I like to keep things pretty simple on the outside of the RV, but today, I have 15 items that make outdoor RV use more functional and enjoyable. So that’s what we’re diving into today. Let’s get started!
Now, the first one I get asked about all the time, and it’s this aluminum table. There are three reasons why I like this: number one, it’s easy to store and easy to set up. I’m not going to complain about either of those things. It is stored in a bag the size of a camping chair and is easy to assemble. Number two, it’s a sturdy table. We’ve put way more weight than you should on a table like this, and it’s held up to it. So, for the 5 years that we’ve had it, it’s handled much abuse and is still doing well. And the third reason I like this table is that I want to be able to cook on it. Even if we’re at a place that has a picnic table at the campground, I will not cook on those picnic tables. I would rather cook on this. Why leave a mess for somebody else when this is super clean and metal? It’s a perfect solution for that. I haven’t found a table that I like better. So, on to number two.
Number two is a good, comfortable chair. If you’re going to spend any time outside, a good, comfortable chair raises that enjoyment factor. There are a lot of great chairs out there. We like this one for comfort and how small it packs down when put away. It’s about half the size of a normal chair. Chairs are a preference thing; this one’s our favorite. On to number three, which brings us to today’s sponsor, and it’s upgrading our outdoor mat. The one we have was getting old, and we’re starting to track in remnants, and it’s falling apart. So it’s doing the opposite of what we want our outdoor mat to do: to try and keep an area that’s clean on the outside of the RV and keep the inside of the RV even cleaner. Could you give us a clean spot outside? This new one is massive, which is great because I love boondocking, which can get dirty, but my wife loves concrete pads. Having a big outdoor mat can give you a clean area to give you that same feeling, so we find a happy middle ground there. We don’t use it on grass sites, but if we have gravel, sand, or dirt, it does a great job of keeping the area much cleaner.
The next one on our list is a portable collapsible trash can. It’s easy to store, break out, and stake down, so it doesn’t blow away and helps you manage your trash. I’m getting ready to swap out the fifth-wheel hitch on our RV, so it has been part of the research I’ve been doing to figure out what I want.
Now, this one is a portable fire pit. I’ve had this one for years, but I get asked about it because you’ll probably see a theme here: it packs away really small and easily, about the same size as a typical camping chair. So, it doesn’t take up as much space as a smokeless fire pit. I know those are all the rage, but this one, you can watch the fire as it’s burning, too. So this one gets pulled out when you’re in a place that doesn’t already have a fire pit, and it’s just fun to use around the campsite. Portable fire pit—it’s a fun addition.
Now, these next two are taking something that’s not fun, making it bearable and bug-repellent. So this is a little rechargeable device that will give you like a 20-foot bubble of bug-free area, getting rid of those mosquitoes and things you don’t want around you. You can recharge this, but you also have to insert it. This one’s good for 40 hours, and you’ve got to buy more refills and then replace these, but you can recharge this backup. It’s not fun when you’re outside, and you feel like you’re just battling the bugs the entire time, but having something like this to get Rid of those bugs can be the ticket.
Something that we have been using is this flea. And tick, it’s a cedar wood scent, so it’s more of a natural approach. We’ve been using this quite a bit, and it works well. I just realized I use the one for pets and homes, but they make one for people. I’m sure it’s the same thing, however. I love this one, and it’s a hammock. I mean, look how small and compact this is. You did something wrong if you don’t have room for a hammock. I even have straps in here to strap around a tree. I use the straps because they don’t harm trees much like other attachment types. I like to keep a hammock inside of the truck. That way, I have it with me wherever I go. I’ve spent a fair share of nights in a hammock backpacking when you have a hammock, a rain fly, and a sleeping bag. They are very comfortable and fun. You have to have room for a hammock.
On to the next. This next one is also fun, adding extra lights on the exterior RV to spruce things up. This is one that we don’t typically do all that much, but I did get this little guy. It’s a rechargeable string of lights, so it charges by USB, which is pretty long. I’m trying to see how long it lasts on a charge. Right now, I’m just over 6 hours, but you can put these on the RV, you can put them in a tree, you can put them just about anywhere. They’re not crazy super bright, which will annoy people, but they’re just fun to put around. These are nice because you can use them anytime. You don’t have to worry about them gobbling up much power if you’re out boondocking. You charge them, and they’re using their own battery on the inside, and when you’re done, you reel them in like a fishing reel, so that way it keeps it all nice and tidy.
You have to have these next two on this list, and it’s being able to cook out. So if you want to have a griddle, or if you want to have a BBQ, or if you’re going to have a smoker, you have all those options. So, you have all those options depending on how you like to cook outside, what you like to do, and what you want to make. So we go with a pellet smoker and a griddle. It gives us the option to do what we want, but there are many great options out there for cooking out. I don’t even know what number we’re on at this point, but with that, the modification of using your onboard propane with a griddle or a barbecue comes in the clutch—a great outdoor use.
But we can add this to the list. We can refill these smaller propane cylinders with the proper fittings, turning a 20, 30, or 40-lb propane cylinder upside down and filling it. While it is possible to refill the disposable ones, it’s not legal to transport those. So, having these meant for it is the way to go if you refill them.
Another pretty popular one is a tablecloth. Usually we don’t typically use the picnic tables at sites, but when you do, it’s always a good idea to cover them because you never know what the people did with that table beforehand. Sewer hoses have been known to land on those tables, so getting that covered up is not a bad idea.
These next two are for people who like to maximize the outdoor space and take it to the next level. It’s adding a shaded area outside of your RV, so an additional popup or an additional shade structure on the outside of the RV. This kind leans more toward the extreme and has a portable power station. Nowadays, these things you can power just about anything you want, wherever you want, and move that power where you want it. Might be extreme, but you can literally have portable power anywhere you want.
There are so many different options and things available that we can use to enjoy the outside of our RV. Well, all the amenities inside the RV are great; sitting inside and watching TV all the time is not what this is all about.
Whether you pursue simplicity or are passionate about upgrading equipment, these small tools that enhance the outdoor experience of RVs can inject more convenience and fun into your journey. From practical storage to comfortable enjoyment, from cleaning management to atmosphere creation, every item is like a puzzle, making outdoor life more complete and cozy. Remember, the charm of RV travel lies in exploring unknown landscapes and creating your own mobile world. Before your next trip, why not try these “secret weapons”? They will make your next camping trip an unforgettable memory!