Let's face it- although RV life has it's advantages, living in a small space with several people has it's challenges. We've compiled a list of items that, although we might not NEED, have definitely helped save our sanity while on the road. Not everyone's life on the road expectations are the same and what we find comfort in, you might not, and that's okay. However, if you're going into this lifestyle with the "we're not camping, we're still living" mentality, then this blog post might just be for you. Some of these items are a must for us, some a luxury. Let's get into it.
I've provided links to some items for easy viewing. As an Amazon affiliate, I will earn a small commission if you choose to purchase using the link. Please feel free to purchase from anywhere, the links are simply provided for your convenience.
Washer and dryer
When Rick and I first started discussing this life, before we even had the truck or the RV, we knew a washer and dryer was a must-have for us. Laundry is my least favorite chore, so I knew adding the chaos of looking for a laundromat, dealing with full washers and dryers, and having to have cash on me at all times would make me miserable. We started researching and ultimately decided on the Splendide stackable. It was a pretty pricey upgrade, but it is 100% the most used and appreciated item we own. We chose the stackable vs the combo for the lint trap. We have three dogs, a cat, and a bunny- the shedding situation is real around here and we wanted whatever was going to help remove the hair off of our clothes. Our very first trip was to Montana to hang out with a group of other full time families. During our stay, 98% of us got hit with the plague. Rick, the girls, and myself were all knocked down within 30 minutes of each other...in 400 sq ft, with limited dishes, and one bathroom. It was a horrific scene and one that made me SO thankful to have a laundry option right in our bedroom. For me personally, giving up the extra weight in personal belongings in exchange for the convenience and freedom of doing laundry whenever I want/need has been 100% worth it.
Clear Source
When we hit the road, we had absolutely no idea about filtration systems. All we knew is that there was a million options, all of which were pretty pricey, and that the research was overwhelming. So we stopped researching (I know, I know). We lived the bottled and jugged water life for almost an entire year until we couldn't take it anymore. We waited until we were around other full-time families again so we could compare what our friends had before making a decision. We chose to go with Clear Source and it was a game changer. It hooks up to your main water valve, so every water access coming into your rig gets filtered. No more brassy tint to my blonde hair, no more white clothing turning yellow, and NO MORE PLASTIC BOTTLES. We ordered ours here- https://amzn.to/4e68ejK
Air fryer
Since living on the road, we find that we eat out way less than we used to. This lifestyle isn't cheap and preparing meals at home helps save us money while on the road. We use our air fryer often, especially when we get home late from exploring and need a quick meal option. We love our Ninja and the extra options it provides within the same unit, but any air fryer will do. Our Ninja Foodie helped us free up space by allowing us to get rid of our crockpots. This is the one we have- https://amzn.to/478J4yp
Tankless water heater
Ours came standard in our RV, but if it hadn't, we would've upgraded in a heartbeat! We give up so much to live this lifestyle, and the comfort of a long shower is not something we were willing to part with. Our tankless water heater allows our family of four to take long, back-to-back showers with zero issues. Not only that but, as long as the campground has decent water pressure, we're able to do dishes and have the washer filling WHILE someone is showering with no issues. If hauling your family to the bathhouse for showers doesn't seem like your idea of fun, then this upgrade is a must.
Clothing organizer
I spent way too long trying to find a good way to organize the kids' clothes. Fabric bins just wasn't cutting it. The girls would "put" their clothes away and eventually the clothes would form a pile around and over the fabric bin and the bin would collapse into itself. It was a mess for the first six months that we started. After endless searching I ended up finding these organizers off of Amazon. They ended up being exactly what we needed! They're light weight, yet solid. My favorite thing about them is the fact that they fold down flat. So if, one day, I decide I don't need to use as many, I can fold them down and easily store them under our bed or in my closet. You can find them here- https://amzn.to/3Z3cFHL
Starlink
This is a hot topic in the RV world. Ultimately, everyone has different needs when it comes to how fast you need your internet to function. What works for one person, might not work well for you. For us, internet was priority. With Rick working remote and our girls being homeschooled, we knew we would need at least three devices to be connected at the same time. We decided to put Starlink to the test. Prior to RV life we lived in an old farmhouse on 20 acres in the middle of nowhere Michigan. Our property is a complete dead zone for internet options and cell service. When Starlink became available we decided to give it a shot and we figured if it would work at our property, then it should work mostly anywhere. It passed the test and exceeded our expectations! We've been all over the country, from Montana to Florida, and up the East coast all the way to Maine. We've only been in one situation where it didn't work great, but we were still able to use it. It is pricier than other options out there, but I would say it is the most dependable.
For most of us, deciding to take the road less traveled by moving into an RV and hitting the road is a major lifestyle change. Once our wheels started rolling, it took us a good six months to adjust and find our new groove. Sometimes, upgrading simple items can make life on the road just a little easier, especially in the beginning. What items have you upgraded that made your nomadic life easier? We'd love to hear!
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