It’s been awhile since we have done a blog about products and gadgets we use. A lot has changed since we created our original lists of Favorite Gadgets, RV Essentials, Budget Items and Dog Essentials. Most of the things on those lists we still use but now that we are full time there are also some new items we started using and some other items we have considered purchasing that other RV’ers have recommended to us.
Since our previous posts are now a couple of years old and camping season is heating up it seems like a great time to do a blog with an updated list. In this blog we will list items we use or have used in the past as well as some items that are popular with other campers. If we do not use the product it will be noted to avoid any confusion.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Meaning, if you click on any of the links below and make a purchase we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We only recommend products that we currently use or have used in the past unless otherwise noted.
Weber Q Grill – This grill has been a staple of our camping/glamping lives for a few years now and it has never disappointed. It’s easy to use, cleans up easliy and stores perfecly in our basement storage. A camper can’t ask for anything more than this. We use the Q2200 but there are also smaller versions if you have limited space.
Pit Boss Portable Pellet Smoker – This smoker is a new addition to our family and we couldn’t be happier with it. We previously used a small charcoal smoker and decided to upgrade to a pellet smoker once we went full time. This smoker is compact so it stores better in our basement storage than our old drum smoker and having a bag of pellets is much better than storing bags of dirty charcoal and wood.
GCI Outdoor Kitchen – Another new addition to our outdoor experience is this excellent outdoor kitchen. We purchased this one because it was more sturdy than others we looked at and it has alot of counter space. This kitchen has a place for paper towels and you can add hooks for your utensils. FYI, we have noticed that more and more campgrounds are placing notices in sites that cooking items are not allowed on picnic tables so an outdoor kitchen is becoming a must have.
Outdoor Fire Pit (Wood Pellets) – We recently purchased this outdoor fire pit and it has been amazing. The air flow through the bottom limits the amount of smoke so you can enjoy the fire more. We opted for this one instead of a propane buring pit becuse we like the smell of a campfire as much as the experience itself.
Patio Mat – Every campsite needs a patio mat. We have been using this one for a few years and it still looks good. We recently upgraded to a larger size to get more coverage and ended up using both of them so now we are fully covered wherever we go.
Zero Gravity Chairs – What kind of chairs should we get is always a question I see asked in RV groups. The options are really endless but we personally love our zero gravity chairs. They are comfortable to sit in when thay are upright and they are amazing when layed back. The side table is great for holding drinks, cell phones and snacks. Perfect for camping or glamping.
Progressive EMS Surge Protector – If you are wondering if you need a surge protector the answer is YES. But don’t just buy any surge protector off the shelf based on price. With surge protectors you get what you pay for and the best way to protect your investment is with an EMS (Electrical Management System). What’s the difference? Glad you asked. An EMS will protect your RV not just from surges, Polarity problems and bad campground wiring but it will also protect your RV from Low/High voltage problems. A regular budget surge protector will NOT protect your RV from voltage problems and that could be bad news and an expensive lesson.
Water Pressure Regulator – Another must have item is an adjustable water pressure regulator. Adjustable is the key word here. Again, you get what you pay for and unfortunatly some people are excited that the dealer threw in a cheap “regulator” with their RV purchase. What they don’t tell you is those “regulators” are actually reducers that are manufacured at a fixed setting. They are pieces of junk and will not last which is why they give them away for free. Some campgrouds we have been to advise you to use a regulalator because they have very high pressure. Some campgrounds are not so nice and proactive towards their customers. Better to come prepaired and avoid potential disaster and most of all protect your investment.
Rhino Flex Sewer Hose – This item has been the one and only sewer hose we have ever used. It has been proven to be durrable and long lasting. The only issue we really had was the one we bought was short for some spaces but that was easily solved by buying an extension. Or you can just buy the 15 Ft. or two piece 20 Ft. hose to begin with.
Jayco Tire Pressure Gauge – There is nothing more important to your RV safety than making sure your tires are properly inflated. Tire blowouts are dangerous, scary and can destroy not just your RV but your family and the familes of other people on the road around you. Your RV tires should be checked before you get on the road every single time! Your safety and the safety of everyone around you depends on it. We have used this liquid filled guage for a few years now and woudn’t travel without it.
Blackstone Griddle – We are a grill and smoker family and have never purchased or used a blackstone. However, their popularity amongst campers is undeniable and therefor it must be included on any camping list. These griddles are versitile and come in a few styles and sizes. If you love cooking on a flat top this product is for you. Breakfast, lunch or dinner they are great products.
Telescoping Ladder – This item was one of our popular camping products and at the time I was considering purchasing it. Well we did purchase it and we are glad we did. It’s great to have a versitile ladder that also collapses to a size that can be stored in our basement storage. If I have one knock on it that would be that it might be too heavy for some people, but we use it regulary and its been a great addition.
Portable Firepit (Propane) – While we opted for the wood pellet burning firepit above there is no denying the popularity of propane firepits. They are more versitile than our wood pellet pit and can be used in more places because they are less of a fire hazard than wood. While we have not purchased or owned a propane firepit it has not stopped us from enjoying them a few times with friends in the campground.
Lucid Mattress Topper – I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, RV matteresses are absolutly terrible! Because of this we added a 4″ Lucid mattress topper to our bed and it has been amazing for a few years now. Our bed is comfortable and we sleep great.
Elevated Dog Bowls With Storage – Here is one for the dog lovers out there. We discovered this item a few years ago after I kept kicking our dogs water bowl as I walked by. We like it because It gives you an airtight place to store pet food and more importantly it elevates the food and water bowls off the ground.
There you have it, our updated list of RV camping and glamping favorites. Again for the sake of clarity we use all of these produsct with the exception of the Blackstone Griddle and Portable Propane Firepit as was noted in our description.
We hope you find something on this list that will enhance your camping experience or just make you a little safer on your journey. Enjoy your camping and glamping season!
Thank you for reading.
Joe
