Are you ready for the RV adventure of a lifetime? You better be prepared. RVs come with so many bells and whistles that it’s easy to forget that RV camping is still…camping. You need to carefully check your packing list to ensure you don’t forget that all-important item on your next trip. After all, the last thing you want to do on your next camping trip is take a two hour detour to pick up last minute supplies. Trust us. Thankfully, we’ve crafted this custom list to prepare you. The following checklist includes everything you need for the ultimate RV camping trip. Make sure to double check this list to enjoy a hassle-free (and detour-free) RV adventure.
Auto Essentials
- Jumper cables
- Motor oil
- Tire pressure gauge
- Tire changing equipment
- Engine coolant
- Flashlight
- Levelers
- AAA card
- Registration/Insurance
Your RV may look like a home on wheels, but it’s still a vehicle. Remember to treat your RV like you would any other car. Make sure you have all your auto essentials before hitting the road. It’s also important to remember “glovebox” documents like your registration, insurance and any campground reservation information. We also recommend you get a AAA card. Not only will AAA provide you with roadside assistance, but they will also provide free maps and travel planning services for road trippers.
Kitchen Essentials
- Tongs
- Pots
- Cutting board
- Frying pans
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Utensils
- Bowls (personal and mixing)
- Cups
- Mugs
- Foil
- Ziplock bags
- Plates
- Can opener
- Cooking oil
- Storage containers
- Paper towels
- Sponges
- Dish rags
- Dish soap
- Trash bags
- Oven mitts
- Drying rack
- Baking stone
Camping is more about hot dogs, beans and fast food than it is five-star cuisine. That’s not the case for RV campers. Modern RVs are equipped with full kitchens that have everything you need for a homemade supper. Make the most of your kitchen by taking advantage of the extra storage and cooking space. Fill the area with dining sets, utensils and cooking and cleaning supplies. Small items are easy to forget, so double check your RV for things like a can opener, oven mitts and foil. Word to the wise? Buy a baking stone. This portable cooking surface will help your oven evenly distribute heat.
Food
- Canned tuna
- Canned beans
- Cereal
- Breakfast bars
- Bread
- Peanut Butter
- Jelly
- Coffee
- Eggs
- Cheese
- Beef jerky
- Snack mixes
- Oatmeal
- Instant cook foods
- Fruit
- Pasta
- Tomato sauce
- Salt
- Pepper
- Taco seasoning
- Extra drinking water
- Cooler
- Ice
Time to meal prep! You’ll want to make the most of your limited kitchen space, so hold off on that trip to Costco. Instead, opt for easily transportable items like canned food, PB&Js, and pasta. You’ll also want to focus on non-perishables since your fridge won’t be hooked up while on the road. Sorry carnivores, that means limiting your meat intake. It’s also a good idea to limit your spices (can you imagine a spice rack spilling on the road?) Limit your spices to salt, pepper, and some taco seasoning for extra flavor. Some perishables are okay (like cheese and eggs), but we recommend you bring a cooler to keep these items cold.
Bathroom
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Towels
- Soap
- Floss
- Deodorant
- Sunscreen
- Aloe
- Razor
- Shaving cream
- Toilet cleaner
- Toilet paper
- Nail clippers
- First aid kit
Is there anything better than your own personal bathroom? A private bathroom is a godsend for campers. But RVers have to take extra special care of their bathrooms. Don’t forget to consistently drain, clean and refill your tank. Toilet cleaner is a must. You’ll also want to stock up on sunscreen and aloe for those sunny days. A first aid kit is also crucial. At a minimum, this kit should have band-aids, disinfectant cream, gauze pads, bandage tape, burn cream, bandages and medicine (like Aspirin or Tylenol).
Bedroom
- Pillows
- Pillowcases
- Sheets
- Blankets
- Sleeping bag
- Storage bins
- Shoe hangers
- Hamper
- Laundry detergent
Don’t expect to transport your master bedroom into your RV. RV bedrooms are built to handle sleeping and sleeping alone. Pack up some fitted sheets, pillows, blankets and pillow cases and don’t forget detergent and a hamper for laundry. Storage bins also work great as a makeshift dresser for your clothes. If you’re low on space, you can bring some shoe hangers. Hang these from the door and you can fit in some extra items without cramping the bedroom.
Camping Essentials
- Matches
- Lighter fluid
- Kindling equipment
- Fire extinguisher
- Batteries
- Tool kit
- Trash containers
- Trash bags
- Tarps
- Duct tape
- Garden hose
- Extension cords
- Bungee Cables
- Velcro
- Shovel
- Light bulbs
- Rope
- Bug spray
- Maps (or GPS)
- Camping chairs
- Cash/change
- Phone charger
- Pocket knife
- Water bottles
- Vent cushions
In many ways, an RV is a home away from home. Treat it as such by packing up all these essentials for everything from minor fixes to setting up camp. Speaking of camp, invest in some camping gear like a pocket knife, fire starter, trash bags and extra water bottles. You’ll also want to focus on making the most of your storage. You can do so by buying Velcro and bungee cables to keep items secure while driving. Be sure to also bring some cash and change in the event you need to pay for parking, laundry, or showers. Looking to stay warm? Line your RV vent openings with vent cushions prior to departure. These extra pieces of insulation will keep you cozy on even the harshest of winter nights.
Preparing for an RV road trip? Shop Tadi Brothers for all of your essential RV accessories and more.