This is a list of things I highly recommend. I paid for each item, and I don’t get any freebies, so if it is on this list, it means I really like it and I use it inside my Alto 1743 travel trailer.
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Battery Monitor – I had a Trimetric but once I saw the Victron with its bluetooth interface to my phone, I had to have it. Easy to install, even easier to use. I didn’t even mount the round display that came with it (it’s tucked into the battery box); I just use bluetooth to connect to it and see the data on my iPhone.
Drying Mat – This fits covers glass stove lid in my Alto, protecting the glass from being cracked by something heavy being dropped on it. Just trying to prevent accidents here, people!
And it is a pretty good drying mat, solo or with the small collapsible drying rack I have.
Dustpan: This is tiny but it’s really useful for sweeping up sand or small stuff.
Elfa Drawer System (1743 only). Someone in the Altoiste FB group figured out that turning this drawer system 90 degrees means it fits perfectly into the closet above the fridge. It’s brilliant, and by far the best solution I’ve tried in that space. Be sure to get the seven-runner size, that make the most of the space. And the top shelf option is useful for store awkwardly sized objects in the curved space at the top of the closet. (The link shows the system components that worked for me, and you can mix or match drawer sizes; I have two deep drawers and 3 shallow drawers.)
Fan (12V): The Alto has the built-in Fantastic Fan but sometimes, when it’s really hot and humid and you’re using battery power, a portable 12V fan is the answer. I’ve used it a lot this summer, both when I am sitting around and when I’m trying to get to sleep on muggy nights.
Flashlight: Rechargable, nice handle, two levels of bright, and a flashing light. It recharges via a USB cable, and signals the level of charge so it’s easy to see when to plug it back in. I love not having to change batteries!
Luci Lights are solar-powered lights that really do light up the night (or the inside of your trailer). You can get small or big clear Luci lights or splurge and get the colored Luci light that can cycle through the colors or let you pick the color that matches your current mood. The image above shows all the colors you can choose to display in the colored light. So fun!
The only ding on them is you can’t charge them via USB, which would be nice (I have other solar lights that do work this way for times when the sun isn’t cooperating). But put them out on a sunny morning, and they will be fully charged by afternoon and that charge will last 3-4 evenings.
Magazine Rack: Safari Condo switched to black accessories a few years ago and I loved the look. Finally found it
Omnia stovetop oven: This little oven does a good job with cinnamon rolls, biscuits, casseroles, and lots of other things that don’t fit into a frying pan. I also recommend getting the silicon liner, it makes it way easier to keep clean.
Organizer (Tooletries): This little rubber thing sticks onto metal surfaces very well! I have one by the door that holds sunglasses and reading glasses, and I love it.
Rumpl Fleece Puffy Blanket is the warmest thing on earth outside of a sleeping bag. It has ripstop nylon on the outside, and cozy warm moleskin fleece on the inside. And it keeps me warm when the trailer gets down to 55F and the outside temps are in 20-30F range. I’ve had several iterations of bedding and this is the one that made the cut.
RV Holding Tank Treatment: This stuff is great. It’s non-toxic, organic, and it works. It is a powder, so no worry about liquid spilling. It does the job. I won’t use anything else in my black tank.
Shoe Organizer: The mesh in this one means it can accommodate wide running shoes or strappy sandals without bulging out the top. Cut it down to the size that fits your needs; I have mine cut down to 2 rows so it fits under the shower curtain holder in my 1743.
Shower Shut-off Valve: This thing works. It completely stops the water so that the water pump stops as well. Very handy when taking a shower with the small hot water tank in the Alto. And, yes, it works way better than the on/off on the shower head.
Teapot: I love this collapsible little thing, because I don’t drink a lot of hot beverages, but when I want one, I can make it easily without lugging a big teakettle around all the time. It folds down to about 1.5 inches high and the handle unscrews to fold down along the base. Cool device, literally! Only the bottom gets hot because the rest is silicone!
Toilet Roll Holder: Stays in place with suction and it is way easier to reach than the default holder provided with the Alto. ‘Nuff said.
Towel Rack (suction): This nice-looking bar has amazing suction and I put it on the aluminum wall in my bathroom (it would not hold on the fiberboard (white) wall at all). It’s really nice to have an actual towel rack instead of hooks. The two suction points can be adjusted to any length of the bar, so it’s very flexible as to placement. And it comes in 18-inch or 24-inch lengths, so choose whatever size works for you.
Towel Rack (command strips): this is great for getting shoes off the floor. I have one on door of the storage unit inside the front door and two on the inside of the bathroom door. Keeps the shoes in their own spots and I don’t trip over them any more 🙂
Travel Map (US States): This fun sticker map fits neatly onto the inside of the Alto door and it’s fun to add states as I camp in them. What’s not to like?!
Vacuum Cleaner (updated Nov 2017): This little thing works really well in an RV. It runs off the 12v battery, has useful attachments, and is the only thing that reaches into the window sills to get the leaves that get stuck in there.
Window screen add-on: The 1743 has beautiful screens for the windows, but they are pleated. Which means the bugs can get inside the Alto. Buy some of this foam caulk sealer and cut it to fit inside the frame (vertically) when the screen is fully deployed. I have enough to do this with all four windows and in summer or buggy areas, it’s very effective. You can find it at any good hardware store, or use the link to get it from Amazon. The 3/8-inch round size is what you need.