Essential Tools for All RV Camping Seasons

Many people like to extend their RV Camping time into the winter months like we do. If you’re one of those people who want to give winter camping a try, one thing that is a necessity when RV Camping in the cold winters or the hot summers is a toolbox! What you put in that toolbox can play a big role in how your trip goes if you have something go wrong with your rig. Read on to see our list of Essential Tools for All RV Camping Seasons and why you may need them!

FYI-I could list all of the problems and how the guys fixed them but I had to call on my Dad (aka PawPaw Tom) and my husband, Mark, for information on the appropriate tools to do it!

Frustrating Problems with RV’s Old and New

We have had plenty of issues with both of our RV’s. We are not the only ones who have frustrating problems occur while RV Camping. My entire family have had issues of some sort or another. As a reminder, we all have purchased brand new RV’s since 2015 (except our additional motorhome we use in the winter). So, things can simply go wrong with a brand-new RV just as easily as a used RV!

Our List of Issues

Here are a few things that have gone wrong with the RV’s we purchased New and Used:

Water Heater

The Electric Heating Rod can burn out on a water heater. That would require sockets or a Phillips screwdriver to remove the electrical connections as well as an 1 1/8″ socket to unscrew it from the tank. Having  extra electric heating element in your toolbox is a good idea as well. Also, having pipe tape available is good for the threads on any water connection.

Water Lines Break

There’s not a lot you can do to be prepared for this but having a hose splice repair kit could be beneficial. If you develop a leak in your water lines, the only thing you can do is shut off the water. However, if you have this splice repair kit, you can repair the line eliminating hours of down time. You would also need a crescent wrench and/or water pipe pliers.

Flat Tires/Blow Outs

Flat tires while traveling usually ends with blow outs which could cause damage to the undercarriage of camper. A couple of heavy-duty bottle jacks and lug wrench to remove the wheel and replace with the spare tire that you checked the air pressure on occasionally. If the air pressure is low, then the need for a small air compressor would solve that issue.

Air Conditioner Freezing Up

A/C can freeze up because lack of airflow from not changing or washing your air filter frequently. Using a screwdriver to take the screen housing down would be needed. Then you can replace the A/C Foam filter or wash it. The A/C can also freeze up because of lack of enough Freon which would require servicing.

Leveling Jacks Break

If your leveling Jacks were to break, they must either be removed or tied up with bailing wire. Bailing wire is a necessary tool that is needed in every camper.

Lighting/Fuses

Seems basic enough, but make sure you have backup bulbs and fuses.

Essential Tools for Your Toolbox

Although it would be nice to allow for every single problem that could occur, there’s only so much room in an RV!

Here is our list of Essential Tools for All RV Camping Seasons:

Emergency Roadside Kit

Screw Driver

Socket Set

Water Pipe Pliers

Pipe Tape

Crescent Wrench Set

Bottle Jacks

Lug Wrench

Small Air Compressor

A/C Foam Filter (check first for your specific RV Model)!

Hose Splice Repair Kit

Anode Rod (Backup one for hot water heater) (check first for your specific RV Model)!

Bailing Wire

Backup Bulbs

Backup Fuses

Conclusion of Essential Tools for All RV Camping Seasons

Those are the Essential Tools for All RV Camping Seasons. These are suggestions from us based on what we have experienced (so far). Having the basics (hammer, screwdrivers, tape measures, etc.) that you would normally have in your toolbox are assumed in this article.