Some links on this page are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. The Liquified link is also an affiliate link. All products on this list come from real RV experience.
You just got a camper. Now you’re trying to figure out what you actually need before your first trip without spending a week falling down gear rabbit holes online.
We’re Matt and Debi — part-time RVers towing a 2021 Alliance Paradigm 310RL fifth wheel. This list comes from real weekends and real mistakes. Some of these we reach for every single trip. All of them are on the list because they solve real problems new campers run into.
We built it in the order you’ll actually need things: get the rig set up first, get connected second, protect your power third.
🏕️ Shop the First-Timer’s Camping Gear List on Amazon →
Setup and Leveling
Every campsite is uneven. Get level and stable before you think about anything else.
- Camco Leveling Blocks 10-Pack (#44510) — Stack them under your tires to get level on any surface. The yellow blocks every RVer eventually owns.
- Camco Universal Flex Pads / Jack Pads (#44600) — Goes under your stabilizer jacks on soft or sandy ground. Keeps jacks from sinking in.
- BAL X-Chock Wheel Stabilizer — Fits between tires on tandem axle trailers. Cuts side-to-side movement at night.
- Camco Wheel Chocks (#44401) — Works directly with Camco leveling blocks. Keeps wheels from shifting once you’re parked.
- Torque Wrench — Check your lug nut torque after the first long tow and after any tire work. This is not something to skip.
- Camco Tire Pressure Gauge (#44618) — Check before every trip. Tire pressure on a loaded rig matters more than most people realize until something goes wrong.
- Amazon Basics Work Gloves — For leveling, hookup, and anything else you don’t want to do bare-handed.
- Amazon Basics Headlamp — Better than a flashlight when both hands are busy. Keep one in the camper permanently.
- Amazon Basics First Aid Kit (100-piece) — It lives in the camper, not the car.
Water Hookup
Two things matter most: a drinking-water-safe hose and a pressure regulator. Campground water pressure can spike high enough to damage your plumbing. The regulator costs less than the repair.
- Camco TastePURE Drinking Water Hose 25-ft (#22783) — Lead-free, BPA-free, made in the USA. Do not use a regular garden hose for your fresh water connection.
- Camco Brass Water Pressure Regulator (#40055) — Reduces incoming pressure to a safe 40–50 PSI before it reaches your plumbing.
- Camco TastePURE Inline Water Filter (#40043) — One more layer between campground water and your faucet.
Sewer Setup
This is the section most people skim and then regret on their first weekend. Get the right gear before you leave, not during.
- Camco RhinoFLEX 15-ft Sewer Hose Kit (#39761) — Comes with a clear elbow so you can confirm the tank is empty before you pull the hose.
- Camco Cyclone Sewer Hose Support (#43041) — Required at most campgrounds. Keeps the hose off the ground and sloped correctly toward the dump station.
- Camco Clear 90-Degree Sewer Elbow (#39448) — Lets you see flow. Don’t pull the hose until it runs clear.
- Disposable Nitrile Gloves — For tank handling and sewer hookup. Buy a box and keep it in the sewer bay. You’ll use them every trip.
- RV Toilet Paper (8-roll) — Fast-dissolve, made in the USA. Regular toilet paper does not break down in a holding tank the way it needs to.
Black Tank Treatment: Don’t Skip This One
This gets its own section because it’s the most skipped item on
every first-timer list.
We use Liquified for our black tank. It breaks down waste instead of masking the smell. The difference after a full weekend is real.
🎁 First 25 people: Use code
RWTC at checkout and get a free bottle — just pay $5.99 shipping.
💰 Everyone else: Use code
CURVES at checkout for 20% off.
Get Liquified →
https://bit.ly/4gHVD8E
Power Protection
Campground power pedestals can have wiring problems, low voltage, and surges that damage your appliances. An EMS surge protector pays for itself the first time something goes wrong at a pedestal.
- Progressive Industries EMS-PT30X (30 amp) or EMS-PT50X (50 amp) — Lifetime warranty. Not sure which you need? Check your shore power cord: one large prong is 30 amp, four prongs is 50 amp.
Campsite Basics
- Camco RV Outdoor Mat (#42851) — Keeps dirt outside. You’ll use it every trip without thinking about it.
Shop the Full List
Everything above is organized in our First-Timer’s Camping Gear list on Amazon.
We’re Matt and Debi at Rolling With The Curves — a part-time RV travel channel for weekend campers who want honest trip reporting without the full-time lifestyle spin. Campground reviews, real trip costs, and what actually goes wrong on the road.
Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. The Liquified link is also an affiliate link. All products listed come from real RV experience.