Whether you’re planning on living in an RV year-round or gearing up for an RV road trip with the family, make sure to pack the travel essentials for a successful RV vacation. Figure out what to pack for an RV road trip with our detailed essentials guide below!
RV Tool Kit Essentials
Going on an RV camping trip requires preparation, upkeep, and potential maintenance. In case of mechanical troubles or unexpected weather, there are certain tools and RV supplies you’ll want to have on hand during your travels. Cover your bases with this RV tool kit checklist to keep your vacation moving forward.
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- Bungie cords
- Drinking water hose
- Duct tape & electrical tape
- Electrical adapters
- Emergency roadside kit
- Extra cotter pins
- Extra fuses
- Fire extinguisher
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Generator
- Jump starter pack
- Large resealable bag for important documents
- Leveling blocks
- Mechanical lubricant
- Motor oil & transmission fluid
- Portable air compressor
- Registration, license, & insurance paperwork
- Road flares
- RV drinking water hose
- RV gutter spouts
- Scissors
- Sewer kit (with dump tank hose)
- Shovel
- Solar batteries
- Surge protectors
- Tire pressure gauge
- Toilet chemicals
- Toolbox
- Water pressure regulator
- Wheel chocks
- Windshield washer fluid
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Travel First-Aid Kit
While exploring nature on your RV road trip, you’ll want to prepare a little safety kit for any bumps or bruises. Although your destination might influence what you pack, it’s better to be prepared for almost anything during your road trip with a fully-equipped travel first-aid kit.
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- Antibiotic cream
- Anti-itch spray or cream
- Antiseptic rinse or wipes
- Bandages & gauze
- OTC medications (e.g., motion sickness patches, pain relievers, antacids, anti-inflammatories, allergy pills, etc.)
- Peroxide & rubbing alcohol
- Prescription medications
- Scissors
- Sunblock
- Sunburn spray or cream
- Tweezers
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RV Cleaning Supplies
What’s the key to a clean RV? Motorhome cleaning products! These RV-safe cleaning products will help you get through your spring cleaning checklist and ensure your RV rooms—including the living room, kitchen, bedrooms, and bathroom—are spotless.
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- All-purpose cleaner
- Bleach
- Broom & dustpan
- Dish & hand soap
- Drying rack
- Floor cleaner
- Laundry detergent
- Mop with bucket
- Rechargeable vacuum
- Rubber gloves
- Sponges
- Trash cans & bags
- Vinegar
- Washcloths
- Wet wipes
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Camper Kitchen Essentials
RV camping gear—like glasses and plates—are fragile and need to be secured for the safety of your passengers while driving. You can save money on going out to eat when traveling cross-country by creating a meal plan and packing RV kitchen accessories, appliances, and utensils!
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- Cooking utensils (e.g., knives, spatulas, whisks)
- Cookware (e.g., baking sheets, pots, skillets)
- Cups (e.g., glasses, mugs, water bottles)
- Cutting board
- Dish rack
- Dish soap
- Dishtowels
- Food storage containers
- Napkins
- Paper towels
- Plates & bowls
- Potholders
- Serving dishes
- Silverware
- Small appliances (e.g., coffee machine, pressure cooker, toaster)
- Sponges
- Water-filter pitcher
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Road Trip Food & Beverages
Looking to add food to your RV road trip travel checklist? Ditch expensive restaurant meals and gas station snacks by stocking your RV pantry’s shelves and fridge with these cooking and beverage staples for camping!
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- Baking essentials (e.g., flour, sugar, baking soda, etc.)
- Batter mixes (e.g., pancakes, waffles, desserts)
- Bread
- Butter & cooking oil
- Canned food (e.g., soup, tuna, beans)
- Cereal
- Condiments (e.g., ketchup, mustard, jam)
- Drinks (e.g., bottled water, coffee, tea, juice, soda, milk)
- Eggs
- Fruit
- Herbs, spices, & seasonings
- Lunch & deli meats
- Meat (e.g.,chicken, fish, seitan, lentils)
- Pasta
- Peanut butter
- Snacks (e.g., chips, popcorn, dried fruit & nuts, granola bars, s’mores ingredients)
- Vegetables
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Outdoor Grilling Accessories
Take advantage of the great weather and cook outdoors during your road trip. While many camping grounds and rest stops will have grills for public use, you can pack RV equipment like a portable grill to ensure you can have a cookout whenever you want to! Make sure to properly store your grill when done to help maintain its quality. Include steaks, hamburgers, hot dogs, and more on your packing list for an RV to cut down on fast food and keep your vacation funds on your trip.
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- Aluminum foil
- Charcoal
- Grill brush
- Lighter fluid
- Matches or lighter
- Meat thermometer
- Metal spatula
- Plastic bags (quart & gallon)
- Portable grill
- Propane
- Tongs
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RV Bedroom Essentials
Who needs a hotel room when you have a travel trailer prepared with your packing checklist for a road trip? Even while traveling by motorhome, you can still get a great night’s sleep inside your RV bedroom or relax outside with these cozy camper bedroom must-haves.
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- Bedding & extra blankets
- Hangers
- Mattress topper
- Pillows & pillowcases
- Sleep aids (e.g., eye mask, earplugs, essential oils, fan)
- Sleeping bags
- Sound machine
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Motorhome Bathroom Supplies
There’s no need to use the campground’s communal showers when you have an RV with a bathroom! To help save on space, consider using mini toiletries and only pack the bathroom essentials.
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- Air freshener
- Bath towels
- Body soaps & lotions
- Dental hygiene products (e.g., toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash)
- Face wash
- Feminine hygiene products
- Hair products (e.g., shampoo, conditioner, hairbrush, hair tools, ponytail holders)
- Hand & bar soap
- Hand sanitizer
- Loofahs & washcloths
- Q-tips
- RV-friendly toilet paper
- Shaving cream
- Skincare serums & creams
- Toilet & black tank chemicals
- Toiletry kit (e.g., nail clippers, tweezers, razor, deodorant, lip balm)
- Trash can
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Camping Clothing List
What clothing should you bring while camping? While your RV road trip packing list will vary—depending on the expected weather—your preferred clothing type, and the activities planned during your adventure, make sure your travel checklist is complete by figuring out what clothing to pack in your compact RV closet.
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- Accessories (e.g., hats, sunglasses, umbrellas, belts)
- Backpack & purses
- Detergent
- Jackets (e.g., waterproof raincoat, sweatshirt, winter coat)
- Pants
- Sewing kit
- Shirts
- Shoes (e.g., sneakers, sandals, hiking shoes, waterproof boots)
- Socks
- Spare bins for dirty clothes
- Swimsuit
- Thermal clothes
- Underwear
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Outdoor Recreation Equipment
Some of the best RV road trips allow you to explore the great outdoors along your route! Whether you plan to hike, bike, swim, stargaze, or roast s’mores around the campfire, you’ll need these pieces of outdoor recreation equipment on your RV camping packing list.
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- Beach towels
- Biking equipment (including bike racks)
- Binoculars
- Bug spray
- Canoes, kayaks, or paddleboards
- Firewood
- Fishing gear & tackle
- Floatation devices
- Folding table
- Hammock
- Lawn chairs
- Life jackets
- Outdoor games (e.g., ladder golf, cornhole)
- Picnic basket
- Portable fire pit
- Sports equipment
- Sunscreen
- Tent
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Entertainment Road Trips
No RV packing list is complete without a variety of entertainment options. The days can be long when traveling on the road, but you can ensure hours of fun with these RV entertainment options!
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- Art supplies
- Board games
- Books
- Card games
- Coloring books
- Crosswords
- Graphic novels
- Journal
- Movies
- Pool toys
- Portable TV & DVD player
- Puzzles
- Sand Toys
- Streaming devices
- TV antenna
- Video game systems
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Travel Tech & Gadgets
Planning to use electronics in your mobile home? Whether you’re going to document your road trip digitally or you need to work remotely while RVing, take the time to make sure you have all the must-have electronic RV accessories.
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- Adapter
- Bluetooth speaker
- Camera
- Charging cords
- Extension cords
- GPS
- Headphones
- Laptops & tablets
- Mini fans
- Portable charging bank
- Virtual Private Network (VPN)
- Weather radio
- WiFi signal booster
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Pet Equipment
You may have a dog or cat you want to bring along on an RV road trip. Your camper likely has enough space for your pets, but make sure to include portable pet items on your packing list for an RV trip to ensure your furry companions can accompany you wherever you go!
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- Cat backpack, harness, or stroller
- Collar (with tags, GPS trackers)
- Leash, lead, or long rope to hook up when outside
- Pet beds
- Pet food
- Pet toys
- Pet waste bags
- Portable food & water bowls
- Treats
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