This is a long post but since it took me two years to research and buy my RPOD 180 I accumulated significant information on accessories to buy.  So I am sharing my list.  Feel free to add to it..

RV Assessory Checklist (items you need to buy, should buy,or just some that are nice to have)

Extended warranty.  Do not buy third party.  Forest River sells a one year extendedwarranty for $150.00 The dealer makes no money off of it and may not tell youabout it and try to sell you their version (which legally cannot be called awarranty – it is an extended service plan). You must act quickly, as offer expires (one posting said you had to buyit within 30 days after getting RPOD). Call Forest River directly if dealer acts ignorant.  Dealer service plans are generally expensiveand most reviews are negative.  Somedealers include a free unlimited warranty. This is not a scam but may not be a good deal.  You have to bring you RV back to dealer oncea year for $150 inspection to keep warranty active.  And then it does not really warranty the RV(leaks, axle breaks) but rather the components (refrig, heater).  Only worth buying at a dealer that includesit if they do not charge more for the RV. One dealer who was $3000 more than another said, “but the warranty isfree and that’s worth the $3000 difference!”

Brake controller– Even if TV has towing package it probably lacks a break controller.  Tekumsa P2 is highly rated but moreexpensive.  The less expensive the unitthe more it has to be in a fixed position (i.e. parallel to ground).  It comes with wires to splice into TV howevermost tow packages already have the female harness so only need to buy maleharness for your vehicle (around $18) then no searching for the correct wiresto splice into, and you can remove unit at will.  An internet search for your TV will let youknow where to find the hitch.  On ourJeep Cherokee it was hidden away and we could not find it until we found aUTube video demonstration.

Weight distribution(WDH) and anti sway

-Equal-i-zer weight distributionhitch 10,000 lbs $408  includes 4 ptfriction sway control.

-Blue OX is also highly rated.  It prevents sway instead of correctingit.  It is $600 and easier toconnect.  Get 350 lb tongue weight version

-There are numerous cheaperoptions.  But you may not be able to backup and/or do not have anti sway, only weight distribution.  Most people say anti-sway is required but WDHis not necessary as larger tow vehicles can handle it well.

Other items

□             Whitewater hose (for drinking water only) 25’ Camco $9.97

□             Garden waterhose (for black water flush and all other washing)

□             Waterfilter with right angle

□             Waterpressure regulator

                Yconnector to attach two hoses to single water line

□             Oxy-Kem holding tank treatment.  Turn off vent fan when going to the bathroom.  Always wait until black tank is 2/3 fullbefore emptying

□             Sewer hose 2 x 10’ is better thansingle 15 foot (Valterra D04-0275 newer version comes with clear elbow $50.50).  Reported to have less leaks than Camco model

□             Sewerelbow to connect to ground hole (comes with Valterra above)

□             Sewer elbow clear to connect to RVto see when water is clean Valterra T1026 $11.50 (also comes with Valterra above)

□             Sewerhose holder to keep hose slanted to ground Camco 43051 20’ $22.94

□             Disposable gloves for cleaning outholding tanks (or strong rubber gloves to re-use and save the environment)

□             NCVT Fluke volt alert (looks like apenlight)– standing on the ground touch the door frame or steps if there isvoltage leak it will light up preventing a shock.  Do it when first setting up camp andconnecting electric

□             Tireleveling plastic with chock for under tires

□             Plasticpads for stabilizers (Do not use wood)

□             Lock fortrailer hitch to prevent someone from stealing your RV when left alone unhooked

□             Leveling guides. One type goes onhitch and turns to tell you how many inches to raise RV. Other types stick toside walls.

□             Propanetank gauge.  May need to get second tankbut try it first with one tank.

□             Bug and rodent screens – Spiders infurnace, refrigerator and hot water heater can do damage.  Need to get screens for all vents.  Camco 42154 for Dometic refrigerator Pack of6 vents $15.88.  Camco 42141 furnace ventscreen 2 Pack $10.86. Camco 42145 Large screen for water heater $16.00

□             Lawn mat(Do not use plastic grass – stays wet) use porous material made for RVing

□             Dustbroom with pan

□             Lanternsand flashlight

□             Sparefuses

□             BBQ Grill–  can get propane now that 2017.5 RV hasquick connector

□             Propanehose extension 10 foot Camco $21.26 (not the standard size 3/8”)

□             Stickymats to keep things on the counter

□             Wooddowels to keep windows closed and locked – so they do not open during drives

□             Expandabledrapery rods to put in refrigerator to hold food in place

□             Oxygenics  BodySpa RV shower kit – white (ModelETL26781) Amazon $31.13.  Sends water athigher pressure thus using less water for a shower.  Great product reviews, really works. Made forRV

□             GPS While a car GPS is handy it is not designed for RV use.  For one, you will drive slower and theestimated time will be off by as much as a third.  Second, you may want to avoid steep grades,low bridges and normal GPS does not have a setting for that.  There are a few freestanding GPS units thatare made for RV’s. Unfortunately if you already own a GPS they do not sell mapsto convert to RV use.  However there isan APP designed for smartphones that is specific to RV’s .  It is called CoPilot.  Expensive at $59.99 and has many negativereviews, so buyer beware.

Replace mattress

-11” NuForm Quilted pillow top memoryfoam short queen 60 x 74 (RPOD  is 74”)RV size $258 price raised to $279 at Overstock. Regular queen is 60 x 80

Replace 6 gal water heater with tankless unlimited hot water

-Truma Aqua Go  basic model is $1099.  Could always add it later, if running out ofhot water is an issue.  It is said thatrunning water heater on both propane and electric at the same heats up water fast.So probably will be fine with existing 6 gal heater, especially if you can takeshort showers.  Some dealers however willgive you trade in value (up to $300) for turning in a new unused waterheater.  So check with you dealer as itmay be cheaper to do it at time of delivery before using the standard waterheater.  Do not buy any other brand, theyare half the price but are all terrible!!!

Add surge protection to RV

-Progressive industries EMS-PT30CPortable RV surge protector 30 AMP. Comes with metal hook to be able to lock it onto the electric box sothat it is not stolen.  $235.00.  This is better than just surge protectionsince it will also shut off current if it goes too low or is wired wrong.  Even better, get the hard wired version(HW30C same price) so no worries about getting stolen.  May need to have dealer install as itinvolves cutting into electric lines. Also has a low hum but to eliminate it people report using rubberspacers when attaching it to RV floor.

Improve WiFi

                Althoughmany RV parks have free WiFi, the signal is usually spotty at best.  Therefore you can add a WiFi extender to geta stronger signal.  The WiFi Ranger isrecommended by some top RV YouTubers but does not have good overall reviews.  There are cheaper options (as low as $60)that work well and do not require installation on roof of RPOD

Add wind deflector on roof of tow vehicle.  Very controversial, at best it saves 10% oraround 1 mpg

-Aeroplus by Purpleline $282 attachesto cross bar of roof rack (need to buy for $99 more)

-Aeroshield straps to door frame$366.  No roof rack required.   Does make ride more stable if wind is aproblem bouncing car around

Washing Machine – yes they make washing machines that canfit into RPOD!  If you really hatecampground laundromats consider doing your own laundry.  These have separate tub for spinning dry andalmost completely dry clothes.  Just hangoutside for final dry.  Most campgroundswill not allow clotheslines to be strung across to trees but will allow clothesdryer racks that attach to RV or stand alone.

Panda washing machine 28 lbs.  Connects to sink or shower has almost 8 lbcapacity (5 shirts) $150.00 23x14x26. There are two other brands which are $80-85 which look similar and alsogot good reviews.  So do not know why payingtwice the price for Panda is better

If you get a smell in RV when towing with windows open youmay consider replacing the roof vent caps with Siphon 360 roof vents.  Will need to unscrew old one, cut the ventpipe to 5/8, screw on the new  one and sealwith DiCor lap sealant.  There is a newmodel (389381) that goes over the old pipe and uses only caulk as it is notreplacing the old vent cap.  Also cheaper$25 vs $35

The old fan was Fantastic  and needed a vent cover ($65).  It was just replaced it with a differentcompany.  See if there is a vent cover.  This will allow you to travel with the fancover open even if it is raining. 

Winter cover – Cover for 179 fits the 180 as the doors arein the same place.  Classic AssessoriesPolyPro 3 Model 4 cover (part 80-197-17100-00) Amazon $151.  They also make a PermaPro model for$191.  Do not know what the difference is.