Dad always used to say that no matter how much you plan, the road always keeps an ace up its sleeve.
I remember one trip where he’d spent an entire evening checking tire pressure, topping up fluids, and tightening every bolt he could find before we left. Me, my brother, and Mom all thought he was crazy... That is, until about 40 minutes into our drive, when the water pump gave out without warning.
Dad just sighed, pulled over, and said, “Well… there’s your RV education for the day. The moment you think you’ve got everything covered, the road RV reminds you who’s boss.”
Then he grabbed his tool box, grinned at me, and added, “Good thing I plan for every RV emergency imaginable!”
Why Is RV Emergency Preparedness Important?
Stocking your rig with essential emergency accessories is crucial for a safe and enjoyable RV trip. Being prepared means that you'll be ready to tackle any problem, obstacle, or emergency the road throws your way.
Whether you're heading into the back-country or staying at a local RV resort, you should consider investing in an well-rounded RV emergency kit to ensure you have all the necessary items on-hand for when chaos strikes.
Blowouts and RV accidents can happen any time without warning. Kids (and adults) can get hurt. And fires, floods, inclement weather, and even theft can easily turn a fun-filled family vacation into a living nightmare.
However, having a well-stocked emergency kit provides you with peace of mind, allowing you to manage accidents and treat injuries during RV trips.
Essential emergency items include a first aid kit, spare tire, and a jump starter or jumper cables. But these are just a few of the items you'll need on-hand for proper RV emergency preparedness.
Below, we've put together a comprehensive guide on RV emergency preparedness, which includes our list of 20 essential emergency RV items to have stowed away.
The Top 20 Must-Have Emergency Accessories For RV Kits
We'll look at individual safety items and categories below. But now that you know why RV safety is important, let's jump into our list of 20 essential emergency items for RVers, van lifers, and back-country camping enthusiasts.
- A comprehensive first aid kit (bandages, wipes, gauze, ointments, medications)
- Copies of insurance cards, IDs, medical info, and emergency contacts
- Fire extinguisher (checked for pressure & expiration)
- Roadside emergency kit (warning triangles, flares, etc)
- Spare batteries (for flashlights, devices, RV lights)
- Tow straps
- Portable power station or generator
- Jack and spare tire, inflated and in good condition
- Tire pressure gauge
- Jumper cables and jump starter
- Basic tool kit (pliers, screwdrivers, hammer, wrenches, lug wrench, sealant tape)
- Flashlight, battery-powered lantern, and extra batteries
- Emergency blankets and warm clothing
- Water purification system (LifeStraw) or purification tablets
- Hygiene essentials (toilet paper, sanitizer, biodegradable soap, wipes)
- Non-perishable food and snacks (1–3 days supply)
- GPS or mapping app device
- Phone charger and backup power bank
- Physical maps and compass
- Optional: satellite phone
It's important to note that every RVer and each trip they take requires different needs regarding emergency preparedness.
The items we've listed above are meant to be a well-rounded list of emergency RV accessories. But some people might require additional items or accessories like personal medications, outdoor gear, or even extra fuel.
So don't be scared to use our list as a baseline, but then add to it to create an emergency checklist that meets your specific needs.
Click here to download our RV emergency accessories list. We've compiled the list into a handy, downloadable PDF format, so you can save it to your device or print it off to have with you every time you're packing up for your next RV trip.
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RV Medical Supplies & First Aid
Having one or more first-aid kits onboard is vital for treating minor injuries and ailments during RV camping trips.
A properly stocked RV first-aid kit includes a variety of medical supplies like bandages, medical tape, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, antibacterial ointments, cold and flu medicine.
We suggest purchasing a pre-assembled first-aid kit to make sure you've got the essential covered.
But then, adding to it and building it into your own medical supply kit, which might include prescription medications, or important documents like health insurance cards or other relevant family medical information.
RV Fire Safety & Emergency Roadside Equipment
RVs are mostly made from plastics, polymers, and plywood, which is a great way to build a lightweight recreational vehicle. But unfortunately, these materials also means that your home on wheels is quite flammable.
Therefore, having a fire extinguisher (pressurized and checked for expiration) is a critical safety device that can be life-saving in emergency situations. We also encourage RVers and campers to use fireproof bags to protect valuable items like their ID, ownership and insurance documents, jewelry, and even their cash while living life on the road.
Every RV should also be stocked with emergency roadside equipment, which includes:
- Reflective warning triangles or road flares
- Flashlights and spare batteries for increased visibility on the side of the road
- Tow straps
- Wheel chocks
- A jump starter or jumper cables
- A jack and spare tire
- Air compressor and tire pressure gauge
- Lug wrench
- Basic tool kit with pliers, screwdrivers, hammer, and wrenches
Pro Tip - Ever run into a dead RV battery? Jumper cables are great. But an RV jump starter allows you boost a dead battery, without needing another vehicle nearby. Check out our comprehensive guide on how to use a jump starter to learn more about emergency RV battery solutions.
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RV Power & Emergency Lighting Solutions
Electricity is easy to come by when you're parked at a campground and have access to shore power.
But when you're on the road or boondocking it out in the back-country, portable power stations or generators can be life-savers. When the nearest electrical hookups are hundreds of miles away, you'll be glad you can start up your generator and power your RV's lights and appliances.
Solar panels are another potential power solution, but they're not really ideal for powering a full-size RV unless you're set up for it. Solar panels can, however, be useful in emergency situations for charging smaller devices like cellphones, laptops, or tablets.
Additionally, it's important to carry flashlights, battery-powered or rechargeable lanterns, and other basis lighting solutions. Just don't forget the extra batteries!
Trust us! There's nothing worse than finding yourself in the dark WITH a flashlight that you can't even use.
RV Life Comforts & Personal Hygiene
Even if you're traveling in the summer, it's important to bring emergency blankets and warm clothing.
Go ahead and pack your shorts and t-shirts, bathing suits and tank tops. But don't forget at least a few pairs of warm cotton socks, thermal underwear, sweaters, and a jacket or two just in case.
It's also important to think about personal hygiene when traveling in an RV.
Items like RV-safe toilet paper, hand sanitizer, biodegradable soap, or seasonal clothing or bedding might not be emergency items, per se. But they will help keep you and your family safe and comfortable during extended camping trips and emergency situations.
Emergency Food & Water Considerations
We always recommend having a two or three day supply of non-perishable food and snacks available.
This includes energy bars, bottled water, canned goods, dried fruit, or even beef jerky, which can keep everyone hydrated and nourished during emergencies.
You may also want to consider purchasing a water purification system or water purification tablets, which can provide you with safe drinking water, no matter where you are.
Additionally, if your storage allows for it, it never hurts to pack a small camping stove or a portable grill (with fuel) as a means of cooking outside of the RV.
Just don’t forget to pack a can opener and utensils to help with food prep.
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RV Navigation & Off-Grid Communication
Traveling near major cities? Then you don't have to worry too much about navigation or communication problems. But when heading off-grid, mapping apps and mobile service become less unreliable.
That's why it's smart to pack a reliable GPS device to navigate during remote back-country RV trips, as well as during emergency situations. You may also want to consider investing in a satellite phone as a means of reliable communication when cell service is out of reach.
We also encourage all RVers and campers to carry physical maps, as well as a compass as back-up navigation tools.
How To Manage RV Maintenance & Repair Situations
Even when you regularly inspect and maintain your RV, you can experience flat tires, blowouts, alternator failures, and other RV problems that leave you stranded on the side of the road.
That's why it's vital to pack a basic tool kit with pliers, screwdrivers, a hammer, and wrenches, which can help with repairs and maintenance. You should also consider packing a small supply of spare parts such as fuses, belts, hoses, or other RV parts that often fail.
Don’t forget to check your RV's maintenance schedule and perform regular RV maintenance tasks to minimize your risk of breakdowns.
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RV Essential Items & Emergency Essentials
By now, we've covered many of the RV emergency accessories every RV should have onboard, which includes a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, a spare tire, a jump starter, and other health and safety essentials.
However, it's important to purchase and pack ALL emergency items that are relevant to your family, your lifestyle, and your trip. Use this guide as a starting point, but be sure to include any emergency accessories or safety gear that are relevant to the type of RV travel you'll be doing.
Always prioritize safety and security, plan ahead and prepare for emergencies, but most importantly, don't forget to have fun along the way!
Frequently Asked Questions - RV Emergency Accessories
Nobody can say when an emergency might strike. It might be while you're on your way home from work or while traveling cross-country with your family in an RV and you're 500 miles from the nearest hospital or doctor's office.
And that's precisely why RV emergency preparedness is crucial. Here are a few more questions and answers that we often hear from our readers about RV safety and security.
What are some essential emergency accessories for an RV?
A first-aid kits, fire extinguisher, roadside emergency kit, spare tire (and the tools to change an RV tire), a jump starter, and basic toolkit are just a few essential items to make sure you have with you when you hit the road.
Is an RV starter kit worth buying?
Yes, it's often worth it to purchase an RV starter kit, which often include things like a first-aid kit or a septic hose kit. However, you'll still likely want to purchase additional emergency items to make sure you're prepared for whatever the RV life might throw at you.
What is the best place to buy RV accessories?
You can find good quality RV accessories at dealerships or specialty shops, at big box stores like Walmart, Target, Home Depot, or Lowes, as well as from online retailers, Amazon, or even in the Tool Troopers web store.
What are some good winter RV accessories to buy?
It's important to have warm bedding, clothing, and a space heater to keep your rig warm and toasty during winter RV travel. But it's also important to have emergency roadside equipment like a tow strap, a jump starter, jumper cables, reflective triangles or flares, a shovel, and a first-aid kit.