Shop By Category Not By Impulse
When you’re shopping for RV products, it helps to think in categories instead of individual gadgets. There are comfort upgrades (mattresses, fans, A/C add-ons, heated hoses, better seating), power and electrical (solar panels, LiFePO4 batteries, inverters, surge protectors), and camp setup gear (leveling blocks, water filters, sewer hoses, awning lights, outdoor rugs). Then you’ve got safety and maintenance items like tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), chocks, fire extinguishers, and sealants. Knowing what each category does for you keeps you from impulse-buying the flashy thing you’ll never use, and helps you prioritize: safety and power first, comfort second, “fun extras” last.
To get a good deal, timing and bundling are your best friends. Big-ticket items—batteries, solar kits, portable power stations, A/C units—tend to go on sale around holiday weekends (Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Black Friday) and at the end of camping season in your region, when retailers don’t want to store inventory over winter. Watch for bundle deals like “solar kit + charge controller + cables” or “battery + inverter + monitor” rather than buying everything piece by piece. For everyday items (hoses, filters, chalks, leveling blocks), it’s smart to check prices at two or three places (Amazon, big-box stores, RV dealers) and then read reviews carefully—sometimes the “cheapest” hose is the one that leaks in a month.
You’ll also save money by deciding where quality matters and where it doesn’t. Spend more on items that protect your rig or your trip: a good TPMS, a reliable surge protector/EMS, a solid water filter, and durable sewer equipment. Those are the pieces that can prevent trip-ending problems or expensive repairs. For decor, organizers, and non-critical accessories, feel free to hunt the bargain bin, buy used, or check local classifieds and RV groups—people are always upgrading and selling lightly used gear. And if you’re buying from a dealership or at an RV show, don’t be shy about asking, “Can you throw in a starter kit, hoses, or a battery upgrade if I buy today?” RV pricing is often flexible, and those “free add-ons” can easily be worth a few hundred dollars you won’t have to spend later.