Here is my list I used which was collected from multiple posts on this site:
RV Assessory Checklist (items you need to buy, should buy,
or just some that are nice to have)
Extended warranty. Do not buy third party. Forest River sells a one year extended
warranty for $150.00 The dealer makes no money off of it and may not tell you
about it and try to sell you their version (which legally cannot be called a
warranty – it is an extended service plan).
You must act quickly, as offer expires ten days after purchase!. Call Forest River directly if dealer acts
ignorant. Dealer service plans are
generally expensive and most reviews are negative. Some dealers include a free unlimited
warranty. This is not a scam but may not
be a good deal. You have to bring you RV
back to dealer once a year for $150 inspection to keep warranty active. And then it does not really warranty the RV
(leaks, axle breaks) but rather the components (refrig, heater). Only worth buying at a dealer that includes
it if they do not charge more for the RV.
One dealer who was $3000 more than another said, “but the warranty is
free and that’s worth the $3000 difference!”
Brake controller
– Even if TV has towing package it probably lacks a break controller. Tekumsa P2 is highly rated but more
expensive. The less expensive the unit
the more it has to be in a fixed position (i.e. parallel to ground). It comes with wires to splice into TV however
most tow packages already have the female harness so only need to buy male
harness for your vehicle (around $18) then no searching for the correct wires
to splice into, and you can remove unit at will. An internet search for your TV will let you
know where to find the hitch. On our Jeep
Cherokee it was hidden away and we could not find it until we found a UTube
video demonstration.
Weight distribution
(WDH) and anti sway
-Equal-i-zer weight distribution
hitch 10,000 lbs $408 includes 4 pt
friction sway control.
-Blue OX is also highly rated. It prevents sway instead of correcting
it. It is $600 and easier to
connect. Get 350 lb tongue weight
version
Also popular is the Fastway E2 600
tongue weight model. It is cheapest of
the three
-There are numerous cheaper
options. But you may not be able to back
up and/or do not have anti sway, only weight distribution. Most people say anti-sway is required but WDH
is not necessary as larger tow vehicles can handle it well.
Other items
□ White
water hose (for drinking water only) 25’ Camco $9.97
□ Garden water
hose (for black water flush and all other washing)
□ Water
filter with right angle
□ Water
pressure regulator
Y
connector to attach two hoses to single water line
□ Oxy-Kem holding tank treatment. Turn off vent fan when going to the bathroom. Always wait until black tank is 2/3 full
before emptying
□ Sewer hose 2 x 10’ is better than
single 15 foot (Valterra D04-0275 newer version comes with clear elbow $50.50). Reported to have less leaks than Camco model
□ Sewer
elbow to connect to ground hole (comes with Valterra above)
□ Sewer elbow clear to connect to RV
to see when water is clean Valterra T1026
$11.50 (also comes with Valterra above)
□ Sewer
hose holder to keep hose slanted to ground Camco 43051 20’ $22.94
□ Disposable gloves for cleaning out
holding tanks (or strong rubber gloves to re-use and save the environment)
□ NCVT Fluke volt alert (looks like a
penlight)– standing on the ground touch the door frame or steps if there is
voltage leak it will light up preventing a shock. Do it when first setting up camp and
connecting electric. Not needed if you get surge protection (see below)
□ Tire
leveling plastic with chock for under tires
□ Plastic
pads for stabilizers (Do not use wood)
□ Lock for
trailer hitch to prevent someone from stealing your RV when left alone unhooked
□ Leveling guides. One type goes on
hitch and turns to tell you how many inches to raise RV. Other types stick to
side walls.
□ Propane
tank gauge. May need to get second tank
but try it first with one tank.
□ Bug and rodent screens – Spiders in
furnace, refrigerator and hot water heater can do damage. Need to get screens for all vents. Camco 42154 for Dometic refrigerator Pack of
6 vents $15.88. Camco 42141 furnace vent
screen 2 Pack $10.86. Camco 42145 Large screen for water heater $16.00
□ Lawn mat
(Do not use plastic grass – stays wet) use porous material made for RVing
□ Dust
broom with pan
□ Lanterns
and flashlight
□ Spare
fuses
□ BBQ Grill
– can get propane now that 2017.5 RV has
quick connector
□ Propane
hose extension 10 foot Camco $21.26 (not the standard size 3/8”). Will need a bunch of adapters to fit your
grill.
□ Sticky
mats to keep things on the counter
□ Wood
dowels to keep windows closed and locked – so they do not open during drives
□ Expandable
drapery rods to put in refrigerator to hold food in place
□ Oxygenics BodySpa RV shower kit – white (Model
ETL26781) Amazon $31.13. Sends water at
higher pressure thus using less water for a shower. Great product reviews, really works. Made for
RV
------------- OLD 2017.5 RPOD 180 + 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
NEW: 2018 Passport Elite 23RB + 2017 Ram 1500 Diesel
|