The Best RV Accessories for Under $500
If you’ve spent any time exploring this website, the Pinterest RV Mods page, or talked to anyone — heck, if you have an imagination — you’ve probably seen or heard of thousands of great accessories for your RV. Some of them are DIY, ranging from simple hacks to full-on restorations and modifications. Others might require that you spend a bit of coin. In the end, depending on your needs and budget, there are many accessories that let you upgrade your RV to make it fit your lifestyle and personality.
Here are 24 of the best RV accessories that we could find for under $500. Some of these are great DIY projects and might take a few minutes to a few hours to upgrade your RV.
1. Rain Gutters
The rain in Spain is the bane of…OK, I can’t rhyme, but you should really think about rain gutters, not only those on the roofline, but also on doors, windows, and vents. EZE RV gutters will keep excess water from ruining your view and generating corrosion and rot.
2. Backup Camera
Without a spotter, backing into even the most spacious spot can be fraught with danger. Even with a spotter and rearview mirrors, backing up is still nerve wracking. Install a backup camera from Camera Source, and you can get a clear view day or night, rain or shine.
3. New Ceiling-Ventilation Fan
Most RVs already come with ceiling vents or fans. Over time, though, old fans wear down (is yours even working?), and vents aren’t as good as fans. MAXXAIR high-power ceiling fans are a great replacement option and are more powerful and quieter than stock.
4. Headphone Jack
You’ve already got the TV aimed toward your favorite spot on the couch. Still, you probably don’t want to bother anyone with the latest episode of AMC’s The Walking Dead at 2 am. Solution: run a line from the back of the TV to your favorite seat and install a headphone jack!
5. Clear Door Panels
Everyone likes their privacy, that’s a given, but there are times that letting in more light would be better. Unfortunately, solid door panels don’t give you that option. Install clear door panels for visibility, then curtains or mini blinds for privacy. It’s the best of both worlds!
6. New and More Batteries
Unless you exclusively camp out at powered RV sites, you use the battery system a lot. Even the best batteries have a limited useful life. Install new deep-cycle RV batteries to replace old worn-out ones, and consider doubling them if you plan on boondocking.
7. Digital Thermostat
Keeping warm in the winter and cool in the summer can be a challenge, especially if your thermostat is slow on the uptake. Installing a digital thermostat ensures faster response, helping you be more comfortable and save on heating and cooling costs. You can also program the thermostat for different zones, times, and activities.
8. Over-Door Clothes Hook
Storage space is at a premium in an RV, so finding a place to hang your jacket or hat can be a hassle. Over-the-door clothes hooks usually have between three and eight hooks on them. Be sure to screw it down to keep it from moving around.
9. A “Good” 12 V Fan
We’ve already touched on ventilation, which can be a touchy subject. If you’re looking for a 12 V spot fan, don’t cheap out on this one, especially if you’re planning on doing anything in late spring or summer! Look for something quiet that has multiple speeds, is repositionable, and has a good warranty.
10. Sliding Tool Box
If you’re cruising the RV life, RV tools are an absolute necessity. The trouble is that most, if not all, tool boxes aren’t made to fit RV storage spaces. Mount your toolbox sideways on a set of heavy-duty drawer slides. When not in use, your tool box is neatly tucked away, but you can slide it out for full access when you need it.
11. Knife Magnet
If you like cooking at all, you know you need a couple of good knives to slice and dice. A knife block would usually be a good way to store them, but where do you put a knife block in an RV? You could waste valuable drawer space with a flat knife block, but using wall space is a better idea. A wall-mounted magnetic knife holder is also great for some metal-handled cooking utensils.
12. RainKap Black Streak Relief
Rain keeps coming up, doesn’t it, but it doesn’t seem like many RV makers have really gotten a handle on it. A great DIY addition to most any RV, RainKap diverts roof runoff away from the sides of your RV, reducing those black streaks and reducing the chances of oxidation and rot.
Seen the rest of the RV accessories on the Camera Source blog here: 24 Must Have RV Accessories for Under $500