RV Tips – RV Emergency Kit

Boondocking. It’s not for everyone.

It’s late March and you have been camping on BLM land in the Leslie Gulch area of Oregon.  The campsite is 30 miles off the main road.  The  week here has been amazing and you are the last to leave before a spring snow storm hits in a couple of days.  Your heavy duty truck has been a workhorse and towing the 35 ft. Fifth Wheel has been easy.  As you go to start your vehicle, the starter doesn’t engage and you can’t fix it.  No cell phone reception and no one around.  What do you do?

Like the 10 Essentials for Hiking, each RV’er should have the essentials.  I’ve listed some things that you should have to be better prepared.

• Cell phone – I know, silly to mention it, but it is a necessity
• Fire Extinguisher – Have at least three.
• Air Pump – A high volume pump that can inflate those large motorhome tires: Slime 40026 2X Heavy Duty Direct Drive Tire Inflator
• Automotive Tool Kit with spare bulbs chassis and coach fuses: Camco 65136 ATC/ATO 5 Fuse Assortment
• Weather Radio – Invaluable, especially if you travel in the Midwest or South.
• Extra water, food – In case you get stuck somewhere for a few days
• Flashlights – Keep them in your truck, RV and toad.
• Emergency Kit with reflectors, flares and a reflective vest, heavy work gloves
• Pet Carrier and extra pet food – In case you need to put your RV in the shop
• Gorilla Tape – This stuff will hold anything together, especially a torn awning
• First Aid Kit – Keep one in the RV and the toad
• Emergency Road Service – Check your coverage to ensure it includes remote towing. Some companies will not tow you if you are more than a mile or two off the main road. Good Sams, Coachnet or AAA.

Also, if you can afford it:

• A GPS locator like a SPOT: SPOT 3 Satellite GPS Messenger – Orange
• A satellite phone – You can buy prepaid minutes or monthly plans.  Also great for backcountry hiking.
• CB Radio
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System: TST 507rv Tire Monitor System – Monitors PSI and Temperature -Flow Through System Model
• Mobile WiFi hotspot – You can use your cell phone or dedicated cellular hotspot.  Works best with a cellular amplifier.

Some other things RV’ers worth their salt should have:

• Surge Protector – You never know how dirty the campground power is. Progressive Industries SSP30 Smart Surge  or Technology Research 11615 Surge Guard, 30 Amp.  There are 50 amp versions.
• Water Pressure Reducer – Your RV can only handle so much pressure.
• Water filter – Some campgrounds have lousy water.  A basic one: Camco 40043 TastePURE Water Filter with Flexible Hose Protector
• Walkie-talkies – Great for parking the rig or around the campground.
• Step Stool – Most of us aren’t six feet tall.
• Extra hoses, cords & adapters – heavy duty extension cords, dogbones for 50-30 amp, and spare cheap sewage line
• Coax for the campground cable connection.  At least 25-50 ft.  Don’t forget a barrel connector too.
• For you coffee drinkers, nothing like a french press or old fashioned percolator when you are boondocking.
• LED bulbs: HOT SYSTEM™ 1156 7506 1003 1141 LED SMD 18 LED Bulbs Interior RV Camper White 10-pack

For the theoretical problem mentioned in the opening statement, you may be up the creek without a paddle unless you have a satellite phone, GPS locator with texting capability, OnStar or an Internet connection.   RV’ers are typically more prepared than the average motorist, especially those that enjoy boondocking.  Do you have any tips for the essential RV items?

An RV GPS is a must-have!