Thank you for reading our post, please rate this article at the end.
Last Updated on March 31, 2025 by Paul Clayton
Table of Contents
Survival RV Best Options and Must-Have Accessories
Imagine a human corpse mysteriously comes back to life to eat the living. How are you planning to survive if you have to take off during a zombie apocalypse? Survival RV’s best options and must-have accessories are vital considerations for any individual or family planning for long-term travel or emergency preparedness.
Key Takeaways
-
-
Survival RVs are essential for emergency preparedness and long-term travel, offering mobility and self-sufficiency.
-
Types of RVs:
-
Class B: Compact and off-road capable.
-
Class C: Spacious and mobile.
-
4WD RVs (e.g., EarthRoamer XV-LTS): Built for extreme conditions.
-
-
Must-Have Accessories: Solar panels, water purification systems, emergency kits, communication devices, and survival gear ensure self-sufficiency.
-
Customization & DIY Options: You can buy a factory-built survival RV, modify an existing one, or build your own with weatherproofing and essential features.
-
Living in an RV Full-Time: Practical if well-equipped with heating, cooling, water storage, and safety measures.
-
Security & Safety Features: Bulletproof tires, tinted windows, robust exteriors, and communication tools enhance protection.
-
Flexibility & Cost Control: RV living offers adaptability in lifestyle and expenses compared to traditional housing.
-
A survival RV is not just a mode of transport but a mobile shelter equipped with essential amenities for sustainable living. This is critical knowledge for anyone considering a survival RV as a mobile home or emergency preparedness tool.
Don’t worry. We have a plan for you. Survival RVs are what you need to survive a zombie apocalypse, human-made disasters, and whatnot.
But you know what else? You can also use RVs in times of survival hardships.
An RV can be your best friend in a world where nothing is permanent. You can say that again. It can help you survive in desperate situations.
But you’re probably wondering what makes an RV fit for survival and what makes it so unique. Keep reading as we answer these questions and more.
What is a Survival RV?
Troubles, whether survival hardships, epidemics, or human-made disasters, don’t knock before coming. In such a situation, you might have to live in a vehicle.
If you are faced with a survival scenario, either by choice or extreme bug-out conditions, an ideal survival vehicle will shelter you when you’re away from home.
So, in this case, your best option is a self-contained vehicle that can protect you and keep you safe and moving.
Or, if you are one of those free spirits who want to adopt a full-time nomadic lifestyle, an RV will keep you on the road while still feeling at home—a home on wheels.
Can You Buy a Survival RV?
Yes, you certainly can. The question is, which one?
RVs can be grouped into motorhomes, towable RVs, and truck campers.
1. Motorhomes
A motorhome does not have to be towed behind a truck. It is self-sufficient. You have to get in and drive. Almost all motorhomes now have solar power systems, generators, inverters, water storage, and battery banks.
Towable RVs, such as travel trailers, have their benefits. You can drag them behind your truck and drop your safe retreat wherever you fit.
2. Travel Trailers
Some of these RVs have fewer options than motorhomes. However, travel trailers come in various sizes, weights, and colors. An SUV can tow the smallest trailer, while others need to be pulled by a truck.
3. Truck Campers
Truck campers are best suited for a maximum of three people. They have the most basic amenities you need to travel long distances and are meant to take you everywhere.
These campers come in various types, from short-bed to slide-in and pop-up campers.
It might be challenging to keep all of the RVs mentioned above warm inside. So, if you are buying an RV, go for one with proper heating and cooling systems.
You should add some must-add accessories to your RV to make it a secure survival unit.
Do You Need to Make a Survival RV?
RVs are made in controlled environments using carefully selected materials and parts to keep them as practical as possible.
Many DIY enthusiasts have tried creating very basic tear-drop trailers. You can build one, too, at half the price and double the amenities inside.
If you build one yourself, you will need severe weatherproofing and insulation to make it worthwhile.
Almost all RVs today have insulated walls, roofs, and double-paneled windows to survive extreme temperatures.
You would also have to pump your water and maintain the truck without much help. If you choose a towable RV, check the trailer hook-up system regularly.
If you are in a cold part of the world, you can also equip your RV with warm blankets and throws to combat the wintry winds.
Since you want your RV to be completely self-reliant, you must arm it with survival accessories to get the most out of it. The must-have survival RV accessories are later in the article.
You can start with a new or well-maintained RV to avoid maintenance costs and other potential problems. However, you always have to make some compromises, whether new or used.
But when it comes to survival, they’re the second-best option after your home.
What Makes it a Survival RV?
Even with all the conveniences and comforts, an RV is still less capable than a jeep on the road. The good thing is that RVs can serve as your second home.
The market has a wide range of RVs, from class A coaches to motorhomes and compact campers.
What makes your RV a ‘Survival RV’ is the overabundance of everything valuable: extra fuel tank, drinking water storage, battery capacity, solar panels, and storage spaces.
You will also need good heating and cooling systems to survive extreme weather conditions. The RV should also have some serious off-road capabilities, and a powerful truck should keep you on the go.
Other essential accessories in a survival RV include a portable fire pit, a toolkit for quick repairs, and a first aid kit for medical emergencies.
You can add many accessories to your chosen RV to make it more practical.
Must-Have Accessories for Survival RV
After you have chosen an RV that meets all your needs, it’s time to equip it with accessories. The trick is to add things that are crucial for long-term survival.
Here’s a list of must-have accessories for your survival RV.
1. Air Pump
Everyone who owns a vehicle, whether a two-wheeler or a lorry, knows the importance of air pumps. No matter what kind of car you own, a flat tire is inevitable. A portable air pump will come in handy in situations like these.
The Mbrain Portable Air Compressor’s large LCD and LED flashlights make it reliable and easy to use in dark areas.
2. RV Jacks
RV jacks stabilize and level your RV when you need to change a tire or access the underneath for repairs.
With a capacity of 5000 lbs per jack, WEIZE Jacks can lift an average RV while remaining steady on soft surfaces. It is a must-have if you are on your own with a big vehicle.
3. USB Car Charger
While on the road, you must know what’s happening around you, and your loved ones should know what’s happening to you. It would be best to have a phone charger to keep your communication with the outside world.
The Vano USB Car Charger is compatible with Apple iPhones, Samsungs, LGs, tablets, iPads, eBook readers, Nintendo gaming consoles, digital cameras, music players, e-cigarettes, and more.
You can fit it in your RV lighter socket to keep your communication devices working.
4. Toolkit
Now that you are on your own, you will do any repairs in your RV. A multi-functional toolbox can help you with this.
The DEKOPRO Tool Kit includes many tools needed for vehicle repairs. If you want to go for a more advanced toolkit, it’s all the better
5. Portable Fire Pit
Throughout your survival journey, you need fire to cook, keep you warm, and provide light if you decide to stay in one place.
A portable fire pit can be an excellent accessory for your RV. It’ll also compensate for cold weather when your RV heating systems need a break.
6. Sewer Hose Kit
A sewer hose for your RV that fits a variety of dump station pipes is a must if you don’t have it already.
The Camco 20′ RhinoFLEX Sewer Hose Kit is a good option for durable construction. It has permanently attached fittings and can easily collapse to a shorter storage size.
The Camco hose kit is affordable for RV owners who will use it well.
7. First-Aid Kit
When you have to survive in the wilderness, you have to plan. No matter how safe your location is, a first-aid kit will never go wasted.
A comprehensive first-aid kit such as the Swiss Safe 2-in-1 First Aid Kit with 120 medical-grade items is perfect for outdoor emergencies.
8. RV Water Filter
You will use water from different sources when you are out and about. A water filter keeps the water clean and free of harmful particles.
The Clearsource Premium RV Water Filter System is an impressive choice with NSF-certified filter parts. Its sturdy design accommodates campers’ lifestyles.
The filter has a metal chassis with a powder coating, ensuring durability. It can easily be set up between your RV’s water connection and the water supply.
9. Hitch Lock
You have to keep your towable RV safe along with your safety. To make sure no one takes off with your new trailer, a hitchhock is much needed.
The MegaHitch Lock is fool-proof and can be placed out of sight.
Can You Live in a Survival RV Full-Time?
Can you lead a full-time nomadic lifestyle in an RV? If you ask us, it all comes down to your chosen RV—its quality, safety, and comfort.
If you are going to live in one every day, you will have to take care of all kinds of jobs. Get ready to get your hands dirty, filling up the tires and dumping sewage.
However, once you get a taste of living in an RV, you might as well get used to doing all the maintenance jobs.
Are they Practical?
The practicality of your RV is dependent mainly on its size and the quality of the exterior and interior. These factors can affect the comfort levels of the RV.
Ideal for living in is a fully equipped RV with all the necessary cooking, sleeping, and sanitation amenities.
The RVs on the bigger side, travel trailers, and fifth wheels are closer to homes with almost all the amenities, just like a small apartment sized down even more.
However, if you don’t want to be noticed, you might want to think twice before choosing a big vehicle. Big RVs will be the highlight of the road unless you go for something small.
Whichever survival RV you choose, you should feel safe in it. That’s the point. You can hunt down one with unbreakable and tinted window glass, robust exterior, bullet-proof tires, safety alarms, and the like.
As mentioned, a kick-ass AC and heater add to the RV’s practicality.
In an emergency, you must stay in contact with your loved ones or emergency service, so adding accessories such as a signal booster can make an RV more suitable for survival.
Survival RV Best Options
There’s a wide range of RVs that you can customize to your own will. You can choose from several options, from average motorhomes to the more luxurious RVs like the Earth Roamer LTi.
With this luxurious RV, designed in Dacono, Colorado, you no longer have to fear anything. The Earth Roamer LTi has a vacuum-infused carbon fiber construction, which makes it lightweight and super durable.
The Ford F-550 chassis features bunk side windows, a powerful lithium battery with 11000 Watt-hours, and a raised ceiling. The entirely self-sufficient RV has a 100-gallon freshwater capacity, a 1320W solar power system, and five-floor plans.
If you are going for a used RV, research is the key. A well-maintained RV will not trouble you in the long run. You can find more tips for buying a used RV here.
Where to Buy a Customized RV?
An excellent place to start exploring RVs can be Lance Camper. Lance lets you build your own campers and travel trailers. You can choose from various floor plans and then choose interior colors, electrical systems, exterior, and more.
If these RVs don’t satisfy you, you can build your survival RV, such as small tear-drop trailers or truck campers that can be designed in extraordinary ways. You can make a truck camper with off-grid electricity for less than $1,600.
What is the Best Thing about RV Living?
The best thing about RV living is the flexibility and control it provides over your cost of living. Unlike traditional homes, RV living allows you to adjust your expenses to match your lifestyle and budget.
You can live a luxurious life with high-end amenities or opt for a more budget-friendly approach. The primary expenses associated with full-time RV life, such as campsite fees, fuel, RV and vehicle payments, and the cost of activities while traveling, can all be scaled according to your financial capacity and preference.
This unique aspect of financial control makes RV living an appealing choice for many.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the survival RV’s best options and must-have accessories encompass a range of vehicles and equipment. Class B and Class C RVs are excellent vehicle choices for their off-road capabilities, mobility, and space.
The 4WD EarthRoamer XV-LTS stands out as a robust option for any terrain. Solar panels are highly recommended to ensure a sustainable power source and a portable generator as a reliable backup.
A water purification system is crucial, considering the scarcity of clean water that may occur during travel.
An emergency roadside kit is indispensable for unexpected breakdowns or minor repairs. It is also vital to have a comprehensive first aid kit for road trips and communication devices such as radios and satellite phones, which can be lifesavers in emergencies.
Additionally, adequate food and water storage is essential for survival on the road; this includes non-perishable food items and a large water tank. Lastly, always have a fire extinguisher in your survival RV kit for safety.
With these best options and must-have accessories, you can ensure a safe and comfortable journey in your survival RV.
