Whether you are a seasoned camper or brand new to RVing, whether you’re traveling the country or simply enjoying a weekend in the north country at Blue Haven Campground, one thing remains true: preparation is key. With the number of moving parts and components making up an RV, it is not surprising that sometimes things can go wrong, and replacement parts & pieces become necessary. RV specific parts are not often sold in regular hardware stores, so to prevent time consuming detours to find the nearest RV accessory store, we recommend keeping a few spare parts on hand in the event they are needed on your next camping adventure. Here are a few to add to your toolbox:
- Fuses: one of the cheapest repair parts to keep on hand for your travels, and also one of the most helpful. Check your RVs converter panel to see what size fuses you should keep on hand.
- Lightbulbs: pop off the lens caps to your light fixtures in your camper and check out your most common bulb sizes. Bring along what you need to your nearest RV parts store and get ahold of a few replacements to bring along with you.
- Propane Gas Regulator: with many appliances in your RV operating on gas, a propane regulator replacement it’s a very helpful part to keep on hand for your travels. Check to see what style your RV has before purchasing a spare.
- Propane Gas Pigtails: these are the lines running from your regulator to your propane tanks. Over time, the rubber can become brittle and can crack, causing a propane leak, which can be a major safety issue. Measure the length of your pigtails and have a spare on hand.
- Thumb Locks: many travel trailers & fifth wheels use small, cylindrical thumb locks on compartment doors and outside kitchens, and they can sometimes strip or quit functioning all together. It’s helpful to check to see the size you have on your camper and have a few on hand in the event that one goes bad. No one wants to drive home with unsecured compartment doors!
- Spare Keys: always make sure you have a set of spare keys to your camper on hand. Whether you have a spot to stash them in a compartment, or even in your tow vehicle, lockouts are all too common.
