Is it possible to start the spring camping season without some new gear? Don’t ask us because we’ve never tried it! Welcome to our annual RV and camping gear guide. We have over a dozen great picks from our favorite RV supplies, cooking gear, apparel, pet camping accessories, and so much more to share with you.
We are joined by someone who happens to know a lot about all of these camping and RV accessories. Joshua Sheehan from RV Gear and Far is going to tell us about some of his favorite picks. Joshua considers himself a “total RV junkie,” and he shares his knowledge, hacks, and favorite gear on his YouTube page. Check it out to see him putting some of this gear in action!
Let’s hop in and take a look at some great gear to put on your spring RV stock-up list!
To listen to Jeremy and Joshua Sheehan talk about a bunch of cool, new RV accessories, click on the media player above. Or look for The RV Atlas wherever you find your favorite podcasts.
DeWalt 9 ft. Magnetic Pocket Tape Measure ($5.99)
Joshua’s Pick #1: The DeWalt 9-foot magnetic tape measure is one of those small items that comes in handy way more often than you would expect. This is great for checking clearance at the campground, measuring items in your interior, and more. It has a pocket clip, and the magnet is a cool feature. For around $6 bucks, it is an absolute bargain!
Blackstone Adventure Ready 14″ Camping Griddle with Side Burner ($140)
Jeremy’s Pick #1: We already know how much we here at The RV Atlas love our Blackstone griddles. This year, Blackstone is out with a new line of camping griddles–and these are specifically designed for camping. What makes them different from the Blackstone griddles you may already know and love? These are much more lightweight and easier to pack for your camping trips–and they are already getting a lot of buzz from tent campers and overlanders.
You’ll only find this new line at Walmart in the camping aisle. They have 14-inch model with side burner and a 20 inch model. These are different from the original Blackstones in a couple of ways. Instead of a cast iron top, these use Titanium Ceramic cooktop (not Teflon). Plus, they come with a latching hood that locks. t’s a quality griddle top you can carry like a briefcase, like the old-fashioned Coleman camping stoves.
Streamlight Microstream Flashlight ($19.99) and Leatherman Skeletool ($89.95)
Joshua’s Pick #2: Next up, we have two pieces of gear that Joshua calls his “everyday carry combo.” Grab a Streamlight Microstream flashlight and the Leatherman Skeletool CX, pop these two items in your pocket, and you are ready for almost anything!
Before you start carrying a flashlight, you might not realize how often you could use one. Joshua loves the Streamlight Microstream because it is rechargeable, and it’s only three-four inches, making it the perfect pocket size. The clip makes it easy to attach to a baseball camp, which comes in handy when you need to have your hands free. Plus, it has two light settings, allowing you to decide whether you want more light or a longer battery.
The Leatherman Skeletool CX is the perfect multitool. This is not your grandad’s pocket knife. It has a blade, pliers, a wire cutter, screwdrivers (with changeable bits), and more. It has the essentials for many quick repairs you might need to do in the RV. It’s small and lightweight in your pocket. Sure, a bigger, more robust one would have more functionality, but you being to lose the “pocketability.” Plus, the warranty is amazing.
LightRanger 1200 Telescoping Camping Light ($159)
Jeremy’s Pick #2: Looking for the perfect way to light up your campsite? Check out the LightRanger 1200 Telescoping Camping Light. This is not a flashlight. Instead, it is a high-powered LED lantern with a telescoping tripod. It is USB-C rechargeable, goes up to 1200 lumens, and telescopes up to nine feet in height. It’s perfect for lighting up your outdoor cooking area or your home grill.
The lantern has a ton of settings to make it dimmable and to direct the light where you need it most. Plus, there are additional accessories you can buy like filters and a motion sensor (who doesn’t love accessories?). Just don’t leave it on all night–your camping neighbors will not love you.
DIY Stabilizer Hack ($30)
Joshua’s Pick #3: Instead of being a piece of gear you can purchase, Joshua is bringing up a DIY solution to a problem we all have: stabilizers. He has tried many of the market items, and he prefers his DIY setup. Check out his directions here.
When propped properly in place, this will give your RV more stability than many of the stabilizers you can buy. You don’t have to be very handy to tackle this project.
Sonos Move 2 ($350)
Jeremy’s Pick #3: Now, let’s talk music. We know the Sonos Move 2 portable speaker comes at a premium price, so this might not be for everyone, but we hope something on this list is for you, even if this one isn’t. The most striking thing about the Sonos Move 2 is the sound quality. It will seriously impress you. Plus, Sonos has a reputation for quality, so this should last for years to come.
For the $350 price, you get a speaker, charging base, and detachable charging cable. You can get up to 24 hours of play on a single charge. It’s also water resistant. Skip using your RV’s crummy sound system, and grab a Sonos instead. You can easily carry it from your RV to your campfire and back again.
Micro-Aire EasyTouch RV Thermostat ($260)
Joshua’s Pick #4: What makes a thermostat worth $260? The Micro-Aire EasyTouch RV Thermostat will show you. First, it can operate both the heating and A/C without you having to switch modes, which make it perfect for those shoulder-season camping trips where you might have cold nights and warm days.
The thermostat is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatible, so you can operate it while you are away from the camper. This is especially helpful if you are camping with pets. You can set up alerts to get notified if the power goes out, which is critical if you have pets in an RV.
The Micro-Aire is easy to install and has a great system interface. While other temperature monitors exist for pets, they are limited because they only send you alerts, and you have no power to make any changes. The Micro-Aire gives you power from afar.
Wildsam Magazine
Jeremy’s Pick #4: The Wildsam website was recently purchased by Good Sam, the folks formerly behind some of our favorite RV magazines. We are sad to see some of those familiar favorites fold, but we have already fallen in love with the new Wildsam magazine that’s come out.
The Wildsam magazine is not just for RVers; it is for travelers of all kinds. Grab a copy at your local bookstore to check it out.
To hear many more details about all of these items from Jeremy and Joshua Sheehan, click on the media player above. Or look for The RV Atlas wherever you find your favorite podcasts.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (Prices Vary)
Joshua’s Pick #5: A tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is a must have for any RVer. Joshua is not loyal to any one brand, as there are several good ones that will absolutely get the job done, including TireMinder and TST. No matter which you choose, a good TPMS will monitor the air in your tires and alert you if problems occur.
Expect to pay a few hundred dollars for the system, depending on how many sensors you need and what features you want. This investment can pay off big time by helping prevent damage and accidents from blowouts and other tire problems.
Camco Rhino Extreme Sewer Hose Kit & Nesting Support Kit ($80/$56)
Jeremy’s Pick #5: Obviously, a sewer hose system is an essential piece of gear. We’ve tried several, and our current favorite is the Camco Rhino Extreme Sewer Hose Kit (20-foot) paired with the Camco Rhino Nesting Support Kit. This sewer hose is extra tough, so you don’t have to worry about springing a leak. The nesting supports are a lot easier to use than the accordion-style supports and they are more durable.
Frameo Digital Photo Frame (Prices Vary)
Joshua’s Pick #6: A digital photo frame makes for a fun way to take your memories on the road–or to relive those memories while at home. Frameo makes the software to add, share, and display digital photos, and you can find several companies that create various styles of frames, making it easy to find one that perfectly matches your decor and personality.
Don’t let your digital photos hide away on your devices! Get a digital frame.
Parks Project Peanuts x Parks Project Recycled Water Bottle and Sticker Pack ($40)
Jeremy’s Pick #6: Who doesn’t love Snoopy? We sure do! Whether you are buying for your kids or yourself, check out the Parks Project Peanuts x Parks Project collaboration. You can get all kinds of outdoor gear and kid-friendly items with fun outdoors-themed Snoopy graphics.
We have the Recycled Water Bottle and Sticker Pack. It features a glow-in-the-dark Nalgene water bottle and several stickers. The line also includes clothes, blankets, hats, and more. Also, if Snoopy isn’t your style, be sure to check out their Smoky Bear and Woodsy Owl gear.
Digital Infrared Thermometer
Joshua’s Pick #7: Like some of Joshua’s earlier recommendations, he’s not 100% loyal to a single brand more than he wants to emphasize the importance of having an infrared digital thermometer. He has had success with the Etekcity brand. Use this to check your wheels, hubs, and bearings while you stop for gas to make sure everything is operating as expected.
Maglite ML50LX with Rechargeable Battery & Mounting Bracket ($67)
Jeremy’s Pick #7: We can’t have an RV Atlas gear guide without a flashlight. The Maglite ML50LX is a great update on the traditional Maglite that you might already know and love. It is 466 lumens of LED light. The run times are amazing. Plus, you can add a rechargeable battery and mounting bracket for the perfect setup.
Camco Steerable Wheel Kit for the Rhino Tote Tank ($87)
Joshua’s Pick #8: If you’ve ever tried to navigate a campground with a full portable holding tank, then you’ll know why we love the Camco Steerable Wheel Kit for the Rhino Tote Tank. Use this to upgrade your 28- or 36-gallon tote with a steerable wheel (or buy a new tote tank with the steerable wheel). It makes the tank much so easy to maneuver!
Book: The Secret History of Bigfoot
Jeremy’s Pick #8: Are you a believer in Bigfoot? Whether or not you are, you may enjoy reading The Secret History of Bigfoot: Field Notes on a North American Monster by John O’Connor. This is not so much about Bigfoot as it is about the true believers who are determined to find proof of its existence, which makes for a fascinating read.
We have thoroughly enjoyed talking to Joshua Sheehan and picking his brain for his RV and camping gear recommendations! We hope you found some items to add to your shopping list as we all get pumped for the start of spring camping season.
