These RV products make life much easier – Photo via Amazon
10 Useful Products That Make RV Life Much Easier
There are two things that make me want to spend money on a new RV product: usefulness and versatility. There is no room for items that don’t get used on a regular basis, and the more reasons to lug around an item, the better.
We shopped around for new RV products and found some really useful items that should be in every rig. These must-haves will give you extra space where you need it the most.
1. A stovetop cover for extra counter space
Some RV kitchens come with a stovetop cover, while others could use the extra space. These hardwood covers fit over most 3 or 4-burner stoves and include a cutting mat to protect the finish. You can set them up in minutes by attaching their rubber feet to the grates.
When you want to use the stove, the covers can be removed just as easily. They can also help silence annoying stovetop rattles during transit.
2. An extending shower rod
Most RV showers could use more elbow room. These handy rods by Stromberg Carlson can extend out to give you more space while showering and be pushed back after you’re done.
The extra space keeps the curtain from billowing in and sticking to you while you’re trying to lather up. The shower rods also work great for air-drying laundry.
3. Hidden storage keepers
Install one of these Anything Keepers under your kitchen cabinets or tables for your everyday items. This could be your phone, keys, medicine, glasses, or even important receipts. A lot of RVers have also used these bins as charging stations for phones or tablets.
They’ll keep the items out of sight and from getting lost or cluttering up your counter space. Installation is quick and easy using the included screws or double-sided adhesive.
4. A portable trash bag holder
Portable trash bag holders are a lighter alternative to garbage bins. The Trash-Ease holders can be set up inside or out on kitchen counters, picnic tables, and more.
No tools are needed to set up the holders. Just slip the holder and a bag on a table near you and you can clean up wherever you go.
5. Tissue box holder
During allergy season, having quick and easy access to a box of tissues is much needed. These Pop-A-Tissue holders will help clear up counter space by moving the tissue box to an open space on your RV wall or cabinets.
You can set them up to dispense sideways or downward. The dispenser can be installed using the included screws or double-sided tape.
6. A portable washer
If your RV is without the luxury of its own washer/dryer, you may want to consider investing in a portable washer like the Wonderwash. You’ll save time on laundry trips, not to mention loads of quarters. Plus, you’ll never have dirty laundry piling up until you can find a laundry room or laundromat.
These non-electric units are powered by a hand crank and use less water than regular machines. You can read more about the washers & accompanying dryers in our previous article on Do It Yourself RV.
7. A multipurpose shoe tray
A boot/shoe tray can be used for all sorts of things around the home and RV. You can use them to store dirty or wet shoes or even to prevent gas or oil spills on the carpet.
They could also be used as a paint tray or for an indoor garden. Pet owners can also use the trays to set down a litter box or pet food/water that spills often.
8. Shelf bins
These shelf tracks with sliding bins will help organize your pantry storage in less than 20 minutes. They provide easy access to small items (like gum, toothpicks, or salt/pepper) that you don’t want to lose in the cupboards.
The sliding bins can also hold small containers of aluminum foil, plastic bags, and plastic wrap. They’re available online for only about $5.
9. Stackable cabinet organizers
Shelf organizers can also make a big difference in your cabinets. Use them to organize anything from pantry items to your cups and plates.
When you’re moving to a new RV, they can easily be folded down and removed. The organizers are available in a two-pack on Amazon.
RV life is easier with these organizers
10. A screen door handle
RV screen doors are notoriously flimsy and expensive if damaged. This handle will give the screen door more stability and also gives you something sturdy to hold on to while making it down the steps.
The bars extend from about 21 to 28 inches. They come with a mounting template and all screws needed for installation.
See also: 8 Insanely Easy RV Mods That Take Less Than An Hour
The screen door handle isn’t so strong to support your weight, so I would not try using it to support yourself going up and down the stairs. We have one, still a nice add-on, we actually use it to hang our kitchen towels, good ventilation so they dry alot faster.
Here are a few other up-grades that I have installed and are very pleased with.
1) why would a manufacturer be so cheap to put hand crank vents in such high ceilings? I replaced all 3 vents with fantastic power vents, thermostaticaly controlled, rain sensors, handheld remote. One of the most awesome upgrades I have made.
2) we added 2 little electric heaters (1) in the bedroom and (1) in the kitchen. Saves so much propane, takes very little space, small footprint, for the size 8x8x8 roughly keeps our 36′ 5th wheel toasty when it is in the 30 – 40 deg weather outside (along with our electric fireplace in the livingroom).
3) “Rev-a-shelf” makes these slide out shelves on bearings sliders in many different sizes. I installed 6 for storing food, (1) designed for our hide-a-way trash can. Wow, what an improvement, we now are able to see everything in every back corner. Nothing gets forgotten because you can’t find it.
– using soft close sliders, I also fabricated some flat shelves so I could easily slide our coffee maker and ice maker in and out of the cabinet for use while leaving them plugged in all the time. Before it was taking about 10 minutes to clean these 2 appliances away, now it takes less than 3 seconds.
4) “Dometic” slide-out awnings, even though I just installed 4 of them in Oct 2018, I have been very pleased. No longer hear rain on the roof of the slide-out, producing shade and protection of the slide-out and seals. Knowing so many mixed feelings about them, I have been thru 35 mph winds for 3 days with them so far while parked and haven’t had any distortions or damage yet.
5) we did install a washer and dryer. Only one thing to say, while there’s not that many choices, get a vented dryer and a separate washer. You will appreciate it much more than a washer / dryer single machine combo. We have had both and there is a big difference in the amount of time it takes to get the job done.
6) the last item I will add is our “power Air-Fryer Oven Elite” even though it is a much healthier wAy of cooking. It has many multi functions, fits easily on the counter, replaced alot of other kitchen appliances. Did I mention, that we no longer have a reason to use the built in oven. Atleast while plugged into shore power.
There are so many little things like velcro, power hooks, spice racks, plastic under counter drawers………….
Happy new year and safe travels.
Where did you find the screen door handle?
On a shorter note, I got one of the screen door handle things & LOVE it! Always in a hurry trying to keep dogs in & flies out, I slammed my **** fingers between the screen & the door twice, then bought the handle. Problem solved!!
Where did you purchase your electric heaters? Brand? Thank you.
The large square-shaped plastic containers that nuts, pretzels, etc., come in make wonderful little canisters or storage bins for the kitchen or bathroom. They have indentations on one side, which make them easy to pick up. They also keep the contents dry.
Great ideas, hopefully a newbie rver in the not too distant future 🇺🇸👍😍
We are moving in to the Airstream 31’ due to hurricane Ian. We have NO IDEA where to even start. My daughter is concerned I will not be able to climb into the lower bunk bed in the front. Showing me the plans she says it’s very difficult to get into. Anyone have any details? Also any other advice re living with two adults and two dogs – one a 80pd Rotty? Thanks
So, my awning was destroyed in a recent wind storm (my bad) and I can’t afford to get another one right now. Anyone have an idea for something close?
You could always just bring an e-z up canopy. They come in different sizes such as 10×10 or 12×12 or 12×14. They have their own bag and do not take up too much space. Could probably fit in your understorage compartment.
If awning was damaged by wind storm, claim it on your insurance. Ours was damaged & insurance replaced. Good ol USAA. Good luck.
My insurance replaced my awning twice…check with your agent…RV and Home Ins.
I made my own little bins for small items. Purchased plastic bins with slats on sides from dollar store. Used 2 Command hooks (one for each end) to hang them. Easy, quick and cheap.
I’m all about that big container of peanut M&M’s!!