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Posted on by John Marucci

RV Tools for Beginners

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One of the areas that every new RV owner needs to be aware of is the need for certain tools and supplies. There can be so many items that it can quickly become overwhelming. Below is a list of the main tools and supplies I use in my RV travels, including a brief explanation of what each is used for. Hopefully this will help those of you just getting started. You can see many of these items on the video called: RV Tools for Beginners. Also, many of these items are available on our Amazon store if interested (see links for certain items below*). There is also a printable pdf checklist for these basic tools on the site.

Hand Tools

  • Screwdriver Set – For obvious reasons, a quality screwdriver set is essential. 
  • Hook & Pick Set – These can come in very handy when you need to remove something in a tight space or pry open a cover.
  • Manual Bit Driver Set – Like a screwdriver set, this will have basic heads (Phillips & flat) but should also have square and star heads for various types of fasteners.
  • Small Ball-Peen Hammer – I use this to re-set any loose staples or nails in the trim in my RVs.
  • Rubber Mallet – I use this to set my wheel chocks and to set any stakes to keep my screen room or campsite mat in place.
  • Vise-Grip Pliers – This basic tool is a must-have for various jobs.
  • Channellock Pliers – Another basic tool that is a must-have for various jobs.
  • Combination Wrench Set – A simple set of combination wrenches at general widths will get used regularly when travelling.
  • Torque Wrench & Sockets – I use my torque wrench at almost every campsite when getting ready to break camp. It is vital that wheel lugs are torqued properly before any longer trips and at regular mileage intervals.
  • Tape Measure – I have both a small 6’ and larger 25’ tape measure in my toolbox for various uses.
  • Box Cutter – A simple box cutter is an essential tool and gets used fairly regularly when traveling and for specific jobs.
  • Level – I use a simple 24” level to level my RV from side to side, then from front to back when setting up camp. It is also handy when hanging items on the walls (pictures, etc.).
  • Wire Brushes – A small stiff wire brush(es) is essential to many jobs, including brushing of electrical connectors. I recently needed this for a connection issue on my 7-pin connector on my tow vehicle.

Power Tools

  • Cordless Drill – I primarily use my cordless power drill to raise and lower my stabilizer jacks. This is much easier than hand-cranking the jacks. A simple ¾” drive socket is used for this purpose. I also have a set of drill bits and drivers for various jobs.
  • Power Screwdriver – This is a smaller adjustable power screwdriver and bit set that comes in very handy to seat or unseat various fasteners.
  • Air Compressor – For longer trips, I bring a small pancake-type air compressor to stay on top of tire pressures. This is an AC based compressor that I usually use while at the campsite. I do also carry a very small 12V air compressor for on-road emergencies. Having a compressor is especially important when traveling in the winter between colder and warmer climates. Tire pressures will vary quite a bit and staying on top of this is a safety concern. As far as attachments, I carry a basic tire inflation bit, and air blow gun, and a winterization quick-connect blowout adapter (to winterize if needed).

Specialty Tools

  • 30 Amp 6V/12V Battery Charger – I do carry a good battery charger. This can actually save your RV trip if the converter in your RV fails. Mine did at one point in a trip and having a charger allowed us to keeping camping.
  • Propane Tank Grill Gauge – This little gauge allows me to quickly see how much propane remains in my propane tanks. It is an old-school weigh-type device but works very well.
  • Digital Temperature Gun – I love this little temperature gun as it will instantly tell you the temperature of anything you point it at. This came in handy recently when having an issue with my air conditioning.
  • Winterization Hose – For my Keystone Bullet travel trailer, I need an attachable hose to pull RV antifreeze into the plumbing system. Some trailers already have such a hose connected near the water pump.
  • PEX Cutter, Crimping Tool & Clamps – These are essential for most RV plumbing jobs. I recently replaced a sink faucet in my Keystone Bullet and having these proper tools made the job a breeze.

Miscellaneous

  • Small Ladder – I keep a small 4’ ladder with me when camping and use it for various things, including getting up to brush off the RV slide out before pulling it in.
  • LED Headlamp – I use this regularly when or if I have to go outside the RV at night (e.g., to empty holding tanks at a full-hookup site). Some campgrounds can be very dark, and a good LED headlight is essential.

Supplies

  • Miscellaneous Screws/Washers/Small Nails – I carry a small container of miscellaneous parts for various jobs. Some of these have been accumulated over time as leftovers from other jobs.
  • Duct Tape – Handy for about anything where you need to keep two or more things together. Great for emergency use.
  • Electrical Tape – Needed for most electrical jobs where wires are concerned.
  • Gorilla Tape (Clear, Waterproof) – This type of tape has come in handy where I’ve wanted to tape things together and not have the tape show. It is very strong.
  • Painter’s Tape – Great for marking lines and areas where you will need to remove the tape afterward. I’ve used this for numerous jobs, from setting a level-line for hanging pictures, to measuring a gallon visually in a bucket.
  • Plumbers Teflon Tape – Essential tape for plumbing connections.
  • Fuses – You should have an assortment of basic fuses incase a fuse is blown.
  • Goo Gone – This stuff works to remove pretty much any glue or gunk off of various surfaces.
  • Silicone WD-40 – I’ve used this for years as a general lubricant. It comes in handy in a pinch if you don’t have more specific lubricant for the job and need a quick solution.

Clean-Up

  • Small Shop Vac – I use this regularly to vacuum the interior of the RV after arriving at the campsite and generally to keep the cargo holds clean.
  • Broom – A basic broom helps for sweeping off the campsite mat and can be used to brush off the awning when rolling it up.
  • Sponge Mop – I use this for cleaning the awning at times with a microfiber towel on the end of the mop. This is so I don’t roll up the awning wet, which can cause mold. I also use this to spot clean the sides of the RV.
  • Small Bucket – Having a small bucket can be essential for any water-related jobs, including winterization of the RV while on the road.
  • Hand Brush – Often times items are dirty after camping and need to be brushed off before putting them back into you tow vehicle’s storage area (SUV cargo area or Truck bed).
  • Microfiber towels (in multiple colors) – I use these for different uses and assign a color to different areas (Blue = Outdoor dirty jobs, Green = Indoor cleaning, etc.).

All the best in your camping endeavors!

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