Travel Trailer Accessories You’ll Actually Use

Hitting the road on your first camping trip can feel like a dream come true. But once you arrive at the campsite, you may realize that you should have packed a few essentials to make your trip run smoothly. 

So, before you leave your driveway, let’s take a look at some extra equipment that could save you a lot of hassle and effort on your inaugural camping adventure. We have gathered information on travel trailer accessories that you probably didn’t know you needed.

What Does a New RV Owner Need 

Each type of recreational vehicle needs some different equipment. But many items are essential for all kinds of RVs. Most fall in the category of water system items, like a freshwater hose and tank treatment. 

You’ll also need a surge protector for the electrical system. Additionally, you should keep extra fuses and replacement light bulbs on hand. Most of these accessories could make or break your camping trip. So take note. 

What Are the Must-Haves for a Travel Trailer?

The travel trailer class of RVs has some of its own equipment needs. Pull-behind and fifth-wheel trailers require stabilizers, unlike motorhomes that might only occasionally need the support of leveling blocks. Automatic levelers may come standard on newer travel trailers. 

Of course, the biggest difference in travel trailers is how you transport them to a campsite. For example, you need a tow hitch on a truck or SUV for a trailer, whereas a fifth wheel requires a hitch mounted in the truck bed.

Unlike most motorhomes, some trailers and fifth wheels do not include an alternative power source, so you may have to purchase a generator specific to your rig. That is a large investment, as opposed to the accessories we have suggested below, so it should carry some weight when initially buying your trailer.

Travel Trailer Accessories You’ll Actually Use

When considering purchasing a travel trailer, think about what other things you have to buy for it. Here are several necessary travel trailer accessories that won’t leave you hanging at the campsite:

1. 30 Amp Surge Protector

Protecting your electrical system is of utmost importance, as a random lightning strike or power surge could render it useless. A surge protector will help you monitor ‘clean’ power from any campground electrical post and report voltage and amp draw. 

If the electrical current becomes unsteady, the surge protector will cut off supply to your rig, possibly saving your appliances and wiring from damage. This Southwire model has an LCD readout and costs $211.

2. RV Leveling Ramp Blocks

These leveling blocks designed for travel trailers assist in leveling your rig and act as chock blocks between the two axles. 

They have a non-slip design and come with anti-slip mats to place under them. The leveling ramp blocks can support rigs weighing up to 35,000 lbs and cost $60.

3. 90-Degree Hose Elbow

For trailers with an exterior water intake fitting, a 90-degree hose elbow can alleviate some of the stress of taking the hose on and off. The elbow joint will take most of the pressure of screwing and unscrewing the hose. 

This elbow, made of brass, has an easy-grip connector. At $4, this inexpensive travel trailer accessory will protect your hose bib. Plus, it attaches seamlessly to the fresh water tank connection.

4. RV Water Pressure Regulator Valve

Water pressure changes at every campsite. You don’t want to worry about causing damage to your water system. To avoid high water pressure blowouts, you need a good pressure regulator. 

This valve has an attached gauge showing the factory-set PSI allowed, but you can easily adjust the pressure with the turn of a screwdriver. At $28, this wise investment will protect your entire water system.

5. 50-Foot Drinking Water Hose

You need to have a fresh water hose if you fill your tank or use campground water in your travel trailer. Remember to keep your drinking or freshwater line separate from your sewer supplies.

For this reason, you will want a uniquely colored drinking hose to identify it from any other you might use to clean out your sewer. 

Try out this 50-foot one as you will find that every campground has differing distances to their water spigots and electrical posts. It has an easy-grip connector to make hooking and unhooking a breeze. This travel trailer accessory costs $28.

6. RV Sewer Hose Support

Most campgrounds with full hookup sites will require you to keep your sewer hose off the ground. An RV sewer hose support will do just that, making this an important travel trailer accessory. It angles the hose downhill so gravity can do its work. It also helps protect it from punctures and damage.

The Camco Sidewinder unfolds like an accordion and elevates your sewer line. It descends from 7.25” to 4”. And the Sidewinder folds back up for easy storage. The 20’ option costs $40.

7. Happy Camper RV Holding Tank Treatment

New campers may have black tank odors on the top of their mind when they take off on a camping trip. But you can avoid that problem using Happy Camper Holding Tank Treatment. 

This odor neutralizer breaks down smells without covering them with perfume. It also helps liquefy waste and works in extreme temperatures. One scoop can handle a 40-gallon tank, and this 1 lb jar costs $25.

8. 20-Foot RV Sewer Hose Kit

No one relishes the job of dumping the black tank, but this Rhino FLEX sewer hose kit from Camco makes it easy and clean. The kit includes two 10’ collapsible sewer hoses that you can connect if you need more length. 

It also has a clear elbow to see when you’ve finished and end caps for both hoses. Additionally, each 10’ section folds down to 39” for easy storage. The price for the kit comes in at $39.

9. Collapsible Dish Drying Rack

If your travel trailer has a kitchen sink, you might not think you’ll need this collapsible drying rack. But with limited space, you can pull this travel trailer accessory out at a moment’s notice. 

It folds down to the size of a cutting board, and it can double as a large fruit bowl or dish organizer. The dish drying rack measures 14” x 11”. And you can hide it away when not in use. It costs $16.

10. Collapsible Measuring Cups and Spoons

And while on the topic of collapsible items, why not pick up some collapsible measuring cups? Most RVers appreciate anything that becomes smaller when you store it. 

You can easily clean these silicone measuring cups with accompanying spoons, and they’ll last as long as your memories. You’ll pay $12 for four measuring cups and four spoons.

You Can’t Have Too Many Travel Trailer Accessories

As you can see, many of the items listed are quite necessary to have a clean and tidy campsite. We threw in a few helpful things as well, hoping to give you a little more ease and a little less stress on your trips. In fact, you have probably now discovered that you just can’t have too many camping travel trailer accessories.

Last update on 2023-12-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API