When advice comes from someone who’s packed up at dawn, switched propane tanks at 2 a.m., and successfully battled insects from fruit flies to cockroaches, I know their tips can be trusted.
Here are practical, low-cost tricks from people who really RV. I’m hoping you find these tips helpful as you RV, too!
Broom holders for the win
If your bath sink has zero counter space, affix a springy broom/mop holder to a nearby flat surface and tuck a pump soap bottle into the clamp. It keeps soap right where you need it without taking up countertop space.
The same style of wall-mounted broom holder also does double duty outside. Mount two holders near your water and power hookups. Then fasten the hose and cord on the holders as shown. The holders will relieve stress on the fittings, and it’s so easy to do! We wrote an in-depth article about this tip here.
A little privacy, please!
A shower curtain plus a set of C-hooks is the simplest (and least expensive) privacy curtain for the open end of your RV awning. Hang the hooks on the awning arms or loop them around the end caps, and you’ve got instant privacy.
If you want a screen room that keeps bugs out, many RVers repurpose garage/roll-up screens. If you try this, attach screens with Velcro to the awning and use the magnet/weighted center as the entry.
Corner storage
Expand kitchen storage with a tension-corner shower caddy. A spring-loaded corner shower caddy isn’t just for shampoos. It’s a vertical, tension-fit shelf that works great tucked into a kitchen corner or under kitchen cabinets to corral spice jars, cooking oil, fruit, and more. This easy tip will free up your counter for more prep space.
Chair bags
Camping chair bags are perfect for long, slim gear. Think: pie irons, s’mores sticks, and skewer sets. They easily slide in and stay together inside the bag until needed. The bag keeps them off the floor and makes finding one long item quicker than digging through a bin.
Sneak peek
John Great posted this idea on Facebook: “I’m 74 and don’t get around well, so I use a mini drone to check the roof and also check the top of the sliders for leaves. I can even blow them off with the drone if needed.”
Stop awning flap
Slack awning fabric can flap even in a gentle breeze. There are commercial anti-flap kits you can get. However, in a pinch, this RVer used a pants hanger combined with a hair tie!
Note: Never leave a loosely flapping awning out in stronger gusts. That’s just asking for damage.
Pet tip
For short trips or campground stays, a small temporary tag is invaluable. RVers often put a tiny piece of medical tape on a dog’s collar with their campsite number and a contact phone number. The tape is easily removed, and a newly labeled piece is attached at your next campground.
Note: Always remember to have pets microchipped, no matter where you go.
Wine to the rescue!
If your dog (or curious toddler) figures out how to unlatch your RV’s exterior screen door, a wine cork jammed under the screen-door handle can block the latch. This quick tip is a low-cost way to keep everyone safe inside. (Just remember to remove it before retiring for the night.)
Done with drips
Place a dish drying mat around your RV’s kitchen sink faucet. The mat will absorb splashes and make life a bit easier.
Sprayer tip
A small, pressurized pump sprayer (the kind gardeners use) is a camper’s best friend. Use it to rinse sand from feet, wash bird droppings off picnic tables, muddy boots, and so much more.
Note: Clearly mark the sprayer to avoid mixed uses.
Campsite security
After you set up at the campsite, pull your tow vehicle so it faces the RV. If something looks or sounds off at night, use the vehicle’s key fob to flash the lights or activate the horn. This will startle an intruder and draw attention to the issue.
Note: Combine this tip with good habits: secure valuables, lock exterior compartments, and park with clear sightlines if possible.
Can you share additional tips? Please do, using the comments below.
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RVT1257
Love the cork idea. We swing the folding handle in front of the screen door, but the cork looks easier.
The mini drone is a great idea. Do you mean the breeze created by the rotors will blow the leaves off! Thanks again John!
If anyone wants to fly a drone legally, a license from the FAA is needed. Then there are flight rules from the FAA. All National Parks ban them. Stiff penalties from the FAA could be levied.
WE just got a used RV last Sept. The black clips on the arm of the awning that you have to release to put up the awning snapped. Does anyone have a safe and fool proof and better way to hold the awning in place while travelling. I think it’s called lock kit. The RV is 2006 so we are assuming never replaced.
Use velcro cable ties. They hold well, easy to use, and are cheap enough and light enough that if you tear one they are easy enough to replace. Just search the big south american river [editor: aka Amazon] website for “velcro cable management“.
You should carry these anyway, as they are a life saver for keeping cords coiled up, things held down/together, etc. Unless it is something I don’t plan to take apart, I refuse to use zip ties.