By Cheri Sicard
OK, I will start with the disclaimer that these are not my expensive RV gadget picks, but rather those of our video hosts, John and Kristin Farnsworth of the No Ordinary Path YouTube channel.
They say that these six pricey RV gadgets were worth every penny of their expensive price tags. They also point out that nothing in this video was sponsored; they recommend these items because they personally use and love them. And to be honest, some of these items are not even all that expensive!
6 expensive RV gadgets worth the money
In the video, they cover the items in the order they purchased them and say they wish they had bought them sooner.
#1 Generator: In the Farnsworths’ case, that generator is a Champion 3400 dual-fuel model. After three years of boondocking and putting hundreds and hundreds of hours into it, it is still going strong, albeit a little wonky. The video explains. Since they don’t have solar, this generator meets their power needs. Not bad for something they spent $900 on three years ago.
#2 Flojet RV waste pump/macerator: I’ll admit I don’t have or need such a gadget, but if you transport your waste tank separately to a dump station rather than driving to one, this thing is apparently “the bomb.”
#3 Batteries: This upgrade was two 6-volt batteries instead of a single 10-volt. If it were me, I would skip the lead acid batteries entirely and upgrade to lithium. (And, in fact, I did just that. Read about it here.)
#4 Countertop ice maker: Kristin says having ice on hand when boondocking is priceless and they get into a rhythm of making and storing ice whenever their generator is running. This is the one they use.
#5 Fan-Tastic vent fan: This vent fan effectively redistributes air in the RV and helps to keep it cooler in hot weather.
#6 RV LATCH.IT lock keyless entry system: No more lost keys, and everyone in the family always has easy access to the RV. In the video, Kristin explains all the reasons they love this RV lock upgrade.
How about you? Have you made any pricey upgrades to your RV that you feel are totally worth it? Share your thoughts in the comments below. For me, it would have to be my portable power stations and solar panels.
##RVDT2266
7. Mmmmm – a reliable Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
A second vote for the TPMS.
And a third! Not a fancy “gadget”, but indispensable!
A TPMS should be #1.
Macerator. Have had one on all our RVs. Would not leave home without it. Even purchased a backup portable unit. It’s that important.
I’m not sure what the importance of a macerator is. I know they can pump uphill, but I’ve only been to one RV park where our dump connection would have been uphill – if we’d connected to it (which we didn’t).
Dumping with the macerator is fast and easy. Ours is stored in its own compartment. Open the door, extend the hose, flip the switch. A few minutes later the chore is finished. Put it back, and you are under way. This is in a Class C.
Do you still flush your tank when you’re done?
I would rather spend $900 on lithium batteries and an inverter than a generator. But then we seldom camp below 7500′ in summer, so air conditioning is not a necessity.
I am considering a small 2,000 watt dual fuel generator that also has 12v output & circuitry for recharging deep cycle batteries. We very rarely boondock, but we have been through two Texas winter storms where 12v gave us heat and water (internal via water pump) and powered the control board on the frig. Propane was less of an issue. But we did dive deep into the battery. Unless you heat them, lithium batteries cannot be recharged in sub-freeze temps.
I have a macerator. Unless I know I will need it, it stays home where I frequently use it after trips. The dedicated hose is too bulky.
Lithium batteries are solid state with no off gassing. So you don’t always have to heat them. You can put them in a kitchen cabinet, under your bed, or in a heated storage bay near the water pump. And they weigh 1/3 to 1/2 as much as SLA batteries, so you have saved enough weight to add solar panels and a charger without impacting CCC!
He said he was in TX where the temperature got well below 32, the info I’ve read about lithium you can’t recharge them below 32 until you warm them up.
As a cpl that has all on the list but one we totally agree! We have all but the latch-it but not for any reason other than they or anyone else we could find carry them for our 2023 Jayco Grayhawk 30z the door latch is like a car door latch I put in a request to let us know once they design one that fits our RV but not sure what to do to better secure our unit outside of putting on an ugly looking padlock any suggestions?
I have #1,3,4 &5. My batteries are 12v heated Battleborns. Regarding #6, I wonder how I’d get in my TT when the batteries die.
We have the RVLock brand and they come with a key as well as the remote and keypad. I always keep one key on my truck key ring.
Was a single 10 volt battery a joke? Or is that all the voltage a single 12 volt lead acid battery produced?
Thank you, Cheri! We have not ‘”done” any upgrades, but we do have many of these things came with our rig, either as standard features or options. Some of them go beyond where they stopped. I do agree with them that these are all important additions/features/components that make travel much easier. Regardless of how much fun basic “camping” is, at some point creature comforts become more and more welcome until they become necessities. 🙂