

These are a MUST HAVE RV ESSENTIAL if you have a Travel Trailer/Bumper pull. Our RV is a 34 ft bumper pull, and having these No Sway Bars was a non-negotiable for us.

The guys at Route66 in Oklahoma set them up for us because having them properly installed is extremely important for them to work correctly.

This was the best and most important purchase to make when towing a Travel Trailer. The No Sway Bars prevent the trailer from swaying by gusts of wind while driving, which further prevents overturning your entire trailer and truck.

Final Thoughts

There you have it! We really hope this list of must-have RV essentials provides some great insight on items that are very useful when owning an RV, whether you are full-time or a seasonal/weekend traveler.

All of these items are a must for us because they have made our lives of living in an RV easier, safer, and cleaner.

If you have any suggestions on great items you’ve found or are must-haves for living the RV lifestyle, please comment below!

We would love to hear from you!

 

Pin For Later!

must haves rv essentials
12+ must have RV essentials for newbies
Winter RV Living | Survive An Overnight Freeze in an RV

Winter RV Living | Survive An Overnight Freeze in an RV

by | Products We Love, RV Tips

Winter RV Living | Surviving an overnight freeze during the winter in an RV while also living full-time, was a first for us in November 2018.

We live in Fort Worth, Texas, so while we don’t experience the snow very often, we do get below 32 degrees.

I searched the internet on advice on how to prepare your RV for an overnight freeze, and I just couldn’t find much.

I did learn how to winterize your RV if you’re going to be storing, but not if you’re living in one.

So, I am writing this for those living Full-Time or staying in an RV during the winter who have the same questions I had the day we had a freeze warning.

Questions like:

  • What do I do?
  • How to keep my RV tanks and pipes from freezing?
  • Should I get more propane or space heaters or both?

1. Shut off the water and clear the pipes

Our freezes are usually just an overnight affair here in Fort Worth, Texas.

So, once it warms up the next day we don’t have to worry about our RV pipes or hoses freezing. Therefore, shutting the water off while we sleep isn’t a big issue.

We also made sure we had water bottles or jugged water in the fridge filled and ready to go.

So, the night before (since we did not have a heated hose) we completely shut off our water and detached the RV’s water hose.

We then make sure our lines and RV pipes are free of water by turning on the faucets inside to clear the lines.

We don’t worry about the water in the water heater because it’s electric and stays warm.

If you do turn off your water heater, the best suggestion is to release the water to prevent freezing and ruining your hot water tank.

Another option is to purchase a heated water hose and some styrofoam to cover your pipes for extra insulation.

A good practice is to keep your cabinets open in the kitchen and bathroom. This allows the RV’s sink pipes to stay warm.

If you don’t have a heated water hose, you can get one right here at Amazon! So worth it! 


2. Released the Black and Grey tanks

The next thing we did was released our RV’s tanks and kept our valves closed.

Now, if your tanks are 1/3 full, and have a heating element or heating pads that keep them from freezing then it’s okay if you don’t release them.

However, I always like to be safe then sorry so since we could release them, we did!

3. Stock up on Propane and Buy a Space Heater

After shutting off the water and releasing the tanks, next we checked our propane tanks.

(We actually ran out of propane right before the freeze and kind of freaked, so we learned this one the hard way.)

Luckily, my brother-in-law had an extra tank that we could use for the night. Therefore, we didn’t have to run to the store.

So, lesson learned, when it’s cold and your Winter RV Living you always want to have extra propane.

Another option if you don’t want to rack up a high bill of propane during the winter RV living is to buy a space heater or two.

Our RV has an electric fireplace, but even that doesn’t put off enough to heat the whole RV when it is below 32 degrees outside. So, having an extra space heater won’t hurt and will save you money on propane.

The best space heaters we have found are this Ontel Handy Heater and the Trustech Oscillating Ceramic Tower Heater.

The Ontel Handy Heater plugs right into the wall and is great for bedrooms or bathrooms. It saves so much space too!


4. Get a Dehumidifier

Another thing is the condensation!

With the cold air outside and the warm air inside, this causes condensation on the windows. Over time, if not properly dealt with can cause mold issues.

Therefore, purchasing a dehumidifier is very handy and helps prevent future mold issues. This is a must when your winter RV living.

Also, we love using the Arm & Hammer moisture absorbers.

We place these in the bedrooms, closet, bathroom, and can be put pretty much anywhere.




5. Insulate your RV windows

To keep the warm in and winter out, insulating your windows is recommended.

This can be done with bubble wrap, styrofoam, insulation boards, and some velcro or tape. This will also help with the condensation too that can accumulate on your windows.

For a quick buy, you can just check out the local hardware store like Lowes or Home Depot.


6. Purchase an RV Skirt

RV skirts are great, especially if you are going to experience snow or freezing temperatures.

These skirts provide protection from wind, snow, debris blowing underneath, and insulting the underbelly of your RV to help further prevent your tanks and pipes from freezing!


7. We Bundled Up!

And last, but not least…BLANKETS!

Stay bundled up with blankets, socks, warm clothes, and yes… even gloves! RV’s walls are thin and having extra blankets to stay warm during winter RV living is a must!

Our favorite blankets are wool blankets specifically because that is one of the warmest materials.

Wool blankets are great for indoor snuggles or outdoor sitting by the fire. 😊

Also, Don’t forget the Coffee, Hot Tea, or Hot Chocolate for extra warmth!!


Final Thoughts

So, let’s recap on what we did to keep our RV from freezing and how we stayed warm during our Texas Freeze.

  1. Turn the water off and clear water lines. (Unless you have a heated water hose. I don’t recommend keeping the water faucet dripping because it can fill up your grey tank)
  2. Release Tanks
  3. Purchase Extra Propane or a Space Heater
  4. Purchase a Dehumidifier
  5. Insulate your Windows
  6. Purchase an RV Skirt
  7. Bundle up! Wool Blankets, socks, warm clothes! Stay Warm!!

I hope you enjoyed reading and I hope this helps answer some questions on staying warm while winter RV living full-time.

While we make these suggestions, we are not responsible for any mishaps, freezing pipes, hoses, or fires.

We do recommend you use safety measures and read your RV’s owner’s manual.

If you have any other tips that have helped you during a Freeze, please leave us a comment!

Don’t forget to follow us on social media and sign up for our newsletter!

Pin For Later! 🙂

Winter RV Living fulltime (1)

Sign up today for our monthly newsletter!

You have Successfully Subscribed!

By Signing up, you are subscribing to receive Exploring New Sights email newsletters. You may unsubscribe at any time. For more information, please review our Privacy Policy. 

Pin It on Pinterest