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Rolling Smart: The Ultimate RV Must Haves for Life on the Road

  • Writer: Fern's Big Adventure
    Fern's Big Adventure
  • Apr 8
  • 8 min read

Updated: 5 days ago



Living on the road sounds dreamy—and it is. But it also means space is sacred, the weather runs the show, and the little things can make or break your day. After thousands of miles, more than a few rookie mistakes, and countless “next time we’ll bring…” conversations, we’ve landed on the gear, tools, and tiny comforts that actually work.


Whether you're planning weekend escapes or going full-time, this list is built from lived experience, not just Pinterest boards. These are our real-deal, road-tested RV must haves—practical, comforting, and James-and-Bishop approved.


Smart Storage for Small Spaces


  • Storage Tent

    • When we’re parked for more than a week or two, our storage tent becomes our extra closet, attic, and garage all in one. It holds everything we don’t need inside the RV daily—especially resale inventory. When we hit the road again, we pack it all into bins and strap them on the roof. James is a master of the rooftop Tetris game. Pro tip: Make sure it’s a canvas tent. It needs to withstand the elements—we’ve lost more than one to heavy winds and bad weather. Our canvas tent has withstood the test of time.

  • Bins & Baskets

    • You can never have too many. We’ve got black and yellow stackable bins for long-term storage, and wire baskets for everything else—onions, socks, extra pantry goods, you name it. We’ve even hung baskets in our pantry and around our RV’s slide frames. It keeps clutter down and our sanity intact. We have a basket by the door for shoes, a bin for snacks, another for dog gear. It helps create zones in a small space. It also keeps everything from rattling around while driving.






  • Jars

    • I sang the praises of these in another post, but I’ll say it again: jars–especially Weck jars–are a pantry's best friend. They seal tightly, look beautiful, and reduce waste. But we don’t discriminate—pickle jars, jam jars, ghee jars… they all get cleaned and reused. We also use them for more than food—James keeps screws, nails, pins, and other odds and ends in them too. Basically, if it fits in a jar, it lives in a jar.



Weather Warriors


  • Humidifier

    • We spend part of our year in the desert and let me tell you—the dryness is real. I get itchy, Bishop gets itchy, and it’s just not cute. A small humidifier at night makes a massive difference for skin and sinuses.



  • Fans & Space Heaters

    • Our two small oscillating fans keep air moving without killing our solar reserves. And cold mornings = brutal. These tiny heaters are efficient and fast-acting. I love that ours come with a remote—I’ll turn it on from bed to preheat the room before I have to get up. Bonus: they have timers so we can fall asleep toasty without worrying.



  • Diesel Heater

    • A total game changer. It barely uses fuel, doesn’t tap into our solar setup, and keeps our space cozy—even when temps drop below freezing. We’re planning on adding a second one for the bedroom soon.


  • Electric Blanket

    • Consider me forever devoted. It turns our bed into a pre-heated cocoon, and Bishop would like me to mention that he fully approves. Perfect for those high-elevation nights when the temperature drops faster than we expected.


Power, Prep, & Peace of Mind


  • Trickle Charger & Jump Starter

    • Two items you do not want to be without. The trickle charger keeps our chassis battery topped up so we don’t get stuck in the middle of nowhere, and the jump starter has saved us (and others!) more than once. Don’t forget jumper cables, too. You’ll thank yourself later.


  • 12V Tire Pump & Pressure Gauge

    • Absolutely critical for safety. We check our tire pressure before every travel day and keep a small portable pump on hand to top off or fill flats on our car. If you have a Class A like us, you’ll want an air compressor or onboard air system to fill RV tires properly. And don’t forget a tire patch kit—just in case. Bonus: This little pump also inflates river tubes and floaties. Double win.

      • My pick: AstroAI Tire Inflator Portable Air Compressor * (Car)

      • My pick: ALL-TOP Air Compressor Kit * (RV)

      • My pick: GODESON Dual Head Tire Pressure Gauge *



  • DVD Storage Books

    • We don’t have Starlink, and we don’t care. Between thrifted DVDs and our organizer books, we’ve got hundreds of movies alphabetized and ready to go—perfect for off-grid nights or when we want something familiar.


  • Water Bladder & Water Jugs

    • An absolute essential for boondocking. We fill the bladder up and extend our off-grid time without stressing about water runs. Pair it with water jugs (which, honestly, we use more than the bladder—they’re the true workhorses), and you’re golden.

  • 3/4" Wrench

    • If your RV has slides, don’t leave home without this. We learned the hard way that sometimes the slides just don’t feel like working electrically—and when that happens, you’ll want a manual backup fast. This wrench has gotten us out of more than a few scrapes, and now it has a permanent home in our toolkit.

    • My pick: Egofine 3/4 inch Ratcheting Combination Wrench *


  • Extra Propane Tanks

    • Nothing ruins a cozy off-grid night faster than running out of propane. Whether it’s for cooking, heating, or that morning coffee ritual, we always carry an extra tank or two—especially when we’re boondocking way off the beaten path. It’s one of those things you don’t think about until you’re freezing in the mountains or halfway through dinner. Trust me—bring the backup.



Creative Use of Space


  • Bathroom Organizers

    • Clear bins in different sizes turned our medicine cabinet into a dream. No more rogue toothpaste bottles or avalanche situations when you open the door post-drive. Everything stays put, even while in motion.

  • Removable Shower Shelf

    • James built this genius system—our 12V freezer lives in the shower, and the shelf sits on top to hold other essentials. It’s easy to pop out when we need the shower back. Multifunctional space FTW.

  • Shelving in the RV Bays

    • James also installed shelves in the “basement” bays under the RV. Now we have a proper pantry for canned goods and gear. It’s no longer a chaotic game of stacking and digging.

  • 12 Volt/Propane Freezer

    • We meal prep ahead of travel days and love cooking, so the extra freezer space lets us stock up and avoid daily grocery trips. It’s a must-have for longer stints off-grid.

  • Adjustable Dumbbells

    • Outside is our gym, but for strength training, we love our adjustable dumbbells. They take up minimal space and live under our coffee table. Easy to access and store.



Cozy Comforts We’d Never Travel Without


  • Gravity Chairs

    • You’ll want to hang out outside and these are the quintessential chairs to have. They fold up, they’re super comfy, and you can go from coffee-sipping to mid-afternoon nap in seconds. When we want a slow morning, we sit in them while Bishop explores nearby—coffee in hand, toes in the dirt, happy hearts.

  • Propane Fire Pit

    • There will be nights when you can’t start a wood fire—whether you're in the desert or just out of wood. This little propane fire pit has given us some of our coziest evenings under the stars. No smoke in your face, no kindling needed, just a twist of a knob and instant ambiance.

  • Projector Setup

    • We don’t have a TV—our projector is mounted above the bed, and the window shade is our screen. It saves space, and the whole setup feels like a secret drive-in or the coziest sleepover fort. James added lights around the room to level up the vibe, and now every movie night feels special.

  • Yeti Coffee Cups

    • We brought our beloved ceramic mugs from home… which now hold chocolate milk or juice. But our real MVPs are the Yeti cups. We use them every single day. Morning coffee on a Bishop walk? Yeti. Coffee for the road? Yeti. I even accidentally threw mine at a rock trying to toss it to James (note: I’m not sporty), and it survived without a dent. They keep drinks hot, don’t spill, and are practically indestructible.



Bonus


  • A James

    • You’ll want one of these. He’s indispensable. From customizing our rig to building shelves on the fly, life on the road wouldn’t run nearly as smoothly—or be half as fun—without him. A lot of the clever fixes on this list? All him. Definitely get yourself a James. 😉



Our Road-Ready Reflection


RV life isn’t always glamorous, but it’s ours. These tools, tricks, and James-built fixes are what make our tiny home feel like a sanctuary—no matter where we’re parked. If you’re dreaming of life on the road, or just looking to make your setup smoother, I hope this list helps you find a little more freedom, too.


Got a favorite road-tested item I missed? Or a cozy must-have you swear by? Drop it in the comments or shoot me a message—we’re always learning, and we’d love to hear from you. ✨


Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them at no extra cost to you (indicated with a * ). I only recommend products that I truly believe in and use myself. Your support helps me continue creating helpful content—thank you! #ad

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