1. Solar Charger
As long as you’re going to be out in the sunlight every day, like I think you are, you may as well put your solar charger outside and charge it up to use later for your phones and tablets. That way you won’t need to use your RV battery power! We always set the solar charger outside on sunny days so it can re-charge. This charger has 24000mAh capacity and also a built-in flashlight, and a 4.4 star rating on Amazon. You can charge your phones at the same time you are recharging the charger. Attach it to your backpack or kayak and let it charge while you’re having fun! Be sure to check compatibility with your devices.

Solar Charger 24000mAh, FEELLE Solar Power Bank with High-Efficiency Foldable Panels and Flashlight

2. Battery Operated Fan
No matter what the outside temperature is, or even what the inside temperature is, I always need a fan at night. It can be 40 degrees outside, and I will wake up sweating. Greg is pretty comfortable usually, so we can keep the temperature indoors at around 62 degrees. But if I don’t have a fan, we will both be miserable because I will keep him awake kicking off covers and trying to get comfortable. I use a small fan so I can keep cool while not affecting him at all. Mine also has a light and an optional essential oil aromatherapy option. If you both need a fan, there are some larger options also. I have the Amacool Portable Camping Fan with LED Lantern, which has 3 levels of power and 3 levels of brightness, and the aroma diffuser. For a price around $20, this little fan gives you plenty of bang for the buck. It can be used as a desktop fan, and also has a hook for hanging in a tent. I also used this when we camped on the beach in Hawaii (Yes! Camping on the beach in Hawaii! More to come on this…. ).

Amacool Portable Camping Fan with LED lantern and aroma diffuser. Comes with rechargeable batteries and USB charger.

3. Mosquito / Bug Repellent
Some campgrounds have more of a mosquito problem than others, but no matter where you’re at, some type of bug no doubt will be “bugging” you. Please respect nature, however, and opt for a natural repellent. Products that use essential oils such as lemon-eucalyptus oil, cinnamon oil or thyme oil are effective in providing protection against mosquitoes and other pests. We use Eco- Smart brand repellents. Note that natural repellents can still contain ingredients (such as geraniol, a type of plant-based alcohol) that can cause skin irritation, so use caution if you have sensitive skin, and always keep product away from your eyes. Besides using a product on your skin, also use citronella candles at your campsite.

Eco-Smart Insect Repellent –
Organic, Non-Toxic

4. Quick-drying Towels
I reuse bath towels. Some people think that is gross, but let’s face it – if you’re living in a small space and don’t have a clothes washer/dryer, you can’t really pile up dirty towels. The best thing for you, and for the environment, is to air-dry and reuse your towels as much as possible. It has taken some time for Greg to get on board with this, so we came up with a couple of solutions for him. Buy two-color towels, so you can use one end to dry your face and the other for your body, OR use hand towels for your face and bath towels for your body. Either way, having towels that air dry quickly are a must! Just dry them outside so you don’t accumulate the moisture inside your RV. We use Sonoma towels with the MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX® label. I have only been able to find these at Kohl’s.

Sonoma OEKO-Tex® Quick-Drying Ribbed Towel at Kohl’s

5. Water Storage Containers
Even if you won’t be doing any boon docking, water storage containers can be really convenient at your campsite. We keep a larger one (5 gallon) outside on the picnic or camping table for washing hands before and after campfire food prep, etc. It’s nice to have a collapsible container for saving space when it’s not in use. We keep a 2.5 gallon container inside the camper and use it for filling the coffee pot in the mornings, or even for the dogs’ water bowls.

Sunderpower Collapsible 5 gallon water container

Arrow Home Products 2.5 gallon water container with spigot

6. Battery Operated Vacuum
Our two camping dogs drop a lot of hair, so we really need to vacuum every day. Actually, most of it comes from just one of our dogs – the yellow lab. Even if you don’t have pets in your RV, you tend to drag in lots of dirt and sand from hiking trails or dirt roads. A quick vac every morning or evening keeps the grit from building up. Our Dyson v7 Animal+ *(see note below) is compact, and quickly converts from an upright stick vacuum to a small handheld for cleaning up the couch or the step. I’ve read reviews that state the battery power runs out too quickly, but that hasn’t been our experience. We get quite a few uses out of this before it has to be recharged. * There is a newer model of this vacuum, the Dyson v11 Animal+.

Dyson v11 Animal+ Rechargeable Vacuum

7. Stainless Steel or Ceramic Covered Cups
Ah, the joy of sipping tea (or wine – or spirits) outdoors in the afternoon sun! But alas, the bees also find enjoyment in my beverage cup. Be sure not to drink the bees – get one of these cups with covers that slide open when you need a drink. Stainless steel or ceramic are better for you than plastic, and there are many choices. I obtained Corkcicle brand cups that really keep your beverages hot or cold, and we really do use them DAILY.

Corcicle brand triple insulated
stainless steel covered cups

8. Collapsible Dish Drying Rack
Nobody likes to wash dishes, but unless you stop eating, you’re really stuck with it. You might wash dishes in a tub outside the camper, or in your RV kitchen sink. Either way, this collapsible drying rack is a space saving option for drying. Use it in conjunction with a drying mat, and this is all you need! When you’re ready to pack up shop and move to the next location, fold it down and put it underneath the sink, along with your collapsible colander and cutting board mats.

Madesmart Collapsible Dish Drying Rack

9. Tray with Sides
Just try to carry all of the things you need for your outdoor meal all at once – dishes, utensils, condiments, beverages – from inside your RV, down the steps out to your picnic table. See if you drop anything! Maybe you could have two dogs also, and they will try to trip you while you’re going in and out of the RV. What I really was looking for here is a collapsible tray with sides to help keep things from falling off, but I have had trouble finding one. Instead, I have a plastic one with sides, which works great but doesn’t fold down for storage like I would like it to.

Anti Slip Serving Tray with Sides

10. Sun Shade
This isn’t for me, it’s for my laptop. But it’s a cute little pop-up tent, just the right size for my computer, and could be used for other things too. It is advertised as a sun shade for your FACE while you are sunbathing, or even a tent for your pet. I’m not sure I would use it for either of those things, but it’s a great alternative to more pricey sun shades made specifically for computers. Since I work remotely, when the weather is too nice to miss out on I set up shop outside. My little tent keeps the sun glare off the screen. Once removed from its pouch, it pops right open. Easily fold down again when done.

Ridecle Pop-up Sun Shade