So as you may guess, we get asked a lot about things that we use in our motor coach. Sometimes it is just a question on communications such as Wi-Fi or data services. Others times in comes down to safety. So we figured we would put together a quick list of the items that we feel are must haves so to speak. So why top seven? Well, everyone else does 5 and 10 and we wanted to be different.
We also felt doing it right before Amazon Prime day would be a plus for then we may get a kick back for a sale. Yes, our links are affiliate links which gives us a small percent commission for each sale made from our links. Hey, way not? You would ask for a link anyway. We DO NOT get paid by manufactures to mention their products or give good reviews. So please click away!
So without further blah, blah, blah, here are seven items, in no particular order, we feel are must haves…
Private High Powered Wi-Fi
One of the must viewed posts of our site is about making a better Wi-Fi connection, so surely we will start with this one. It is a system that I give a tutorial on how to build that not only will help you have the best chance at connecting to a RV Parks Wi-Fi, but also puts you on your own internal private network thus adding security. See our full post on it by CLICKING HERE!
Cellphone and 4G Data Booster
Boosting cellphone and 4G data on the road and bringing the signal inside the coach is a must for full timers in our humble opinion. I mean after all, you want to be able to have good cell reception as much as you can. That is where the weboost 4G-X RV comes in. It is a complete kit that has all you need to get up and running with a cellphone and 4G booster. We of course did a blog post on this new kit that you can CLICK HERE to read.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
A Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is a MUST HAVE FOR ALL RV AND COACH OWNERS!!! We have talked about this MANY times as we want to drive it home (no pun intended) how important having one is. Our TPMS of choice is the EEZTire TPMS from EEZ RV Products. Here is the blog post where we talk about how important it is. CLICK HERE. And here is a blog post on how it saved us…CLICK HERE
Engine Fire Suppression System
Engine Compartment Fire Suppression System for a diesel motorhome, and maybe any for that matter, is something we will always look to have. There have been over 350 RV fires this year alone and even our friend, who did purchase one but did not have time to install it before they left, lost their motor coach due to an engine fire. So, please check these out as it could be something that not only helps you, but also can give you a little more piece of mind. Here is our blog post about our friend…CLICK HERE. Here is a post on us installing one…CLICK HERE. BTW…You may also want to put some Foam Fire Extinguishers around the RV.
CoachProxy Coach Control
If you own a 2015 or newer Tiffin Motorhome then CoachProxy is for you! Why? Control! It gives you the power to control anything on the Spyder panel from your phone or computer. Even more, if you use an Amazon Echo or Google Home, you can control things with your voice! “Alexa, turn on the main lights.” It also does alerts via email and text messages for things such as tank levels and batteries. So if you are not aware of CoachProxy, you should be. ;) We did a blog post about it when it was announced…CLICK HERE.
Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
For cooking, look no further than the Instant Pot for RVing. Why? Most of the cooking can be done in one pot! No, not kidding. It is great! Example, say you want pasta and meatballs. Ok, one pot is all that is needed. Add frozen meatballs, place the dry pasta right on top, then add a jar of sauce on top of that. Fill the jar with water and pour it along the inside sides of the pot so not to dilute the sauce. Close, set timer for 1/2 the time the pasta box reads and your off! When done, you have your pasta dish all done in one pot, with no water to drain as it’s all absorbed into the pasta, therefore no wasted water and more importantly, no extra heat and moisture added to your RV like when you cook it on the stovetop! We bought it last time on Prime Day, so you may also have a chance! Here is the blog post we did on it…CLICK HERE.
Electrical Protection
When it comes to power, you need protection! We use and trust the Progressive Industries EMS-HW50C unit for full time protection. Trust us, when you come across a RV park that has substandard power, you are putting yourself, and your coach, at risk. From brown outs to high voltage, you need protection. That does not even take into account though a post that may have been wired wrong or if a neutral was dropped or even crossed. Even spikes can and does make for issues! You need protection. Don’t have any, GET SOME! Be it the hardwired unit we installed or an external one, this can be one of the best safeguard investments you make.
Easy Bug Remover (Honorable Mention)
Ok, 8 items, for who could not use Bugs N’ All Bug Remover , What can I say other than BUY THIS STUFF and make your job SO MUCH easier! After our 14 hour drive in our Tiffin Allegro Bus motorhome we had quite the mess. So much so that I did not want to clean it as I know it would take at least 45 minutes of hard work. So I came to amazon as I knew that there had to be something to help, Sure enough I found Bugs N All and ordered it along with a Microfiber Mesh Bugs and Tar sponge. Oh am I ever so happy I did. I was so impressed I had to make blog post on it complete with video. CLICK HERE
And comming in at number eight, might be helpful if you owned an RV (just saying) I hope you folks are having a Great summer
Bugs are not just murdered every day by just RV’s. (Just Saying) If you do not own an RV, that and the handheld fire extinguishers are really the only things that could be helpful. :)
Thanks David and Brenda for all the videos and products that can help all of us RVer’s young and not so young. Ha! Ha! We enjoy following your post and watching the 360. Amazing what technology can do. If you can keep up. Ha! Ha! Sign of the not so young. Hope to meet you sometime on our travels and extend a warm welcome to our home in the Carolina’s. We have two extra 50amp full hookups. You can email me if you’d like our address. Thanks Again Be Safe and have FUN
Thanks for all your posts, but consolidating this in one is very helpful. Being new to ownership of a DP Coach, it is easy to get lost in all the sales hype. This post helped ground me in to what is important to look at first, particularly the TPMS and the engine fire suppression system. Two quich questions. I have heard that the weight of the sensors on the TPMS can cause tire stem damage, any truth to this? Second would you add fire suppression system to the battery or generator areas?
Hi Curt…Glad you found the post helpful, you may also care to look in our Recommended Items page for other items.
As far as thew TPMS sensor weight issue…That is TOTAL BS. The tires and rims are so large a little sensor would not make any difference. Even more so when you may have metal value stems like I am sure most DP’s do. So no worries. If it were an issue, you would be reading about it all the time.
I personally have never heard of or read about a generator fire. Not that it can not happen, it is I have not heard of it. As such, I did not do anything in that area. As far as the batteries and Inverter area…Yes, I would recommend a halon system in those areas as electrical is also another area RV fires start.
I see they have the weBoost home for $100 off from pm to 10pm could this be used in a motorhome I know it wouldn’t have a 12 volt adapter with it but for 100 less
Larry
Hi…No, as it uses a directional antenna for the outside antenna, this not really useable when driving and would have to be repointed each time you get somewhere assuming you know where the cell tower is,
Ok i am shocked at your top seven list. Sure most of the ones you posted are important, but something tells me if you took away your automatic flush valves and your CR Spotless water filter system you would not be a happy camper hehe. A slow cooker over either of these ? Hmmm something tells me you might be modifying your list hehe.
Sure, those are great Kevin and I surely would not want to be without either. But the list is of MUST HAVES not what is really great to have if you can. :) The valves for example are not cheep and it surely is not a must have. In fact, some people that that is really dum for us to have put in. But I can say, they surely are something we will ALWAYS have on a coach as it makes it SO NICE. (And not, it is not being lazy, it is more about convenience.)
Hehe i hear you. Still … lol. I think you should go without using the automatic flush valves, and the cr spotless for a month then tell me you feel the same way lol. Should price be a factor ? I see other things on the list that simply make things more convenient and are really not necessities. Coach Proxy, pressure cooker hmmm necessities ? Lol just sayin. Ok who am i to say lol. I just know i wont be able to live without my CR Spotless system. Dry the coach ? Lol ya right
Just pulling your chain of course hehe.
We just purchased a Tiffin Motor home.
I just knew your coffee machine would be on the list of needs. I really wanted to know what kind you had selected for your motor home.
Patsy
LOL…Actually, your not alone in asking me about it. It is a Jura Micro 9. It is a Super Automatic machine so it is not on the cheep side. Here is a link to it on Amazon where you can sometime find them at a good price under NEW and USED link and get buy them as a refurbished unit.
https://goo.gl/YAfKB1
The funny thing is…I am the only one that drinks coffee. :) But I greatly like a fresh made cup right down to freshly ground beans as it is like no other! And NO, Keurig is not the same even though it is one cup at the time as it is surely is not fresh ground. But yes, it is a lot less expensive for sure!
I always had a Super Automatic machine in our home, but they were larger back then. So when we started to travel, I ended up using a Keurig and really missed my “coffee”. Then Brenda happened to come across the new, at the time, Jura Micro 9 which was/is the smallest Super Automatic machine around and it fits the coach great as you have seen.
So I bought it and Velcroed it down to the counter top and have been happy ever sense. :)
What is the name of the foam spray you used on your Jeep @nd where can you you get it thanks James
Hi….I use a “Foam Canon” with a pressure washer and this is what it is… http://amzn.to/2AKrZej (As mentioned, you need to use a pressure washer.) See this post and video…For even more information https://outsideourbubble.com/new-product-alert-simple-chuck-water-deionizer/