A motor home is a second home, so you need to buy a lot of items at the start. In addition, you have to buy things specific to working with an RV as well as a vehicle. These short lists may help you understand all of the things you’ll need.
To get started:
- Storage containers for everything small enough to shift around during transit
- Bedding (sheets, comforter, blankets, pillows, etc.) for the main bed as well as secondary beds
- Clothes hangers and storage boxes
- Cookware
- Plates
- Silverware and steak knives
- Glasses (plastic) and mugs
- Knives and serving ware
- Cutting board
- Spices and oils
- Small appliances (toaster, coffee maker, egg cooker, etc.)
- Towels
- Shampoo and other shower items
- Bathroom items (cotton balls, toothpaste, etc.)
- Facial tissue
- Rugs
- Broom, mop, and cleaning supplies
- Clothes you keep in the motor home (coats, boots, etc.)
This list isn’t complete, and it doesn’t include camping supplies:
- Flashlights
- Camp chairs and tables
- Outdoor rug
- Grill
- Grilling tools
- Campfire tools
You will need some items to work with a motor home:
- Potable water hose (connecting the shore/city water to your water supply)
- Electric/power cord (your motor home may come with one)
- Surge protector (external)
- Sewer hose (don’t skimp on this)
- Non-potable, garden water hose (for cleaning)
- Gloves and cleaners for working with the sewer hookup
- Portable air compressor
- Tire pressure monitoring system
If you are towing a vehicle, prepare for some large costs to do it correctly (eTrailer.com is a fantastic resource to get towing set up right):
- Tow bar (spend more money to make your life easier and prevent an upgrade in a year or two)
- Tow bar base plate (this stays on your vehicle for attachment points)
- Braking system (so the vehicle brakes when you brake the motor home)
- Electrical connections (so your turn signals and brake lights respond on your towed vehicle)
- Safety items (cables, disconnects, etc.)
This list is not comprehensive, but it is a decent guide to give you some ideas of the scope of purchases. Most items are relatively inexpensive, but the number of them really add up to a big purchase price. Other items are expensive on their own. Some budgeting before you buy a motor home would be smart.
