Our Purchases: RV Living
In preparation for living, working and staying healthy on the road, I spent countless hours researching, comparing, ordering, troubleshooting, testing and returning products. It was literally my part time job for almost half a year. And to this day our arsenal of "stuff" continues to evolve as we spend more and more time on the move.
If you'd like to benefit from all of my sweat, blood and due-diligent tears, here's your chance.
On this page you'll find almost every single item we've ever purchased that relates to RV Living.
If it's here, that means we were satisfied with it and it ended up being useful in some way.
If it didn't really work for us, or it downright sucked, you won't see it here.
From one-off cool little knick knacks (like these embroidered Abarth seat-belt cushions) to full blown project master part lists (like the ones here) everything on this page has our stamp of approval.
Plus, any time you actually click a link and make a purchase, you're helping to support ATSWG by earning us a sweet commission!
Win. Win. Win. - Michael Gary Scott
(NOTE: This list is a constant WORK IN PROGRESS so if you don't see what you're looking for, have specific questions, or even find a link that's no longer working, feel free to shoot us an email at atswego@gmail.com or submit a message HERE and we'll get back with you as soon as we can.)
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Day-One Necessities
EMS Surge & Electrical Protector
Progressive Industries HW50C Hardwired EMS Surge & Electrical Protection- 50 Amps
This protects our entire electrical system and all of our appliances from any sort of power surges, voltage drops, or even if we plug into a power pedestal that has been incorrectly wired.
90 Degree 50A Power Cord Adapter
Camco 18″ 50 Amp Male to 50 Amp 90 Degree Female PowerGrip Dogbone Electrical Adapter
We use this at our RV’s electrical inlet to reduce strain on our electrical cord and on the inlet.
50A Female to 30A Male Electrical Adapter
Camco 18″ 30 Amp Male to 50 Amp Female PowerGrip Dogbone Electrical Adapter
If we can’t find a 50 Amp hookup, we can use this adapter to connect to a 30 Amp outlet. We then reduce our power consumption accordingly to keep from popping the breaker.
30A Female to 15A Male Electrical Adapter
Camco 12″ 15 Amp Male to 30 Amp Female PowerGrip Dogbone Electrical Adapter
If we can’t find a 50 or 30 Amp hookup, we can use this adapter along with a 50A to 30A adapter to connect to a standard 15 Amp outlet. We then reduce our power consumption accordingly to keep from popping the breaker.
30ft 50-Amp Extension Cord
Camco 30′ PowerGrip Heavy-Duty Outdoor 50-Amp Extension Cord
We use this any time our main power cord needs some additional length in order to reach a distant power outlet.
100ft 15-Amp Extension Cord
100′ Heavy-Duty Outdoor 15-Amp Extension Cord
When we don’t have access to a 30 or 50 amp hookup, this 12 gauge cord is rated for 15 amps so we can connect our RV up to 100ft away from a 15 amp outlet and still use the full available amperage.
100ft 10-Amp Extension Cord
100′ Outdoor 10-Amp Extension Cord
This is our general purpose extension. We carry this in the truck as it can be used with the built-in 400 watt AC outlet. We also use this if we ever need to connect either the truck or the Fiat trickle chargers to the RV to maintain their batteries.
Adjustable Water Pressure Regulator
Renator Water Pressure Regulator, Lead-Free Brass Adjustable with Gauge
We use this at every water hookup to protect our water lines from high pressure (over 60psi) which is very common. This is the brand we’re currently using and it’s been fantastic.
Y-Splitter Water Hose Shutoff Valve
2wayz Y-Splitter Garden Hose Fitting with Shut Off Valves – Lead Free
We use this for connecting both our fresh water hose and our cleaning hose to a single water faucet. The shutoff valves allows us to control flow to each hose independently.
Zero-G Drinking Water Safe No Fuss Hose 25'
Teknor Apex Zero-G RV & Marine Hose – Lighweight, Kink-Free & Flexible – 1/2″ x 25′
We’ve been using two of these for our fresh water connections for well over 2 years and they’re still in fantastic shape. They’re lightweight, heavy duty and never tangle or kink.
Water Flow Meter
P3 Save A Drop Garden Hose Water Flow Meter
We use this to see how many gallons of water we’ve added to our tanks and water bladder when filling up as well as for observing & understanding our water usage rates.
90 Degree Elbow Water Hose Shutoff Valve
2wayz 90 Degree Garden Hose Elbow with Shut Off Valve – Lead Free
We use this for connecting our fresh water hose to our Nautilus panel in the wet bay. The 90 degree elbow relieves stress on the connection port and the shutoff valve allows us to quickly stop flow when changing modes, bleeding off air, etc.
Odor Free RV Holding Tank Treatment - 18
HAPPY CAMPERS RV Holding Tank Treatments – 18 Treatments
We add this to our black tank everytime we empty. It liquifies all solids, toilet paper and eliminates odors. We’ve used this since day one and have never had any issues with smells or clogging.
Odor Free RV Holding Tank Treatment - 64
HAPPY CAMPERS RV Holding Tank Treatments – 64 Treatments
We add this to our black tank everytime we empty. It liquifies all solids, toilet paper and eliminates odors. We’ve used this since day one and have never had any issues with smells or clogging.
RV Sewer Hose Kit
Camco RhinoEXTREME 20ft RV Sewer Hose Kit with Swivels, Elbow & Dump Fitting
These are robust, extendable hoses used to dump all of our shower, sink and laundry waste water (grey tanks) as well as all of our toilet waste water (black tanks).
Sewer Hose Support
Camco Sidewinder Plastic Sewer Hose Support – 30 ft
We use this to protect our sewer hoses from the ground and to also improve the angle of drainage so waste water flows faster and the hoses stay clear.
Sewer Hose Support
Camco Sidewinder Plastic Sewer Hose Support – 10 ft
We use this to protect our sewer hoses from the ground and to also improve the angle of drainage so waste water flows faster and the hoses stay clear.
Valterra Twist-On Waste Valve
Valterra Twist-On Waste Valve
This valve prevents mess when removing our sewer caps and also allows us to open and equalize our grey tanks, doubling capacity for our shower and laundry water.
Clear 45 Degree Sewer Hose Elbow Fitting
Camco RhinoFLEX Clear 45 Degree RV Sewer Hose Swivel Fitting
This clear sewer elbow allows us to view water color, flow rate & any debris while dumping our waste tanks, enabling us to know when the tanks are clean and empty.
Y-Splitter Sewer Hose Fitting
Camco RhinoFLEX Wye RV Sewer Hose Fitting
This fitting allows for two sewer hoses to connect to the same dump station. We use this for connecting both our rear and front dump valves to one sewer drain.
Sewer Hose Donut Seal
Camco 4″ x 3″ Sewer Hose Seal
We use this for odd sewer connections that are hard to seal. When it comes to sewer drains, you never know what you’re going to get. This has helped provide an odor proof seal when nothing else would.
Sewer Hose Exterior Tube Carrier
Valterra Adjustable RV Sewer Hose Tube Carrier
We have two of these mounted to the bottom of our rig and use them for carrying all 4 of our sewer hoses on the outside of the RV.
Nitrile Disposable Gloves
NitriPride Nitrile Exam Gloves – Large – 100 Count
We use these for fueling the truck (diesel pump handles are notoriously oily) and for handling sewer components. We prefer powder free and easy on/off. These are the best we’ve found.
2-Step Lightweight Folding Steel Step Stool
Rubbermaid 2-Step Steel Step Stool, 225-pound Capacity, White
We primarily use this indoors to access storage or perform maintenance of anything out of reach, such as our loft storage area, garage cabinets, a/c units, lights, etc.
Lightweight Multi-Position Ladder
Multi-Position Portable Folding Telescoping 13ft Aluminum Ladder with Non-Slip Rubber
We use this ladder outdoors for accessing and maintaining the entire exterior of the RV and truck. We’ve also used it to trim low hanging branches that were blocking our path.
Large Heavy Duty Wheel Chocks
Set of 2 Heavy Duty Wheel Chocks – Heavy Weighted Nylon Rubber Wedges with Eyebolts
We always use these during hitching, unhitching and while stationary to prevent the RV from rolling forward or back, especially on any sort of incline.
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitor System)
TST FLOW THRU TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitor System) with 4 to 12 Sensors
Allows us to monitor the pressure and temperature of all tires on the RV and truck in real-time and alerts if there are any issues.
RV-Safe Tire Inflator with 60ft hose
VIAIR 450P-RVS Automatic 12-volt Portable Tire Inflator – 130 PSI – 100% Duty Cycle
Used to keep our RV and truck tires topped off (can handle the 110 PSI needed on our rig). Also includes 60ft of air hoses so we can reach every tire with ease.
Digital Tire Pressure Gauge
Digital Tire Pressure Gauge with Backlit LCD and Flashlight
We use this primarily on travel days for quickly confirming the pressure of all 12 of our tires (6 on the rig & 6 on the truck) before hitting the road.
Extended Reach Dual Head Air Chuck
Milton 1/4″ FNPT Extended Reach Dual Head Air Chuck
This allows us to better reach the tire stems on both the inner and outer tires on the rear of the dually. We’re able to add air without this, but it takes a bit longer and we get a lot dirtier.
Propane Shut Off Safety Device
GasStop Propane Shut Off – ACME Style
These protect both of our propane tanks from catastrophic gas leaks if any propane line was to be damaged or completely severed in a tire blowout, wreck or any other unfortunate event.
Fifth Wheel Lube Plate With PTFE
EAZ LIFT 12″ Premium Fifth Wheel Lube Plate with PTFE
We use this instead of grease to reduce friction, absorb vibration and reduce wear between our king pin and fifth wheel hitch.
Wireless RV Backup Camera System
Furrion Vision S 4.3 Inch Wireless RV Backup System with Rear Sharkfin Camera – Infrared Night Vision and Wide Viewing Angle
We primarily use this for seeing behind the RV during travel, which helps a ton when changing lanes on the highway. But it’s also very helpful for backing up and navigating at slow speeds.
Two-Way Weather Radios
Midland 36 Channel FRS Two-Way Radios – Up to 30 Mile Range Walkie Talkie – NOAA Weather Scan + Alert
We use these for quick communication with one another when parking or navigating the rig in tight quarters & also for severe weather alerts.
Truck / RV GPS Navigation Unit
Rand McNally OverDryve 7 Pro 7-inch Truck / RV Navigation GPS
This unit takes into account the size & weight of our RV and finds routes we’ll fit through, avoiding low clearances, length & weight restricted roads, etc. We’ve used this in tandem with Google Maps for years now.
Front & Interior Dash Camera
Vantrue N2 Pro Dual 1080P Dash Cam – Front and Inside with Infrared Night Vision – 24hr Motion Detection Parking Mode – Auto Accident Record
We have one in each vehicle. Not only does it record the interior and exterior of the vehicle during driving, but it also detects and records any motion inside and out while parked, providing an additional layer of security monitoring.
Dash Cam Permanent Hardwire Kit
Vantrue 11.5ft Mini USB Dash Cam Permanent Hardwire Kit
We used these kits to wire the dash cam power cords directly to our fuse panels so they don’t need to be plugged into a 12v socket and the cords are hidden and out of the way.
Dash Cam GPS Antenna
Vantrue Dash Cam GPS Receiver Module – Mini USB Port – Suction Cup Mount
This allows our vehicle location and speed data to be attached to all footage, which may prove helpful as evidence in the case of a possible accident.
MicroSD Memory Card for Dash Cam
Samsung PRO Endurance 128GB 100MB/s (U1) MicroSDXC Memory Card
This is the memory card we use for both dash cams as it’s designed for heavy continuous usage situations like recording simultaneous front and back 1080p clips 24/7.
Reflective Triangle Kit
Warning Triangle Kit – DOT Approved 3PK – Reflective Road Safety
We keep these in the truck in case we need to pull over on the road for a substantial period of time. We’ve also used them for increased visibility while overnighting in a parking lot so we aren’t accidentally hit.
LED Roadside Emergency Flares
LED Emergency Road Flares – Roadside Safety Beacons with Strobe Light, Magnetic Base & Upright Stand
We keep these in the truck in case we need to pull over on the road for a substantial period of time and need increased visibility at night or during bad weather.
High Visibility Safety Vest
High Visibility Safety Vest with Reflective Strips
We have these in the truck for any time we may need to pull over and get out near the road. The bright colors and reflective strips insure we’re highly visible to oncoming traffic.
Roadside Emergency Tire Repair Kit
Universal Heavy Duty Roadside Emergency Tire Repair Kit
We keep this in the truck as another “just-in-case” item. It can be used for an emergency tire repair if we were unable to use a spare for some reason.
Glass Breaker with Seat Belt Cutter Tool
Car Emergency Escape Tool 2-Pack with Safety Hammer, Window Glass Breaker & Seat Belt Cutter
We keep one of these in each of the vehicles as a just-in-case item. It can be used to break glass and cut seatbelts in an emergency situation.
Water Heater Vent Insect Screen (1 of 2)
Camco Flying Insect Screen Stainless Steel Mesh Water Heater Vents (9.75″ X 7.4″ X 1.3″)
Insects are naturally attracted to the warmth and darkness of appliance exhaust vents. This protects our water heater from potentially dangerous and damaging insect nests.
Water Heater Vent Insect Screen (2 of 2)
Camco Flying Insect Screen Stainless Steel Mesh Water Heater Vents (4.5″ X 4.5″ X 1.3″)
Insects are naturally attracted to the warmth and darkness of appliance exhaust vents. This protects our water heater from potentially dangerous and damaging insect nests.
Furnace Vent Insect Screen
Camco Flying Insect Screen Stainless Steel Mesh Furnace Vents (2.9″ X 1.3″)
Insects are naturally attracted to the warmth and darkness of appliance exhaust vents. This protects our furnace from potentially dangerous and damaging insect nests.
Refrigerator Vent Insect Screen
Camco Flying Insect Screen Stainless Steel Mesh Refrigerator Vents (19.75″ X 1.3″)
Insects are naturally attracted to the warmth and darkness of appliance exhaust vents. This protects our fridge from potentially dangerous and damaging insect nests.
5th Wheel Solid Steel King Pin Lock
5th Wheel King Pin Lock – Solid Steel Anti-Theft Deterrent
This isn’t the lock that we have on our king pin (ours is older) but it does seem to be a very popular option and serves the same purpose. If it doesn’t deter a thief, at the very least it may slow them down.
Rapid Dissolving RV Toilet Paper
Scott Rapid Dissolving Toilet Paper for RVs – 16 Rolls
We’ve used this toilet paper from day one and have had no issues with clogging or slow tank dumping. We actually did an experiment ourselves to see if it dissolved that much better than regular paper and it was day and night!
Rapid Dissolving RV Toilet Paper
Scott Rapid Dissolving Toilet Paper for RVs – 48 Rolls
We’ve used this toilet paper from day one and have had no issues with clogging or slow tank dumping. We actually did an experiment ourselves to see if it dissolved that much better than regular paper and it was day and night!
Plastic Tote with Latching Lid
Plastic 27 Quart Tote with Latching Lid
We keep all of our various sewer fittings and adapters in a small tote like this one in our belly so all of the smells, risidual liquids and contamination are sealed off and separated from everything else.
Heavy Duty Door Mat
Heavy Duty 36″ x 61.5″ Weatherproof Door Mat
We use this heavy duty mat primarily to protect the feet of our steps from rocks, gravel or anything else that may dent or damage them. The large size is also perfect for wiping off our feet before heading inside.
1/2-Inch Drive Torque Wrench
1/2-Inch Drive Click Torque Wrench – 20-150 ft. lbs.
We primarily use this for torquing our RV lugnuts to 120ft lbs before every trip and for periodically torquing our pin box bolts to 110ft lbs.
Socket Extension Bar Set
9-Piece Socket Extension Bar Set – 1/4″, 3/8″ and 1/2″ Drive
These are great to have in many situations but we use the 1/2″ extension everytime we torque our lug nuts.
3/4" Thin Wall Deep Socket
1/2-Inch Drive 3/4-Inch Extra Thin Wall Deep Impact Socket
We use this for torquing the lug nuts on our RV to 120ft lbs before every trip.
Which category would you like to see?
Day-One Necessities
Maintenance
Safety
Security
Tools
Water & Sewer
Office
Add-Ons & Upgrades
Vehicles
Replenishables
Miscellaneous
Projects & Mods
< Back to Lists