RV Living is Better with These 7 Upgrades
7 RV Living Upgrades You Need Today
RV living is many things: exciting, relaxing, and freeing. Hitting the road in your motorhome or camper can feel like leaving the troubles of the world behind.
But just like any home or vehicle, your RV needs maintenance and upgrading to keep your travels worry-free. RV upgrades can be exciting and luxurious. They can also be downright unsexy but very practical.
Let’s have a look at some of the best ways you can upgrade your coach or trailer to get the most out of every RV trip. Some are big, others small, all improve the quality of your RV life.
Baggage Compartment Locks
We’ll start with something simple. Upgrade the locks on your baggage compartments so that they do not use universal keys.
A lot of people don’t realize that their baggage compartments may be fair game to nearly everyone else with an RV. Keys stamped with CH751 open thousands of compartments.
If you’re like, well, everyone, you keep valuable items in those compartments. It’s also just plain creepy to imagine anyone—or everyone—else at the campground accessing your RV storage at will.
So make the small investment and get yourself some customized locks. You’ll sleep better knowing your gear is not free for the taking.
LED Lighting
Yes, at Leisure Coachworks we have a strong preference for high-quality LED lighting. But it’s for good reason! LED lights are the start of making everything in your RV as energy-efficient as possible.
LED lighting draws a fraction of the power of standard incandescent bulbs. It also lasts far longer. LED lights are also cooler, losing less energy to heat and decreasing potential heat-related damage to fixtures.
LED lights used to be prohibitively expensive, but the price has come down as they’ve become more common and widely available.
Even if they are a bit more expensive, they more than make up for the cost in energy savings and longevity.
You don’t have to make this upgrade all at once.
When you need new bulbs, switch to LED. You’re probably wondering where you can find a fantastic selection of LED RV lighting options. We’ve got you covered. Head over to our Parts Store and you’ll be amazed at how far LED lighting has come.
Solar Energy System
Now it’s time for a big one. Installing solar panels, batteries, and an inverter is a big investment. It’s also one of the best RV investments you can make.
Having access to solar power not only lets you go off the grid in your RV, it gives you access to clean energy no matter where you set up. And how priceless is having power without the noise and fumes from a generator?
Solar saves money, energy, and gives you more options for how and when you use your coach or 5th wheel. It is, however, a fairly involved upgrade.
Even though solar panels have come down in price, you can’t just buy one and set it out on a sunny day. Choosing the proper equipment and getting it set up to operate efficiently is, for most RV owners, going to require the services of a professional.
RV Stove Cover
Does this seem trivial compared to a solar upgrade? That’s only because you don’t have one yet!
Fine, it’s not as big a change as off-the-grid-power. But one of the most fascinating and enjoyable parts of RV living is the endlessly clever ways to use every inch of space in your coach or camper.
RV stove covers come in wood and metal, fancy and plain, budget and luxury models. But they all serve the same purpose—giving you more counter space.
Double duty as a workspace is smart, inexpensive, and super easy.
Having your stovetop do double duty as a workspace is a smart, inexpensive, and super easy upgrade that provides amazing bang for the buck.
Wi-Fi Booster
We know you aren’t always going to be unplugged on your RV adventures. A lot of people work on the road and most people want the convenience of being able to connect to the internet.
And what’s the best way to do that? Wi-Fi. A lot of campgrounds and RV resorts advertise free Wi-Fi, but anyone who relies on it knows it isn’t always adequate.
Investing in some sort of Wi-Fi booster system gives you peace of mind no matter where you’re traveling. Some people will be satisfied just using the personal hotspot on their phone to stream a little TV, most are going to want more.
Choosing the right booster system for your RV Wi-Fi will depend on your needs, the type of RV you have, and your budget. It’s important to pick something compatible with all three.
Do some research online, and consult a professional when you’re looking for the right setup to maximize your internet accessibility. This is one upgrade that depends a lot on personal preference, so be wary of one-size-fits-all claims.
Replace Your Mattress
It’s no secret that RV beds can be…less than ideal. As more people decide to have an RV second home, those uncomfortable mattresses become a much bigger issue.
Treat yourself (and your back) to a high-quality RV mattress upgrade. But remember that RV and residential are not often interchangeable. It’s important to know the exact dimensions of the mattress you need when you head out to find that replacement.
There is a whole world of mattresses out there to choose from. There are so many that it can be paralyzing. How in the world do you decide which is best for both your body and your RV?
First, do an internet search, of course. Look for mattress reviews and lists of the best RV mattresses. This is an excellent way to learn about mattress options and decide which features are most important to you.
Next, and this is the tricky part, do your best to try one. Find a local retailer that sells RV mattresses and try the different styles, even if they don’t carry the exact mattress you’re considering.
Find out that you love or hate memory foam in a showroom
It’s far better to find out that you love or hate memory foam in a showroom than after you’ve purchased an expensive mattress. Once you choose, treat yourself to some new sheets for your now superbly comfortable RV bedroom.
Upgrade Your Seals
We know that this is not sexy. We also know that water damage is costly and common. So do yourself a favor and upgrade your seals. We’ve talked before about the different kinds of sealants we like and use. Check out our video to find the products we recommend.
It’s very important to check your seals regularly.
Roofs are a prime location for leaks, so check for cracks, check around screws, and just generally do a thorough job inspecting your RV roof a couple of times a year. Don’t forget windows and doors, too.
RV upgrades can be fun, they can be a nuisance, and they can change the way you think about RV living. Large or small, there are countless ways to make your RV safer, more efficient, and more enjoyable.
Contact Leisure Coachworks and our professionals will help you decide which RV upgrades are best for your motorhome, camper, or travel trailer.
