“It’s not the big stuff that gets you in RV life — it’s the little things you didn’t think of until it’s too late.”
When we first started full-timing, we thought we had everything covered. The Sierra 3800RK was loaded, the F-250 was fueled, and the dogs were buckled in. But by the end of that first week, we learned a painful truth: there are always little things you forget, and they usually show up at the worst possible time.
Like the time we pulled into a campground late at night, dead tired, only to realize we didn’t have a water pressure regulator. Hooking up directly meant we risked blowing out the rig’s plumbing. Lesson learned. Or the time one of our water hoses started leaking, and we had no backup. That night involved a frantic trip to Walmart 30 minutes away.
So here’s my personal list of 10 items you should never forget — built from real mistakes:
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Extra Water Hoses — Because one will eventually spring a leak.
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Sewer Hose Support — Some campgrounds won’t even let you hook up without it.
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Wheel Chocks — Don’t rely on just the parking brake.
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Surge Protector — Sketchy campground power is real. Ours saved us in East Texas when voltage dropped so low it could’ve fried the A/C.
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Water Pressure Regulator — $20 now saves you hundreds in repairs later.
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Leveling Blocks — Unless you enjoy sleeping on a slant.
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Headlamp — For those late-night setups when you’re juggling hoses and leashes.
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First Aid Kit — One for you, one for the dogs.
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Fuses & Bulbs — Always fail when you’re farthest from town.
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Tool Kit — Because something will always break, usually when you least expect it.
RV life teaches you through trial and error, but maybe my errors can save you some headaches. Pack these items, and you’ll thank yourself the next time something goes sideways at 9pm in a strange campground.
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