My trailer is a 2025 Sunset Park SunLite 16BH, and every item listed below is perfectly suited for its designated spot. I’ve gone through plenty of products before finding the ones that truly work, so consider my pain your gain!

Please note that these essentials can be used with other travel trailers as well.

If you’re new to camping, be sure to check out my checklists for a smoother experience.

If you decide to purchase any of these items, please do so through my affiliate links by clicking on the item photo. This helps you and me. Amazon extends a small percentage to me with no cost to you. And, you get vetted products without having to take the time do the research. Thank you for your support.

When settling on a product, I take many factors into account:

• Performance – Does it serve the purpose in which I intend to use it?

• Options – Does it have all the bells and whistles that I am looking for?

• Cost – Does it fit into my budget?

• Reviews – What do other consumers say? (As they say, I take this “with a grain of salt” since this is up to each person’s interpretation of what is considered good or bad.)

• Testing – Try it out and compare with similar products

CLICK ON ITEM PHOTO FOR PRODUCT LINK

Towing

WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION HITCH

After learning about WDH's by watching YouTube videos and speaking with installers, I selected this model. It has worked so far.

BRAKE CONTROLLER

There are so many brake controller options, including Bluetooth models. However, I did not want to be on the road and need the controller and not have the phone connection work. I also took into consideration from users and installers. The company that installed the WDH also installed the brake controller for me.

TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM

This model was recommended by fellow campers and it fit into the budget. It works great and is solar powered. Even though it has 4 sensors, just 2 can be used with no problem.

BACK-UP CAMERA

I use the back-up camera when I am driving. It allows me to see what is behind me and makes it easier when changing lanes on the highway. I do not use it when I am backing up because I prefer to use my mirrors. This has a nice size screen and is budget friendly.

DASH CAMERA

I never even considered purchasing a dash cam until I started reading articles where they help if you are in an accident to determine who is at fault. And, they can be used to record your travels when you are solo. I didn't want to break the bank and there were certain options that I wanted: large viewing angle, G-sensor, parking monitor, GPS, night vision, WiFi app and touch screen. This one met all my criteria and to my surprise was easy to install with relatively no wires showing. Plus, the screen is compact.

12 VOLT SPLITTER

Because both the back-up camera monitor and dash cam use a cigarette lighter for power, I found this splitter that easily powers both. It has on/off buttons for each socket, 2 usb ports, 1 usb-c port , indicates the power and hinges for location flexibility.

TRAILER HITCH LUBE

When I first started towing, I had never heard of greasing the hitch ball. I watched a bunch of videos and decided to try it since the consensus was that it would help with the grinding noise, smoother ride, rust and wear/tear on the ball. It works! What is great about this one it that it doesn't make a huge mess like some hitch greases. Plus, it is a spray which means you do not get your hands dirty applying it.

NEW DRIVER BUMPER MAGNET

As I travel more, I notice that other drivers are not the most considerate when they see a vehicle towing a travel trailer. I recently saw a post where the author, who had been towing for years, put this magnet on the rear bumper of his travel trailer. And, ever since then, other drivers are more cautious around him and give him a much wider berth. I can't wait to try this!!!

LED EMERGENCY FLARES

I got the 3 pack which comes with a zippered carrying case. I have not had to use them, thank goodness, but when I tested them, they were really bright.

BOTTLE JACK

Because I am a solo traveler, I wanted something that would help make changing a flat tire easier if the emergency assistance was going to be far away. Make sure you take into consideration the lifting capacity of the jack based on your travel trailer weight and height of the axle when the tire is flat.

AIR COMPRESSOR

I highly recommend that you get an air compressor. This one is compact, portable and does not have any cords. It is so easy to use. Turn it on, connect it to your tire, set the pressure and go! And, it can deliver over 120PSI. Just make sure that you keep the battery charged. It is a little pricey but so worth it for the convenience.

Parking

COLLAPSIBLE TRAFFIC CONES

Before purchasing this tailer, I had never towed anything. I saw a post of someone using traffic cones when backing up a trailer. These work great! When I get to a location that I am going to be backing my trailer into (even at home), I set the cones up to where I want the trailer to be. Since I only use my mirrors, these are very easy to see. And, they take up very little space when collapsed.

LEVELERS

These are great to put under the tongue, stairs and stabilizers. They easily stack and come with a zippered carrying case. I ended up purchasing 3 of them because of the many uneven parking sites.

CURVED LEVELER

Many sites are not level from left to right, so having a curved leveler is a must for me. I use it under the lower side. It is made out of plastic and has a rubber bottom. I do wish it was slightly better quality. The rubber bottom has detached but I am still able to place it under the leveler. I am also considering purchasing an additional one that raises the low side even higher.

RUBBER WHEEL CHOCKS

Many wheel chocks are made out of plastic. I wanted ones that were heavy duty and found these at Harbor Freight.

RV LEVELS

Because of budget constraints, I could not justify purchasing a digital leveling system. I purchased 2 sets of these and installed them at opposite corners of the trailer. In full disclosure, since I travel by myself, I do have to get out of my SUV multiple times when getting the trailer level left to right. Before attaching them, I made sure that the trailer was level front to back and side to side by placing a 2-foot level on the floor of the trailer.

Check out G.O.A.L.

Water

WATER PRESSURE GAUGE

WATER PRESSURE REGULATOR

HOSE SHUT OFF

90 ELBOW WITH SHUT-OFF

This works great so that the filter can hang vertically from the trailer.

WATER FILTER

From all the reviews regarding filtering site water, this filter was the biggest bang for the buck. I do not use this for drinking water. I use the Brita filter at the sink for drinking water.

WATER FILL WITH HOSE

Love this! Because the freshwater tank is 26 gallons, it takes a while to fill. When I first bought the trailer, I would have to hold the water hose the entire time so that it would not fall out while filling the tank. This keeps the water hose in place so that I can do other things.

POTABLE WATER HOSE

This type of hose is a little pricy, but it is lightweight, compact, kink-free, and coils up easily for storage.

WATER FILL WITH FUNNEL

I want to start traveling off-grid. If I have to fill the freshwater tank with containers of water rather than a hose, tis funnel is a nice option (referred to me by a fellow camper). I am also looking at using a small water pump to fill from 5 gallons water containers. Once I try this, I will update this site with my reviews.

DRINKING WATER FILTER PITCHER

This pitcher has a water capacity of 6 cups and fits well on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator door (I have the dual fuel refrigerator. I am not sure how this pitcher would fit in the 12-volt refrigerator.) By using this, I save a lot of money by not having to buy water.

Y-SPLITTER WITH SHUT-OFFS

I connect the potable water hose to one side. I use the other side for the flush hose (next section) when I am cleaning out the holding tanks (see disconnecting list for more information).

This is the order of gear that I have learned to connect to city water. If you have learned something better or different, please message me. Check water pressure first at spigot. Spigot, water pressure regulator, Y-splitter, hose, hose shut-off, water filter, 90 elbow with shut-off, trailer.

Sewer (Black & Grey)

SEWER HOSE KIT

SEWER WRENCH

Ever have trouble getting the sewer hose off? I have MS (Multiple Sclerosis) and sometimes I do not have any strength in my hands. These wrenches work fantastic.

SEWER CONNECTION

Sewer hose elbow not staying put at site sewer connection? This locks it all in to eliminate possible spills and mess. The side tabs make it easy to remove (use gloves).

WASTE VALVE

I find that the grey water holding tank fills much quicker than the black. When there is no place to dump, this can help be a problem. This little gadget will allow me to move grey water into the black water holding tank using gravity, assuming that there is more grey water than black water in your tanks. I have this always installed on the drain and then the drain cover. When the grey tank is full, simply keep the black water valve closed, open the grey water, and then the black water. The grey water will fill the black tank until both tanks are at the same level.

REVERSE FLUSH VALVE

Even though my trailer has a black water fill to flush the black tank, I use this so that I can also fill and flush my black and grey water tanks.

SEWER HOSE SUPPORT

Since dumping works by gravity, a downward angle is required for the sewer hose. This support is compact and comes with a detachable carrying handle.

FLUSH HOSE

Make sure that you use a different hose than your potable water hose when flushing your holding tanks. This particular one was budget friendly. Initially I only purchased the 25' version until I was at a site where the water spigot was too far and had to borrow an additional hose. I now also have a 15'.

WATER METER

When filling your holding tanks with fresh water to clean them out, you want to make sure not to overfill the tanks to avoid flowing into your trailer. This water meter allows you to keep track of how much water is filling your tanks. You can do little tasks while filling. The 16BH has 28-gallon tanks for both grey and black water.

Check out The Great Debate and What Stinks?!

Electrical

30 AMP SURGE PROTECTOR

30 AMP EXTENSION CORD

50 AMP TO 30 AMP ADAPTOR ("DOGBONE")

110 VOLT TO 30 AMP ADAPTOR ("DOGBONE")

ASSORTED FUSES

OUTLET EXTENDER

Since there are only (3) 110-volt outlets on the 16BH, I wanted to have more outlets. This particular model has surge protection, (5) 110-volt outlets, 3 USB outlets and 1 type C outlet. And, it is black to match the outlets in the trailer.

VOLTAGE METER

My dad, who is a retired general contractor, suggested having a voltage meter to monitor the power coming into the trailer. This one is compact and budget friendly.

DUAL FUEL GENERATOR 4500 WATT (WEN)

This generator has running times of 8.5 hours on gas (2.2-gallon tank) and 9 hours on propane (20-gallon tank). It has plenty of receptacles, operates at only 58 decibels and has a handle and wheels to move. Since it is heavy weighing 100 pounds and I am solo, I used a doggie ramp to move it out of my towing vehicle before I permanently placed it on the tongue tray.

GENERATOR COVER WHILE RUNNING

An enclosed generator should be exposed to inclement weather while running. This particular model was recommended by others. It does take a bit to figure out how to use. It is easiest to set up when the generator is ground level. Now that my generator is up on the tongue tray, I will be figuring out how to modify the cover so that it can be easily placed over the generator when in use. I will keep you all posted on how that works.

GENERATOR COVER

This cover fits perfectly over the WEN DF451i generator when not in use. It was cheaper to purchase through Amazon.

Tongue Organization

TONGUE ORGANIZER

Not sure how to store your safety chains, brake cable and wiring harness when setting up? Here’s the perfect solution! This model is made of metal, making it much more heavy-duty and durable compared to the plastic versions. And, this 7-way plug cover protects the wiring harness from the elements.

7-PIN COVER

Plug cover protects the wiring harness from the elements.

TRAILER TRAY

Because my generator is so heavy, I wanted a place to permanently store it and use it, rather than having to take it in and out of my tow vehicle. This tray is perfect for the 16BH tongue. To be able to access the generator, I did have to cut down the supports because of my height.

PROPANE COVER

The 16BH comes with a hard cover that has to be lifted over the propane tanks. This cover keeps the tanks out of the elements, can be removed easily when changing out the tanks and has a zippered viewing window to be able to see tank levels and turn the propane of and off.

PROPANE TANK GAUGE

PROPANE SWITCH OVER

Perfect for dual tank set-ups!

HITCH DOCKING STATION

When I'm not towing my trailer, I didn’t want to leave the hitch on my towing vehicle, nor did I want to store it in the basement. The hitch is heavy, and I didn’t want to risk damaging the basement by constantly taking it in and out. This DIY docking station is the perfect solution. Though the receiver is designed for a 4" bumper, I installed it on the tongue instead, and it works flawlessly.

HITCH LOCK

To keep the honest thief honest.

Miscellaneous Exterior

KEYLESS ENTRY

Keyless entry provides both convenient access and added security to my trailer. I wanted a quick, hassle-free way to get in, especially when it’s dark, without fumbling for keys. Plus, it eliminates the worry of losing them altogether

ENTRY DOOR WINDOW

Tired of not being able to see out of your exit door because of the frosted glass? Or maybe you don't like how the window doesn’t match the other windows in your trailer? There’s an easy fix! This window comes with a built-in shade, and it only took me 30 minutes to replace the existing one. I installed it upside down so I can keep the shade slightly open for visibility while maintaining privacy. Just a heads-up: because of the screen door, the shade can only be adjusted when the door is open.

VENT COVER/RAIN SHROUD

Moisture is always a concern in a travel trailer, and I wanted to be able to use my vent fan even during inclement weather. This cover fit perfectly on the vent and was a breeze to install. Just be sure to confirm the exact model of your trailer's vent before purchasing. The first one I bought didn’t fit correctly.

STEP COVER

I was getting frustrated with all the dirt coming into the trailer until I got these step covers. They easily wrap around the steps, keep the dirt out and can be sprayed off.

VENT COVERS

Keep those critters out! Use screens for the water heater, furnace and refrigerator exhaust vents.

TELESCOPING LADDER

This ladder is lightweight and compact. I got the 12.5FT model for my trailer. Since I am a solo traveler, I didn't want to just lean this against the trailer and have it slip out from under me. I had a local metal worker fabricate a hook to attach to the holder that came attached with the trailer. This is more than half the cost of the Lippert On-the-Go. Just be careful of your fingers when you are collapsing it.

COLLAPSIBLE BUCKET

You never know when you are going to need a bucket but with the size of the basement, I wanted an option that was compact.

OUTDOOR RUG

When I first started camping, I did not know outdoor rugs were a thing. And then, I found out how dirty it can get in the trailer without an outdoor rug. These can get wet, be cleaned easily with a hose, are soft on bare feet, and fold up for easy storage.

SEAT HEATER

I don't know about you, but I don't like how my bum gets cold when sitting at a campfires. I like how this one has 3 heat settings and folds up with handles. The adjustable buckles give me back support when sitting on the bleachers at my nephew's football games. Note that it does not come with a power bank but it does have a cord.

FIRE STARTER

I do not start campfires but wanted this for safety while hiking. When I was camping with friends, we tried this and the experience campfire camper said this was amazing......quick lighting and long lasting so the wood really caught fire.

VELCRO WRAPS

With such a small "basement", these wraps keep everything organized. I use these for my hoses and cord. This particular set comes with 3 different sizes and is budget friendly. The grommets allow for easy hanging.

MAGNETIC BUMPER COVERS

I saw a YouTube video how to store the "stinky slinky" in the trailer's bumper with these covers. The cover attaches to the hose so that it does not get lost in the bumper and then has a magnet, so it does not come off the bumper while traveling. I was very disappointed that the stinky slinky did not fit in my bumper, but the covers fit perfectly. Make sure to check that the hose fits in your bumper first before getting the covers.

BULLDOG CLAMPS

I use these in the basement to hang the manual jack handle, stabilizer jack handle and lug wrench so that they are not sliding around and damaging things in the basement while traveling.

WHEEL COVER

These wheel covers fit perfectly on my tires that came with the lift kit package. They fit with an elastic cord that makes them windproof.