Must-Haves for Camping (and Things That Were Just Nice to Have)

We’re still new to camper life — just a few trips in with our little RPod — and one thing has already become clear: you don’t really know what you need until you’ve gone without it.

Some things we bought ahead of time and nailed. Others we realized we desperately needed after the first couple of chaotic trips. And then there are the extras that aren’t essential but make life a whole lot nicer.

So here’s my honest list of camping gear — the must-haves, the “wish we’d bought sooner,” and the “not necessary but totally worth it.”

Must-Haves for Camping (a.k.a. Don’t Leave Without These)

35' Fresh Water Hose (but not too long). We thought we could get by with the standard hose. Nope. Sometimes the hookups aren’t close at all, and you don’t want to be stretching like a contortionist. This 35' hose has been the sweet spot.

Sewer Hose Kit Let’s be honest: dealing with the black tank is already the least glamorous part of camping. A reliable sewer hose kit makes it less of a nightmare.

Safety Chain Connector Not the flashiest purchase, but it’s peace of mind. This connector is small but mighty.

Hose & Electrical Organizers I don’t know why we didn’t grab these right when we bought the camper. Keeping hoses and cords wrangled with organizers like these saves space and sanity.

Over-Campfire Grate Sometimes cooking over an open fire just hits different. This grate makes it easy to cook without balancing pans on burning logs.

Nice-to-Haves (a.k.a. Worth the Space)

The Gazebo If I could only recommend one “extra,” it would be this. This gazebo pops up in seconds, can be screened in or blocked out, and creates an instant living room outside the camper. We used it for meals, for the dogs, and even turned it into a makeshift theater with a projector.

Bug ZappersBugs love camping as much as we do. We keep one inside the camper or side room and one in the gazebo.

Industrial AnchorsOur camper has a side room that attaches with hooks and suction cups — except the hooks never stay. These industrial anchors have actually worked.

Suitcase OrganizerPacking clothes straight into the camper closet is chaos. With this organizer, we pack at home, then just hang it up in the camper. Done.

Trunk OrganizerThis was my stroke of brilliance. I labeled each section for the things that go in and out every trip — food, dog items, CPAP, etc. This organizer folds down flat when not in use and keeps us from forgetting something essential.

What I Learned

The more we camp, the more I realize the “essentials” are about comfort and convenience. Some items keep the trip running smoothly, while others just keep us sane.

The best advice I can give?

• Don’t buy everything at once — figure out what you miss, then add as you go.

• Label things. You’ll thank yourself later.

• And for the love of camping, check your power hookup before you unload the entire camper. (Learned that one the hard way!)

We’re only a few trips in, and every outing teaches us something new. Trying is good, not trying is bad — even if that means a little trial and error along the way.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I’ve personally used or believe will add value to your camping adventures.