The Top 7 Gadgets Every RV Owner Should Have
The Top 7 Gadgets Every RV Owner Should Have
1. Cellphone Signal Booster
Cellphones are a very important part of our lives, although their signal reception varies from place to place.
The further away you go from civilization, the less the cell service you will get.
So, as long as you RV, you will definitely find yourself somewhere someday, without enough cellphone reception.
The simple solution to such a problem is to use a cellphone signal booster.
What this does, is that it uses an antenna placed outside the vehicle to receive nearby cell signals, and then it boosts the signal’s strength and rebroadcasts them using a second antenna inside the vehicle.
There are different cell signal boosters for large halls, small vehicles, trucks and RVs.
Each has their different specifications and signal strengths, to match the target conditions. This makes it necessary to get a package that is specifically designed for an RV.
Pros:
• Boosts the signal reception of your cellphone tremendously.
• One time purchase only, no subscriptions and no bills.
Cons:
• You will get no signal if you go too far away from civilization.
Average Price: $200-400
2. Backup Camera System
Backup cameras are slowly becoming mandatory in vehicles. According to research, they actually improve the driver’s safety standard, and help thereby to save lives.
Backup cameras are even more important for RVs, trucks and other large or trailer-puling vehicles.
They are two types of backup camera systems: the wired and the wireless types.
Wireless backup camera systems are easier to install, but their signals can be affected by severe weather conditions, and occasionally, by nearby transmitters. So digital wireless backup camera system is highly recommended.
Pros:
• Increases your driving safety during backup and while on the road.
• Prevents you from scratching or damaging your RV.
Cons:
• Low quality backup cameras can be susceptible to bad weather.
3. The 7-in-1 Pressure Cooker
A majority of RVers love to take things easy and have fun, and a 7-in-1 pressure cooker helps tremendously in achieving that desire.
This single device will replace your pressure cooker, your rice cooker, steamer, yogurt maker, warmer, and slow cooker.
You can cook a variety of foods in the 7-in-1 cooker, from meats to beans and rice, vegetables and stew.
The most popular 7-in-1 pressure cooker brand is Instant Pot, and it is available in 5, 6 and 8 quart sizes.
Average power consumption across brands is 900 Watts. The cookers are usually controlled using electronic programs, which allows you to just press a button and your cooking starts.
Pros:
• Can cook up to 70% faster than with conventional methods.
• Saves space and is easy to wash and maintain.
Cons:
• They use large amounts of electricity, making them best fitted for use in RV parks.
Average Price: $100-300
4. Tire Pressure Monitor
If your RV’s tires blow, then you have a serious problem that will probably cost you a few thousand dollars.
In addition, the risk of an accident is greatly increased when a tire bursts. In order to prevent such unwanted occurrences, you have to protect your tires from the root cause of preventable tire blowouts: high heat, under-inflation and overloading.
With a tire pressure monitoring system, you get 4 or six sensors, depending on your vehicle, which are attached to the tire’s valves, and send their readings to a portable computer.
The computer usually gets power from the cigarette lighter socket, while the sensors use batteries.
They send both temperature and pressure information in degrees Fahrenheit or Centigrade, and in psi, respectively. The computer receives it and displays the values for you.
Pros:
• They help you save your tires and your money.
• Tire pressure monitors can save lives by preventing accidents.
Cons:
• Sensors use batteries that need changing after a while.
Average Price: $100-300
5. Walkie Talkies
2-Way radios, better known as walkie talkies, can be quite liberating when RVing. When you find yourselves in an area with bad cell reception, and someone goes fishing or hiking, then you will be glad to have walkie talkies to communicate with.
They are also great for backing up your RV and communicating with someone behind.
Walkie talkies are simply a combination of a radio receiver and a transmitter.
They vary in sensitivity and power, and may have extra features like a digital display and audio channels. The pricier versions may even feature encryptions and other highlights.
They are normally sold in pairs, and it is always advisable to have an extra set of batteries around, or to buy a set with rechargeable batteries.
Pros:
• Free communication between partners, with no bills to pay and no subscriptions.
• Walkie talkies are fun to use.
Cons:
• They use a single channel for communication, so the talk and release system needs getting used to.
Average Price: $25-100
6. LED lighting
LED, which stands for Light Emitting Diode, has come a long way. Originally used in radios and other electronic devices as a signal light (usually red), many LED colors were further developed over the years.
With the development of the white colored LED, lighting applications started to change. Today, we have LED lights that can be used in place of halogen lights and others.
They additionally use as low as 10% of the energy that halogens use, while staying very bright.
This makes them great for many applications. LED lights do not generate heat, so you can use them inside your RV, like in summer for example, without fear of warming up the place.
LED lights also last comparatively longer and are less vulnerable to vibrations.
Pros:
• can save a lot of energy, up to 90%.
• They are cool to the touch, and will not heat up the RV.
Cons:
• a little costlier.
Average Price: $25-100
7. Solar Panels
Solar panels are made from semi-conductors, which generate electricity when sunlight shines on them. The panels generate direct-current electricity, which can either be used immediately, or stored in batteries.
A panel can produce anywhere from 10 watts, up to 200 watts, depending on its number of silicon cells.
You can also put together as many panels as you like.
The only drawback with solar power is that the initial costs are rather high, but they pay for themselves over time, plus they offer you the opportunity of having clean energy in remote, off-grid areas.
Depending on the size of the system, you can use your phones, tablets, laptops and even watch TV, all powered by the sun.
Pros:
• Provides free electricity without bills or a subscription.
• Can be very valuable if you go off-grid.
Cons:
• Their initial cost per watt can be substantial.
Average Price: $50 – $1,000 and over
Conclusion
Coming to the end of this list of the top 7 gadgets every RV owner should have, it is important to note that none of the gadgets is more important than the other. You should choose a gadget based on your needs and your individual situation. But if you desire to have the best quality time possible, then they all become necessary.