Cory Wilson

Must-Have Gadgets for RVers

It’s no secret that there’s no shortage of nifty gadgets out there for campers. While you always want to pack light, here are some gadgets that RVers love.

Pop-up fire pit: A folding fire pit is a travel-trailer trick that’ll keep your s’mores cooking no matter where you are. As a bonus RV hack, snag this optional grate to have your fire pit double as a grill.
Inflatable air lounge: Why not hack camper life with a comfortable outdoor bed that takes up a tiny amount of space? An air lounge is an inflatable piece of furniture that’ll allow you to enjoy the outdoors in comfort.

Pop-up lanterns: Because you always need light and compact things are a must to hack travel trailer life, try these pop-up lanterns.

Folding bikes: RVing and cycling go hand in hand. There are simply too many nice biking trails out there not to explore. Folding bikes give you max fun while saving max space in your RV.

Nested cookware: Why have a smattering of pots and pans when you can get ten pieces to stack into the space of one? The space-saving utility makes nested cookware the ultimate RV-life hack.

Smart space heaters: RVers tend to use space heaters as a supplemental heat source, but unattended heaters can be dangerous. A smart space heater you can control from your phone is not only safer but will give you peace of mind every time you leave the RV.

Collapsible two-in-one suitcase: If you’re an RVer who’s still traveling around with a chunky suitcase taking up that precious air space of yours, consider a multi-use bag. Search for one that serves several purposes, like a day pack and a suitcase.

Ladies and Gents. Helpful Tips & Tricks

First time travel trailer tips and tricks:

1. Pack everything in totes
Put food, bedding, and camper parts in separate totes.
Once you get to camp you can unpack all that needs to get put away. Then all the totes can go outside and be stored under the travel trailer. You’ll want to pack the camper well and totes are the answer.
a pile of camping gear and packed tubs
tubs packed with food for a camping trip

2. Once you get to camp, put everything away
Make all the beds, put all the food away, put all the clothes and towels in a place, make the beds, make sure everything has a place where everyone can get to them as needed.
Get everything nice, neat and organized. Everything needs a place or you’ll feel like the walls are caving in with all the stuff everywhere.

3. Get some command hooks
We have command hooks for our keys by the door. There are 5 in the itty bitty bathroom for our towels. There is one near the door for the fly swatter. And a couple others spread throughout the camper.

Yes, command hooks are super handy!

4. Bring extra shoes for the kids
My kids get so muddy…. They must gravitate to the mud. They literally had to wear wet, muddy shoes for about a day until the sun came out for a couple hours to dry them up.

5. Bring cash for laundry
There is usually a change machine in the laundry room to exchange your dollar bills for coins. But if you don’t have cash…. you’ll need to find some. If you’re camping at an older facility, the laundry machines vending machines might also only take coins…not cards.

6. Do research on your campsite
Do you want to be near the bathrooms? Does it have a general store in case you forgot salt & pepper? Are there trees for shade? Does it have a laundry room? Does the campsite have full hook up (cable, sewer, electric, water)? Does it have a picnic table or fire pit? Does it have cell service or Wifi?

These may not be things you need/want but if you are looking for something specific, I’d check, because not all campgrounds are the same… (don’t ignore this one)!

7. Don’t remove the yellow blocks too early
…not until everything is hooked up and you are about to pull the trailer out of the driveway. I took those little yellow triangles out too early. The trailer was on the ball. It managed to get pushed off the ball and roll almost into the back of the truck. (don’t ignore this one either)!

8. Get a big outdoor rug
You’ll want a rug for the outside of the camper. Trust me: the bigger the better. You’ll need it for everyone’s muddy, dirty shoes/feet.

9. Make a list for everything
You need a checklist to make sure that your camper is ready to leave your driveway. You need a list of kitchen stuff and food. You need a list of clothes and accessories to bring. It’s overwhelming if you don’t have a list for it all. You will forget something!

My in-laws… who have been camping like 40 years, still have a list. It’s a lot smaller than mine, but you get the point. (don’t ignore this one)

Here’s a free printable camping packing checklist you might want to check out if you’re looking for a starting place.

a printed camping checklist being used to pack for a camping trip
Grab these camping lists here
10. Don’t pack too many rainy day games
Don’t pack 3 board games, 2 movies, and a deck of cards for the kids, in case it rains or they get bored.

If it rains, go play in it. If they get bored, go outside and explore. All that extra stuff only takes up space.

Travel trailers don’t have a ton of space to begin with, so use it wisely and leave that extra stuff at home.

But, here’s a post full of camping games and camping toy ideas in case you do want a few suggestions.

I hope our mistakes and lessons learned help you on your first travel trailer camping trip or your next one!
children running on a wet park path

2022 Keystone Outback 244UBH

This is a Beautiful Trailer. Bunk beds for the kids or guest for the weekend. King size bed. Large kitchen loads of cupboard space.
Fireplace and Large Bathroom with full Shower
Outdoor Kitchen to boot. Power Awning & Outdoor Speakers
With this trailer you wont be disappointed at all and be the Envy of your fellow Trailer Parkers.
This Travel Trailer is Priced to Sell @ $46,995.00
Financing Available OAC
$234.00 Bi-Weekly
Sleeps 7
Weights 5740 LBS
Call Cory 613-903-2227
or
Come in and see me
1174 Carp Rd Stittsville ON