10 Essentials for New RV Owners

[@RVMiles]

Use code RVMILES15 to get 15% off Travelfi here: travlfi.com/?KZbin&Ad+Read&RV+Miles+KZbin+Ad+Read

[@havenonwheels5158]

Spot on! I’m a 68-year-old grandmother who has been traveling full-time for almost 4 years. You really hit the ESSENTIALS. I highly recommend that your viewers get the brands you recommend. The VIAIR compressor was expensive, but saved us in Utah. The Watchdog surge protector saved our electrical system at a fair campground. It was much easier replacing the surge component (by myself) than replacing our whole electrical system because of faulty wiring at the facility. Now I just need to replace that white drinking hose with an evoflex. Wish I’d had these recommendations before we hit the road. Thank you for this video!

[@joelhansen7373]

Everyone needs: 1) a level! 2) a fire extinguisher! Actually 2. One for grease fires in your kitchen. One for electrical fires/wood fires. I have a vintage bus & keep 2 in my engine bay. 3) Smoke detector! 4) Carbon Dioxide detector! 5) Propane Detector! There are detectors that double up some of those detectors in the same box. 6) I have both a generator & an engine in my bus so I also carry a carbon monoxide detector too. Not everyone needs this. 7) Jumper cables.

[@penelopebartell840]

We have fire blankets LED flares Safety vest Head lamp

[@SHalto142]

My trailer came with two levels built in.

[@gregscharf6384]

I lost audio about half way through/

[@srperk6163]

Great suggestions! These are must haves!

[@Chimp_6]

I have been RVing since I was a boy in the 1950's and agree with your list 100+++%. One thing I would add is a collapsible sewer hose support. I use the Camco Sidewinder RV Sewer Hose Support. It will help with less wear & tear for the hose but more importantly insure a good down hill angle for maximum flush pressure when dumping. Unless you enjoy "walking the snake" up hill you will thank me!

[@susanryan622]

Always such good info! I love that you explain why, and not just “do this, not that”. Give a man a fish, he eats for a night. Teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime!

[@RVMiles]

Thanks for watching, I always appreciate the feedback!

[@penelopebartell840]

For people with travel trailers, the right size wrench for the Lug nuts One thing I keep meaning to buy is a tire plug kit. Our class C does not have a spare tire or wheel. A high-enough pressure tire pressure gauge is critical.

[@iused2BAfireman]

Wheel chocks from Harbor Freight. Heavy recycled rubber for next to cheap.

[@jerryflynn9414]

Great video! Things to add: A 3' foot level, tire iron/4-way for changing a tire, Bottle Jack, Road safety cones, reflective safety vest to wear if you break down. These are the things I would add as essentials.

[@rmccabe117]

TravlFi for almost 3 years now! Love it, bought for credit card transactions at Craft shows!! I use it at work when not traveling!

[@tristramstout8988]

It’s a good idea to have a quality torque wrench and actually check the torque of all your lug nuts. The torque setting should be listed in your owner’s manual.

[@RVMiles]

@@tristramstout8988 excellent point. Torque wrench is a must.

[@calledtojourney]

Great list! I'd add (1) a torque wrench with sockets appropriate for your trailer and tow vehicle/motorhome, (2) a couple of 5 gallon water jugs, and (3) a 100 foot 15 amp extension cord. The first two are pretty self-explanatory. Some will justly point out that you shouldn't draw 15 amps from most 100 foot extension cords due to voltage drop. But even if you can only draw 8 amps from them, 8 amps is better than 0 amps. We've used our 100 foot cord several times, especially when moochdocking.

[@turnbullstravels735]

My husband jokes we need to tow a second RV for all the spares I want to carry. Great list…we are in a DP and Freightliner told us we absolutely needed to carry a set of spare belts and filters. We now also carry a kit for the dreaded DEF head sensor failure. I would really love to carry more leveling gear but the plastic blocks just aren’t rated for our weight. Most of the time we can make do but every once in a while, when we have to have wheels off the ground, Ugh. Looking forward to Homecoming next week!

[@kenmcclow8963]

I got the water regulator when I was flushing the toilet and the water was shooting out of the bowl. I didn’t know about the flexible hoses when I bought mine, but I got a short and long hose to avoid having tangled messes. I have leveling blocks that came in a bag, but I still use a block of wood under the tongue jack. I have a weight distribution hitch, but my trailer is 3500 pounds GVWR and 2275 dry with dual axles, so I usually use my U-Haul hitch. I use an Avid air compressor that can run on 12 volt, but also has a small 18 volt lithium battery, so it’s just like using a cordless drill. It also has a bag and has been useful for airing up and down the truck tires. It shuts off when it hits the selected air pressure which is nice.

[@sherriweber7105]

Thank you Jason for giving a list of the essentials you need to have for your Rv to set up the Rv with. I think those are all great to have. I like them chalks and Lego to help your tires so they won’t roll and levelers to keep the Rv level. Thank you Jason. See you soon!

[@rickw5679]

We use the leveling blocks with toppers that Jason doesn't like. We really like them because they are really rugid and don't crack under a load. So to each their own, but really appreciate your videos!

[@RVMiles]

Glad you have something that works for you. 🙌🏽

[@jamesr208]

A screwdriver or drill bit for those funky square drive screws rv manufacturers love to use. So many times I’ve needed to pull a panel to tighten up plumbing or get something that slipped under the slide out cabinet!

[@SpykersB]

It blows my mind how many canadian knows what a Philips screw driver is, but Americans struggle with the Robertson screw driver name 🤣.

[@jamesr208]

@@SpykersB We moved on to the more elegant and functional Torx head screws. But I won't make fun of you if want to call it a "star drive".

[@SpykersB]

@@jamesr208 lol, i wouldn't be laughing at u if i didn't know my bits. 🍻

[@cirrus820travelers9]

One suggestion, get a 12v sewer macerator and 50' 3/4" hose to specifically dump tanks. No more stinky slinky! We love it more than a TPMS (tire monitor sys), which for us was a huge waste of money. After a brake & bearing job, we lost a wheel driving who knows exactly how far and never knew it. We felt secure until the sensor never alerted to NO psi or temp. Try it some time. When leaving rv on site, turn on system, get readings then drive away. Check how far or what time elaspes before an alert shows difference! If at all. Also, know how to change a flat. Some "Good Sam" or AAA may take hours to show up. Usually a Good Samaritan or fellow traveler may stop & offer assistance! We have.

[@stevekoester3404]

Extension cord 30 or 50 amp. I use mine on pull thru’s, sometimes

[@tdr9204]

"and learn how to use it." The most important words for any RVer.

[@WILDEBILL308]

Good list for a beginner. Something I would include is a tablet and a pen. So when you are camping and you say where is the XXX you can wright it down so you can have a list of things you need. Next work the list when you get home.

[@Swimmingwolf]

Leveling blocks can also be used to change the tire on a duel axle trailer. Many trailers don’t come with a jack! Just be sure to chock the other wheels.

[@timclosson7166]

Too much good info to comment on......great job!!

[@RVMiles]

Thanks!

[@hammer48ful]

We use wooden leveling blocks made from 2x12's and 3/4 plywood. I tapered some on one end to act as a ramp when we use them to level the camper. Bubble levels for leveling the camper.

[@marigoldenergy8512]

For me, I just learned that there are sewer caps with a handle on them. This helps getting the cap off easier. I have only dumped the sewage once because I couldn’t get the cap off. Luckily my husband was there to do that for me. In the facebook page that I read about this, some men were saying that it makes the job easier as well.

[@ThomDeCarlo]

Yep, I blew up one of the hollow yellow wheel chock when leaving the ABQ Balloon Fest in the rain a couple years ago

[@RVRepairNut]

Excellent list for first time RVs to get started with! Been at this since I was a boy in the early 80s and been full time now for 3 years. Your choices of product are also we founded. I never knew how bad electricity was at some popular parks until I got an EMS. Thank you Jason for all you share with us!

[@RVMiles]

Thanks for the comment and thanks for watching!

[@michaelkozic4146]

Can you post a link for air compressor that you mentioned

[@Peggyc-l4n]

Great suggestions! I second the level that someone else mentioned

[@ralphknappiii8746]

Thank you always look forward to all your videos/news/podcast

[@RVMiles]

Our pleasure! Thanks for being here!

[@tikoy1955]

Awesome video and information.

[@RVMiles]

Thank you!

[@pruffin]

I use a Greenworks battery powered inflator for my tires. I highly recommend it.

[@luisreviews6412]

I would love to see the tool kit you carry.

[@leonajameson8902]

Excellent video

[@Basecampgirl]

Thankful that I was not missing anything on this list:-) but will definitely upgrade to the Blue Ox levelers…the stackable ones I have keep cracking/breaking…the blue ox version looks so much more manageable than the Andersen leveler of the same style….

[@JohnEvans-n3v]

I would add if you have been RVing a long time you should go through your rig and remove things you no longer use. I did that and was surprised what I was carrying all the time.

[@rvingjourneys]

What about a water filter??? Did I miss it?

[@KarenBarnettAuthor]

I need one of those hoses. Trying to store that white one is driving me nuts.

[@charcoalgriller]

YES! I finally got one and it stores SO easily! Just stuff it in the bay!

[@JoeT.1960]

You need a thing to hold up your sawyer hose because in AZ. It is the, law for the hose to be on the ground

[@timf6916]

VERY, VERY Good information. We have been RVing since the late 70s And I do have all that stuff and More hehehe Yes to much.

[@rik8809]

For an air compressor, I’d suggest a Milwaukee M18 Inflator. It’s far superior to a Viair pump. No cords, no overheating, and much, much faster.

[@dougwelch8890]

If you have only one tool, it's got to be a #2 square head driver. Almost every screw in the trailers are square heads and not traditional flat or Philips head. It will get used more than any other tool.

[@srperk6163]

You show the evoflex2 but the link is to the Aqua Joe. Why is that? Which should I be looking for?

[@GK49245]

Excellent recommendation on the surge protector/EMS as essential. The 2020 National Electric Code (NEC) added "§551.40(D) Reverse Polarity Device", which required a visual or audible alarm when there's an ungrounded (black) conductor and grounded (white) conductor reversal. The 2023 NEC changed §551.40(D). According to NFPA's summary of technical changes, "Deleted former section 'Reverse Polarity Device' and added section 'Loss of Ground Device' to address the 'hot skin' effect that RV's can have and to provide the intended requirement of circuits at detection of a loss of ground." The new 2023 NEC language is: "551.40(D) Loss of Ground Device. Each recreational vehicle shall have a listed grounding monitor interrupter permanently installed between the feeder assembly connection to the vehicle and before a transfer switch if installed or the panelboard. This requirement shall become effective January 1, 2026." The big change is from an alarm device to an interrupter device that responds to two serious conditions. Most of these devices are also surge protectors. Always purchase only those EMS devices that are UL-listed (ETL, CSA, etc.).

[@edluiszer4985]

I have been to KOAs that will not let 50a RVs use the 30a site, because they try to run to much and destroy the hook up. Also same at home, be careful.

[@SpykersB]

What? That makes no sense.

[@GEORGEHATTON-s9u]

I have not seen the blue ox level system ,iam interested ,however would need 4 as the current motor home has dual rear tires an a single block would overload one tire,I WILL GET 4 . I do have the good water hose, the water pressure regulator is a good idea ,we do not have one because we don't use the park pressure we only use our internal fresh water pump an add water to the tank when needed. The plastic blocks for under the levelers is a good idea an in a lightening storm if no metal is on the ground you won't go poof. The other items are good an relative. If you purchase an older RV buy a new smoke detector an gas detector it may save your life. Fire extinguisher is good to have . A good flashlight is important get at least 1 ,HOPE THIS HELPS.

[@mrmichaeltscott]

A cybertruck for touring Alaska is a musk😂

[@djfitzgerald2193]

Well just for fun what would be the cost for unplanned for expenses of getting your first R-V the dirty details that the dealership does tell you

[@dxradioman6351]

Buy a house water pressure regulator with appropriate adapters from the hardware store for better flow. NEVER skimp on tires or hitches!

[@charcoalgriller]

Replace your sewer hose at regular intervals. We full time, so for us that’s once/year. It’s not worth your sewer hose blowing apart at unexpected times.

[@RVMiles]

Definitely something you want to make sure is in proper working order.

[@nea273]

5:50 just drill some holes. 🤨

[@toddincabo]

👍

[@willmarotta4525]

Tire gauge, go watch project farm

[@VanIife]

All you need is a well used stinky slinky

[@ddawe31635]

We had a Watchdog Surge protector. At 2 different campgrounds it continually shut off our power. Called the company & got basically, I don't know why that happened. Wasted a hundred plus dollars! NEVER AGAIN!

[@RVMiles]

That’s unfortunate to hear. Ours has been a rig saver many times over in the last 5+ years that we’ve been using it.

[@charcoalgriller]

My surge protector will shut off power if there is a low voltage condition (brownout). It can be intermittent and it is bad juju for electronics. Happens more frequently on hot days. Depends on the park - some parks have better power than others.

[@andycommonsincanada]

“ Cancer Rates are High” nothing to do with us drinking water from a garden hose EH? Me thinks it could be something else?

[@RVMiles]

@@andycommonsincanada it’s billions of things. The point is that survivor bias is real.

[@andycommonsincanada]

@@RVMiles Not quite sure what you mean by that?

[@toddjones1403]

Jason……a little edgy tonight……….

[@jamesleslie4252]

We now used travlfi for about 6 months. It's just not reliable at all all for telecommuting work. It might be ok for some emails and social media but it is just slightly better than a phone hotspot. We are still searching for an affordable alternative for part time travel (not starlink)