The 25 Best RV Upgrades by Price and Value

As with any home, I’m sure at some point you will want to customize and upgrade certain features. There are endless things that you can upgrade and the prices can vary. While full-time RVing over the past four years, we’ve found several items that have made RV living more convenient and enjoyable.

We made a list of our top 25 recommendations for the best RV upgrades and modifications ranked by both monetary price, and convenience and value.

Monetary Price

Everyone has a different budget, so consider your own finances and what you can set aside for upgrading your RV by choosing to make the best investment to suit your specific needs. Since prices vary from time to time, you will find each item on our list paired with a certain number of $ next to it ranging from the least expensive upgrades ($) to the most expensive ($$$$$).

$$$$$ Ratings (Values Approximate)

$: under $50 $$: $50-$99 $$$: $100-$199 $$$$: $200-$399 $$$$$: $400+ Chase & LIndsay RVing as Travel Nurses

Importance Value

Aside from monetary value, there are certain RV upgrades that, despite the cost, may be extremely beneficial and valuable for you to have. We rated each modification based off of how important and valuable we think this item is. Keep in mind that we are full-time RVers, so we may feel that some of these are well worth the cost.

Star Ratings

One Star = it makes a difference Two Stars = It’s worth it Three Stars = we use it all the time/highly recommend

Here are our personal ratings for the 25 best RV upgrades, based on cost and benefit, in no particular order.

1. Back-Up Camera

$$$$$ Three Stars Image: Chase & Lindsay

This is something extremely beneficial and highly recommended for all RVers. Having a back-up camera helps when parking and when traveling down the interstate. A lot of RVs are coming with these cameras already installed, but you can also install the upgrade yourself easily.

2. Dehumidifier

$$ Two Stars PureGuardian Small Space Dehumidifier

This is one of our biggest comfort hacks for RVers. If you’ve ever felt uncomfortably sticky and that your RV just didn’t feel cool despite your AC running non-stop — a dehumidifier may be the solution. We’ve lived in several places that had triple-digit temperatures and high humidity! After lowering the humidity inside our RV from 100% to 30%, our camper miraculously felt so much cooler and more comfortable. We recommend one that has the capability of removing at least 30 pints of moisture from the air per day.

3. Tire Pressure Monitoring System

$$$$ Three Stars Click to view slideshow.

One of all RVers’ biggest fears is having a tire blow out while traveling down the highway. We are now at ease on travel days because of our tire pressure monitoring system. It constantly keeps us updated on our tire pressure and warns us if there are any potential problems. It’s a huge peace of mind.

4. Swivel Mount TV

$$$ One Star Mor-Ryde Drop Down Wall Mount

Having your TV connected to a swivel mount means that you can turn and reposition your TV to face several directions. This is really beneficial if you’re someone who loves to wind down in the evenings and watch TV. Before we installed this upgrade, we weren’t able to see the full screen from our couch because our couch is at an angle from the TV. Now we can watch the TV straight on thanks to a TV swivel mount! If you don’t want to install the mount yourself, you can have it installed at a Camping World Service Center.

5. Upgraded Mattress

$$$$ Three Stars Sleep Number r3 Mattress

This is definitely highly recommended and used daily by us as full-timers. The price will vary on how much you’re willing to spend on comfort but, regardless, this is a must-do upgrade. We went with a mattress-in-a-box type mattress and immediately experienced a better night’s sleep. There are lots of RV Bedroom Accessories For Better Sleep and a mattress is #1.

6. Instant Water Heater

$$$$$ Three Stars Click to view slideshow.

For full-timers like us, having access to endless hot water would be amazing. This is one upgrade that we have always wanted to pursue and it is on our list. RV hot water tanks are small, at 6-12 gallons, and run out quickly. An instant hot water heater provides an endless supply of hot water instantly. If you are at a full hook-up site, this means you can take as long of showers as you please. This would be an even more beneficial upgrade for larger families!

7. Indoor Motion Lights

$ Two Stars Bytech Cordless Motion-Sensor Light Strip

We’ve placed motion light strips all over our camper. From inside our closets and pantry to above our kitchen and bathroom sink — these little lights come in handy. They help you see better when getting something out of a cabinet and they’re also a nice alternative to not turning on bright lights when moving around the camper in the middle of the night.

8. Solar Set Up

$$$$$ Two Stars Image: Chase & Lindsay

We absolutely love camping off-grid and we do so frequently. Having solar panels allows us to keep a full battery while camping, go several days without needing to be connected to shore power, and allows us to not need to run a generator.

9. Pop-A-Plate and Pop-A-Napkin

$ Three Stars Pop-A-Plate Dispenser

This is an ultimate space saver and organizational hack. We mounted these plate and napkin holders on the underside of our kitchen cabinets. It helps keep the countertops clear and gives us extra storage inside the cabinets for other things.

10. Slide Topper

$$$$$ Two Stars Lippert Solera Slider

Some RVs already come with installed slide toppers or awnings over the slide-outs. Ours didn’t, so we installed one ourselves. Not only does this help prevent tree debris from gathering on the slide’s roof, but it also helps prevent leaks by protecting the slide from rain. It also keeps the sun from beating directly on your slide-out’s roof and may even keep your RV cooler. Before installing our slide topper, we experienced a couple of leaks through our slide during a severe storm. Having our slide topper has helped prevent any further slide-out leaks.

11. New Shower Head

$ Three Stars Click to view slideshow.

Upgrading to a new shower head is beneficial for many reasons! Choose one that is designed to save water and preserve hot water. They also have options where you can regulate your water pressure for a better water stream when showering. This is an extremely affordable and easy upgrade that you’ll thank us for every time you shower. We have the Camco shower head with an on/off switch. This shower head is a huge upgrade compared to the original shower head that came on our RV.

12. Streaming Device

$ Three Stars

For all the movie and TV lovers out there, having a streaming device is a great way to upgrade your entertainment. RVing isn’t about sitting inside and watching TV, but if there’s a rainy day or you enjoy watching TV at night — this is something that you want to have! Not all campgrounds have great cable options, so having your own source of entertainment comes in handy. Just remember that some campground wifi can’t handle streaming, so you may have to use your phone as a hotspot for your streaming device.

13. Lithium Battery

$$$$$ Three Stars Expion360 VPR 4EVER Classic Group 27 100Ah Lithium Battery

We chose to upgrade to a lithium iron phosphate battery over a lead-acid battery for a few reasons. Although more expensive, they are less maintenance, have a longer lifespan, and most importantly, you’re able to use more of the battery capacity. They’re lower maintenance because you no longer have to worry about watering your battery. Certain lithium batteries weigh half the weight of a lead-acid battery.

Lead-acid batteries only allow you to use about half of the battery; discharging lead-acid batteries beyond halfway can be damaging. With a lithium battery, you can use almost the full battery capacity without worrying about damaging it, which allows for a much longer lifespan. Our lithium battery has made boondocking so much easier thanks to its large power capacity. It was worth every penny.

14. Ice Maker

$$ One Star Avanti Portable Countertop Ice Maker

Some RVs have built-in ice makers on the refrigerators. Our does not. We could easily freeze ice the old-school way, but having our own portable ice maker is a nice change. It’s easy and efficient and a great way to have refreshing drinks in the summer.

15. RV Lock

$$$ Three Stars Bauer Bluetooth Keyless RV Entry Door Lock

This is something that every RVer needs. Did you know that most RVs use the same universal key to unlock the doors and compartments? It’s true! Having an RV lock not only helps keep you safer, but it’s also convenient. No more worrying about locking yourself out or forgetting the key. Just enter your own custom code and you can have quick, easy access to your RV.

16. Portable Power Station (Jackery/EcoFlow)

$$$$$ Two Stars

 

Image: Chase & Lindsay

Portable power stations are convenient when needing to power appliances away from power sources. They are essentially a portable power bank that allows you to have power on the go. It’s a great alternative to a gas generator as a way to run appliances or keep your gear charged. Some things we power with our portable power stations are coffee pots, toaster ovens, camera gear, laptops, and our phones.

Portable power station costs vary depending on brand and power output. Aim for a power station rated for 1500 watts if you want to power a coffee pot or cooking appliances. If you only want to charge your gear, then you can aim for a 250 or 500-watt power bank.

17. Electric Cooler

$$$$ Two Stars Dometic CFX3 95DZ Dual-Zone Powered Portable Refrigerator/Freezer

RV refrigerators come in several different sizes. Ours is only 6 cubic feet. Since we are full-time, having an electric cooler helps us maximize our refrigerator and freezer space. It’s been so nice to have the extra food storage and it fits perfectly underneath our fridge without taking up too much additional space.

It’s something we use every day and is extremely beneficial for us to have. These refrigerators can either be used as a freezer or a refrigerator depending on what temperature you set them on. We like using ours as additional freezer space so we can store more frozen goods. A popular brand of electric coolers is Dometic, but there are other brands out there as well.

18. Portable Propane Fire Pit

$$ Three Stars Image: Chase & Lindsay

This is one of our favorite RV items! Propane fire pits are absolute game-changers when it comes to camping. You don’t have to worry about firewood, smoke, or clean-up. In just seconds, you can have a blazingly, warm fire anywhere. When you’re done, just turn it off. It’s that simple.

19. Wifi Camera

$ Three Stars Premier WiFi Doorbell with Infrared Video Camera

We have a few wifi cameras throughout our RV. Some we have pointing outside our windows and front door and another we set up inside for when we’re away. Having wifi cameras is a great way to keep an eye on your fur babies while you’re away. Obviously, internet access is required to use these cameras. We usually either have it connected to the RV park’s internet or our Verizon hot spot.

20. Patio Mat

$ Three Stars Image: Chase & Lindsay

We love having a patio mat for several reasons. A cute patio mat really can add some coziness to your campsite and really ties everything together. It’s also nice to put over the dirt or grass at a campsite to give you a clean place to walk and helps keep dirt from being tracked inside the RV. Some campgrounds will have nice concrete patios, but overall, we still like using our patio mat.

21. Blackstone Griddle

$$$ Three Stars Blackstone 22” Tabletop Griddle with Cover

The majority of our cooking is done outside on our Blackstone griddle. From grilling steaks and burgers to sautéing veggies for fried rice — the Blackstone does it all! Grills and griddles are becoming more and more popular in the RV community and it’s a no-brainer as to why. They’re affordable and compact making them the perfect griddle for RVers.

22. Surge Protector

$$$ Three Stars Image: Chase & Lindsay

A surge protector is one of the most important safety upgrades an RVer can purchase. They help protect your electrical system from fires and damage. We have a Hughes Power Watchdog EPO and absolutely recommend it. They will vary in price based on the number of amps your RV uses, brand, and if it has emergency power-off features. This is another one of those peace-of-mind gadgets that are worth every penny. It’s also something you will use every day when your RV is connected to power or even connected to a generator.

23. Temperature Monitoring System

$$ Three Stars Waggle RV Pet Monitor 4G Lite

For all RVers traveling with pets, a temperature monitoring system is a must-have. Along with our wifi cameras, we use this device to ensure that the RV temperature is safe for our cat. You never know when your RV may lose power, so having this device helps us ensure comfort and safety for our fur baby. Like the wifi camera, this device operates over wifi and sends us text and email notifications if the temperature limit we programmed is reached.

24. LED Lighting

$ Two Stars Valterra DG91625VP Replacement LED Vanity Style Light Bulb

A lot of the newer RVs have switched to indoor LED lighting, but this is something you can do on your own as well. It’s easy and affordable and also extremely beneficial. Older lighting uses more power, isn’t as bright, and burns at a hotter temperature. Updating your interior lights with LED lighting is much more energy-efficient, brighter, and helps keep the RV interior temperature cooler for enhanced comfort. These are also very easy to install being that all you have to do is remove an old bulb and replace it with a new LED bulb.

25. Strong Vent Fan

$$$$ Three Stars MaxxAir I Original Roof Vent Cover

There are after-market fans out there that you can install in your RV vent to replace those that come with it. They are much stronger and help with better air movement and circulation, both of which help cool down your RV. Some of the most common brands are MaxxAir and Fan-Tastic Fan. We installed one in our truck camper and we rarely ever have to use our AC because it does such a great job circulating the air and keeping our camper cool.

One of the features that some of these fans offer is rain detection. When it senses rain, the vent automatically closes to prevent rain from entering your RV. While this is a cool feature, it also means you can’t circulate air during rain storms. We recommend choosing a fan that has a built-in cover or installing a vent cover over the vent. That way you can still run the fan during inclement weather.

Check Out Camping World

Chase and Lindsay find community on the road in the RV lifestyle.

There you have it — 25 of the top RV upgrades that we highly recommend! Everyone has a different budget, so consider your own finances and what you can set aside for upgrading your RV. There will always be new and improved RV products entering the market. You will be able to stay in the know regarding the latest gear by visiting Camping World.

Remember, this list doesn’t even begin to cover all of the modifications you can do, but it should help you get started. Make sure you check out your local Camping World and the new Design Center for all of your RV projects and upgrades.