Trail-Tested and Road Ready Essentials

jeep wrangler and squaredrop trailer at a campsite with pine trees

A camp stove that won’t light when you’re 40 miles from civilization. A backpack that saw one too many bird photography outings and just gave up. The camera battery that died just as a mountain lion stepped into view. We’ve been there. And after years of trial, error, and the occasional meltdown, here’s the gear we swear by.

A quick heads-up: some of the links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy something through them, we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). It’s one of the easiest ways to support The Diesel Apartment without spending anything extra.

That said, there’s zero pressure from us. We only recommend gear we’ve used and appreciated (especially the stuff that functions when our brains refuse to). If affiliate links aren’t your thing, feel free to use this list as a starting point and shop wherever you’d like.

Small Space Organization

prokeeper split deli food storage container

ProKeeper Split Deli Food Storage Container

4.7 / 5 (16,107 ratings)

Useful in tight spaces, this organizer makes sure your deli staples stay fresh, tidy, and easy to grab. Because no one likes playing hide-and-seek with their sammich fixins.

lazy susan turntable for refrigerator

Lazy Susan Turntable for Refrigerator

4.6 / 5 (1,204 ratings)

Designed for tight fridge quarters, this lazy Susan makes the most of every inch. A quick spin brings your essentials to the front, keeping your RV refrigerator neat and your pickles always at-hand.

amazon essentials 4-piece packing cubes travel accessories set

Amazon Essentials 4-Piece Packing Cubes Travel Accessories Set

4.7 / 5 (41,422 ratings)

Stop rummaging through your bag like a raccoon in the dark. These packing cubes keep everything sorted, easy to grab, and exactly where you left it.

sidio crate basic pack

SIDIO Crate Basic Pack

4.6 / 5 (61 ratings)

Yes, it’s a glorified milk crate, but it’s also the last gear organizer you’ll ever need. With rugged construction and endless configurations, this crate takes a beating, keeps everything in place, and somehow makes storage feel satisfying.

Camping Kitchen

aeropress go, extra small portable coffee maker kit

AeroPress Go, Extra Small Portable Coffee Maker Kit

4.7 / 5 (12,642 ratings)

The holy grail of backcountry coffee. Compact, easy to clean, and practically indestructible. It brews a smooth, grit-free cup that tastes like civilization, even when you're miles from it. Pair it with reusable filters, and you've got an effortless, reliable caffeine fix anywhere.

javapresse manual stainless steel coffee grinder

JavaPresse Manual Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder

4.1 / 5 (25,438 ratings)

Because even in the middle of nowhere, bad coffee is unacceptable. This little champ packs up smaller than your regrets about that last sketchy dirt road. And it delivers a consistent grind without electricity.

gci outdoor master cook station portable folding kitchen table

GCI OUTDOOR Master Cook Station Portable Folding Kitchen Table

4.7 / 5 (2,162 ratings)

We've had this folding kitchen setup for years, and it's never failed us. We're not exactly nice to it, either. We love that it's sturdy, lightweight, and easy to fold up and tuck into the rest of the gear in our off-road trailer.

uco utility spork 3-in-1 combo spoon-fork-knife utensil

UCO Utility Spork 3-in-1 Combo Spoon-Fork-Knife Utensil

4.8 / 5 (3,944 ratings)

Because eating with a stick is only cool for about five minutes. These spork-knife hybrids are tough enough for camping, easy to clean, and small enough to disappear into your bag until you need them. Stab or scoop away (whatever gets food in your mouth the fastest).

ridgid pro gear modular tool storage system (3-piece)

RIDGID PRO Gear Modular Tool Storage System (3-Piece)

This stackable beast keeps utensils, spices, and random mystery gear locked down and organized. The compartments are rock-solid, and the whole thing laughs in the face of bumpy roads and bad packing jobs.

stansport propane outdoor portable camping stove

Stansport Propane Outdoor Portable Camping Stove

4.2 / 5 (762 ratings)

Reliable, powerful, and apparently dust-devil resistant. With two 25,000 BTU burners and a 10,000 BTU sidekick in the middle, this beast boils water faster than you can say, “Did you remember the coffee?” It always lights when asked, doesn’t throw tantrums in the wind, and shrugs off rough treatment like a true camp kitchen MVP.

Staying Warm

teton celsius xxl sleeping bag

Teton Celsius XXL Sleeping Bag

4.6 / 5 (8,463 ratings)

Stay warm without spending a fortune and sleep like ya mean it. These sleeping bags lock in heat, block out cold, and give you the kind of sleep that makes you wonder why you ever camped without one.

rechargeable owl hand warmers

Rechargeable Owl Hand Warmers

4.6 / 5 (434 ratings)

Adorable on the outside, powerful on the inside. These owl-shaped hand warmers heat up in seconds, recharge easily, and come in a handy case that keeps them ready for next time.

rockdove women's alpinz puffer bootie

RockDove Women's Alpinz Puffer Bootie

4.3 / 5 (490 ratings)

A snowy, rocky trek to see ancient petroglyphs should have been a pain, but these booties turned it into a warm, cushy adventure. These booties are lightweight, insulated, and (apparently) sturdy enough to take on rough terrain.

arcturus rainier wool blanket

Arcturus Rainier Wool Blanket

4.6 / 5 (2,199 ratings)

This blanket locks in warmth, holds up to adventure, and won’t break the bank. Whether it’s wrapped around your shoulders or tossed over your sleeping bag, it’s a camp essential.

therm-a-rest honcho poncho wearable blanket

Therm-a-Rest Honcho Poncho Wearable Blanket

4.7 / 5 (517 ratings)

Built for campfire lounging and unexpected rain, this wearable blanket keeps you cozy without the bulk. Stay warm, stay dry, and stay outside as long as you want.

get out gear down camping blanket

Get Out Gear Down Camping Blanket

4.5 / 5 (3,459 ratings)

Compact enough to toss in your luggage, warm enough to rely on when the temperature drops. Whether you’re wrapped up by the fire or using it as a back warmer in your camp chair, this blanket does the job.

Around the RV

mopeka pro check sensor wireless propane tank level indicator

Mopeka Pro Check Sensor Wireless Propane Tank Level Indicator

4.4 / 5 (2,402 ratings)

Forget the old “lift and hope” method. This magnetic sensor gives you real-time propane levels, so you always know when it’s time to refill before the tank runs dry.

sammart collapsible rectangular bucket

SAMMART Collapsible Rectangular Bucket

4.6 / 5 (1,858 ratings)

Sturdy when you need it, compact when you don’t. Whether it’s scrubbing, rinsing, or carrying, this collapsible bucket takes on the task and tucks away without a fuss.

bartnelli pro step ladder

Bartnelli Pro Step Ladder

4.5 / 5 (522 ratings)

Light enough to carry, tough enough to trust, and slim enough to tuck away, this step ladder is a must-have for any RV. (Because sometimes, top shelves feel like they were designed for giants.)

happy campers holding tank treatment

Happy Campers Holding Tank Treatment

4.8 / 5 (16,569 ratings)

Toss in a scoop, let it do the dirty work, and enjoy an RV that doesn’t smell like a sewer on wheels. Keeps tanks fresh, waste broken down, and your nose unbothered.

gazelle tents™ g6 6-sided easy pop-up portable gazebo

Gazelle Tents™ G6 6-Sided Easy Pop-Up Portable Gazebo

4.4 / 5 (135 ratings)

The Gazelle Pop Up Outdoor Gazebo makes bad weather irrelevant. It pops up in minutes, shields you from wind, and keeps the bugs outside where they belong.

camco big red campfire compact outdoor portable fire pit

Camco Big Red Campfire Compact Outdoor Portable Fire Pit

4.5 / 5 (95 ratings)

Fire, without the fuss. The Camco Little Red Campfire is lightweight, compact, and lights up fast. It burns clean, conserves propane, and the ceramic logs radiate serious warmth. Perfect for campsites, tailgates, or anywhere a real fire isn’t an option.

Off-Grid Power & Gadgets

sofirn rechargeable led headlamp

sofirn Rechargeable LED Headlamp

4.3 / 5 (170 ratings)

Whether you're setting up camp, grabbing firewood, or making a midnight bathroom run, this headlamp lights the way. Easy to charge and has a long battery life.

anker solix c1000 portable power station

Anker SOLIX C1000 Portable Power Station

4.5 / 5 (1,684 ratings)

This portable power station juices up quick and keeps our 12-volt refrigerator running flawlessly.

smartele battery operated fan

Smartele Battery Operated Fan

4.1 / 5 (379 ratings)

Lightweight but tough, this fan runs for hours on a single charge. Perfect for cooling down, keeping bugs at bay, and making sure you stay comfortable wherever you camp.

hqst 100 watt 12v monocrystalline solar panel

HQST 100 Watt 12V Monocrystalline Solar Panel

4.5 / 5 (1,634 ratings)

Mounted on our squaredrop trailer, this solar panel has weathered storms, sun, and rough roads. It’s been our battery charging workhorse for years, proving that some gear just doesn’t quit.

allpowers 140w folding solar panel

ALLPOWERS 140W Folding Solar Panel

4.1 / 5 (1,834 ratings)

This suitcase-style solar panel packs up small and follows the sun wherever we need it. We love it because it lets us run our 12-volt refrigerator off an Anker power station while keeping all our devices charged, no matter where we park.

Remote Work Tools

logitech lift vertical ergonomic mouse

Logitech Lift Vertical Ergonomic Mouse

4.5 / 5 (12,565 ratings)

This Bluetooth mouse is designed for all-day comfort, and its customizable buttons make switching between apps effortless. I love that I can toss it in a backpack and use it wherever I want.

philips creator series 27e2f7901 27

Philips Creator Series 27E2F7901 27" 4K UHD Display

4 / 5 (121 ratings)

No more squinting at glare-covered screens. This monitor is bright, beautiful, and built to work. (Save your eyes AND your productivity.)

sony wh-1000xm4 wireless noise canceling headphones

Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones

4.5 / 5 (558 ratings)

Drown out chainsaws, screaming children, and that guy revving his motorcycle at 6 AM. Noise-canceling so good, it feels like your own personal silence bubble. Plus, it has a built-in mic for taking work calls (or ignoring them).

doxie go se portable document scanner

Doxie Go SE Portable Document Scanner

4.5 / 5 (4,116 ratings)

Declutter your RV before the paper piles take over. This tiny, cordless scanner turns receipts, contracts, and random scraps into searchable PDFs in seconds.

synology 2-bay nas ds223

Synology 2-Bay NAS DS223

4.5 / 5 (660 ratings)

Your personal digital bodyguard. Automatic backups and zero stress when your laptop decides to self-destruct. Never lose a file again (unless you really try).

blue snowball usb condenser microphone

Blue SNOWBALL USB Condenser Microphone

4.6 / 5 (37,157 ratings)

The Blue Yeti Snowball Microphone is your budget-friendly audio upgrade. It's plug and play, so no messing with settings. Just crisp, clear sound right out of the box. It blocks out background noise like a pro, making your voice the star of the staff meeting. And when you're done, it folds away neatly, leaving your desk clutter-free.