Your first time out as an RV owner can be a little bit scary. You’ve got a big new machine and although you’re excited for your first adventure, you’re also a little bit apprehensive about what you’ll face along the way. That’s why we’ve put together a first-time RV owner checklist to help ensure you have all the products and equipment you need to take care of your RV—even if you’re on the road.
The Basics: Your RV Owner Checklist
Let’s start with some basics. One good rule of thumb is to picture yourself taking a camping trip and combining it with the essentials you’d need for a long trip in your car. Combine the two and you’ll know what to bring with you as a first-time RV owner.
Here are a few suggestions for the basics:
- Toiletries. Including toilet paper and anything you need for your oral hygiene.
- Coffee. Mugs, a French press, even a coffee pot—whatever you need to be comfortable in the mornings.
- Pots & Dishes. Bring everything you need to prepare, serve, and clean up your meals.
- Household Basics. Aluminum foil, large plastic bags, garbage bags, and even paper towels can be handy around RVs.
- Tools. Wrenches, pliers, hammers, screwdrivers.
- Power Supply. Keep your devices charged, even if your RV goes out.
- Emergency Supplies. A radio with an independent power source, medical and first aid kit, non-perishable food.
These essential items are great for handling yourself when you’re out with your RV. But what about handling the RV?
Cleaning and Sealing Supplies
Keeping your RV clean and sealed on a regular basis can seem like a tall task—but if you have the right equipment and the right products, you can travel anywhere with your RV in full confidence. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Suds Gallon. This all-purpose RV cleaner is great for general RV cleaning, especially with its environmentally-safe, non-phosphate formula.
- VinyLIFE. Both cleaning and protecting your vinyl is important, especially the more you
use your RV. The easy spray-on applicator here makes for quick clean-up both before and after long trips. - Fiberglass Rubbing Compound. Because fiberglass can be a little finnicky to work with, it’s essential to have a product at hand that is specially formulated to deal with your RV exterior.
- RV sealant. Which one is best? That depends entirely on your RV. On our RV sealant page, you’ll find silicone/polyurethane and polysulfide solvents in a range of colors. Match both the material and the color to your RV for the best results.
- The Stick. An even seal is critical—but you don’t want to dirty up any of the equipment you might need for something else. The Stick is a cheap way to ensure you have a smooth bead of sealant every time.
Happy RVing!
We hope this first time RV owner checklist is helpful! With these supplies, cleaners and sealants on hand, there should be nothing stopping you from enjoying the full range of what your RV has to offer. But don’t forget to browse the rest of our RV products to find everything you need to maintain, restore and clean a healthy RV.