Tiny living requires smarter thinking. Not everyone can function in an area where you can stretch out an arm and a leg, and touch both walls of the living space! To improve life on the road, here are 10 simple RV hacks you’ll want to share with everyone.
1/ Velcro Tape to Hang Things
Whether for decoration or convenience, sometimes you want to hang things on your RV walls. Skip the nails or push pins, and use Velcro instead.
While Command may be the most recognizable brand, we’ve had better luck with Scotch’s version (on left in photo above).
2/ Ziploc Bags for Fridge Storage
On your RV packing list, you should always have something for storing leftover food. The go-to is Tupperware containers, but rigid plastic can quickly fill your small RV fridge.
So instead of Tupperware, use high-quality Ziploc or Hefty bags that won’t leak–even if they fall over when you’re driving. Since these bags conform to the shape of whatever food they’re storing, you can save a ton of space in your fridge.
You can even write the storage date on the bag, to keep track of what needs to be eaten first.
3/ Life-altering Right-angle Drill Attachment
Your RV inevitably has an awkward, hard-to-reach space that’s impossible to work with. For example, how do you hang a curtain rod in the space pictured above?
The answer: a right-angle drill attachment. You’re welcome.
4/ Walkie Talkies for Quick Communication
Maybe you’re driving the motorhome while a family member is driving your passenger vehicle. Or maybe it’s time to park the RV, and it’s a particularly tricky spot.
In either scenario, and so many others, having walkie talkies on hand can save a lot of frustration–and even help in an emergency when you can’t dial a cell phone.
5/ Tension Rods for Stressless Driving Days
Do you have that cabinet in your RV? The one that seems to explode all over the floor, whenever you open the door for the first time after parking your RV?
If you can relate, then tension rods are a simple RV hack. You can use them vertically or horizontally, to keep items upright and in place.
6/ See-through Containers for Storage
In an RV, basically everything you have is stored away in a cabinet or basement bin. Find that obscure item easily by using clear storage bins. Nobody needs to waste half an hour searching for grill tongs.
7/ Aluminum Foil for Easy Clean-up
When it comes to meal time, covering your cooking pans in aluminum foil will save water and time.
When you don’t have full hookups and need to save water, there’s nothing worse than trying to scour all that grease away. And even when water isn’t an issue, do you even want all that mess going down the drain?
This simple RV hack is an easy solution when it’s time to clean up.
8/ Hit the Gym
We can see the puzzled look on your face, but this RV hack is another way to save water…and stretch out a little.
When you’re tired of being boxed in by your tiny RV shower OR when you need to conserve water, head to the gym to get your shower on.
You may already have a gym membership you can use. If not, there are actually RVers out there who keep up a membership at a national gym chain, just so they can have the shower option handy! So you wouldn’t be the first one.
9/ NPS Passport for Low-cost Souvenirs
When you’re on a long RV road trip, souvenirs can get expensive. And where do you put them all, anyway?
Here’s an RV hack. At any National Park Service unit, purchase an NPS Passport. From then on, at every national park or other NPS unit you visit, stamp your passport to record your adventures in an easy, low-cost way that doesn’t take up any space.
Another low-cost, small footprint idea is to collect tokens at National Park Service units. While not every unit has them, most of them do. You can get a small booklet to store your tokens, and use it as a conversation piece to reflect on your travels with loved ones.
10/ Harvest Hosts Membership for Unique Camping
Have you heard of Harvest Hosts? It’s a membership program with an annual fee, which allows you to stay overnight at farms, wineries, museums, and other unique locations.
Though there’s no camping fee due, Harvest Hosts asks that you patronize the businesses where you stay. But that isn’t much of an ask when you’re enjoying a wine tasting or sampling fresh fruit–all within walking distance of your front (RV) door.
While this may be a riff on the traditional RV hack, it’s definitely a way to get the most out of RV life.