10 Must-Have Gadgets for Full-Time RV Living

Living full-time in an RV is an adventure like no other—but it comes with its own set of challenges. Whether it’s monitoring tire pressure, filtering campground water, or securing your camper when you leave for the day, having the right gadgets on hand can make all the difference. In this post, we’re sharing 10 essential gadgets that make full-time RV living safer, smoother, and a whole lot more enjoyable.

🗂 Click to Skip Ahead:

1. TPMS Monitor (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)

2. Brass Water Pressure Regulator with Gauge

3. Camper Surge Protector / Power Management System

4. Water Filtration System & Hose Bib Splitter

5. Heated, Drinkable Water Hose

6. Camper Ball Joint Lock

7. Dyson V11 Cordless Vacuum

8. Clear Sewer Hose Elbow

9. Digital Indoor/Outdoor Thermometer & Humidity Monitor

10. LED Motion Sensor Lights (Battery-Powered)

🚨 1. TPMS Monitor (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)

A TPMS monitor is one of the most critical safety tools for your RV. These systems use screw-on sensors that replace your tire valve caps and transmit real-time tire pressure and temperature readings to a digital dashboard display.

This was one of the very first gadgets we installed on our camper—honestly, it gave us so much peace of mind. I had read way too many horror stories about blowouts on the highway tearing up the underbelly of RVs and causing major damage. With a TPMS, I could monitor the health of our tires from the dash any time we were on the road.

We never had a blowout, thankfully—but there was one trip where I noticed a tire running lower than the others. Because the TPMS caught it early, we were able to stop and top it off before it became a real issue.

📌 Why you need it: Tire blowouts can be catastrophic on the road, especially in larger RVs. A TPMS allows you to monitor tire conditions at a glance, catching issues like low pressure, overheating, or slow leaks before they become emergencies.

✨ Perks:

• 🔧 Real-time tire pressure and temperature alerts

• 🛞 Helps prevent blowouts and uneven tire wear

• 🧰 Easy installation (most systems are DIY-friendly)

• 🧘 Peace of mind on long travel days

💧 2. Brass Water Pressure Regulator with Gauge

Some campground hookups blast water through the pipes at 90 PSI or more! That kind of pressure can blow out fittings, rupture water lines, and even cause leaks behind your cabinets. We added a brass regulator with a gauge early on and never had pipe damage—thank goodness.

There were a couple of times when the regulator worked too well, though—our pressure dropped so low that the water heater wouldn't even kick on, and it was a pain doing dishes. But that just showed us the gauge was doing its job, protecting the system from wildly fluctuating pressure.

📌 Why you need it: Without a regulator, your pipes and water lines are at risk. Excessive pressure can burst hoses, crack fittings, and flood your RV’s interior.

✨ Perks:

• 🔩 Durable brass construction resists corrosion

• 📊 Built-in gauge shows current PSI

• 🧩 Easy to install between the spigot and hose

• 🛠️ Essential for extending the life of your RV's plumbing system

⚡ 3. Camper Surge Protector / Power Management System

Before plugging into any campground pedestal, always connect a surge protector. These devices shield your rig from voltage spikes, faulty wiring, and electrical surges.

We never had any noticeable electrical issues at campgrounds, but we still used our surge protector every single time. Especially after thunderstorms, it gave us peace of mind knowing our electronics and appliances were shielded.

Just remember this safety tip: always turn off power at the campground pedestal before plugging in or unplugging anything. Surge protector or not, it’s never worth the risk when you’re dealing with electricity.

📌 Why you need it: A single electrical surge can fry your appliances, A/C, and electronics. Surge protectors act like a firewall, cutting power if unsafe conditions are detected.

✨ Perks:

• 🔌 Prevents electrical damage to sensitive systems

• 💡 Many models display voltage levels and error codes

• ⚠️ Detects reversed polarity or open grounds

• 🌩️ Protects during lightning storms or low voltage dips

🚿 4. Water Filtration System & Hose Bib Splitter

Two underrated gadgets that quickly became essentials! We used a basic inline filter for our main water line and paired it with a hose bib splitter—super helpful for outdoor rinsing without disconnecting your main line. A reliable inline water filter ensures you have clean, great-tasting water no matter where you park.

The extra hose came in handy for rinsing muddy feet, filling the dog’s water bowl, and washing gear without unhooking from our main line. And while I didn’t notice a major taste difference with the filter (we used jugs for drinking water), it definitely helped with debris and water clarity when washing dishes or showering.

💡 Pro tip: When arriving at a new site, run water through your hose and filter for 10–20 seconds before hooking up to your camper. It helps flush out any gunk or bugs.

📌 Why you need it: Campground water often contains sediment, chlorine, or contaminants. A good filtration setup protects your health and your plumbing. Clean water = healthy living and a longer-lasting RV system. A hose splitter just makes life easier.

✨ Perks:

• 🧼 Improves taste and odor of drinking water

• 🧃 Reduces sediment and chlorine buildup in tanks

• 🚿 Hose splitter allows for convenient outdoor rinsing or cleaning

• 🔄 Easy to set up and replace filters as needed

❄️ 5. Heated, Drinkable Water Hose

This is a must-have for anyone RVing in cold climates. These hoses plug into an outlet to keep water flowing even in below-freezing temperatures.

Even though we chased warm weather, we still hit a few freezing nights. Sometimes we forgot to shut off the water… other times we did shut it off, but the leftover water in the hose froze overnight anyway. That meant no dishes, no handwashing, no tea until things thawed out. 😩

We even cracked a couple water filters by accident—lesson learned! A heated water hose would’ve saved us a lot of frustration. Honestly, now I’d recommend it to anyone, even if you’re only occasionally in cold climates. It snowed in Louisiana this year—so anything can happen.

📌 Why you need it: Frozen hoses = frozen mornings. A heated hose keeps things flowing no matter the forecast. Frozen hoses can crack or burst, and losing your water connection in winter is no fun. Heated hoses keep water moving even when temps drop.

✨ Perks:

• 🔥 Insulated and self-regulating heating elements

• 💧 Safe for drinking water (lead- and BPA-free)

• 🧊 Prevents frozen lines and water outages

• 📦 Long lifespan when stored properly

🔐 6. Camper Ball Joint Lock

This heavy-duty lock fits over your trailer hitch’s ball socket, preventing anyone from hitching up and stealing your RV.

While we never had an issue with theft, I never took chances—especially in low-traffic or off-grid spots. I always installed a heavy-duty ball joint lock every time we unhooked the camper.

It wasn’t one of those cheap U-bar locks either—we chose a model that would take serious time and tools to break through. That’s the whole point: you’re not trying to make it impossible, just difficult enough that thieves move on or get caught in the act.

📌 Why you need it: RV theft is rare but real. This visible deterrent protects your investment, especially when you're away from the campground. You can't prevent every crime—but you can make your camper the least attractive target.

✨ Perks:

• 🔑 Universal fit for most trailer couplers

• 🌧️ Weather-resistant construction

• 🧷 Simple to install and remove

• 🛡️ Provides peace of mind when leaving your RV unattended

🧹 7. Dyson V11 Cordless Vacuum

I was genuinely surprised by how fast a camper gets dirty. You’d think with such a small space it’d stay clean longer—nope. With dirt, dust, leaves, and pet fur, I found myself vacuuming almost daily.

The Dyson V11 was a game-changer. It’s lightweight but powerful, has awesome battery life, and fit perfectly in the tight nooks of our trailer. If you’re on the fence, this is one splurge I’d never skip.

📌 Why you need it: RVs collect dirt fast, especially with kids or pets. The V11 handles carpets, vinyl floors, and upholstery with ease.

✨ Perks:

• 🔋 Cord-free cleaning with strong suction

• 🧽 Multiple attachments for small nooks and hard-to-reach spots

• 🔌 Wall-mounted dock for easy charging

• 🌀 Long battery life and HEPA filtration

🚽 8. Clear Sewer Hose Elbow

This 90 degree little gadget saves you from a lot of gross situations. The clear elbow fits securely into the sewer hookup and lets you see what’s coming out of your tanks (if you’re into that). More importantly, it prevents the hose from popping out mid-dump. 😬

Paired with a good sewer hose support system (to create that nice downhill slope), this setup made the not-so-fun part of RVing a whole lot cleaner and quicker.

📌 Why you need it: Without visibility, it's hard to tell when your tanks are done draining. This gadget ensures a clean, sealed connection and avoids messy surprises.

✨ Perks:

• 👁️ Transparent design shows flow progress

• 🔒 Locks securely into sewer pipe opening

• 🧷 Prevents hose movement during dumping

• 🧼 Easy to clean and store with your hose kit

🌡️ 9. Digital Indoor/Outdoor Thermometer & Humidity Monitor

This small device tracks temperature and humidity inside and outside your rig, helping you monitor climate comfort and air quality.

📌 Why you need it: Humidity and temperature can impact everything from sleep to mold risk. This monitor helps you make smart climate decisions.

✨ Perks:

• 📈 Tracks indoor and outdoor conditions in real time

• 💨 Helps prevent condensation and mold growth

• 🔋 Compact and battery-powered

• 🧭 Useful for seasonal travel prep

💡 10. LED Motion Sensor Lights (Battery-Powered)

Stick-on LED lights are incredibly useful in dark spaces like cabinets, closets, or RV steps at night.

📌 Why you need it: In an RV, every inch counts. These lights provide instant illumination where you need it without hardwiring.

✨ Perks:

• 🔦 Battery-powered and motion-activated

• 🚪 Ideal for storage areas and night navigation

• 🌱 Energy-efficient and long-lasting

• 🔧 No installation tools required

🛠️ Honorable Mentions:

• 📱 Bluetooth Leveling System

• 🔋 Solar Power Battery Bank

• 🍽️ Collapsible Dish Drying Rack

• 🛞 Compact Air Compressor

• 🪜 Folding Step Stool

• 🧂 Magnetic Spice Rack

• 🔑 Keyless Entry Lock

• 🔥 Portable Outdoor Griddle

🚐 Final Thoughts...

When you live full-time in your RV, the right tools and gadgets make daily life simpler, safer, and more efficient. These 10 items are some of our most-used and most-trusted pieces of gear. We’ll keep updating this list as we test new products and refine our setup!

Got a favorite RV gadget you can’t live without? Share it with us in the comments or tag us on Instagram @RollingRabbitRVRepair!

Until next time, friends and travelers,

Jordan @ Rolling Rabbit RV Repair

"Keeping you rolling, wherever the road takes you."

📍 Omaha, Nebraska

📧 rollingrabbitrvrepair@gmail.com

📞 (Text/call 402 - 699 - 4053 to schedule a service!)