travel trailer modifications pictures

The Wandering RV

27 rv upgrades & mods you have to see (plus how-to guides).

• Bill Widmer
• Updated: June 27, 2023

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So you’ve got your RV and you’re ready to upgrade it with all the cool mods and hacks?

You’re in luck! We’ve found 27 fun ideas to mod and upgrade both the interior and exterior of your RV for storage , entertainment, looks, and more.

Plus, we have step-by-step guides so you can DIY any cool RV hacks you want!

Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

1. get a new rv mattress, 2. ditch the carpet, 3. solar power, 4. wireless rv backup camera, 5. let there be light… under the bed, 6. counter extensions, 7. chalkboard fridge door, 8. new storage bay locks, 9. switch out your lights, 10. bulk up your inverter, 11. increase your battery capacity, 12. digital thermostat, 13. diy towel rack, 14. shoe storage, 15. replace your shower (and faucet) heads, 16. pull out garbage can, 17. bumper mount, 18. unlimited wifi, 19. better stabilization, 20. new and improved shelving, 21. shampoo and conditioner holder, 22. create the perfect workspace, 23. under-the-counter spice rack, 24. upgrade your sewer system, 25. rvskampcan (a must have), 26. upgraded vent fans, 27. headphone jacks for your tv, the dyrt camping app.

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27 RV Upgrades Too Good to Pass Up

Here are the killer RV upgrades we found:

Custom RV Mattress

• 3 choices: Value, Premium or Dual Zone Adjustable
• Fits Any RV
• Far More Comfortable Than Traditional RV Matresses!

Time to complete:  Less than 10 minutes

Difficulty:  Easy

Cost:  $199-$496+

If you’ve spent any amount of time in an RV, you know the mattresses they come with… kinda suck.

Luckily, there are custom RV mattress companies like Mattress Insider ! They can build you a mattress to match any RV, camper, or travel trailer. And they have three options:

• A value mattress (still way better than the one your RV came with).
• A premium memory foam mattress.
• A luxury mattress.

Time to complete: 2+ hours (depending on how big your RV is)

Difficulty: Hard

Cost: About $2-$5 per square foot

Whether you buy a new or used RV, the first thing I’d suggest is to ditch the carpet. Laminate floors are easier to clean and, in my opinion, they look much better.

Think about where you’ll be traveling to. The mountains? The beach? Wherever you go, chances are you’ll end up bringing dirt (or sand) into your RV. These particles can get trapped underneath your carpet and can be a royal pain to get out.

Our friends over at the Fun Times Guide share how to remove RV carpet correctly.

Time to complete: Less than 2 hours

Difficulty: Medium

Cost: $500+

If you’re a huge fan of boondocking (or are interested in trying it), I’d recommend getting a few solar panels for the roof of your RV.

Not only will these solar panels charge your RV battery while boondocking, they derive clean energy from the sun which ends up reducing our dependence on fossil fuel.

Time to complete: Less than 10 minutes

Cost: $50-$400 (Depending on quality and number of cameras)

Want to view some of the best RV backup cameras in 2021?

Click Here!

Backing into a campground site is a pain in the butt. Hell, backing up anywhere in an RV is a pain! (Don’t even get me started on fifth wheels.)

While a rear view camera may be a bit pricey, it’s definitely a must-have RV product for those who feel a bit uneasy backing into tight corners.

There are tons of rear view cameras you could purchase, but here’s the best-rated camera on Amazon .

Difficulty: Easy

Cost: About $10+

In most RVs, the master bed lifts up and has extra storage space – score!

However… there aren’t any light bulbs under the bed (because, why the heck would there be, right?).

Installing a light (or a row of LED string lights ) will help you navigate your way around when it’s a bit darker outside. Especially if you have a toy hauler and like to take your toys out at night.

You can also install some nice colored lights under your awning to give you some better lighting at night (or throw the coolest RV happy hour in the campground).

Time to complete: 20-30 minutes

One of my biggest gripes when it comes to RVs is the lack of counter space in the kitchen. I love to cook (I even made a cooking blog to share my recipes with the world).

Some fifth wheels have an island which gives you more space to prepare and cook your food, but Class As, Bs, and Cs have barely any extra room. Which is why counter extensions are a great buy.

These counter extensions have an oak accent which will work beautifully if your counter tops also have an oak finish – however, you can purchase plain counter tops to blend in with any design you currently have.

Time to complete: About 2 hours

One of the first things Bill and I did when we bought our RV was use chalk paint on one of our RV fridge doors.

It came in handy when we were packing up the campsite, going for groceries, and when we just needed to write something down.

We used this type of chalkboard paint , but there are plenty of options out there if you’d like to look around! 🙂

Quick RV Tip: Chalkboard paint makes an awesome addition to your RV. However, if you find that the dust from the chalk bothers you too much, there are ways to get rid of it! Check out this article by Sandpaper and Glue for more information!

Related Post — 100 Best Camping Gear to Conquer the Wilderness

Time to complete: Less than 20 minutes

Cost: $20+ depending on the lock you choose

Believe it or not but your storage bins might be open to the general public…

…at least, open to people who have the same RV key as you. If you have a key marked “CH751” your storage bay units can be opened by basically anyone who has the same key!

Our friends at Motor Homes 2 Go wrote an article explaining how to properly change out your current lock with a safer alternative.

Here’s an example of what you’d want to get to differentiate your lock from the rest!

This is especially important if you live in your RV and plan on staying at lots of campgrounds across the US.

LED light bulbs consume up to 90% less power than incandescent bulbs and have up to a 22-year life span.

They’re also eco-friendly, 100% recyclable, are able to be dimmed, and produce little infrared light.

If I were you (and didn’t have LED lights already), I’d get some LED lights today .

Time to complete: About an hour

Cost: $100+

Like the solar panels, this is another must-have for those interested in boondocking or dry camping. Bulking up your RV or travel trailer inverter will allow you to store more electricity for longer periods of time.

Take a look at this video to get a better understanding of how to upgrade your new inverter :

Time to complete: Depends on how many batteries you decide to get!

Difficulty: Medium-Hard

Cost: $115+

While most RVs come with two heavy duty batteries, some people need more (I’m talking to you, boondockers).

It’s pretty self-explanatory as to why you’d want multiple batteries while traveling – you don’t want to run out of electricity!

Plus, it doesn’t hurt to have backup batteries, right?

These batteries are awesome to have and are definitely worth the price. If you need help installing them, check out this guide .

Quick RV Tip: Even if you don’t want to bulk up your battery life – we recommend purchasing at least one (if not two) spare batteries before hitting the road. You never know when you’ll need it!

Related Post — Types of Campers: Which RV is Right for You?

A digital thermostat is able to give you more power (and more precise) temperature control in your RV.

Unless you buy a brand spanking new RV with an updated thermostat, you’ll probably have a rinky-dink one that isn’t always accurate on the exact temperature.

While there are plenty of thermostats to choose from, we recommend this one .

Time to complete: Less than 5 minutes

You may have seen this one in our RV accessories post – but it’s one that we couldn’t leave out here.

Apart from the kitchen counter flaw, RV manufacturers never seem to put in enough towel racks in the bathroom!

I’m not complaining though. Towel holders are incredibly easy to install and are super cheap. Some towel holders simply hang over the door!

There are tons you can choose from, but Bill and I went with this particular one .  

Time to complete: 10 minutes

Guys… this is a game changer. Do you know how many times Bill and I have tripped over each other’s shoes? Not anymore!

The installation for this shoe rack was stupid easy too.

We purchased a small coat rack and hung our shoes up onto it! We totally recommend this for RVers who have tons of shoes (especially anyone who has children that leave their shoes laying around).

Time to complete: Less than 1 hour

I don’t know about you, but I love taking long showers. The warm water is great but the water pressure is what makes me stay in.

RV shower heads are pretty terrible. The water pressure is dull and, in our case, there was only one setting to choose from.

What does that mean? Upgrade! This shower head worked perfectly for us – but there are plenty to choose from!

Finding a good spot to put your garbage can in your RV can be a major pain in the butt. However, this under-the-counter mod is easy to install and will come in handy whether you’re on or off the road!

Trust me… you don’t want to be that person who forgets their full garbage is still out in your kitchen as you’re cruising down the highway…

This pull out garbage can is what we use now and we love it!

(You can also install bungee cords to hold your trash can in place if you don’t have the shelf space for the pull out can, like we explain in our RV organization guide .)

If you’re not towing a car behind your RV, a bumper mount may be the best thing for you.

These are perfect to store extra totes, bikes, even kayaks!

This bumper mount is one of the best and holds up to 600 lbs. We definitely recommend picking one up for yourself – you never know when you might need it!

Roadlink Unlimited RV Wi-Fi

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• Easy to Install

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Unlimited WiFi was a must for Bill and I because we work from our laptops, and picking up internet on the road is very difficult without having your own built in.

Not only can you get unlimited data when you buy a Togo Roadlink , but you also get your own connection – meaning you don’t have to worry about people stealing your information from public WiFi!

They’re pretty easy to install, but if you’re not comfortable with it, most RV dealerships will do it for you for a small fee.

Time to complete: Between 10-20 minutes

Cost: About $40+

Sometimes, you need a bit more stabilization than you’re given. Especially on days when you’re trying to sleep in and your partner is doing jumping jacks in the living room because it’s raining outside… (Looking at you, Bill!)

Luckily, you’re able to find stabilization rods that are easy to install on Amazon. These are well worth the money (and if you’re a light sleeper, I definitely recommend them).

These exact stabilizers can be purchased here .

Time to complete: Between 5-10 minutes

Cost: Depending on how man you purchase, $20+

Raise your hand if you’ve struggled to find room to store dishes, food, and other necessities in your RV cabinets.

Us too. It used to be a daily struggle! One day, Bill and I decided to add in a few extra shelves and voila! We had more room to work with.

This mod may be small but it’s definitely significant!

We’d suggest getting wire shelves – they’re easy as pie to install. You can also use them in your bathroom cabinets to hold towels and other small things.

Related Post — Private: 100+ RV Storage Ideas For Ultimate RV Organization

Time to complete: Between 20-30 minutes

This shampoo and conditioner holder is truly a game changer. Bill and I weren’t super lucky in the bathroom department (there just wasn’t enough space for our stuff!).

We did, however, have one of these dispensers. For that we were super thankful. They’re easy to fill, clean, and save a lot of room!

You can get one pretty cheap too! This one in particular comes with four dispensers and doesn’t break the bank!

Time to complete: About a day or more

Cost: In total over $100+

Our friends over at RV Love have the right idea! If you happen to buy an RV with bunk beds but don’t have children (or have any use for them in general) you could convert the space into a personal office!

This RV mod came from our friends over at Lumber Jocks and we’re so in love with it. Can you imagine how nice it would be to free up some counter space with this mod?

Hell, it would even save space in cabinets! A lot of RVers we’ve met hide their spice rack in their cabinets, but that doesn’t leave much room for pots and pans!

Time to complete: About a day (maybe longer)

Our friends at Love Your RV have some genius ideas when it comes to RV mods. This one , in particular, is something that we feel every RVer should do.

Dealing with a sewer system is one of the nastiest jobs you’ll face when RVing (in my personal opinion) and I think the sewer hose is a pain in the butt to deal with.

With this mod, however, Ray teaches RVers how to better handle this dirty job.

Time to complete: 1-2 hours

It’s no surprise that our RV floors collect more dirt than we’d like them to. Thanks to this awesome company, we can now install a dustpan into our floor !

It’s fairly easy to install and you’re able to empty it at any time!

Cost: $150-$200

RV vent fans can become worn, and many of the stock fans suck to begin with. These Fan-Tastic roof fans are quick and easy to install and super powerful.

Here’s a how-to video by our friends at RV With Tito :

If you’ve ever wished you could use headphones to watch your trailer’s TV, this is the RV upgrade for you.

Our friends at Love Your RV installed a custom headphone jack that runs in the wall, all the way from their TV to the back of their rig. Pretty cool!

You just need an extension cable , some simple tools, and a bit of patience.

And that brings us to the end of our RV mods and upgrades!

These RV upgrades will help you with everything from extra storage space to creating a solar powered rig ready for the wilderness! Some are quick and easy, others require some (OK, a lot) of patience.

If you’re hankering for more ways to improve your RV lifestyle , check out this big list of 40 must-have RV products shared by 30 RV lifestyle experts . They’ve got everything from kitchen goodies to blue ox towing gear, electronics, and more!

Over to you: Leave a comment down below and share your own RV tips and tricks! Are you going to implement some of the ones we’ve shared?

Happy RVing 🙂

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Outdoor Fact

31 Cool Ways to Upgrade Your RV – Every RVer Should Know

Over time, RV upgrades have become a hobby of the campers. They look for new, unique ideas to revamp the exterior and interior of the vehicle and improve their lifestyle along the way. The truth is, there’s always room for improvement no matter even if you have a brand-new, top-of-the-line rig. Just keep in mind that motorhome upgrades don’t mean that they have to be something over-the-top. Simple redecorations and enhancements can also make big impacts. In this article, we – Outdoor Fact – will show you the best ideas for RV upgrades.

31 Best Ideas for RV Upgrades and Modifications

Here are some of the most popular and best RV upgrade ideas . These modifications are surprisingly easy to implement but they dramatically improve the quality of your camping life. Consider these RV upgrades if you want to enjoy a more comfortable, functional, and convenient life in your camper.

See this expansive list of coolest RV mods and upgrades collected by recommendation and feedback from 1,000+ RV owners across the globe.

1. Invest in a Quality Shower Head

A long shower is what every RVer expect after a long day on the road. But, t he standard shower heads come with the RVs are nothing special. They just don’t release the water at the right pressure that can give you comfort and relaxation at the end of a long day on the road.

The built-in faucets also tend to be crappy. Replace them with shiny new fixtures and try to choose a low-flow shower head and pull-out sink faucets. A quality shower head will feel good at both high and low water pressures.

2. Install Solar Panels

If you are someone who finds excitement in traveling off-grid or loves boondocking, solar panels and batteries are something to spend your money on. The cost of solar systems is dropping every year.  By incorporating solar power into your own RV, you could easily cut down the utility expense and reduce the dependence on fossil fuel as well.

You don’t have to pay the electricity bills when you have your own solar set-up. It will also save you from the smoke and noise of the generators in remote places.  For boondocking fans, solar power is highly recommended as one of the killer RV upgrades

3. Extra Battery Capacity

It’s one of the RV upgrades that you will need when you don’t stay much in the traditional campgrounds with electric hook-ups, the batteries come with the RV won’t be enough. Installing more batteries means you can store more power generated by the solar panels. As a result, you don’t have to turn on the generator except for emergencies.

Also, choose to upgrade the battery system to a lithium-ion unit. It is expensive but it functions better, has a longer lifespan, and requires less maintenance.

4. Update the Storage Options

Well, it involves a dozen different upgrades since an RV has limited space. Keeping everything in place and organized will help you to keep your sanity and make your house on wheels feel like a home. These simple hacks will help you increase the storage capacity:

• Install a towel rack behind the bathroom door, so you won’t need an extra furniture piece. Such racks are available at retail stores like Ikea, Camping World, and others.
• It’s hard to keep cups and glasses stationary when the RV is moving. You may also have to deal with frequent spillage accidents. Purchase a couple of cup holders and install them in the kitchen and newt to your bed to enjoy a spill-free life.
• How do you feel searching the entire camper for your shoes? Even if you keep them in a specific place, it will soon become a pile of shoes. Either create a simple show rack with some pieces of wooden planks or craft a fabric show storage that features several pockets.
• Several compartments of huge cabinets or cupboards are often left unused. You can utilize them by installing wire shelves inside them and storing clothes, kitchen accessories, and plastic dishes there.

>> Read more:  10 Best RV Gadgets You Should Equip  <<

5. Digital TV Signal Booster

Modern-day RV upgrades depend much on electronics, which is not a bad thing if you invest in the correct product. A TV signal booster makes sense if you have a vested interest in a great entrainment system. If you’re addicted to television shows or sport events, a satellite dish or signal booster is a must-have item for your RV!

A signal booster will work like magic in streaming more TV stations. Many RVs have options for installing antennas, helping you to catch up mobile television service. A signal booster will also won’t let you miss your favorite show even if you are in a remote area.

6. Hard-Wired Surge Protector

You think that there is no need of installing surge protections since your camper has standard electric outlets. However, it’s one of the necessary RV upgrades since those outlets won’t protect your electronics in the event of a power surge.

Hard-wire surge protector into your RV so that all the appliances are safe even when there is surge or ebb of power in the electric line. It is a slightly costly update but it is certainly cheaper than replacing all the appliances.

7. Roof Vent Fan

You won’t be able to imagine the multiple benefits a vent fan can offer. It will release the hot air outside and keep the interior during the summertime and remove excess moisture from a humid surrounding.

In addition, the fans are excellent for removing the musty smell and cooking odor. There are plenty of styles available and you can choose one with built-in automatic rain sensor or a remote control.

8. Mount a New TV

If you have the habit of hitting the road for long trips, you should spend some money for a standard entertainment system. A quality speaker, headphone, and a mind-blowing selection of songs are the must-have. However, you should purchase an RV TV too, especially when you can’t think of missing a match of your favorite football team or the latest episode of Westworld.

9. Bulk Up Your Inverter

The RV inverter is another necessary electronics for those who like to do dry camping a lot. It converts the power (12 volts) from the batteries into 120 volts, making it ready to power up the everyday appliances and electronics such as hair dryer, toaster, coffee maker, and more.

With this RV upgrade, you are able to store more electricity for extended periods of time. However, since the difficulty level is high, it should take one hour to complete assuming that you have the skills.  In the case you lack confidence in your ability, it would be wise to ask someone to take care of the upgrade in your stead.

10. Digital Thermostat

Most RV models come with a manual slider control thermostat, which is good but won’t come close to the precision of a digital thermostat. Replace the built-in one with a digital version if you want to have an accurate temperature control.

If you own a somewhat outdated recreational vehicle, it’s highly likely that you have to deal with old thermostats that fail to show the exact temperature in the interior. Want to have more power in regulating the interior temperature? Then you definitely have to secure an RV digital thermostat because it’s one of the few RV upgrades that let you control the degrees inside your vehicle. with reasonable accuracies. Buy one here !

11. Ditch The Carpet

As you travel in your RV, dirt shall make their way into the interior of the vehicle which much would be trapped by the carpet. Needless to say, it’s tedious to get all of the particles out of the fabric so you should throw the carper into the trashcan and save yourself a headache.

Additionally, the bare laminate floors of the RV look nice. In most of the case, it’s possible to completely remove the carpet from the floor within hours, depending on the layout of your RV.    

12. Wireless RV Backup Camera

Considering the size of modern-day recreational vehicles, backing up into certain locations prove to be quite a difficult maneuver. It only takes a minor mistake for collisions to take place and after that is obviously an expensive repair bill. But with an RV rear view camera that provides clear vision, you should have no trouble backing up at short notice.

Of course, such an accessory is pricey but it’s among the must-have travel trailer upgrades for people that feel slightly uneasy maneuvering their recreational vehicle in tight spots.

13. Let There Be Light… Under the Bed

To give more space for RVers to store stuff, the master bed of most RV could be lifted up to reveal a convenient storage compartment. That compartment normally lacks illumination which is quite understandable: who want to put light bulbs right under the bed anyway? Nonetheless, in the case you store many tools under the bed, it’s a good idea to install lighting fixtures down there to aid identification.

Multiple RVers like to hang rows of LED light that lit up surrounding space and consume a bit of energy.

14. Counter Extensions

Space is a luxury in usual recreation vehicles and the kitchen is not an exception.  While high-class fifth wheel might offer you some room on the counter, others types have nothing that worth mentioning. That is why if you talk about RV upgrades , you have to include counter extensions.

As the name suggests, these extensions let you prepare meals conveniently and comfortably thanks to the counter room they give. After you are done cooking, the extension could be folded so they don’t get in the way at all.  

15. Chalkboard Fridge Door

You often find yourself having to take note of important issues but unable to locate papers and pens in time? Then you must think about getting a chalkboard fridge door in the near future as it’s one of the RV upgrades that could tackle your trouble effectively and efficiently. Once you have to write something, you just have to go over to the fridge door and jot that down. Use this chalk paint !

The chalks might generate too much dust for the taste of some RVers so keep that in mind as well.   

16. New Storage Bay Locks

Surprisingly, the storage bin of your recreational vehicle is not exactly secured since people that own the same key as you could access its content. Because of that, replacing the lock is amidst the essential RV upgrades for people that care about their luggage while traveling from campground to campground.

Fortunately, it’s generally a breeze to get a new lock for your storage bin and the straightforward installation means you could finish everything in less than half an hour.

• You may also like: 40+ Brilliant RV Storage Ideas and Solutions To Make Your RV Tidy

17. Switch Out Your Lights

Compared to incandescent bulbs that the majority of RV manufacturers use, LED lights consume less energies and have longer lifetimes. Therefore, in the case you want to optimize the confirmation of your RV, one of the first RV modifications you should do is to replace all the incandescent bulbs on your RV using LED lights.

18. DIY Towel Rack

In addition to the lack of internal space, recreational vehicles also don’t have enough racks around for the towels. Luckily, you would be able to address that issue in just a blink of an eye by mounting additional racks. It’s unnecessary to buy actual racks as you could fabricate some from damaged furniture that you no longer use. As a result, if you want to try out some RV upgrades DIY, here is a good one for you.

19. Shoe Storage

Keep tripping over the shoes? Then how about setting up a compact shoe rack to organize the footwear of everyone? Drop by the store, get yourself a compact coat rack and hung shoes onto it. For people that have tons of shoes to take care of, the rack is one the most helpful RV upgrade ideas these kinds of days.

RVers with kids would also love the rack if their children leave footwear scattered over the interior of the vehicle.

20. Pull Out Garbage Can

You could barely find enough space on your recreational vehicle for the essentials so determining a spot for the trash might be a major headache.  Luckily, with a pull out garbage can onboard, you should be able to safely store the trash for later disposal.

The can is one of the amazing RV modifications that offer a lot of values in exchange for negligible investments. You could secure the can in place using bungee cords if you lack shelf space.

21. New Mattress (and Sheets)

It’s impossible to have good night sleeps if you feel uncomfortable on the bed. As we all know, you would not be able to regain energy for a new day if you are unable to sleep well at night. In the case you have trouble sleeping with the original mattress (most of us have!), getting a new mattress plus sheets is among the RV upgrades you must do as soon as possible to guarantee the comfort during the trips.

This  Serenia Sleep mattress won’t let you down! Here RV experts from RV Talk also compiled a list of best selling RV mattresses for your consideration. Make sure to read our list before buying one!

22. Bumper Mount

So you don’t intend to tow cars, trailers and so on behind your RV? Then it’s widely advised that you install a bumper mount on the rear of your vehicle to store stuff. Bike, kayaks, RV accessories,…. many things could fit in the bumper mount and let you save space in the interior. The average bumper mounts on the market nowadays should have an easy time handling up to 600 pounds worth of items.

23. WiFi Extender

In the age of technology, various RVers have the need to stay connected as they travel from place to place. Hence, if you want to access the internet as you go, you should consider getting a WiFi extender at once.

With the extender by your side, you could overcome WiFi dead zones and enjoy well-encrypted connections to public networks. Despite the fact that the device requires a good amount of money, it’s shall let you keep tracks of what is going on around the world at all times.

We’re so honestly impressed with the Bearifi BearExtender . It definitely solved your wifi problems, highly recommend!

24. Better Stabilization

Most recreational vehicles have stabilizations jacks in case RVers have to park over uneven terrain. Nonetheless, the jacks on their own sometimes fail to maintain the stability of the RV which force to find supplements. These kinds of days, it’s a breeze to secure some RV specific stabilization rods. Generally speaking, the rods cost pretty much nothing and they allow you rest/sleep comfortably.

Get one here !

25. New And Improved Shelving

Struggling to allocate spaces for dishes, foods, utensils and alike? What you must do is to add a couple of shelves, ideally wire shelves, to the interior of your vehicle. Such shelves would usually not occupy a whole lot of room and they permit to keep your stuff in order. Because of the intuitive installation, it only takes a moment to set up the shelves.

For an easy set-up, many RVers use this adjustable base cabinet helper – a small product but could make a significant difference to your RV space.

26. Shampoo and Conditioner Holder

To put it plainly, the bathroom on conventional recreational space possesses just enough space for basic features and the RVer. That means you should refrain from bringing all sort of shampoo bottles into the bathroom as you take a shower. But by installing a simple shampoo and conditioner holder, it’s possible to store various bathing supplies in the bathroom.

At a very cheap price,   this one in particular  comes with four dispensers and doesn’t break the bank! Clean, simple design and easy to refill!

27. Create The Perfect Workspace

For RVers that need to work on the road, putting together a workspace on the vehicle is quite a challenge. That being said, if you are willing to invest times and efforts, everything is possible. In the case you have an unused bunked compartment, it should take you around a day in order to convert that into a viable workspace. Here is how to execute the idea!

28. Under-The-Counter Spice Rack

Have a hard time getting pepper, sugar, salts and others?  If that is so, a spice rack could be a nice addition to your kitchen. It would be able to save space on the counter as well as in the cabinet which all RVers appreciate. In term of drawbacks, you need to have some skills to set up the rack and the associated lock mechanism.

29. Upgrade Your Sewer System

Handling the sewer hose is often thought of as one the most tedious tasks that RVers have to perform periodically. However, by implementing upgrades here an there, you could handle the dirty job without trouble.  Depending on the composition of your recreational vehicle, it might require more than a day to finish upgrading the system.

30. RVSkampcan (A Must Have!)

The venerable broom and dustpan clean up dirt fairly well on average but that combo always leave some particles behind. If you want to get rid of every speck of dust, get a skampan for your recreational vehicle. It’s a lid covered compartment installed on the surface of the floor which catches all the debris you push in it.

31. Headphone Jacks For Your TV

Want to watch TV but hate to let the noise bother other people around you? In that case, you should construct a custom headphone jack. All you need are some extension cables, basic tools and a bit of patience in order to get it done.  You need to have basic knowledge about RV electricity as well to do the wirings. Overall, the project would take between 1 and 2 hours to finish.

The Final Words

The original configuration of recreational vehicles nowadays should be able to meet the basic needs of most RVers. However, a lot of owners of RV still feel that their vehicles could definitely  use some modifications here and there. As a result, the subject of RV upgrades is widely discussed and debated amidst enthusiast. Most people don’t think of any update after purchasing a brand-new RV.

The truth is some little enhancements can make your life on the road much better, more convenient, and enjoyable. From brand new motorhomes to venerable campers, every recreational vehicle could benefit from RV mods

Find out some more useful RV upgrades you can make for your RV!

>> Read more about RV camping tips,  click here ! <<

Last Updated on March 29, 2023

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Dennis Taylor

Dennis Taylor - Owner of Outdoor Fact - is a graduate of National Camping School and REI Outdoor School. He knows everything about what gear to take with you, how to plan your trip to stay safe and what to do if you get lost in the mountains. We are lucky to have Dennis with us as he is a ‘walking encyclopedia’ when it comes to the wilderness.

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31 Amazing RV Upgrades You Can’t Live Without

We traveled full time in our RV for over 8 years and have been in 6 different RV’s so we have some experience in what upgrades you would want for your RV. In this post we share the best of the best upgrades based on our experience of having spent over 2900 days in our RV.

There are always the basic RV or 5th wheel accessories you need like a sewer hose , RV TV mount , and wheel chocks that you need before planning an RV trip. But the real fun comes when you can start making upgrades to your rig! Whether you full time RV like us or just camp on weekends these upgrades will make you love your RV even more!

Table of Contents

We really like to boondock , so the ability to harness free solar power from the sun is amazing. The word “solar” encompasses many different components to an overall system. This includes solar panels (either on the roof or portable), a solar charge controller to regulate the amount of electricity going into the batteries, an inverter to invert the 12 volt power stored in the batteries to 120 volts as well as batteries, which I’ll talk more about next.

Getting a quality system installed on your rig to meet your needs is a decent investment that can pay off big time. We worked with Future Solutions for a fantastic setup that allows us to be off grid for as long as we want.

RV’s usually come with a single 12 volt battery. This is fine to keep the lights on for a while and run the electrical part of a gas fridge, but if you’re looking to camp off grid, adding more battery capacity or even a different type of battery is one of the best RV mods you can do.

There are many different options out there, lead acid, AGM and more recently, lithium. Having a higher capacity battery bank allows you to stay unplugged longer and really get out to some epic spots.

If solar isn’t an option, then having an on-board or portable generator is great upgrade for dry camping. We have a Honda 2000 watt generator that is a great alternative when we’re in overcast for a few days.

If you want to get out to these epic spots, you need to be sure your rig can handle the rugged terrain it has to go through to get there. We worked with MORryde to have their Independent Suspension package installed on our Montana High Country 5th wheel.

Their Independent Suspension system allows each wheel to move independently of any other wheel up to 5 inches in travel. Usually each wheel is tied to another wheel, either by being on the same axle or by the leaf spring suspension. The benefit is that this allows the wheels to absorb a ton of road shock without moving the house part of the RV keeping your valuables safe and stable. It also helps a ton with towing as you can’t even feel the trailer behind you.

Disc Brakes

Another upgrade MORryde offers, one that usually goes hand-in-hand with Independent Suspension, is upgrading to disc brakes . Trailers and 5th wheels usually come with drum brakes which just don’t have the braking power that disc brakes do. One of my main concerns with pulling a fully loaded, heavy trailer, especially down mountain grades is the ability to stop it. With disc brakes, this is a non-concern as they offer a 40% shorter stopping distance and reduce heat build up.

Tires are very easy to overlook when it comes to an RV or trailer. The only time they’re looked at is when you have a blow out, which is too late. There are many tire brands out there that are known to have blow outs, which is why upgrading tires gives a great peace of mind.

We upgraded from Load Range F 12-ply tires to Provider Radial Load Range G 14-ply tires on our Keystone Arcadia. The difference is substantial. The tires are super heavy duty and can handle the weight of our rig much better.

We also upgraded our rims to a heavier duty rim than what came with the RV. The cool thing is all of these upgrades can be found on etrailer and they can be delivered right to your door. I got all 5 tires and rims (I upgraded our spare tire as well) delivered, brought it all to a local tire shop, they mounted and balanced the tires and I brought it all back and put in on the trailer.

Click here to check out etrailer’s amazing selection of tires and wheels to get your upgrade on!

Tire Pressure Monitor System

Most modern cars have a TPMS built right in, so we’re used to knowing tire pressures in our car and even get notified when they get low. Knowing this information for a trailer is crucial and can be the difference in getting off safely to the side of the road when you have tire problems.

We use the EEZTire TPMS , which is easy to install, easy to use and easy to read. Definitely recommend this.

5th Wheel Pin Box

When towing, safety is your first concern with comfort being the second. With MORryde’s Rubber Pin Box , it essentially eliminates chucking, bucking and jerking by absorbing the energy transfer from the truck and 5th wheel on starts and stops and bad road conditions. This makes towing your 5th wheel safer and much more comfortable, win-win!

Trailer Hitch

If you’re towing a travel trailer, then the hitch is great upgrade. We’ve used a Propride 3P Hitch in the past and it made a world of difference. Again, safety and comfort are your main priorities when towing a trailer and when we were towing our 30′ Jayco trailer, it was swaying all over the road to the point that even short easy drives were white-knuckle ones. No fun. After upgrading to the ProPride 3P, the trailer stayed inline and we had no problems with sway.

We all carry stuff in our RV, sometimes too much stuff. This can mean really using every inch of storage space and make it hard to access some of the things in the storage bays. We upgraded to a very nice MORryde cargo tray that allows us to pull out the tray and access all the stuff that is usually stuck in the middle.

Storage Bay Lock

Believe it or not, most storage bays are keyed with the same key, which is not very secure at all! Changing out your storage bay locks is pretty easy and inexpensive and can be a good way to keep your stuff secure.

Cell Booster

Being out in the wilderness is great, but we still have to work and that requires a cell signal. Having a cell booster on our rig in the past and it definitely helps improve a poor signal.

Another option that is less expensive, but requires a certain connection to your hotspot is this Netgear Antenna . We use this one quite often and it really helps.

Wifi Extender

Another option to improving internet signal in your RV is a Wifi extender. This will grab a wifi signal within a certain range and amplify it in your rig.

Tank Heaters

We love the mountains and that usually means colder temperatures. We have tank heaters for our fresh, grey and black tanks which are turned on by a switch near our control panel and supplies electrically created heat to the tanks so they don’t freeze. Very handy especially when overnight lows get down below freezing.

A must-do upgrade is MORryde’s StepAbove Steps . If you’ve ever gone in or out of a set of fold-out trailer steps, you know how unstable they feel, not to mention the feeling inside of the entire RV tipping over. The StepAbove steps solve that problem with a set of steps that extend to the ground to make them rock solid.

They also have several add-on components to the steps including a strut assist lift that makes lifting the steps very easy, a handrail that connects to the steps for extra stability, a storage box that goes in the space the previous fold-out steps went as well as motion activated lights that install under each step making going in and out much safer and easier.

Stabilizers

Speaking of feeling like the RV is tipping over, upgrading the stabilizers on a trailer is a must. Having 4 kids that like to run around and wrestle, so it constantly feels like we’re a ship out on the ocean.

Our rig came with a 4 point leveling/stabilizing system. We upgraded our 5th wheel landing gear with a MORryde 5th wheel stabilizer that locks it in from side to side motion.

Also, we added MORryde’s Hitch Mount Stabilizer to the rear 2″ hitch receiver on our 5th wheel that really locks us in. It makes a world of difference compared to not having these upgrades. Both of these products are easy to install and can remain on your rig even when you’re traveling.

We also use a set of X-Chock wheel stabilizers to take out any wheel play that may happen. Learn more here 8 Best RV Wheel Chocks And How To Pick Yours .

It seems that RV’s come with too many keys. One for the door, one for the storage bay, one for the engine if it’s a motorhome, one for the leveling key pad, etc. Take one of those out of the equation with RVLock . This keypad lock allows quick, keyless access to your RV.

Water Filter

Nothing is better than water than a cold glass of fresh tasting water. Adding an onboard water filtration system can give you just that every single time you turn on the faucet. We went with the Clearsource Ultra Onboard Pro RV Water Filter System to filter out all the nasty rust, sediment, contaminants and viruses that can live in water.

Installation of the onboard unit was super easy and now I don’t have to mess with inline filters anymore. I simply attach our hose and we’re getting the cleanest and freshest water possible!

Hardwired Electrical Management System

Campground electricity can be spotty. That can either be from an older system or a campground that has outgrown what it was originally designed for. This can lead to low voltage issues which can damage components inside your RV. Not to mention surges or mis-wirings that can also cause big problems.

There are some great surge protectors on the market that help with this problem. I’d recommend a hardwired electrical management system in your RV. This will catch all of those issues before they ever enter your RV. The nice thing about a hardwired system compared to this similar portable unit is that you don’t have to think about plugging in the portable unit. Just plug your cord in like normal and you are protected.

Backup Cameras

Backing in a large trailer is hard! Not to mention the countless number of fights it causes between my wife and I. An easy upgrade that helps with that problem is a wireless backup camera . A lot of trailers come pre-wired for a camera making installation super easy.

Sewer Hose Storage

There never seems to be a good spot to store a sewer hose. Travel trailers sometimes have a 4″ bumper that works well as it keeps the hose outside and not in a bay near your stuff, which is a great idea. Our 5th wheel didn’t have that and neither did our motorhomes.

One the 5th wheel, I installed a sewer hose storage tube under the back of the 5th wheel. Installation was super easy as it came with 4 self-tapping screws that mounts into the frame of the RV. This keeps the hose outside and easy to get to when I need it.

Fantastic Fans with Vent Covers

Air flow is a great thing when you’re in the great outdoors. RV’s can have some funky smells in them so keeping fresh air flowing is a must. Upgrading the ceiling fans is a great way to do that. We have a couple of Fan-Tastic fans that really maximize air flow keeping the RV fresh. We also have vent covers for these fans so they can operate or remain open when we are driving or if it’s raining.

Slide Toppers

Adding a slide topper above your slide outs is a great upgrade. This will keep water and debris from accumulating on your slide out roof so when you pull it in, all of that junk won’t come in with it.

Dometic Awning with Power Channel

Awnings are a great thing to have on an RV. They provide shade and even can protect from rain. An upgrade to the typical awning is Dometic’s 9200 Power Series Awning that comes with a power channel on the awning arm. This allows for many different accessories to be plugged into the channel and to be used while under the awning. Accessories like speakers, fans, lights and more.

Interior Redesign

This is a pretty generic term for a pretty labor intensive upgrade. On pretty much every RV we’ve owned ( Newmar , Winnebago View , Micro Minnie , Jayco , Montana ), we’ve redesigned the interior to give it a more homey feel as well as adding functionality that meets our needs.

This can range from major renovations to small improvements to the kitchen cabinets, counter space or adding wire shelves in the cabinets. It can take some work, but it’s definitely an upgrade that is worth the effort.

Residential Fridge

We have a residential fridge in our RV kitchen, which is the first residential fridge we’ve had in an RV. This upgrade has pros and cons to it. For the pros, we love the space! We have an 18 cubic foot fridge and having a family of 6, the extra fridge space is amazing. For the cons, it only runs on electricity.

This means when we’re boondocking, we need to have enough battery power to run the fridge 24 hours a day. With our setup from Future Solutions , it’s not a problem, but definitely something to think about before upgrading.

Most new RV’s already come with LED lights, but if you have an older RV, this upgrade is a must. Going to LEDs, you’ll save a ton of battery power as an LED light just sips power compared to an older incandescent light. They come in a variety of colors, so they’re not just the bright white anymore.

Digital Thermostat

Some RV’s have the old school lever or dial for a thermostat. A simple and effective upgrade is to swap that out for a digital thermostat. These are much easier to use and read and some are even programmable.

Sleeping in an RV shouldn’t be any different that sleeping in a bed in a house. You can easily upgrade your mattress to make sleeping super comfy. RV mattresses aren’t the best, so we upgraded our mattress to this one on Amazon which has been amazing.

Shower Head

Another easy upgrade that gives better water pressure in the shower as well as conserves water is changing the shower head. We’ve used Oxygenics in the past and it’s an easy and cheap upgrade that’s worth it.

We’ve had 2 RV’s that only had the frosted glass in the front door window. This doesn’t provide the most privacy and definitely lets in a lot of light in the morning. An easy upgrade to fix that is the Slim Shade .

You basically remove the old window and replace it with one that has a built in black-out shade. The shade can open so you can see out the clear glass when you want to and then close to provide privacy and darkness when you want that.

Propane Monitors

Knowing your propane level in an RV can be tricky and most of the time you don’t know you’re low until you’re out. Installing these propane monitors on your tanks can be super helpful to keep the furnace working on a cold night.

Hopefully these RV upgrades will help you enjoy your RV more. Please check back as we’ll keep this list updated with new upgrades we learn about that are must-haves! We also have an awesome list of Best Gifts For RVers !

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Journey With Confidence

8 Insanely Easy RV Mods That Take Less Than An Hour

• Maintenance, Modifications and Repairs

RV mods and upgrades don’t always have to take weeks or months. These simple ideas from iRV2 members should only take you about an hour or less and they’ll make a huge difference.

1. Get rid of odors with a holding tank vent

Average time: 10-20 minutes

These holding tank vents can be attached to your RV’s plumbing vent to get rid of black tank odors . They rotate 360 degrees and use the power of the wind to draw the smells up and out. Installation only takes about 10-20 minutes using silicone or roof sealant. No drilling needed!

2. Upgrade your showerhead

Oxygenics Showerhead. Photo via iRV2 member Msbehavin

Swapping out your RV’s showerhead with an aftermarket option will give you longer, nicer showers. The Oxygenics BodySpa showerhead uses less water and has a better water pressure than the standard factory-made showerheads. They can be installed in only 10-20 minutes using a screwdriver and some Teflon tape.

You can read more about the Oxygenics showerheads on Do It Yourself RV .

3. Replace your RV’s door lock

Electronic Door Handle – Photo by iRV2 member LBZYA

With a keyless touchpad lock , you won’t have to worry about taking your keys or fob while you’re out for the day; the door can easily be unlocked with a 4-digit pass code. The locks can be installed in only 10-20 minutes without any wiring.

They’re available for travel trailers and motorhomes and powered by AA batteries. Read more about upgrading your locks in this RV LIFE article .

4. Use Command Hooks to hang things around your RV

Command Hooks. Photo by iRV2 member dkingpt

Average time: 1-5 minutes

You can mount almost anything in your RV with Command Hooks. The brand makes small , medium , and large utility hooks, as well as a wide assortment of other hanging strips.

The durable large hooks can hold up to 5 pounds, meaning you can use them to not only hang towels but also lightweight baskets on the wall for extra storage. Check out our post here for more ideas on how you can use Command Hooks around the RV.

5. Add a screen door opener

Camco Screen Door Opener. Photo via Amazon

Average time: About 5 minutes

If you have the type of RV that requires you to open the slide to open your screen door , then you’ll love this inexpensive fix . You will need to drill a hole in the small sliding door, but aside from that, installation is a breeze and can be done in a matter of minutes.  

6. Mount a wire rack to hold magazines, brochures, receipts, etc.

Magazine rack. Photo by iRV2 member LAC

Average time: About 5-10 minutes

Mount a wire rack on the wall or anywhere you have open, usable space. They can hold magazines and books, as well as important papers, brochures, campground maps, receipts, and other documents that you would like to keep organized.

7. Swap out your door window

Upgrade your RV door window. Photo via Thor Forums/Tom N3EQF

Average time: About 20-45 minutes

It’s fairly easy to replace your existing window with this tinted one from AP Products. It also comes with a sliding shade so you can block out the sun as needed.

8. Add a battery-operated wall lamp

LED wall light. Photo by iRV2 member LAC

These LED lamps can easily be stuck on the wall using 3M wall tape . iRV2 member LAC shares, “I like to sit back on the side of the dinette cushions with my back to the rear large window and read…this is a great lamp. Flexible arm.”

You could also use these lamps anywhere you need extra light, like in the bathroom or under cabinets.  Since they only require AA batteries, no wiring, drilling, or power is needed.

You may also like these 10 RV Kitchen Ideas That Cost $50 or Less

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12 of our favorite RV Hacks, Mods and Products

In more than ten years of rving, we have tried a lot of rv hacks, tweaks, modifications, and products to enhance our rv lifestyle experience. we're always experimenting and trying new things.

• 1 In more than ten years of RVing, we have tried a lot of RV hacks, tweaks, modifications, and products to enhance our RV Lifestyle experience. We're always experimenting and trying new things!
• 2.1 Surge Protector
• 2.2 Step Lube
• 2.3 Thetford Slide Out Rubber Seal Conditioner
• 2.4 Fresh water drain extension hack
• 2.5 Fresh water quick disconnect
• 2.6 Fresh water filter
• 2.7 Fresh water pressure regulator
• 2.8 Happy Camper Black tank deodorizer
• 2.9 Shine Armor Waterless RV wash
• 2.10 Rear ladder
• 2.11 Mega Cuff Hose and cord clamps
• 2.12 Leveling Blocks
• 3 Want to see my remote working hacks?

And folks are always asking us about them. So we thought we'd put together this report showing what we've used in the past with many of our RVs.

AND we're going to update this list (from 2020) in a special Amazon LIVE event coming up on Dec. 28th, 2023, at 3pm Eastern. And if you missed it live, no worries, you can use this same link to watch the replay!

Our Favorite RV Hacks

Surge protector.

The electric pedestals at many campgrounds are outdated and in bad shape. Bad power can damage or destroy the appliances in your RV so getting a reliable surge protector like this is critically important. We bought and use the  Southwire Surge Guard, model 34930 . This unit installs between the electric pedestal at the campground and the power cord that connects to your RV. It provides protection against power surges, open ground, open neutral, Low and High voltage, overheating of the plug or receptacle, reverse polarity, miswired pedestal, and elevated ground. The unit continuously monitors for and displays voltage and Amp draw. It does an automatic reset on power restoration in the event of a blackout so everything is clean before feeding power back into your rig.

One of the most used pieces of equipment on your RV is the retractable step that you use to go in and out. Without frequent lubrication, it squeaks and can easily get stuck. A mistake many RVers make is spraying WD40 on it. Don’t.  WD 40 will collect road dirt and make a mess. We use a product called Kwik Lube . It is a strong, protective grease used for keeping RV steps in working condition. This lube will hold up against water and doesn’t collect road grime. We lubricate out step every four to six weeks..

Thetford Slide Out Rubber Seal Conditioner

A can of this stuff costs just over $13 on Amazon but the rubber seal around RV slide outs is what keeps out water and thus, in our book, anything we can do to protect those rubber seals its pretty important. This product repels water, cleans, conditions and protects the rubber seals around our slide out. It also inhibits damage from those destructive UV rays that beat down on the slide all day long. We spray a light coat on the rubber seals twice a year.

Fresh water drain extension hack

Too many RVers leave water in their fresh water tanks for too long. That water can get real skunky and it is always best to empty it after each camping trip. But the fresh water drain on most RVs seems to never be in a convenient spot. On our Leisure Travel Van Unity model, I had to lie flat on the ground and then reach way under the coach to drain that tank. I saw the solution on the coach of an RVer named Richard McGarrity at a recent rally. So, at Holland Motorhomes in Holland, MI – the same dealer Richard used – I had them add a pipe extension to bring the drain knob out to a location I can reach without having to get down on the ground. They firmed it up with braces and fashioned a shield to protect it from anything kicked up from the road. Cost of parts and labor, about $400.

Fresh water quick disconnect

Speaking of fresh water, here’s something we added to the fresh water hose and the intake connector on our RV – a quick disconnect. This solves the problem of having to thread and tighten the connectors by hand, something that had to be lined up just so and always seems to result in an annoying little leak. The quick disconnect takes seconds, it snaps on and off instantly and is totally leak-free. You can get them at any RV shop or Amazon.

Fresh water filter

One more must-have for fresh water – filters. We use Camco inline filters every time we hook up to a fresh water connection at a campground and whenever I fill my fresh water tank with a drinking water safe hose. They reduce bad taste, odors, chlorine, and sediment, and they also protect against bacteria growth when the filter is not in use inside a hot storage compartment.  We’ve seen too many RVers connect directly to campground spigots with no filter. That’s just not a smart thing to do. Always use a filter. We change them out about every three months.

Fresh water pressure regulator

You need one more thing related to your fresh water hookup on the RV: A pressure regulator. Too much water pressure from a campground’s city water connection can blow out your plumbing lines. Putting this little screw-on connector at one end of the hose regulates water pressure flow to a safe, consistent 40–50 lbs of operational pressure. All RV shops sell these and they are available on Amazon.

Happy Camper Black tank deodorizer

Now let's talk about the black water tank. We all have experienced the odor that can come from those tanks. The most important thing to do to minimize those smells is to use enough water when you flush. And before you empty that tank at a dump station, run lots of water into the toilet. Fill it right up if you can before you empty. As for further reducing odors, we use a holding tank deodorizer called Happy Camper. It’s all organic and comes in powder form. One scoop handles a tank up to 40 gallons.

Shine Armor Waterless RV wash

This is one of the handiest products we’ve ever come across. A lot of campgrounds don’t allow RVers to wash their rigs. But no one likes to have an RV covered in road grime. This little bottle called Shine Armor works wonders. It washes the surface without water, shines, and protects as well. Spray it on a cloth and wipe it on the RV. It’s amazing. We use it for spot touch-ups and even have done the whole RV with it. It took most of the 8-ounce bottle to do the entire RV but that’s about what it costs us at one of those coin automated vehicle washes. It’s not meant for windows but does clean and shine stainless steel and, of course, the RV body.

Rear ladder

We added this accessory ladder to the rear of one of our RVs. There are a lot of reasons I need to get on the roof. To clean the solar panels of debris, to squirt down the roof, to adjust my WiFi and cellular antennas, to check the caulking and to do general roof maintenance. The ladder comes in two sections. The top is firmly attached. A lower section snaps on and stores securely in a side storage cabinet. I ordered mine through a dealer and had it professionally installed for about $475.

Mega Cuff Hose and cord clamps

This is such a simple little do-dad. But so handy. This is the Mega Cuff and it is an adjustable clamp that we use to wrap around hoses and power cords to keep them neatly wound up. We use the large size with a three-inch diameter. The clamp has serrated teeth to get the perfect tightness and it releases easily with just the push of a button. We bought ours at one of the big box home improvement stores, but they are also on Amazon. We found a four-pack listed there .

Leveling Blocks

Last on our list are leveling blocks. They kind of look like giant Lego toys. They’re great for leveling some Class B vans or towable trailers. You put one or two or whatever you need under your wheels. But they are handy even if you have an automatic leveling system like we do with our Leisure Travel Van’s Unity Class C RV. We put these under the hydraulic leveling jacks when parked on grass or soft ground. They’re widely available for under $30 at Walmart, most RV shops, and on Amazon.

How about you? What are your favorite RV hacks, modifications, and products for your RV? Share in the comments below!

REMEMBER we're going to update this list (from 2020) in a special Amazon LIVE event coming up on Dec. 28th, 2023, at 3pm Eastern. And if you missed it live, no worries, you can use this same link to watch the replay!

Want to see my remote working hacks?

I thought I’d put together some of our remote work tips. Some of this material first appeared on the  Leisure Travel Vans Blog  in a post I wrote specifically for them in 2020.

Last update on 2024-05-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Published on 2023-12-26

Mike Wendland is a multiple Emmy-award-winning Journalist, Podcaster, YouTuber, and Blogger, who has traveled with his wife, Jennifer, all over North America in an RV, sharing adventures and reviewing RV, Camping, Outdoor, Travel and Tech Gear for the past 12 years. They are leading industry experts in RV living and have written 18 travel books.

12 Responses to “12 of our favorite RV Hacks, Mods and Products”

December 28, 2023at9:20 am , Mike Cook said:

I added an electrical outlet inside our TT that plugs into the power pole 20 amp outlet outside. This gives a little extra power for things that will trip the breakers in a 30 amp service. (Heaters, hair dryer…) PS. Love your article every day

January 02, 2024at12:57 pm , Team RV Lifestyle said:

Thanks for sharing this tip, Mike, and thank you for the encouragement! Team RV Lifestyle

August 01, 2020at3:02 pm , 17 steps for quick RV setup at a campground | RV Lifestyle said:

[…] 12 of our favorite RV hacks, mods and helpful products […]

August 21, 2019at9:26 am , Brian said:

Really excellent. Short, easy to understand, and all needed information to order. Thanks. Really love your info.

August 16, 2019at9:41 am , Ron Rangel said:

You may consider adding more slip proof step covers to the aluminum steps on rv’s as they get real slippery when wet causing you to fall in or out of rv

August 15, 2019at6:48 pm , Krystal said:

Proof read please

September 04, 2019at5:43 pm , Diane said:

Let he without sin cast the first stone!! Cut them some slack!! Be kind!!

September 04, 2019at5:45 pm , Diane said:

Let him without sin cast the first stone!! Cut them some slack! Be Kind!!

August 15, 2019at6:47 pm , Krystal said:

I 2nd that!

August 15, 2019at11:10 am , Shirley said:

What was the name of the cloth Jen used to clean the interior of van?

August 15, 2019at9:41 am , Judy Hodson said:

We have noticed a lot of campers not using the white tasteless hose for fresh water. Is there another type of hose that could be used? An expandable one would be great but we weren’t sure if they are safe for drinking water.

August 17, 2019at6:52 am , Dan Walters said:

The blue hose with the S.S.fittings are better.I got mine at the RV section at Walmart

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These are awesome. We install them here! Shelves are always in stock for our on-site service customers.

If you want to buy kit and install them yourself we can't sell them to you, BUT we welcome you to DIY. You just need to buy directly from Katy, Click here to see more info on Katy's Casita Closet website.

LIGHT IT UP!

The Light kits for Katy's Casita Closets are now available for the DIY closet installer!

Get your LIGHT KIT here from us. (Need CLOSET SHELVES for DIY? Get your Katy's Casita Closet directly from Katy here .)

Light makes life easier. Stuff those shelves and don't worry not seeing it again. This light kit illuminates all the nooks and crannies.

DIY Shock Kits!

Can't come to us but want to add shock absorbers to your Casita? Now you Can!

Click here to see the product info page and buy one for yourself. Comes with all the hardware you need and some nice full color instructions to show you how to put it on.

Welcome, Adventurers!

Little Home on the Road offers a full menu of services and upgrades for Casita travel trailers. From routine maintenance and repairs, to custom modifications and products, we have you covered. And, we do it with Texas-style hospitality.

Happy travels,

Josh and Terry

To view our calendar or schedule your appointment, click here.

NOTE: "pending" means we have an appointment on that day but still have an undecided service or an item to be ordered.

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Not sure what you need? Browse our maintenance, repair, upgrade, and customization offerings.

Home on the Road 101 Package

This was inspired by our own experiences and our conversations with new Casita owners. It includes the top 7 modifications requested by those who are planning on purchasing, or who’ve just purchased, a Casita.

Long Weekend Package

We had hiking, biking, bird watching, and stargazing in mind when we put this one together. It’s for those who want to take along sporting, cooking, or other types of gear.

Permanent Vacation Package

This is designed for those who’ve decided to live life on the road full time. (And for those who just wish they could!) It’s all about making your Casita even more comfortable.

10 Brilliant RV Dinette Replacement Ideas That’ll Bring Your Rig to Life

by Peter Wade

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The dinette is always a core focus of any RV. For most people, this is where they’ll spend the majority of their time while in the travel trailer, except for maybe the bed. From mealtime to board games and simple nighttime leisure, the dinette is an area that brings the family together. 

While a frequently used area, dinettes are designed very generically. Their footprint never accounts for individual RVers’ specific needs, and many times results in completely wasted space. Fortunately, there are hundreds of RV dinette replacement ideas that’ll transform your living space. Let’s check out a few of our favorites!

How Many People Use Your RV?

Do you need extra sleeping room, storage space, affecting your camper resale value, 1. replace the dinette with a table and chairs, 2. use the dinette space for a kid’s play area, 3. add a wall-mounted bar table, 4. remove one side of your dinette booth for extra storage, 5. professionally repuholster your dinette cushions, 6. turn your dinette into an office space, 8. compartmentalize your storage cubbies, 9. add an adjustable table pedestal, 10. or add a swinging table, refresh your living space with these rv dinette replacement ideas, things to consider for your rv dinette replacement.

Before you go ahead and rip out your dining space, take note of how many people use your RV. Inevitably, everyone needs a spot at the table to sit down and enjoy their meals. If your dinette space comfortably fits your family of four, it may not be advisable to remove a bench seat in lieu of more storage. 

However, if it’s just you and a partner enjoying the RV, or you’re living alone, removing a portion of your RV dinette can be a great way to add a new element to your travel trailer. Most RVs are designed with a small family in mind and manufacturers will frequently add additional seating to accommodate that. This translates to wasted space if you don’t really need it, so if there’s just one or two of you an RV dinette replacement can be a fantastic idea. 

Along with considering how many people will need an eating space in your RV, you should also take into account the sleeping situation. Many times, the dining area of an RV doubles as a sleeping space , normally fitting one or two people. If you’re an RV owner that uses the dinette for this purpose, you’ll need to devise an alternative sleeping spot.

Many larger RVs have bunk beds in the rear corner, and this can be an excellent solution. Alternatively, your RV dinette replacement could involve replacing the dining area with more comfortable seating that also functions as a bed. There’s nothing worse than not having a comfortable place to sleep at night, so make sure you don’t sacrifice this when doing a dinette remodel.

Be sure to factor in your storage needs when planning your RV dinette replacement. If your RV came with a booth dinette, it likely has a large storage space underneath the seats. For those into tiny living, this extra space can be huge! If you tend to keep this area filled up with your possessions, you’re going to need to find a place to relocate it to. 

Now if you’re RV didn’t come with a booth-style dining table and you’re actually lacking that storage space, an RV dinette replacement can be the perfect way to add storage to your living area. If your RV is outfitted with a large dinette area that is simply too big for the use it gets, replacing it with a small table and seating area can free up quite a lot of space for storage. 

All RV owners know the importance of keeping your rig’s weight low. While small additions to your RV may not seem like much, they can easily tack on a few hundred pounds to the GVWR. If your tow vehicle is already approaching its maximum tow capacity , you’ll have to think very carefully about what you add to your rig.

RV furniture is specially made to be lightweight, so if you start bringing in traditional furniture that isn’t made this way, you’ll have to know how much extra strain you’re putting on your camper. When possible, always opt for lighter materials.

This is something that many RV owners never think about when remodeling their rig, but it must be said! Despite what you might think, modifying your RV (even with better enhancements) does not increase its value. 

Most people looking to buy a used RV are seeking something that’s stock, just as it came from the manufacturer.  When you make custom modifications, you’re changing things so that they reflect your needs only. A potential buyer is likely not going to find value in an RV that’s missing a dinette but has extra floor space for yoga instead. While this shouldn’t necessarily deter you from remodeling your RV to fit your needs, keep in mind that selling your RV in the future may be more difficult if numerous alterations have been made.

10 Creative and Functional RV Dinette Replacement Ideas

Many RVers hate the built-in dining tables found in RVs. They’re generally of cheaper quality and are awkwardly placed, and require some serious squeezing to get into! If you find yourself with a dinette area that you hate, consider stripping it out of your camper and adding a traditional table and chairs!

With regular chairs, you can easily move them around to accommodate different seating arrangements, and a typical kitchen table simply looks more visually appealing. This RV dinette replacement idea can completely transform the living space! If you add a smaller table and chairs that can easily tuck underneath the table when not in use, you’ll all gain quite a bit of extra space. A disadvantage of this, however, is that you lose out on any storage space that came with the existing dinette. 

If you’re an RVer with little ones, you know that it can be a struggle to dedicate space to them! This is especially difficult for full-time RVers. If you have a big, bulky RV dinette, you may want to consider removing it to add a play area for the kids. While you will sacrifice a dedicated eating space, your children will be thrilled at having a space to enjoy all of their toys on the floor.

If you have pets instead of kids, you can also remove your dinette to create an area for them. Having a dedicated area for animal beds, litter boxes, and food bowls will help keep your RV organized. You could also enclose the space with an indoor pet fence so that you’re animals stay in one place when you don’t feel like watching them!

An RV dining table takes up way too much space. If it’s just one or two people using the RV, you really only need a table when you’re actively eating. One of the best RV dinette replacement ideas for saving space is installing a wall-mounted bar table. A table like this only sticks out from your wall one or two feet, and you can easily use bar stools that slide underneath when not in use. 

Another great option is to add a hinge to your bar table and allow it to fold down against the wall when not being used. You’ll barely even notice it’s there and it creates a much more modern look for your RV. 

As mentioned, the storage space underneath your dining booth is a huge advantage that you might not want to give up. In many RVs, this is actually the largest storage in the camper and where people keep larger, bulkier items like blankets, pillows, and jackets. If you use yours regularly, you might not want to give it up!

For one or two people, a full dinette is pretty unnecessary. Why not remove just one side of it so that you can gain extra space while not completely giving up all of the storage? Many people choose to remove just one seat and add more storage in its place, like a standing bookshelf or closet. 

An RV dinette gets a ridiculous amount of use and over time the fabric on the cushions can wear down and fade. Furthermore, if you own an older RV, this fabric can also be hideous! Reupholstering your dinette cushions can make your RV feel brand new.  If you don’t have the sewing skills to tackle this job, bringing the cushions to a professional will ensure you receive a beautiful result.

Alternatively, you can even upholster your cushions without any sewing! Liquid stitch is a great option for people without a sewing machine, and it’s quite durable as well. Many other people also choose to make elastic band cushion coverings that go around their existing cushions, hiding unsightly patterns beneath.

In the digital age, many RVers have turned into “digital nomads”, working from their rig with just an internet connection and laptop. If this sounds like you, you’re going to need a fixed office space to do your best work and stay productive . While some people are satisfied working at a dinette, many people feel like they can’t do their best work unless they have a dedicated space.

One of the more functional RV dinette replacement ideas is completely removing it and opting for a permanent desk instead. While it may sound crazy not to have a dining room table, many people would prefer a good workspace. You can also eat at your desk or add in a little cafe table instead!

Not all RV dinette replacement ideas have to be drastic! Don’t feel like you have to go and tear down your existing dinette if you don’t want to. There’s a variety of small additions you can make to your dining area that are fairly simple but still have a huge impact. One of these is creating organized dividers in your dinette booth storage.

Oftentimes, this space below the bench is one wide open box, and if you’re like most people you simply throw everything in there in a jumbled mess. This makes pulling out that item a disaster. Consider adding dividing walls or smaller storage cubbies within the storage space to make locating items when you need them easy.

Unless you have a dinette that turns into a bed, your table is likely in a fixed location. This can be quite frustrating for people that want it at different heights. A solution to this is installing an adjustable pedestal on the floor that allows you to lower and raise the table with ease. This is also great for turning your dinette into a bed if it didn’t have that capability already.

Along with an adjustable table pedestal, you can even add a swinging table mount that allows you an infinite amount of table positioning possibilities. This is one of those RV dinette replacement ideas that really add functionality to your rig. If you’re prepping vegetables, you can easily swing the table over to you so that you don’t have to sit down to chop. Ready to eat? Simply swing the table right back over.

Despite what you may have thought, you don’t have to be stuck with an RV dinette you despise! If your dining area isn’t working for you, take the initiative to change it up yourself. With these RV dinette replacement ideas, you can easily transform your rig into the exact layout you want it to be.

Whether that means downsizing to a smaller dining table or adding open floor space, you’ll be thrilled with the added functionality it provides. So get to it!

About Peter Wade

Peter Wade is a co-ordinator and writer at www.RVTalk.net. His hobbies are coffee, RV camping and photography. He now enjoys exploring the U.S. by RV with his two dogs. After obtaining a MA degree in Public Relations and Journalism, he had 8 years of experience working for the R&D Department of Outdoorsy. Peter provides a unique look and insightful knowledge about the RV lifestyle, and fills his blog with everything from RV camping guides to reviews about necessary RV accessories. If you are an RV enthusiast and want to get the most-updated trends of the RV industry, Peter’s articles are the must-visit contents.

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