Things You Don't Need for Your RV, but You Need if You're Living in Your RV

When we moved into our RV, we packed up all of our belongings into our truck and car, and sold the rest. We drove straight to pick up the RV and never looked back.

These are some things I think I need for full time RV life that you wouldn't need for a weekend camping trip in your RV. Not in any particular order, and goes without saying that none of the products mentioned are sponsored.

1. Noise-cancelling headphones

There's going to be times when you just don't want to hear the outside world, or the world 3 feet from you. You live in a small space and it just gets noisy quickly.

2. A dog

Dogs are to RV-ing as jam is to toast. You can eat just toast, but the jam sweetens the flavor.

3. Wifi

If you're on vacation, maybe you skip this one and enjoy the outdoors. But if you full time, you're going to want wifi. We have both a Verizon and an AT&T hotspot for wifi.

4. A printer

As a travel nurse, there's paperwork I need to print for the start of every assignment. It's easier for us to have our printer than to go somewhere every time I need something printed. We also have a paper shredder.

5. An ice maker

This is more of a luxury, but it is nice to have. My RV freezer doesn't have an icemaker. We tried reusable ice cubes, and to me they just don't cool a beverage. We used an ice tray, and it was fine, but the countertop ice maker is faster and easier.

6. Holiday decorations

If you're going to be in the camper year-round, you may want to keep a few small holiday items. It was hard for me to downsize my Christmas decor, but it can be done.

7. An InstaPot, specifically the InstaPot Duo

It's a pressure cooker and an air fryer in one. Anything that can be made can be made in an InstaPot Duo.

8. A trash can

For a weekend, you can get away with a grocery bag, but not forever.

9. Command hooks and strips

These are your best friend: place decor, organize things, hang things with hooks. Nothing has ever fallen down while driving for me.

10. Work out equipment

If you're on vacation, skip the workouts. But if you full time you will want something to keep you active! For me, it wasn't reasonable to think I'd be hiking and kayaking, etc for exercise all the time. We have a weighted vest, a few weights, exercise bands, and a yoga mat.