Life on the road can be a very freeing, enjoyable experience. But as many full-time RVers can attest, you need to be prepared for anything. Things can break, tear, and malfunction while you’re traveling, especially if you’re on the move for months at a time. A well-stocked RV toolkit is a must-have for any camper, whether you’re out for the weekend or indefinitely.There are tons of little things that can break that won’t stop you from hitting the road, but they can become inconvenient and bothersome. Avoid the headache and have the right tools to repair your RV on the go. 8 Tools to Include in Your RV Toolkit 1. Tire Pressure Gauge Be sure to carry a tire pressure gauge in your RV or any automobile you own. More modern RVs and vehicles may have tire pressure sensors but do not always depend on these, especially if you bought your RV used. If you are driving a lot, get into the habit of doing daily tire pressure checks to avoid any mishaps while you are on the road.Even if you’re parked for an extended period in one spot, keep in the habit of checking your tires regularly. A slow leak or flat tire can really put a damper on your trip, especially if you only discover it on the day you’re planning to head somewhere new.You can choose from the classic pen-style tire pressure gauge or a digital reader. When looking for a tire pressure gauge, get one that reads to at least 100 psi. This will not be an issue with a digital reader. 2. Air Compressor Having a tire pressure gauge is helpful to get to know if your tire pressure is low or not, but you also need a way to inflate those tires if need be.Many gas stations have free or paid air compressors available, but long-term RVers (especially boondockers) may choose to invest in a portable air compressor that draws power from your vehicle battery. These handy tools are not only great for pumping up a low tire but are easy enough to use that they are a must-have for those who like to drive 4×4 roads or on the sand. 3. Flashlight or Headlamp There are many options for lights to include your RV toolkit, and flashlights and headlamps are two of the best options. Better yet, have both!Flashlights are ideal when you are looking in hard-to-reach places, and headlamps work well for working on tasks that require both hands. No matter the light source you choose, always pack extra batteries. There are also several options for rechargeable flashlights and headlamp options too.Most of the time, investing in a rechargeable light source not only saves you from running low on battery, but it often saves you money in the long run. If you decide to go the rechargeable route, make sure you have ample power to power it up. This is easy if you often stay in paid camping areas, but a solar charger or generator will be handy if you frequent boondocking campsites.Another excellent light option is an inspection mirror with LED lights. If you choose to invest in one of these, look for a telescoping mirror that extends and has a flexible head to give you more reach. While a headlamp and flashlight can be more versatile, the inspection mirror gives you an easy way to see out-of-the-way places. 4. Drill and Drill Bits When packing a drill in your toolkit for RVing, make sure it is cordless and battery-operated. It also won’t hurt to have at least two batteries, so you can always have a full charge when you need to use it. Having a drill on the road has many uses, including saving your time with your stabilizer jack if you have the right drill socket. Beyond that, having a drill is excellent for fixing various things on your RV, both inside and out.When deciding which drill to get for your RV toolkit, consider what you may want to use it for and how much power you want. A drill with around 14 volts will be sufficient for most travelers, but it will only really work for smaller jobs and may feel underpowered. A 20-volt drill is recommended if you plan to use your drill often. 5. Zip Ties Zip ties are very similar to duct tape in that they can fix almost anything—at least for a little while. You can use them to reattach a wayward hose, keep cords and wires together, or lock shut a wily cabinet door for travel. They are so versatile that once you start looking, you’ll find uses for them everywhere. Need to wrap insulation around your pipes for a freezing night? Break a shower curtain ring? Need an extra keychain? You can use zip ties for all of those. 6. Knife or Multi-Tool Having a multi-purpose tool of any kind is useful. Keep it in your pocket while inspecting your RV or while milling around camp, and we can guarantee you’ll find dozens of uses for it. Some multi-purpose tools also include a knife or blade, but it’s worth it to keep a dedicated pocket knife, too, for small tasks. 7. Multi-Bit Screwdriver A big part of RV travel is organization and space-saving. So, instead of having multiple screwdrivers, get one with multiple bits.You can get these with their own organization cases, which is recommended, so you don’t lose any of the bit heads. You should at the very least have a flathead and Phillips to swap in and out since these are the most common screw heads.If you get the screwdriver in a set, other heads will be included, which on an RV will likely come in handy from time to time. 8. Socket and Ratchet Set Sockets and ratchet sets are useful in any car toolkit, but especially for RVs. Make sure that the set(s) of sockets you carry are the ones that best fit the bolts and screws in your camper. Most of the time, you will only have to buy one or two additional sizes, but it is a good idea to check what you may need before you hit the road. Other RV Toolkit Tips When RVing and traveling full-time, having the right mindset for encountering repairs and pitfalls is necessary. Take some of the stress away from any situation by being prepared for the most common RV repairs. Having roadside assistance of some kind is also recommended for those times when you encounter mechanical issues you can’t fix yourself.Preparedness goes a long way during long-distance travel. So, on top of the eight must-have tools to include in your RV toolkit we listed, bring along a toolset in a carrying case. Some of these toolsets will consist of some of the items we listed, like the ratchet set or a screwdriver, but they will also include other tools needed for auto and RV repair.When investing in an RV toolkit in a carrying case, look for SAE or metric sizes that are compatible with your rig. Not all rigs are the same, even within the same brand names. Having a toolkit specific to your rig in a carrying case helps save you from having to buy individual tools, and it keeps them organized while you travel (win-win).

There’s nothing quite like hitting the road for a summer adventure—visiting your favorite parks, hiking and exploring, and curling up in your RV for a comfortable sleep on those soft summer nights. But we travelers often feel the pull of the open road all year long, even when that blissful summer warmth is replaced by the chilly bite of autumn and winter. So when can we justify investing the time and money into weatherproofing an RV and heading out for some cold-weather travels? Let’s take a look!We’ll discuss the benefits and drawbacks of weatherproofing and insulating an RV, the different methods out there along with RV insulation types, and the top considerations to think about before diving in. Blue Ridge Roadside Campsite | Canton, NC Why Insulate? Broaden Your Travel Season By installing RV insulation, you open up the whole year for travel. All you hikers and summer sports enthusiasts out there will appreciate the added capability to visit your favorite recreation areas earlier in the spring or later in the autumn while avoiding most of the peak-season crowds. Meanwhile, winter sports lovers will enjoy the warm air that greets you when you come in off the snow to a cozy winter home.Investing in weatherproofing your RV ensures that no event, sport, or season is out of your reach! Improved Summer Performance Insulating your rig doesn’t just keep you warm in winter, but it also helps keep your RV cool in the summer. Insulation combined with proper hot-weather practices will keep that hot air outside your vehicle while keeping it cool inside. Remember, coolers rely on insulation to keep your food cold, and the same principle applies here. Reduce Condensation Condensation is the enemy of many a full-time RVer. From condensation while sleeping (hot breath collecting on cool walls) to steamy days, water can build up quickly and, over the long term, slowly cause water damage to your rig. Proper insulation can help to regulate these temperature differences and reduce condensation to protect your camper. Coconino Rim Road Dispersed Camping | Grand Canyon, AZ – Photo by: Doug Primary Considerations for Insulation Weight One of the primary considerations before installing insulation is how much weight it will add to your RV. Depending on the materials used, the added load can be significant, impacting your tow capabilities, gas mileage, etc. That doesn’t mean you should skimp on your insulation! But be strategic and thoughtful in your implementation to strike a good balance. R-Value R-Value is the ability of insulation material to resist heat/temperature transfer. The higher the R-value, the better the material is at insulating. When searching for the right insulation for your camper, consider the temperature extremes you want it to protect against, and then weigh potential R-values against other factors like weight and expense. Expense Properly insulating your RV from top to bottom is an expensive proposition no matter how you slice it – whether doing it yourself or hiring a professional. Therefore, the primary consideration you need to think about before moving forward is whether or not you’re ready to make that investment. Remember, this is not a project you want to skimp on! Half-hearted insulating and weatherproofing will only lead to chilly evenings and the potential for costly issues like burst pipes.However, there are definitely some more budget-friendly material options for weatherproofing. Let’s take a look at some of these options.Photo by: Live Small Ride Free Types of RV Insulation Fiberglass RV Insulation Fiberglass insulation is very common for almost any project, from homes to RVs. It typically looks like fluffy pink rolls that are installed behind your wall panels. This type of insulation is generally among the cheapest options out there and has an excellent R-value. It is also reasonably straightforward to install since it’s flexible and easy to match your RV’s shape (keep in mind that you’ll have to remove your wall paneling, install, and then reassemble your walls).However, fiberglass insulation is less expensive for two reasons. First, it wears down faster than spray foam insulation and rigid foam (discussed next). Second, it’s very susceptible to moisture, which may lead to mold growing in your RV walls over time.With all this in mind, fiberglass insulation is best suited to RVers who tend to adventure in one primary climate or multiple mild climates. This insulation will not perform well if you’re often jumping seasons from extreme heat to severe cold. Spray Foam Insulation While tricky to install correctly, spray foam offers a plethora of benefits to your RV insulation project. First off, it’s lightweight, which soothes any worries you may have about overburdening your RV with excess pounds. Second, this type of foam insulation expands and seals. The foam can access all those hard-to-reach nooks and crannies and seal them. That seal is also water-resistant.For all these great benefits, this type of insulation has a lower R-value than other options. Therefore, it won’t offer the same level of protection against hot or cold air as the alternatives. So if you’ve got your eye on chilly winter camping for skiing, you should probably opt for a different type.If you choose spray foam insulation, we highly recommend trying it out on some scrap plywood first so you can get the hang of it before installing it in your RV. Compensating for the foam’s expansion takes a little practice. Rigid Foam RV Insulation Rigid foam insulation tends to hit the sweet spot between spray foam and fiberglass. It has a mid-range R-value, is moisture-resistant, and is long-lasting. Sounds great, right? Not so fast.Rigid foam insulation tends to be one of the toughest to install. You’ll need to cut each foam board to precisely fit the space you’re covering, and you’ll need additional tools or adhesives to secure it properly.So, while labor-intensive, this option is ideal for insulating RV walls if you’re planning on some cold weather in the winter and seamlessly making the transition to toasty summer camping. Wool Insulation Those looking for a more natural solution may find it in wool insulation. Made with the less popular colors and qualities of sheep wool, wool insulation (not to be confused with rock wool, which is made from raw materials spun into fibers) has a great R-value and handles moisture well. If you choose the wool insulation provider carefully, you can avoid any types of pesticides or other chemicals in the material.On the downside, nature wool insulation is heavy, more expensive than the other options, and can be tricky to install, especially between the roof and ceiling. You’ll want to double-check your tow capacity and gross weight ranges before committing to wool insulation.Photo by: Live Small Ride Free Plumbing, Tanks, and Underbelly If you’re simply insulating your RV for more flexibility in the shoulder seasons, rock on! But if you’re looking to camp mid-winter, don’t forget that you’ll need to insulate your rig’s plumbing, water tanks, and underbelly as well.Water freezes quickly in winter conditions, and a ruptured water pipe or tank can spell disaster for your camping trip. So, take the time and effort to make sure you cover all your bases for complete weatherproofing. Windows and Doors Don’t forget to give your windows and doors some weatherproofing love. Proper seals, caulking, double or triple-paned windows, and curtains will all go a long way to keep you comfortable in all weather conditions.It can be a tough decision to insulate or not, but we hope this article helped you decide when the investment is worth it. Think about your destinations and seasons as well as your preferred activities, and if you choose to weatherproof, make sure you’re thorough and don’t skimp!When you’re all insulated and ready to tackle the cold, don’t forget to check out our guide to winterizing your RV.