Travel Trailer Must Have Accessories

You may be wondering what do you need if you have just bought a travel trailer. We’ve created this handy guide to make sure you have the camping and travel experience you dreamed of when you started planning for RV ownership and enjoyment.  These are the travel trailer accessories that most people want and need.

Travel Trailer Insurance

Travel trailer insurance is a wise investment and something you need for a camper. It covers the RV in the case of an accident, but it also provides you with liability coverage in the off chance that someone visiting your RV gets injured on your property. It is worth the expense to ensure your travel trailer and your property have the same safety and protection as your vehicle or home does. It also provides peace of mind. If all goes well you’ll not need to make a claim, but if you do RV insurance has your back.

The Best Hitch

A proper trailer hitch is one of the most important pieces of gear you can get for your RV.  There are many types of hitches for travel trailers. The best type of hitch for a towed trailer has sway control and have weight balance to prevent the trailer swaying when on the road and also protects your truck from being pulled down so it helps with gas mileage during your journeys. A good trailer hitch is always the first mission-critical item you should invest in. It is the first of the RV Must Haves.

Keeping things on the Level / Jack Drill Socket and A Drill

Stabilizer stands on the corners of a travel trailer are designed to be rugged in order to hold your trailer steady. The power tool makes zipping jack stands quick and easy, sometimes even saving more time than using an RV’s built-in powered stabilizer features. Make sure the stabilization jacks have a drive nut and you get the right drill adapter.  If your travel trailer comes with jacks without drive nuts, the dealership can very likely replace them with ones that do. Adding leveling blocks to your camper supply and accessories shopping list is also a good consideration. Leveling blocks designed to even your tires on a site that is uneven. You can carry 2x4s or cement blocks as well but they take up space and can get muddy and wet from being on the ground in a campsite. Leveling blocks are designed to bear the weight of the tires and ensure your stabilizing jacks are stressed and are doing their job right. A cordless drill comes in handy for more than this as well but this bit and the drill are a huge time saver. Make sure you have good power strips in your RV supplies to keep it charged. Those power strips also will be used to power other things as well using the generator or the electric at a campsite. Be very careful to not overload a powerstrip. You should also have a complete toolkit as you may need a screwdriver or your hammer may save the day of the people in the campsite next to you by unjamming something.

Generator and Power

You will need a reliable generator for your travel trailer. RV Inverter generators are designed for powering a travel trailer. A quiet generator with a remote start is ideal and they are quite affordable. There are many types of generators out there but you want to ideally purchase one that has enough power to keep the A/C running when you do not have access to electrical hookups for your travel trailer. Reading generator reviews and comparing prices ensures you get the best deal and a generator that will not leave you in the dark when you do not want to be. Pick up a new gas can for filling up the generator. Store the 5-gallon gas can in the trailer so you always have fuel. RV generators are fuel-efficient so even 2 gallons of gas can sometimes last a week.

Hoses and Sewage 

Another camper must have are hoses. You’ll need a few hoses and they have different purposes. The most important hose for your RV is a good sewer hose. Having a box of disposable nitrile gloves are also a mandatory travel trailer must have. There is no avoiding the sewer hose.  Dumping the tanks is never a highlight but the right items make it easier. You will be using the restroom, shower and wash dishes in your RV. It is not a good idea to skimp on a sewer hose, you can save money elsewhere on the RV essentials. You need a good quality sewer hose 15-20’ long.  Good quality is one of the travel trailer must-haves. That is a length that will allow you to reach all dump tanks but not be so long that waste cannot flow through the entirety of the hose. You ideally want a hose with a right angle bracket and some even have a clear window that ensures you don’t disconnect a hose when there’s fluid in it. It is an RV essential to get a sewer hose that can fit in your travel trailer bumper. You do not want a hose with connectors that force you to store the used hose inside the trailer. It’s a health hazard and the space could have an odor problem. Camco is known for providing the best hoses and there are Sewer Kits available. Sewage Tracks elevate and guide the sewer hose and make sure gravity works as it should keep the waste flowing into the dump connection even if the conditions are bog-like and your site isn’t level.

Fresh Water Hoses and Tank Valves

The other camper necessity hose is fresh water hoses. You’ll probably want two fresh water hoses for your trailer.  There are special hoses made for RVs. The suggested lengths range from 15-25” so you can figure out which length works best on your travel trailer but always start with a 15’ hose. One of them will be the fresh water hose that is only used to get city water into your trailer or to fill the fresh water tank.  The other is used to drain the black or grey water. It is mandatory to have two different colored hoses so they do not get confused with each other. This is why a garden hose is generally not recommended. White hoses are the most common color for fresh water as it’s an easy visual guide to know which hose is the one that is clean. A lead-free hose is mandatory. Having a backup hose wrapped up and stored away is a good measure as hoses are not perfect and can leak or rupture from water pressure changes.  Having a collapsible hose that saves space is a great option. You can even consider a heated water hose to prevent freezing causing hose ruptures. If you will be camping in colder climates or in winter, the heated hose becomes a camper must have. Tank Filler Valves save you time when fresh water tanks need to be filled as it eliminates air having a hard time escaping from the tank.

Water Pressure Regulators and Water Filters

The water pressure regulator is an RV is one of the accessories for a travel trailer you must have. It is also usually one of the RV accessories that is forgotten on that first trip out. It is one if the best RV accessories you can buy. Campground water pressures vary and there is no standard PSI. Your camper generally only needs 40-50 psi but some campgrounds can have 120 psi that can ruin not just your day but can ruin your whole trip.  The high water pressure can damage your camper fittings and pipes. The water pressure regulator should be connected to the water supply, then the filter connected to the regulator and then your fresh water hose. This is just best practice. It keeps the hose and filter from dealing with potential water pressures that will cause a hose to burst or shorten its lifespan. Most RV’ers filter their fresh water multiple times so starting with a filter connected to the supply as well as the campers possible built-in filter and maybe even a faucet filter ensures you’re drinking the safest cleanest water. Having the filter connected to the pressure regulator makes sure the water that comes out of the faucet is clean. Water sources for campgrounds vary so a water filter is highly suggested. 

All or Most of The Comforts of Home

There are also some items on the camper accessory list that are smaller things that can easily be forgotten. Having a first aid kit for emergencies is as essential for an RV as it is to have one in your car. The RV accessory that many people forgot is sheets and linens and they try to improvise with normal bedding. RV mattresses are not the same size as standard mattresses. Getting RV linens ensures that no one is ever short sheeted or mummified. QuickZip RV Bed Sheets are a nice item as well. They make setting up an RV bed take less time and the bed is made in seconds. A mattress pad really makes a travel trailer bed the perfect place for a good nights sleep. An RV mattress pad has a happy home in every RV and happy sleepers upon it. Bed sheet straps are also called suspenders and keep RV beds sheets taut and smooth. Considering a portable hammock to hang up at your campsite is a nice little way to relax and enjoy your camping time.

The Bare-Bottomed Necessities

You will also need to have a nice toilet brush that comes with a case to close it up in. You can also use the brush for black tank cleaning.  Another thing be very attentive to is the chemical toilet.  You must use RV/Marine toilet paper, as regular toilet paper does not disintegrate in the black water tank.  Special toilet tissue designed for an RV restroom is not a luxury. Toilet Chemical is another necessity. It breaks down the toilet paper and prevents odors. For comfort, getting a package of toilet chemical is something that should be near the very top of your list. RV’s will possibly have some leaks eventually and having Dicor or the type of sealant your RV needs will let you seal any leaks and stay dry and not end a trip. It allows you to do a patch on the leak in camp and then get it repaired after you get home.

Keeping It Tidy and Keeping Amused

A collapsible net hamper bag typically used by college students is a way to collect dirty clothes and keep there from being socks wandering lost in the camper. You’ll also want to make sure that your travel trailer has a collection of movies, music or books. The movie “RV” is a travel trailer rite of passage and is required viewing, at least on the first trip out. Your RV is a small-enclosed space that’s always having dirt and leaves brought into it. Having a nice mat outside your trailer to wipe one’s feet on reduces the flooring getting soiled. You can also pick up a portable handheld vacuum to clean up carpeted areas in the camper. Mounting putty is a wonderfully practical solution that should always be on hand. You can use mounting putty to help attach knick-knacks and other things to surfaces so they need not be moved every time the trailer moves and small items to decorate stay secured. A quick and easy way to increase your space in a travel trailer is using hanging closet organizers. These can add a lot of storage space for clothes and personal items. To save on counter space, a hanging toothbrush holder by the sink saves on space and makes sure your toothbrush stays clean and never gets lost. Many travel trailer supplies can make your camper stay tidy, well organized and you do not get bored being stuck in the RV on a rainy day.

Kitchen and Dining

A hot pot or instant pot is the go-to for every RV chef. It’s the one appliance that lets you have a full kitchen in a single unit. You can have a fresh baked cake in the middle of nowhere if you want as well as having a convenient time saving cooking method. Happy campers require coffee so compact coffee makers are an RV necessity. You can even consider an acrylic French press. Having unbreakable plates and cups in your cabinets prevents the cost of replacing dinnerware if there’s ever a sudden stop. Having a nesting bowl and measuring cup set saves space and having a set of kitchen tools and knives just for the RV makes sure you never forget to bring the ones from home along.  Using cooking spray instead of oil and having an air fryer minimizes messes and cleanup for meals in your camper.  Magnetic spice racks expand your culinary options and take up little space and provide a lot of flavor to make camp food into feasts. There are also cabinet mounted spice racks as well. Shatterproof wine glasses make camping fancy. Freezer packs also come in handy for a multitude of reasons. They get the fridge cold when you set up camp or if it’s the first use the travel trailer that season. It also keeps food fresh and chilled if you do not keep your fridge running when the camper is pulled. It also replaces the need for ice when camping. Non-skid liners are very cheap and can be cut to fit your travel trailers drawers. These grippy liners ensure kitchen and dining items do not slide around in drawers or get damaged or scratched. It’s also a more environmentally friendly and better option than bubble wrap. Having a well-equipped kitchen and dining area can add a lot of small but very affordable things to your camper accessories list.

Additional Camper Must Haves

You should make sure that you do not forget to make sure you have proper storage and use the space inside your travel trailer well. Having bookcase with doors allows you to store books, DVDs and more conveniently and safely when traveling. A mirror mounted on the inside of your bookcase door also adds more functionality as you then can check your appearance. You should try to set up for RV so as many things serve multiple purposes as possible. You should also make sure you have cable ties to prevent your electrical cords from getting tangled. Grabbing a pack of different colored ties and labels can make your power management easy and ensure you never unplug your hotpot while it’s cooking dinner. You should also consider bringing your own water supply that can last a few days. Collapsible camping jugs are an ideal solution and require very little space when not in use. Having potable water is not to be overlooked. if you get a flat tire and are waiting for help, you need to stay hydrated. Reflective tape can be used on steps and door handles on the exterior so they illuminate in the dark when a flashlight hits them to provide safety. Fans can be used to cool off and even as a clothes dryer and there are many small powerful fans available to choose from. Fans can keep your RV from getting stuffy in humidity.

If you enjoy boondocking and having a bigger budget, there are things you can add to your trailer kit to help you have more fun in your stay. One is a portable campfire. When you have this, you can start a fire wherever you need to. Also, never forget your fire starting kit, you should always have a fire starting kit to get all your campsite fires blazing. Enclosed fire pits are a great investment and allowed in most state parks even. A portable campfire is a nice luxury item and provides safe warming for an entire family. You should make sure you have good hiking backpacks in order to walk to camp stores and likewise have your essentials with you if spending the night out camping and sleeping under the stars. You need a quality frame backpack that can easily be stored away to port your things from RV to campsite and back.

High Tech for Travel Trailers

There are several accessories that allow you to use your technology when camping. These are optional things you need for a camper. A cell booster makes sure you can receive important calls in areas when the mobile coverage is low. It increases the range of your phone, especially inside your RV. Solar powered cell phone chargers eliminate the need to use power at a campsite and let you stay connected to the outside world. You can use solar powered chargers to charge phones, tablets and even laptops. Some solar chargers are even incorporated into camping backpacks so you can charge as you hike. A Wi-Fi booster set on top can increase connection to free Wifi hotspots. Electric fly swatters are a fun and high tech way to kill bugs that get inside your RV and are very popular.

There are a wide range and diverse offerings for camper necessities. Having the best camper stuff makes for a safe and fun camping trip and makes sure that your home away from home is as safe, secure and has all the conveniences you desire. By being well outfitted with the top RV accessories, all that remains after setting up camp is to enjoy your trip.

Picking best insurance for travel trailer

Travel Trailer Insurance

Travel trailers, also known as campers, may not have their own engine or drivetrain, but they are still Recreational Vehicles. This is why you need to consider having camper insurance. Some insurers do not cover travel trailers under owners automobile liability insurance policies. As your camper is a second home or a weekend getaway that you take along with you, you may also want more extensive coverage to protect your belongings or your RV if they are stolen, damaged or need repair or replacement. You should competitively shop for RV insurance in the same manner you would if getting car insurance. Of course, always see if your car insurance covers a travel trailer first and if your current insurance provides any separate RV insurance policies if they do not.

Additional policies with the same provider can provide considerable savings. Do not neglect getting insurance quotes from RV insurance specialists as well. Contact multiple insurance providers to compare policy types and costs and make sure to get a travel trailer insurance quote for the type of RV policy that needs your needs.

Your travel trailer insurance cost can be affected by many things and there are various add-ons and plans designed for the unique needs of an RV’er. Comparing policies and insurance providers alongside with insurance coverage needs will ensure that your RV insurance cost provides you with both the best value and peace of mind.

Camper Insurance Considerations


Good Sam - RV Insurance Agency
Good Sam Insurance Agency
Custom coverage especially for RVs. Standard plan covers collision and comprehensive coverages, personal injury protection, property damage, bodily injury, and personal liability coverages, and uninsured and underinsured motorist protection. Optional full replacement cost coverage, storage option/storage suspension, multi-vehicle discounts, emergency expense, personal effects, hitch coverage, full timer policies.
RVInsurance

RV Insurance
RVInsurance.com offers coverage for almost every type of recreational vehicle through various insurance providers.
Total Loss Replacement, RV Roadside Assistance, Full Timer, Permanent Attachments, Emergency Expense Allowance, Mexico Insurance, Belongings & Personal Effects, Vacation Liability, Hitch Coverage
Progressive RV Insurance

Progressive RV
RV Roadside Assistance, Full Timer, Belongings & Personal Effects, Emergency Expense Allowance, Mexico Insurance, Vacation Liability
Esurance RV Insurance
Esurance
Liability coverage, collision coverage, rental insurance, personal effects, underinsured motorist, vacation coverage. Customers can add roadside assistance
Nationwide RV Insurance

Nationwide
RV special policy offerings depending on state and provides many discounts including good driver discount, RV safety course discount, claim-free renewal, Prior insurance discount, and Affinity discount: Members of Nationwide Affinity Groups receive additional discounted RV insurance.

Choosing the right insurance for your travel trailer can be challenging. The insurance companies listed in the chart above are the best camper Choosing the right insurance for your travel trailer can be challenging insurance providers according to several national surveys. They provide the coverage and provide insurance policies that give campers security and safety.

There are many things that must be considered in choosing your insurance for your “wheel estate”. You should require coverage from a company with experience and good reviews. You want the best coverage for the best price. Camper insurance that is included on some car insurance policies only cover certain things and will not protect or replace the contents of your camper it stolen or damaged. Your automobile liability policy may cover a towable RV only if you injure someone or are injured by someone else. Other parts of an auto policy may not extend coverage to your travel trailer. Sometimes coverage ends at the rear bumper. Your insured vehicle terms for items towed by your car may be under separate guidelines.

You need to ask about camper inclusion and liability with your insurance provider before you ever bring your travel trailer home. In some cases, the trailer will need to have its own comprehensive or collision coverage. If many states, it is mandatory to have insurance of travel trailers and if you have used financing, insurance being carried on your purchase if required at time of sale. There are many good reasons to get travel trailer insurance.

Picking best insurance for travel trailer

Comprehensive Policy covers the entire trailer and all of it contents. There are also add-ons that provide specific types of security to an RV owner. It is best suited to full time RVer who spend the majority of their time in their RV. As travel trailers in particular are not as often used full-time unless they are park models, you may not need to have both homeowners and full collision and comprehensive coverage on your camper. Other options for camper insurance may be the best option. That is why when comparing and getting prices on how much RV insurance costs for your home on wheels it is good to ask questions and many agents will be able to help you choose the best plan for how often you use your travel trailer, the distances traveled and other factors that can affect the type of coverage and cost of coverage. Geico, State Farm and many other automotive insurance providers also have special policies for RVs.

Full replacement cost coverage policies usually offered by RV specialist insurance companies will replace your RV with a comparable new RV if yours stolen or too damaged to repair. If your RV is not new, you will be offered fair market value. It replaces your camper trailer in the exact manner comprehensive and collision insurance on your automobile works.

Storage Option Insurance lets you save on premiums, usually by 50% or so, whenever the camper is stored. You can save considerable money on your camper trailer insurance having a storage policy when your camper is not in use.

Vacation or Campsite Liability covers medical bills and property damage that happens when set up at a campsite or parked. It is included in some comprehensive policies but can be a policy add-on. This protects you and your RV’s guests on camping trips. If a person falls on the steps of your travel trailer and is injured, this policy provides for their medical bills, and you will not be responsible beyond your deductible with this type of insurance.

Permanently Attached Item Coverage replaces or repairs the various permanent things attached to a camper. These can include things like satellite dishes, wheelchair lifts, and awnings in the form of retractable canopies or attached secured fold-out canopies for adding outdoor living space to a travel trailer. These items are not always included under the personal belongings section of your policy as they modify the camper in some way.

Contents coverage for a camper insurance policy replaces the personal belongings, valuables and other items in the event of loss, damage or theft. In certain cases items have been lost can be replaced by your insurer is lost from your travel trailer.

A popular add-on for any insurance policy for any road trip is emergency roadside assistance. Roadside Assistance pays for unlimited expenses incurred by towing to a qualified repair facility and includes locksmith services, battery jumps and testing, flat tire changes, and fuel delivery. The policy makes sure that you are never stuck in a campsite with a dead battery, flat tire or your car stuck in the mud and you can continue to your next destination or your car or RV can be serviced. Roadside assistance coverage provides help 24 hours a day, seven Days a week and is a good safety net to have.

 “Emergency expense allowance” provides you with emergency funds if the car towing your RV breaks down and you are stranded without the basic necessities, the emergency expense allowance covers your immediate and basic needs. The majority of insurance companies cover meals if your vehicle is stolen or damaged. In the event you cannot stay in your RV, you can use your emergency allowance for a hotel or other accommodations. Emergency transport allowances provide you transportation to a hotel or repair service when away from home or your planned destination. It is insurance add-on that covers your Uber, Lyft or taxi when you cannot go without your RV or towing vehicle.

Average Cost of Travel Trailer Insurance

Good Sam RV Insurance 145 USD
RVInsurance 135 USD
Progressive RV Insurance 132 USD
Esurance 115 USD
Nationwide 155 USD

5 BEST ELECTRIC TANKLESS WATER HEATERS FOR RV


Camping, fishing, hiking, biking are undoubtedly among the most loved outdoor activities for many people. Your RV is the place where you will feel like home after the whole day experience with nature. Thus, the few gallons of hot water from the standard tank are definitely not enough for all your needs. How to fund the compromise?

Tankless hot water heater for RV might be a real savior in this situation due to possessing all necessary features for using in the field. Installation isn’t a complicated process and it doesn’t take a lot of your attention while running. Soon after your purchase, you could enjoy all the advantages of the tankless heater in your RV.

There are a great deal of divergent models and brands in the market nowadays. Nevertheless, such a wide range of available options can make the process of finding the best electric tankless water heater for RV a true challenge. Having the importance of choosing the right product and meeting all your requirements, we have compiled and compared the best 5 products in the market.

1. ATWOOD TANKLESS WATER HEATER – HASSLE-FREE HOT WATER SOLUTION

Atwood tankless water heater

Atwood tankless water heater

This device allows you to enjoy a constant stream of hot water with no fear of fast emptying out the hot water tank. Its compact design will perfectly fit in your vehicle saving vital space that you could use for other needs. Having no water tank also might save you over 100 pounds of payload.

The water heater for shower in RV has a number of advantages over the standard one – it spends the energy not only to heat the water, but it also retains the desired temperature. Atwood heater designed especially for mobile use: it turns on heating the stream of cold water as soon as you open the faucet, and turns off when you shut the water off.

Due to the powerful burners installed, you might get the hot water of temperature up to 120F and it also can be mixed with cold water as to achieve the desired warmth for your needs. Moreover, it saves your electricity at the time you don’t use the hot water.

Pros of the product

  • Portable on demand heater doesn’t require much space and is easy to install
  • Instant heating of the water flow after turning the tap on
  • Saving energy by consuming power only while using the hot water
  • Safe for health, and hygienic use of water streaming directly from the source
Cons of the product

  • With the temperature of incoming water lower than 50F the output water temperature will be significantly decreased

2. GIRARD TANKLESS WATER HEATER WORKS GREAT EVEN IN WINTER

Girard tankless water heater

Girard tankless water heater

The most impressive features of this propane tankless water heater for RV are its freezing protection and detection of incoming water flow temperature, letting you manually change the heating parameters in accordance with your needs. The anti-freezing kit provides its full performance in cold weather ensuring to satisfy your hot water needs even in winter season.

This model will find its admirers due to the silent work and quick heating option. Any kind of loud or repeated noise may bring you not the best experience while enjoying the quiet nature surrounding. This propane gas water heater is equipped with a brushless motor making no noise while working. In this way nothing will disturb you while sleeping or just relaxing.

Being powerful enough to give up to 42,000 BTU, it doesn’t require installing any special LPG pipes and plumbing. Its performance is optimized for the standard plumbing of the RV, thus releasing you from the need for any additional work.

Pros of the product

  • No need for additional gas lines and plumbing
  • Built-in winter protection from freezing makes it a solution for cold season use
  • The option of manual control of hot water temperature
  • No noise while operating
Cons of the product

  • Installation hardware isn’t included in the purchasing package and should be bought separately

3. PRECISIONTEMP RV-550 TANKLESS WATER HEATER WILL SAVE YOUR GAS AND WATER

PrecisionTemp RV-550 Tankless Water Heater

PrecisionTemp RV-550 Tankless Water Heater

The presented model is a real deal not only for RV owners, but also for those who use cabins, trailers and small homes, and numerous positive tankless water heater reviews confirm this. It’s well suited for recreational vehicles and easy to manage due to compact shape and lightweight. If you do not need a lot of water, it could save you up to 50% of gas compared to tank heaters, heating the water in the tank all the time. 20-pound propane tank will be enough to get nearly 940 gallons of hot water.

Having a built-in protection from a freezing system, it can be used all year round. The only requirement for such condition is to keep electric and gas supply on to let the burner fire in cold outdoor temperature. The system of automatic gas controls the temperature of incoming water and flow rate to optimize the performance. This helps to avoid heating the water in low temperatures and overheating it in summer.

High water output ensures that you might always get the water of the desired temperature, and it won’t be changed depending on various factors like cold input water and flow rate.

Pros of the product

  • Multipurpose of use making it applicable for RV, motorhome, trailer, small dwelling and cabin
  • Internal electronic gas modulation system optimizing the performance and making its work very cost-effective
  • Equipment for freezing protection provides four-season use
  • A constant temperature of hot water stream doesn’t depend on the outdoor conditions and is ensured by the power of 55,000 BTU
Cons of the product

  • The need to keep your car battery and gas supply on in order to let the anti-freezing system works

4. CAMPLUX 5L 1.32 GPM OUTDOOR PORTABLE PROPANE TANKLESS WATER HEATER FOR COMFORTABLE USE IN ANY CONDITIONS

Camplux 5L 1.32 GPM Outdoor Portable Propane Tankless Water Heater

Camplux 5L 1.32 GPM Outdoor Portable Propane Tankless Water Heater

The small tankless water heater with portable handle for easy outdoor setup is definitely worth your attention. Its size and transferability feature makes it an ideal solution for RVs, campsites, trailers or simple home use. Low energy consumption is a big advantage while using water heating on an ongoing basis by nature and camping lovers.

How much it depends on the electric supply? It uses two D cell batteries for ignition so that you are completely not hinged upon any electric grids in your area. A number of protection systems (flame failure, overheat, anti-freezing) make the use safe and comfortable keeping your mind free from any technical related issues. Also, low-level oxygen turn off protection allows installing it in well-ventilated indoor areas.

Having two manual controllers, this model lets you hand regulation of the desired hot water temperature and the flow rate adjusting them for your personal needs and weather conditions.

Pros of the product

  • Portable, easy to carry and setup
  • Requires low power and startup water pressure for normal operation
  • Independent from electricity using cell batteries to run burning
  • Manual control of flow rate and water temperature
Cons of the product

  • It’s necessary to install drainage system separately

5. ECCOTEMP FVI-12-LP PROPANE TANKLESS WATER HEATER – COST-EFFECTIVE SMALL VOLUMES WATER HEATING SOLUTION

Eccotemp FVI-12-LP Propane Tankless Water Heater

Eccotemp FVI-12-LP Propane Tankless Water Heater

The Amazon best rated tankless water heater is the most effective option for those who need producing the medium/small amount of hot water in cottages, small motorhomes, cabins and RVs. Its compact dimensions and only 33 pounds weight might be very advantageous when you will search for a space to place it.

Except for its small proportions, you will definitely like the system of safe electronic ignition for the standard 120v electric line which lets you escape the need to change batteries. This model is equipped with the digital LED display showing the outgoing water temperature and error messages. Using two knobs on the front panel for regulating water flow and gas intensity you can easily reach the desired water heat.

Due to the manual regulation of temperature and low energy consumption, you can save on gas using this unit for obtaining constant hot water stream. Moreover, low-level noise produced during the work won’t get in a way of your relaxation.

Pros of the product

  • Optimized for efficient work with small and medium volumes of hot water
  • This compact unit doesn’t require a lot of space for installation
  • Delivered with electronic display that shows error messages while operating and the temperature of the water stream
  • Control panel with two knobs for convenient manual adjusting of gas and water flow
  • Energy-saving, ability to operate using LPG tanks from 20 to 100 pounds
Cons of the product

  • Doesn’t have a feature of automatic water temperature holding

Buyer’s Guide – what to pay attention at while choosing the right water heater for your recreational vehicle

 

Before choosing the tankless water heater best suitable for your RV and within your budget, it will be a wise decision to define a couple of main criteria of its future use.

Considering these four simple steps you could narrow your research and make a proper choice of the device which will serve you long and well.

Step 1 - estimate consumptive water use

Step 1 – estimate consumptive water use

Start your research with an understanding of the approximate amount of water you need for your RV appliances. Below, you’d be able to see the rough calculation of water use by various appliances.

Most tankless water heater models can provide you from 2 to 6 gallons of hot water per minute depending on their characteristics.

  • Bathtub and shower – from 3.5 to 7 gallons in a minute
  • WC – 0.5 gallons in a minute
  • Kitchen (dishwasher and sink) – from 2 to 4 gallons in a minute
Step 2 – installation position

Step 2 – installation position

Despite the undeniable advantage of the tankless unit being much smaller in size, you’d have think of the right place to install it with the necessary connectors for its setup.

Learn the item dimensions from the seller as to see whether it can fit your RV or it requires any special location. Also, consider the opportunity to place the device outside your vehicle saving the inner space for your comfort. In this case just be sure that it’s equipped with the anti-freezing system and is suitable for year-round operation if you stay in the climate with cold winters.

Step 3 – gas or electric version

Step 3 – gas or electric version

Decision making in favor of a particular version is mainly based on your location and the availability or absence of electric grid. Some LPG models are plugged into a standard 110 volt outlets to power the ignition system and some are battery operated.

Also, despite the need for periodic replacement of gas tanks some customers consider gas heaters easier to install and more cost-effective.

Step 4 – easy control and maintenance

Step 4 – easy control and maintenance

It goes without saying, that not being a professional technician you would like to get a thing which is easy to install, operate and maintain. That’s why pay your attention to the above described products and decide for yourself which are the most suitable for your technical skill level.

Some models allow you to set the desired temperature of hot water and will be operated in a fully automated mode. Some of them are equipped with a control panel for manual adjusting (mostly outgoing water temperature and gas flow) enabling you to customize them according to the weather conditions and your personal needs for achieving the best results.

The conclusion

Whether you buy the new device or upgrade the existing one you should do it wisely knowing exactly what you need and why. Considering the customer reviews and learning the experience of others can also be helpful in making the right choice. Thus, you will be capable of fully enjoying all the benefits of your new water heater, lowing your monthly bills and getting the comfort you have been dreaming about.