Necessities for a new Travel Trailer

Let the adventures begin!

Amazon is your friend. Lots of lists out there on what you need. I would recommend camping iin the driveway if you have a situation that allows for that.

On "hard parts", fresh water line, water filter, pressure regulator, power adapters (just in case), leveling blocks of some sort, wheel chocks, five-way lug wrench and a means of getting a tire off the ground.

Nice to haves include camp area mat, door mats or something to wipe feet on, stuff to do things in or on a camp fire, a broom, chairs, extension cord, coffee maker, electric skillet, outdoor table, outdoor table cloth for campground picnic table, grill and grilling stuff.

We keep a full set of kitchen items in the camper. Plates, cups, silverware, can opener, stuff like that. Think about what you need to prepare basic meals. We have a bin of cooking/food related stuff we keep in the house and take out to the camper before trips. Salt, pepper, cooking spray, oil, stuff like that. We also keep a full set of toiletries in the camper.

There's no end to the stuff you can buy, but you will run out of room if you buy everything. ??

Buy the basics and go from there. I've collected quite a few items that never got used.

Under the Beginning RVing forum there are lists available, most dealers include a basic, low quality starter pack. Camping World and a credit card and you can attain everything else needed. Heck, Walmart has good prices on better quality sewer and water hoses, water pressure regulators, and 15/20/30/50 amp conversion plugs as well. Hope you have many great times in your new RV!!!

I appreciate the assistance Shal36.

We are excited about getting out on our first weekend. We have the standard stuff figured out (kitchenware, outdoor space, activities, ect.) I just got a little over my head when trying to searching the RV accessory market and trying to figure out what I actually "need" - Chocks, Power Cables, water lines, leveling blocks, sewage line supports, special toilet paper, black water tank treatments, power cables, 50 amp to 30 amp adapters, etc, etc. Not sure what is the nice to have vs what do I not want to be stuck without.

During our past rentals, I didn't need anything except the sewage line, but we were staying at big tourist sites in Virginia Beach. I am not sure if that holds true for all camp grounds.

EastCoastRover wrote:
....so I am not sold a bunch of items I don't really need....

We found the best way to only purchase the things we need was to not buy them until we need them - and have them the next time we head out. Except of course necessities that you already know about.

All great info above. Two things that will make your life much more comfortable are:

#1 I really good weight distribution AND sway control unit. Recommend Reese Dual Cam or Equi-l-zer. If you can afford it, a Pro Pride or Hensley Arrow (the very best that will totally "eliminate" any possibility of sway). do NOT recommend a weight distribution unit of any brand that does not have a sway control system built in.... adding a sway bar IMO, is a no no.

#2 An electrical tongue jack.

I would not buy from dealer. You can get the majority of the items you need from Walmart or on line.
Dealer should through in the standard starter pack for free!
Good quality electrical adapters. If rig is 50 amp, get a fifty to thirty adapter. get an adpater to be able to plug into 15/20 amp receptacle.
Good quality water hose
Personal items from Walmart or other discount stores.

One thing that comes to mind are roof vent covers; try to get your dealer to throw them in.

My top four are: a good water pressure regulator, an Oxygenics shower head, a Progressive Industries EMS unit and a TPMS. Those are some of the most expensive items, the rest will just dollar you to death......

DO NOT BUY NUTTIN UNTIL YOU ARE SURE THAT YOU NEED IT !
Sewer line supports are not necessary , IMHO !
Special toilet paper a'int required !
An electric tongue jack is necessary unless your daughters 16 year old boyfriend goes along !
Short pieces of 2x6 for blocking and changing tires !
A good tire pressure gauge and use it exclusively ! Don't be changing gauges cause they all read a little different !
Do not worry that you will not have enuff stuff , you will !

Do you have the necessary equipment to change a trailer tire? If you think you do, do it. Then you will know if you have everything you need to loosen the lug nuts, lift that wheel etc. P.S. I prefer a homebuilt ramp made from a 2x6..run the good tire up the ramp...raises the flat tire. NO need to do it in the rain, on a busy highway, on a windy cold day...for this practice round.