The New RV Owner Checklist

Security & safety

• Locking fuel door (The RV Fuel Vault)

  Most motorhomes, 5th wheels & trailers with onboard fuel portsMost overlooked

  RV chassis ship with a bare, unlocked fuel cap. The RV Fuel Vault bolts a keyed, impact-resistant door over the whole fill so it cannot be siphoned, contaminated or tampered with. 8–15 minute install, made in the USA, from $159.95. Fits most motorhomes, 5th wheels and trailers with onboard fuel ports.

  Check fit and price

• Fire extinguishers

  All RVs

  At least one in the kitchen area and one near the exit; check the gauge every trip.

• Smoke, CO and LP detectors

  All RVs

  Test them and check the date on a used RV. Replace any past their service life.

• Hitch pin lock and coupler or king-pin lock

  Towables

  Keeps a parked trailer from being hooked up and towed away.

• Wheel chocks

  All RVs

  Every stop, every time, before unhitching or leveling.

• First aid kit and road flares or triangles

  All RVs

  Roadside basics for a long vehicle.

Power

• Surge protector or EMS

  All RVs

  Protects the RV from bad campground pedestals, miswiring and voltage swings.

• 30A/50A adapters (dogbones)

  All RVs

  Lets you plug into whatever the site has.

• Battery monitor or charger

  All RVs

  House batteries fail early when they are left discharged in storage.

Water & sewer

• Drinking-water hose

  All RVs

  White or blue potable hose only; never use a garden hose.

• Water pressure regulator and inline filter

  All RVs

  High park pressure can burst RV plumbing; the filter catches sediment.

• Sewer hose kit, support and gloves

  All RVs

  Buy a quality hose with fittings; keep disposable gloves with it.

• RV toilet paper and tank treatment

  All RVs

  Prevents clogs and odor in the black tank.

Leveling & tires

• Leveling blocks and stabilizer pads

  All RVs

  For unlevel sites and soft ground under jacks.

• Tire pressure monitor (TPMS)

  All RVs

  Catches a slow leak before it becomes a blowout.

• Tire gauge and tire covers

  All RVs

  Check pressure cold; covers slow UV damage while parked.

• Brake controller

  Towables

  Required to tow most trailers safely and legally.

Driving

• Backup or rear-view camera

  All RVs

  If one was not fitted from the factory.

• RV-safe GPS or app

  All RVs

  Routes around low bridges and weight limits.

• Roadside assistance that covers RVs

  All RVs

  Standard car plans often will not tow a motorhome or trailer.

Bought a used RV? Check these first

Tire date codes (replace tires older than about 6 years regardless of tread), roof and window seals, detector dates, batteries, and the fuel fill. Sun and road salt crack the factory fuel bezel, and many used coaches have a cap door that no longer latches. A replacement bezel starts at $59.95, and The RV Fuel Vault bolts over it.

Common questions