Small Upgrade that Improve the Full Time RV Experience

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After a decade of full time RV living, we’ve been through four rigs and have done a multitude of upgrades. While some upgrades were nice, there were others that we truly couldn’t live without. Luckily, most of those must-have upgrades were pretty small and simple, meaning I would take care of them right away every time we moved into a new rig. 

Not sure where to begin making upgrades on your RV? Here are the most important small upgrades that will make your RV feel like home. 

Upgrade Your Mattress

The very first thing I do every single time we get a different RV? Switch out the mattress. The mattresses that come in RVs are just terrible and I’m not sure I’d last a single night. I know if I tried to sleep on one for long, my back would definitely hurt. 

Instead of the terrible stock mattress, I buy one of the bed-in-a-box mattresses from Amazon. These have always done well in our RVs and we have even found them in the short queen size many rigs require.

Install LED Lighting Throughout

It isn’t something I have to do first thing, but I also like to switch out the lightbulbs in the RVs we purchase. LED lighting is so much better than traditional RV lighting in so many ways. It offers better light, less power consumption, and longer bulb life. LED lights also generate less heat, making them safer and helping keep the RV cool during the heat of the summer. 

The best part? Switching to LED lighting is as simple as switching out the bulbs. Just make sure you grab the right size!

Improve Storage Organization

It’s no secret that storage is at a premium in an RV. For this reason, I always make sure to do what I can to make the storage as usable and efficient as possible. 

Some of the things I’ve used to make our organization work better for us include:

• Pull-out bins
• Clear storage containers
• Shelf risers
• Stackable baskets
• Drawer dividers
• Under-bed organizers
• Hanging closet organizers

These items have allowed us to keep things (relatively) organized, so we can live with less clutter.

Upgrade Your Shower Head

The shower head is another ultra-important upgrade. Maybe not quite as urgent as the mattress, but nearly as important. RV shower heads are just horrible. A good aftermarket showerhead offers:

• Better water pressure
• Water-saving settings
• Pause buttons while soaping
• Multiple spray patterns

We like the Oxygenics shower heads, as they use water to increase water pressure without increasing water consumption. This is especially useful when we’re boondocking and trying to conserve water. 

Add More Hooks

Similar to the storage organization upgrade mentioned above, it’s also a good idea to install more hooks wherever you can in your RV. This is not difficult to do. You can even use Command hooks, which don’t require any tools at all. They can be put near the door, on bathroom walls, in closets, and even in the shower. We use ours to hang everything from jackets and towels to water bottles and backpacks. 

Add Vent Covers

Adding vent covers is not something I ever thought to do until we moved into a trailer that already had them installed. Oh my goodness, those things made such a huge difference that I installed them on the rest of the rigs we owned from then on. I loved that they let us leave our vent open even when it was raining or snowing. This was especially helpful while we were boondocking in warm weather, as we could keep cool even if a storm blew through. 

Upgrade Your Kitchen Faucet

The kitchen faucet is another one you’ll probably want to tackle pretty early on. RV faucets are not great. They’re plastic, so they’re super easy to break and they’re short, making it difficult to get large pots (or Berkey water filters) under them. I much prefer a good, sturdy residential kitchen faucet with a pull-down sprayer and better water flow. Fortunately, changing out kitchen faucets is actually really simple, so I can tackle the task completely on my own. 

Replace Plastic Bathroom Fixtures

Like the kitchen faucet, it’s highly likely that all the fixtures in your bathroom are plastic. These are easy to break and really, they just look cheap and throw off the vibe of the space. Luckily, these fixtures can usually be replaced quickly and easily. 

Consider upgrading:

• Towel bars
• Toilet paper holders
• Cabinet pulls
• Shower curtain rods
• Faucet handles

Add Better Window Coverings

Window coverings matter more than you might realize. Not only do they completely change the way your home-on-wheels feels, but they also provide privacy and much-needed insulation. We always removed the factory window coverings in our rigs and replaced them with honeycomb shades. We’ve also seen people use blackout curtains and I imagine those work just as well. Reflective window inserts can also be super helpful if you’re looking to better insulate your RV. 

Install a Keyless Entry Lock

Okay, to be honest, a keyless entry system is an upgrade I never did get around to. That said, I know it’s easy enough to do and I can only imagine how much easier it makes day-to-day life. By installing a keyless entry, you can avoid searching for keys (and finding a place to put them when you head to the campground pool). It’s much easier to get into the rig when your hands are full, and if someone needs to check on the RV while you’re gone. They will be able to get in without a key. 

Personalize Your Living Space

Last but definitely not least, make sure to personalize your tiny home. RV decor is anything but interesting and leaving your RV as is can feel pretty darn depressing. For this reason, I always made a point of infusing my personality into the rig. We would hang photos and artwork, put down area rugs, add throw pillows to the couch, and add throw blankets to the furniture. By the time we were moved in, the space felt like a teeny tiny house rather than an RV, and that was just the way I wanted it. 

As you can see, there are lots of super simple things you can do to make your RV feel and function more like home. Which projects will you tackle first? The mattress is my recommendation!

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