How to Make Your RV a Smart RV (Get Alexa to Work and More)

Smart technology can streamline our everyday lives. Why not embrace that same idea when we travel or go on vacation? For RV owners, the options for making your RV a rolling smart tech studio are nearly endless. Now your RV can be just as Smart as your home.

How to Make Your RV Smart?

What is a smart RV?

Smart RV technology combines the comforts of much of the smart technology that is available for home use and adds portability and accessibility to mobilize the experience. Smart technology includes lighting, wireless technology, digital controls, as well as touchscreen user interface and voice controls. Smart RV technology is available both as factory installation and after-market upgrades.

When it comes to adding smart technology to your RV, it may seem a bit overwhelming. We’ve put together this guide to some of the best technology to smarten that RV so you can enjoy smart technology while embracing the open road.

Wi-Fi for Your RV

Most smart technologies use Wi-Fi connections to link to each other and device apps that allow you to control your smart devices. Therefore, having a reliable Wi-Fi connection is important for the proper functioning of most smart devices.

There are a few options to obtain Wi-Fi access for your RV.

1. Tethering through a cell phone. Many cell phone providers now have unlimited data plans that allow your smartphone to become a Wi-Fi hotspot for other connected devices. However, you want to be sure that your plan is truly unlimited before using your smartphone in this way in order to avoid any surprise charges.
2. Free WiFi Locations: Many RV parks, campgrounds, and stations provide Wi-Fi service included with parking fees.
3. Satellite internet providers can be used in many locations but may require constant calibration of the satellite dish to receive signal.

In order to ensure that you receive a strong cellphone signal, you will want to purchase a Cellular Signal Booster.

A signal booster acts as a mini cell phone tower, allowing you to have full cell phone signal in most areas, though availability and signal strength will vary by carrier. Here are the best cell phone signal boosters available.

Brand	Boosts	Additional Features	Get it on Amazon
weBoost	3G /4GLTE	Compatible with all US cell carriers	Check Price
SureCall	3G/4GLTE	Compatible with all North American carriers	Check Price
Phonetone	4GLTE	Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile	Check Price
SolidRF	$GLTE	Compatible with all US cell carriers	Check Price

Alexa on the Go

Once you have a reliable internet connection you can set up your favorite Alexa enabled the device to add voice control to all your RV voice-enabled devices. Depending on your needs, you may choose from one of these devices, or just take one from home.

Name	Connection	Features	Get it on Amazon
Amazon Echo	Standard US Plug	Seven built-in speakers, built-in Zigbee compatible hub	Check Price
Amazon Echo Auto	Bluetooth or Auxiliary Input	Eight microphones, uses RV speakers for Audio Output	Check Price
Amazon Echo Show	Standard US Plug	10.1” HD screen, make video calls, watch movies or TV	Check Price

Cameras and Security

When you want to guard your RV and its contents, you want the best in security made to withstand even the toughest elements, such as heavy rain, wind, and even the heat of the sun. However, the best option will depend on how you want to monitor your security. Whether you are looking to monitor your cameras from anywhere or with a stationary monitor from within the RV. Here are just a sample of the best options.

Brand	Features	Get it on Amazon
Blink XT2	Smart Security with Cloud Storage 2-way audio, 5 cameras	Check Price
eRapta	side mount, 2 rear mount cameras, and split screen monitor	Check Price

Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarms

You want to be sure that you and your loved ones are protected in case of fire or carbon monoxide leakage from the gas lines in your RV. We’ve found some great Smart Detectors that can help to ensure the best in safety.

Brand	Features	Get it on Amazon
Onelink Safe & Sound	Alexa Enabled Smoke and Carbon Monoxide detector, built-in speaker	Check Price
Nest Protect	2-pk Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms, built-in speaker	Check Price

Tankless Water Heater

One of the most economical and sound investments that you can make is upgrading your RV with a Tankless Water Heater. In addition to removing the risk of harmful propane to heat your water, the EcoSmart Electric Tankless Water Heater conserves energy and can heat nearly 1.5 gallons per minute. No more cold RV showers!!

Entertainment

Let’s face it, you want to be able to enjoy all the comforts of home even when traveling in your RV. That includes being able to binge watch your favorite Netflix or Amazon Prime shows or watching crazy cat videos on YouTube.

Here are a few of the best Smart TVs specifically designed for RVs. And to make sure your TV is properly mounted, check out the  Perlesmith RV Lockable TV Wall Mount.

Brand	Features	Get it on Amazon
LG Electronics	24-Inch Smart LED TV	Check Price
Insignia	24-Inch Smart LED TV, Fire TV edition	Check Price
Toshiba	31-Inch Smart LED TV, Fire TV edition	Check Price

To do so you need a Smart TV that is designed for the road, can handle a few bumps along the way and provide fantastic high-quality viewing. Don’t worry we have done the hard work.

Streaming Devices for Existing RV TVs

Brand	Features	Get it on Amazon
FireTV recast	HDMI, DVR, 500GB of storage	Check Price
FireTV Stick 4K	HDMI, Alexa enabled, remote	Check Price
Roku Premiere	HDMI, HD/4K/HDR streaming, remote	Check Price

Appliances

Being away from home does not mean you cannot enjoy the comforts of some of your favorite appliances. Today, there are some pretty cool smart appliances that can make you want to live in your RV full time. Check out some of these awesome appliances

Brand	Features	Get it on Amazon
AmazonBasics Microwave	0.7 cu. Ft., 700W Works with Alexa!!	Check Price
Breville Mini Smart Oven	Element IQ, LCD display	Check Price
GermGuardian 4-in-1 Smart Air Purifier	Wi-Fi and Bluetooth App Control, Voice Control with Alexa or Google, filters 99.97% of dust and allergens	Check Price
Wiland Portable Induction Cooktop	2200W 120V Smart Touch Countertop Induction Range	Check Price

Cooking Accessories

When it comes to cooking in an RV, sometimes you must be a little imaginative to enjoy the same delicious meals in such a confined kitchen. However, you can pick up some of these great accessories to make the cooking experience much more like playing!

Brand	Features	Get it on Amazon
Anova Culinary Bluetooth Cooker	Hands-free cooking, Anova app included, Bluetooth and manual controls	Check Price
GoSun Sport – Solar Cooker	Completely portable, and submersible, cool to touch	Check Price
Meater 2 Wireless Smart Meat Thermometer	Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Connectivity	Check Price

Lighting

If you have done any digging into smart technology, you have undoubtedly come across dozens of smart lighting options.

Brand	Features	Get it on Amazon
OPT7 Aura Interior	4 Smart-Color LED Strips, wireless remote, SoundSync	Check Price
OPT7 Aura RV Underbody	4 Smart-Color LED Strips, Android and iOS compatible, SoundSync, weatherproof	Check Price
Richsing Waterproof Flexible Rope Lights	IP65 waterproof design, multiple modes, remote, dimmable	Check Price

When it comes to upgrading the lighting in and around your RV, you want to make sure that you are choosing the right lighting options to provide consistent performance at a reasonable rate. Here are some of our favorite lighting options to use in your RV.

Additional Cool Tech

We’ve covered a lot of smart technology so far, but we aren’t quite done. Here are some cool smart tech gadgets that the road warrior may enjoy, so we didn’t want to leave them out.

Brand	Features	Get it on Amazon
Riapow Solar Power Bank	4 Outputs USB C Quick Charge	Check Price
Go Power! Portable Solar Kit	80W Portable Solar Kit, 10amp charge controller, storage case	Check Price
Hydra Tech Bottle	5W Bluetooth speaker, 4000 mah power bank, Emergency RGB LED, 20 oz. BPA-free water bottle	Check Price
UO Smart Beam Laser Mini Projector	1280×720 HD, Wireless, Built-in speaker, mirroring technology	Check Price
KeySmart Pro	Compact Key Holder, LED light, Tile Smart Technology, track with phone	Check Price

Conclusion

When it comes to traveling in an RV, it is natural to want the comforts and technology available when you are at home. Thanks to all the amazing advances in smart technology, the options are truly endless when it comes to upgrading your RV.

If you are looking to purchase an RV, you may want to consider having some of this technology installed prior to delivery, but if not, most of the items we’ve covered are easy DIY installations.

We hope that you have found this guide helpful and look forward to continuing to bring you more articles on the best in Smart Technology and how to integrate your home and life.