You’re driving down the highway in your rig, surrounded by a beautiful landscape … but the kids keep asking for arrival time estimates every five minutes. If only you had got around to hooking up the satellite dish. Afterthoughts can take your trip to the next level and the little things can save your vacation when something goes wrong. Certain RV accessories and spare parts are essential. Accessories can help you enjoy every part of your trip and spare parts are there to make sure that unexpected bumps in the road won’t derail your trip.
From the nice-to-have to the must-have, here are the RV accessories and spare parts you should have for every road trip.
Camp Rain or Shine with an Awning
Whether you need to install one for the first time or replace an old one, an awning is an important RV accessory that can improve your camping experience. The extra coverage provides shade from intense sunrays and protects from precipitation. You can choose between a power awning and a manual awning. Power awnings are more convenient, especially if you have a large RV, because you only have to press a button to extend and retract it. Manual awnings are typically sturdier and more adaptable, but also require more effort to roll out and roll up.
Awnings are best installed by a trusted service department so that the sizing is right and installation is done correctly. Discuss options with your RV dealer to choose the awning that’s right for you and your vehicle.
Explore New Places with Solar Power
Equipping your RV with solar power capabilities is a good way to save money and it can also expand your camping possibilities by making you more self-reliant.
If you are staying at a campground, solar power can enable you to stay in the spots that don’t have access to electricity. These spots are often removed from the centralized camping area and offer a more scenic experience. If you are dry camping, solar power can be even more useful as you can confidently immerse yourself in the wilderness.
Another benefit of solar power is that it does not disturb fellow campers or wildlife because it reduces or eliminates your dependence on electrical generators. Certain generators can be excessively noisy, so if you supplement your solar power with a generator, make sure it is a quieter model.
Stay Entertained with Satellite TV
Receiving satellite television in your RV is as easy as buying a dish to receive the signal and contacting a service provider to sign up. Satellite television is available almost everywhere these days, so you and your travel companions can watch TV on the road and at the campground.
Rooftop dishes are relatively hassle-free and will usually have no problem acquiring signals, but if you are traveling in areas with particularly dense tree coverage, a portable dish might be more effective.
In Case of Emergency
These are some spare parts to keep handy, in case of emergency.
- Weather radio
- Extra water pump
- Replacement sewer hose
- Back-up engine belts
- Fluid and fuel filters
Whether it’s about enjoying the experience or preparing for emergency situations, the little things can help you make the most of your trip. Buying accessories and spare parts at your local RV dealer is also a good opportunity to get to know your dealer, so that when you need something important fixed on your RV, you know who you can trust to treat you well. At Ketelsen RV, we’re RV vacation specialists because RVs are our business. If you have any questions about what you need before you leave on your vacation, call or stop by today and one of our RV experts will be happy to answer all your questions.
