6 Best Pull Out Paper Towel Holders For RV Kitchen Counters Nomads Swear By

You’re trying to make a quick sandwich at a rest stop, one hand holding the bread while the other reaches for a paper towel. The whole roll unravels onto the floor, which hasn’t been swept since you left the last dusty campground. This is the moment every RVer realizes that a standard countertop paper towel holder just won’t cut it on the road. The right holder isn’t a luxury; it’s a critical tool for maintaining sanity and cleanliness in a tiny, moving kitchen.

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Why Pull-Out Holders Maximize RV Counter Space

Every square inch of counter space in an RV is prime real estate. A traditional upright paper towel holder is a space hog, occupying a footprint that could be used for a cutting board, a coffee maker, or just some much-needed prep area. It’s the first thing you have to move when you need to cook and the first thing to topple over when you hit a pothole.

Getting your paper towels off the counter and mounted underneath a cabinet or on a wall is one of the easiest and most impactful upgrades you can make. This "pull-out" style reclaims that valuable horizontal surface for daily tasks. More importantly, it secures the roll, preventing it from becoming a projectile during transit or unspooling every time you make a sharp turn.

This isn’t just about tidiness; it’s about workflow. When your paper towels are in a fixed, accessible location, you build muscle memory. You can grab one without looking, even while stirring a pot or holding a dirty plate. It transforms a clumsy annoyance into a seamless part of your kitchen routine, which is the entire goal of smart small-space design.

Simplehuman Wall Mount: The Tension Arm Champion

The Simplehuman holder is legendary in the nomad community for one simple reason: its tension arm. This spring-loaded arm provides just enough resistance to let you tear off a single sheet with one hand. That might sound like a small detail, but when you’re holding a greasy pan or have something spilled on your other hand, it’s a game-changer.

Built from die-cast metal and heavy-gauge stainless steel, this thing is engineered to last. It feels solid, not flimsy, and it withstands the constant vibrations of road life without loosening up. The quick-release knob makes changing rolls effortless—a small but appreciated feature when you’re juggling supplies.

The only real trade-off is the price. It’s a premium product, and you pay for the design and durability. But for full-timers who use their kitchen daily, the investment pays for itself in frustration-free cleanups. This is the buy-it-for-life option for serious RVers.

Kamtop Under Cabinet Holder: A Sleek & Simple Pick

Sometimes, the best solution is the simplest one. The Kamtop holder is a minimalist piece of stainless steel, bent into a functional shape. There are no moving parts, no springs, and no plastic pieces to break. Its elegance lies in its simplicity.

This holder can be mounted vertically or horizontally, giving you flexibility depending on your cabinet layout. Because it lacks a tension arm, you’ll usually need two hands to tear a sheet cleanly. However, some nomads have a simple hack: slightly pinching the end of the roll before installing it creates just enough friction against the cabinet to allow for a one-handed tear.

It’s a fantastic choice for those who value durability and a clean look over complex features. It’s also incredibly affordable. If you want a no-nonsense holder that will disappear under your cabinet and simply do its job without fuss, the Kamtop is a solid, road-tested contender.

Sun-E Adhesive Holder: Best No-Drill Installation

Drilling holes in your RV can be nerve-wracking. You worry about hitting wiring, compromising the cabinet’s integrity, or just making a mistake you can’t undo. The Sun-E holder sidesteps this entirely by using a powerful 3M adhesive strip for mounting. This makes installation a peel-and-stick process that takes less than a minute.

The key to success with any adhesive mount in an RV is surface preparation. The wall or cabinet bottom must be thoroughly cleaned with alcohol to remove any grease or grime. You also need to let the adhesive cure for a full 24 hours before hanging a roll on it. If you do that, the bond is surprisingly strong and holds up to the temperature and humidity swings common in a rig.

This is the perfect solution for renters, people who are hesitant to drill, or those who want to place a holder on a surface where screws aren’t an option, like a tile backsplash. The major tradeoff is permanence; while the bond is strong, it’s not as foolproof as a screw-in mount, especially in extreme climates or on textured surfaces.

OXO Good Grips Steady Mount: A Rock-Solid Choice

OXO has a reputation for thoughtful design, and their Steady Mount holder is no exception. It’s built to feel secure and operate smoothly. The design features a slightly weighted arm and a flared end that work together to keep the roll from accidentally unraveling while you drive.

The installation is straightforward with screws, and the base is wide enough to provide a stable, wobble-free connection to your cabinet. One of its best features is the easy-loading mechanism. You don’t have to unscrew a decorative knob; you just pull the old core off and slide the new roll on. It’s a small touch that simplifies a frequent task.

This model strikes a great balance between the high-end features of the Simplehuman and the simplicity of basic holders. It provides some resistance for tearing but without a complex spring mechanism. For anyone who wants a reliable, well-designed holder without paying a premium price, the OXO is a fantastic middle-ground choice.

Spectrum Diversified Euro Holder: Durable & Classic

This is the workhorse of under-cabinet paper towel holders. The Spectrum Euro Holder is typically made from a single piece of sturdy steel, with a simple design that has been proven over decades. There are no welds to break or mechanisms to fail. It is pure function.

Because of its one-piece construction, it’s incredibly resistant to rattles and vibrations—a huge plus for RV life. Installation is as simple as it gets: two screws, and you’re done. Like the Kamtop, it lacks a tension system, so a clean one-handed tear requires a bit of technique. However, its open-ended design makes swapping rolls incredibly fast.

This is the go-to for budget-conscious nomads or anyone who subscribes to the "keep it simple" philosophy. It’s not fancy, but it is virtually indestructible and completely reliable. If you just want to get your paper towels off the counter for good, this is an unbeatable value.

Key Considerations for RV Paper Towel Holders

Choosing the right holder isn’t about finding the "best" one, but the best one for your rig and your style. A weekend warrior has different needs than a full-timer boondocking in the desert. Keep these factors in mind:

• Installation Method: Do you want the absolute security of screws, or the damage-free convenience of adhesive? Screws are permanent and rattle-proof if done right. Adhesives are great for delicate surfaces or if you’re drill-averse, but require perfect surface prep.
• Tension Mechanism: A tension arm (like on the Simplehuman) is a luxury that makes one-handed tears easy. Models without one are simpler and have fewer failure points but often require two hands.
• Material: Stainless steel is the gold standard for resisting moisture and rust in an RV kitchen. Avoid flimsy plastic models, as they tend to crack and fail from road vibrations and temperature changes.
• Orientation & Clearance: Decide if you want to mount it horizontally under a cabinet or vertically on a wall. Before you install, hold it in place with a paper towel roll on it. Make sure it doesn’t block a cabinet door, a drawer, or a light switch from opening fully.

Installation Tips for a Rattle-Free Journey

Nothing is more maddening than a persistent rattle on a long travel day. A poorly installed paper towel holder can be a prime culprit. Securing it properly from day one will save your sanity down the road.

For screw-in models, consider adding a drop of blue Loctite (threadlocker) to the screw threads before tightening them. This prevents them from vibrating loose over thousands of miles. Don’t overtighten and strip the hole, especially in thin RV cabinetry. If the wood feels soft, you can add a dab of wood glue in the hole before inserting the screw for a stronger bite.

If you opt for an adhesive model, the enemy is temperature. Install it on a temperate day, not in the peak heat of the afternoon or the cold of the morning. Clean the surface with isopropyl alcohol, not just a household cleaner, to ensure a pure bond. Press firmly for at least 30-60 seconds, and then—this is the most important part—leave it alone for a full day before hanging any weight on it. Patience here is the key to a long-lasting hold.

Ultimately, securing your paper towels is a small project with an outsized impact on your daily life in an RV. It clears your counter, simplifies cleanup, and eliminates one more source of travel-day chaos. By choosing a holder that fits your rig and installing it with the road in mind, you’re not just organizing your kitchen—you’re investing in a smoother, more enjoyable journey.