If you’re looking to purchase a pop-up camper, or maybe you already have one, figuring out all the things you need for camping can be a tricky process.
Using your RV can be uncomfortable if you’re not efficient with your use of space in a small tent trailer. Some items can also be a real help to improve your control over warmth, food, and hygiene to stay happy in your camper.
Here are 31 pop up camper essentials you’ll want to bring along no matter where your travels and adventures take you!
1. RV Stabilizer Pad
Rocking around while in your pop up is not a fun time. It’s important to make sure you secure your camper with some stabilizer pads to keep the metal rods from sinking into soft ground, especially if the dirt is particularly loose. These jack pads also interlock to simple storage and are bright with the yellow color so you don’t leave them on the campsite.
2. Portable Toilet
Most tent trailers do not include a toilet. Typically only the premium top of the line pop-ups will include a bathroom. In this case, you’ll need a portable toilet for when you can’t make it to the campground bathroom in the middle of the night, or if you’re staying off-grid. These are easy to tuck away and store despite being in a tighter living space.
3. Mr. Heater Portable Buddy Heater
During winter months, it can get especially cold inside your pop up. Even with the canvas siding, these small portable buddy heaters can keep you very warm and toasty during the coldest weather.
Although, they do use propane so make sure to use them with caution!
4. RV Camping Mat
There’s nothing quite like a large camping mat to make your RV feel like home. A proper mat makes it much cleaner on your shoes walking in and around your camper. Not to mention, this one features UV coating to protect it from fading and sun damage.
5. Pop-Up Camper Tent Trailer Cover
If you plan to store your pop-up camper outside, you NEED an RV cover. Simple as that. The canvas material has a tough time holding up against the elements and mildew in the outdoors, despite when popped down with the hardshell. If you can store your pop up in a garage, you’re far better off doing that!
6. Camco T-Level
Keeping your pop-up level is crucial when setting up your camper. A T-Level attaches right to the side of your RV for sake of convenience compared to a traditional level. If you want to sleep well without feeling lopsided, this is a must.
7. Pop-Up Trash Can
It’s not just an understatement to mention how USEFUL this trash can is when camping. Managing your trash is something important to consider when camping that many people tend to overlook. A perfect pop up trash can companion to your pop up camper. This trash can folds away easy when packing.
8. Power Strip with Surge Protector
Whether it be a microwave, TV, laptop, phone charger, or any kind of electronic… you’ll want plenty of power outlets when in your camper. Many pop-ups are somewhat limited when it comes to power outlets so it’s a good idea to pack an additional power strip. This one also includes surge protection!
9. RV Sewer Hose Kit
If your RV includes a bathroom (few tent trailers do), you’ll want to make sure to have a proper sewer hose kit. This way, your waste management is tidy and easier to empty out when going to the dump station.
10. Drinking-Water Hose
For connecting your sink, a drinking water hose is quite the pop-up camper essential. You’ll need one of these in order to have running water into your camper.
12. Wheel Dock
In addition to the stabilizer pads, a wheel dock will help keep your trailer tongue stable and steady from sinking into soft ground.
13. Microfiber Towel
Staying dry is important to keep excess water from getting tracked around inside your pop-up. Use a microfiber towel, as it will dry much faster than a traditional cotton towel. This helps a whole lot when showering since they can dry in under 30 minutes.
14. Fruit Hammock
This one is an RV staple. You’ll find this all over Instagram with a number of other campers. This small fruit hammock is quite inexpensive and helps to hold a variety of produce. Anytime you want to save space and get things out of the cabinets, it’s a great spot to put it.
15. Outdoor Table
While camping with a pop-up with limited space, having an outdoor table can help out a lot. They work well for cooking, eating, board games, and even folding laundry. Then once you’re done, they fold right up for easy storage inside.
16. Hand Vacuum
Staying clean in your camper is something many people often forget to mention in their “pop-up camper essentials”. However, having a nice hand vacuum can really help to keep your living space neat and tidy. It will suck up all those crumbs and dirt you track in from outside all in a small and form factor design.
17. Solar Power Bank
If going off-grid, solar power can be essential for keeping your tech-powered up. These solar portable chargers with two USB ports can keep everything charged up and ready to go. With this, you’ll never have to worry about a dead battery again!
18. Cabinet Wire Garbage Holder
The pop-up garbage can is great for a large trash bag outside your camper, yet when inside, this cabinet wire garbage holder is perfect! All you need is a small bag to maintain your garbage storage.
19. Mini Dish Drainer Rack
To clean your cooking supplies, you’ll need a mini-dish draining rack. This can make maintaining dishes a lot easier by having a dedicated place for them to go once they’ve been washed in the sink.
20. Wheel Clock
Another stabilization tool, the wheel clock helps to keep your wheels from sliding around in loose ground or when you’re moving around inside the pop-up.
21. Cell Signal Booster
Many people who travel to campgrounds for longer stays need to have a strong cell signal to get work done (or watch movies). With a cell phone signal booster, you can ensure that you’ll have service when you need it. This one is designed for RVs, so it works when you’re on the move (in desolate areas) or stationary.
23. Hanging Organizer
To preserve space inside your pop-up camper, a hanging organizer is a must-have RV storage idea. You can place your shoes, clothes, phone, water bottles, or anything else you can think of inside the pouches.
24. Travel Organizer Cubes
The inside of your cabinets can get a bit “cluttered” to say the least when you’re putting together your camping gear. These travel cubes can help on the interior of the camper, and in your suitcase to separate out and organize clothing.
25. Spice Gripper Clips
Depending on how much you plan to cook while camping, a strong selection of spices are necessary. These gripper clips can help to organize and keep your spices from moving around if you keep them inside your pop-up on the road.
26. Instant Pot
Talking about cooking, an instant pot helps with limited cooking room in a pop up to be efficient with the appliances you use. The Instant Pot combines so many different cookers into one and is quite versatile. With it, you only have to carry around one pot that can handle so many types of recipes and foods.
27. Toothbrush Holder
Storing your bathroom gear can be somewhat difficult without too many drawers and places for it. With a toothbrush holder, you can have a dedicated location for your brushes to go. This helps to keep them clean and not get lost in the mix of your other camping gear.
28. Porta-Pak Holding Tank Deodorizer
After a few people go to the restroom on your portable/stationary RV toilet, the holding tank can build up a strong odor (even only going number one). To combat the smell, you can use a simple porta-pak deodorizer for a fresh and clean scent.
29. RV Toilet Paper
Contrary to what some may believe, you cannot use traditional toilet paper on an RV toilet. Instead, you need a special paper that dissolves inside the water. These aqua soft toilet tissues have worked great.
30. Dogbone Electrical Adapter
Depending on your electrical outlet, you may want to use an electrical adapter to prevent too much stress on the plug. The 90-degree angle helps to alleviate the extra weight on the end of the cable that attaches to your RV.
31. Canopy Side Wall
Privacy is a beautiful thing when out in nature. Depending on the layout of your campsite, you may want a canopy sidewall to avoid your morning view going right into your neighbor’s RV.
To Conclude
These pop-up camper essentials and must-have accessories for your popup have been sourced from a variety of campers to create the ultimate compiled list. This way, you get a diversified viewpoint of what you may need for your RV.
Hope this list helps you with your adventures and travels!