
The gear
Discover Gear that works...or doesn't
Honest reviews and recommendations for small-trailer RV living.
In the trailer
Gear that earns its space
The things we actually carry, rated honestly after a season of packing and unpacking. To read the whole review, just click on the item.

Silicone Toilet Brush with Holder
8.99
A flexible silicone toilet brush with a compact self-storing holder. The soft rubber bristles won't snag or hold germs like fiber brushes, it rinses clean in seconds, and the small footprint fits right in the R-Pod's tiny bathroom. My rating is due to the quality. Even though it is good for not scratching and fits in our smaller bathroom, I feel like I am going to break it or loose the silicone end if I'm not careful. We may look for another one next year but for now, it is doing the job.

IRIS USA Storage Bins with Lids |Made in USA| 12 Qt - (4-Pack) - Clear
29.99
Four clear 12-quart storage bins with teal latching lids, made in the USA. They stack, the clear walls let us see what's inside without opening anything, and the latches hold lids down on bumpy roads — perfect for pantry goods, tools, cords and games in the trailer's cupboards or under-bench storage. Perfect size for our storage since we can stack them. Great way to keep things categorized. I store all my fix-it items in one, cleaning items in one, pans, knifes, and spatulas in another, and the final one holds all my electrical cords and connections.

Delerain RV There Yet Spare Tire Cover for Spare Tire
19.99
A white spare tire cover with a camper among black pines and "RV There Yet?" across the front. It keeps sun and grime off the spare tire while adding a little personality to the back of the trailer. For the price, it should have been better. There were others that were 4 or 5 dollars cheaper so I went with what I thought would be a step up. It will last a year maybe. It is very thin but it did fit my 15" spare. The strings or ribbon to bunch up the back were a little reluctant to cinch things down but I won the battle. I have a feeling that we may change this out every year or so just to keep it fun.

Small Broom & Dust Pan Set
A compact white broom with an extendable handle that clips into its matching dust pan. It lives in the trailer's closet for sweeping gravel, pine needles and debris out of the trailer. The description online is "Mini Broom with Dustpan for Kids" but it is more than a toy for kids, it really works and is quite sturdy. The handle can disconnect if you need to fit it in even a smaller space.

Battery Digital Alarm Clock - Green
16.99 (Sale 13.98)
A battery-powered LED alarm clock with a big green display, AM indicator, snooze button and DST setting. No cords needed, so it sits on the R-Pod's night shelf and keeps the right time wherever we're parked. The batteries should last a couple of years especially if you remember to put it into a dimmer mode when you are out of the trailer. It is so nice when you wake up and need to see the time. It is visible even when the blinds are up and the sun is lighting up the whole trailer. Great item.
Essential for SafetyTowPilot - Tongue Weight piece of mind
89.95
The TowPilot Trailer Tongue Weight Scale from KANU GOODS turned out to be one of those rare accessories that delivers instant peace of mind. I bought it to verify my trailers' tongue weight before towing, and the very first reading — a rock‑solid 305 lbs — told me exactly what I needed to know: I was well within my 500‑lb limit. That alone made the purchase worth it. What impressed me most is how simple and confidence‑building this tool is. There’s no guesswork, no batteries, and no fiddling with digital screens. You just place the scale under the coupler, lower the jack, and the analog gauge gives you a precise reading in seconds. For anyone who’s ever worried about sway, balance, or overloading, that clarity is priceless. The build quality is exactly what you’d hope for in a safety‑critical tool. The Q255 powder‑coated steel feels rugged and durable, and the military‑grade spring inspires trust. The ZEROLOCK calibration system is a standout feature — being able to reset the scale to a true zero means you’re always getting accurate readings, not drifting numbers like cheaper alternatives. At 20.5 inches tall, it does require your coupler to raise high enough to fit underneath, but that’s a small tradeoff for the reliability it provides. The included waterproof storage bag is a nice touch, but has a bit of a tight fit. It does keep everything clean and protected though. For the price, this scale easily pays for itself. I still will make trips to public scales just to check loaded weight from time to time, but no more uncertainty, and no more towing blind when it comes to my tongue weight. It’s a one‑time purchase that directly improves safety every time you hitch up. Bottom line: If you tow a camper, cargo trailer, boat, or anything where tongue weight matters, the TowPilot scale is one of the smartest, most reassuring accessories you can buy. It gave me real numbers, real confidence, and a genuinely better towing experience.

Aootek Solar Motion Sensor Lights Outdoor 120 LEDs, Black, 4 Pack
23.99
I use these on the back of the trailer where my entrance is located. They are so great at coming on when I need light or if someone gets too close. Three Optional Modes 1.Motion Sensor Light Mode (The lights will go off at night when no motion is detected; when it detects motion the step lights stay on at high brightness for 15 seconds and then go off) 2. Permanent On Mode (the lights turn on automatically at night and stay on at 10% brightness for 8 hours). 3. Smart Brightness Control Mode (when no motion is detected, the light stays slightly bright all night; when motion is detected, the motion sensor adjusts the light to stay on high for 15 seconds, then back to stay slightly bright)

Campsite setup
Hookup day, the short version
Nothing glamorous here — just the routine that lets us roll in, set up and sit down.
- We look for full-hookup sites: shore power into the pedestal, then the water connection.
- The sewer hose runs to the flush ground port with an orange locking collar — quick, clean, done.
- Everything we carry for hookups fits in one bin, so setup takes minutes and teardown is painless.
Storage
What's in the cabinets
In a small trailer, storage is all about using space wisely. The right-sized bins can transform a cabinet from a clutter catcher into an organized, easy-to-use storage system without adding much weight. We group similar items together so we're not digging through multiple cabinets looking for one thing.
- Keep cooking supplies together in one bin.
- Store charging cables, extension cords, adapters, and other electrical items in their own container.
- Use a separate bin for cleaning supplies, towels, and paper products.
- Choose lightweight bins that fit the cabinet space well and stack neatly.
- Use clear containers so you can see what's inside at a glance.
- Store frequently used items where you naturally need them most.
The best part? Your storage system will evolve as you camp. After a few trips, you'll learn what you use every day and what rarely leaves the cabinet. Place those high-use items within easy reach and keep things where they make the most sense. After all, toilet paper belongs next to the toilet, not in an overhead cabinet across the trailer. A little common sense, a few good organizers, and thoughtful placement can make a small trailer feel much bigger.

Our rule for gear
No fluff and no endless lists. If something earns a spot in a small trailer, it's because it survived a season of being packed and unpacked. We'll add our honest impressions as the miles add up.
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Come along for the next stretch
New trips, campsite setups and honest notes from small-trailer life, shared as we go.




