Whether you’re planning on living in an RV year-round or you’re gearing up for an RV road trip with the family, it’s a good idea tco have the travel essentials you need for a successful RV vacation. Before your next road or camping trip, figure out what to pack in an RV with our complete RV packing list and camper essentials guide!
- RV Tool Kit Essentials
- Travel First-Aid Kit
- RV Cleaning Supplies
- Camper Kitchen Essentials
- Road Trip Food & Beverages
- Outdoor Grilling Accessories
- RV Bedroom Essentials
- Motorhome Bathroom Supplies
- Camping Clothing List
- Outdoor Recreation Equipment
- Entertainment for Road Trips
- Travel Tech & Gadgets
RV Tool Kit Essentials
Photo via @bosswattsolar
Life on the road requires preparation and upkeep! In case of mechanical troubles or unexpected weather, there are tools and supplies you’ll want to bring for a fun and safe travel experience. Cover all of your bases with this basic tool kit list to keep your RV trip on track.
- Bungie cords
- Duct tape & electrical tape
- Extra fuses
- Fire extinguisher
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Generator
- Jumper cables
- Leveling blocks
- Mechanical lubricant
- Motor oil & transmission fluid
- Registration, license, & insurance paperwork
- Road flares
- RV gutter spouts
- Scissors
- Sewer kit (with dump tank hose)
- Shovel
- Solar batteries
- Tire pressure gauge
- Toolbox
- Water pressure regulator
- Windshield washer fluid
Travel First-Aid Kit
Photo via @fsastore
An RV road trip adventure will likely involve a few bumps along the way. Be prepared for almost anything during your camping road trip with a fully-equipped pharmaceutical and travel first-aid kit.
- Antibiotic cream
- Antiseptic rinse or wipes
- Bandages & gauze
- OTC medications (e.g., motion sickness patches, pain relievers, antacids, allergy pills, etc.)
- Prescription medications
- Scissors
- Tweezers
RV Cleaning Supplies
Photo via @dellathegrayseal
What’s the key to a sparkling-clean camper van? Motorhome cleaning products! These RV-safe cleaning supplies and tools will help keep your RV rooms—including the living room, kitchen, bedrooms, and bathroom—clean and ready to use.
- All-purpose cleaner
- Bleach
- Broom & dustpan
- Dish & hand soap
- Floor cleaner
- Handheld, rechargeable vacuum
- Laundry detergent
- Mop with bucket
- Rubber gloves
- Sponges
- Trash can & bags
- Washcloths
- Wet wipes
Camper Kitchen Essentials
Photo via @girl_camper
Don’t forget about kitchen supplies when making your road trip packing list! You can save money when traveling cross country by keeping your RV kitchen stocked with the best kitchen appliances and utensils.
- Cooking utensils
- Cookware (e.g., baking sheets, pots, pans)
- Cups (e.g., glasses, mugs, water bottles)
- Cutting board
- Dish rack
- Dish soap
- Dishtowels
- Food storage containers
- Napkins
- Paper towels
- Plastic bags
- Plates & bowls
- Potholders
- Serving dishes
- Silverware
- Small appliances (e.g., coffee machine, pressure cooker, toaster)
- Sponges
- Water-filter pitcher
Download Our RV Packing Checklist Today!
Looking for an easy way to simplify your life? Download our RV Packing Checklist now to help you keep things in perfect order!
Road Trip Food & Beverages
Photo via @rv.family.reno
Looking to add road trip snacks to your RV packing list? Ditch expensive restaurant meals and gas station snacks on your RV road trip by stocking your RV pantry and fridge with these cooking and beverage staples for camping.
- Batter mixes (e.g., pancakes, waffles, desserts)
- Bread
- Butter & cooking oil
- Canned food (e.g., soup, tuna, beans)
- Condiments (e.g., ketchup, mustard, peanut butter, jam)
- Drinks (e.g., bottled water, coffee, tea, juice, soda, milk)
- Eggs
- Fruit
- Herbs & spices
- Meat
- Pasta
- Snacks (e.g., chips, popcorn, dried fruit & nuts, granola bars, s’mores)
- Vegetables
Outdoor Grilling Accessories
Photo via @gethushin
Take advantage of nice weather and cook outdoors during your RV road trip. Include steaks, hamburgers, hot dogs, and other backyard BBQ favorites on your camping checklist—and pack these grilling must-haves so you don’t have to stop at a restaurant on your cross-country road trip!
- Aluminum foil
- Charcoal
- Grill brush
- Lighter fluid
- Matches or lighter
- Meat thermometer
- Metal spatula
- Portable grill
- Propane
- Tongs
RV Bedroom Essentials
Photo via @threebeancircus
Who needs a hotel room when you have a travel trailer? Even while traveling via motorhome, you can still get a great night’s sleep in your RV bedroom with these cozy camper bedroom must-haves.
- Bedding & extra blankets
- Hangers
- Inflatable mattress
- Pillows
- Sleep aids (e.g., eye mask, earplugs, essential oils, fan)
- Sleeping bags
Motorhome Bathroom Supplies
Photo via @flyingjsranch
There’s no need to use the campground’s communal showers when you have a camper van with a bathroom! To help save on space in your small RV bathroom, consider using mini toiletries and only pack the road trip essentials and bathroom necessities.
- Air freshener
- Bath towels & washcloths
- Body soaps & lotions
- Dental hygiene products (e.g., toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash)
- Hair products (e.g., shampoo, conditioner, hairbrush, hair tools)
- Hand & bar soap
- Hand sanitizer
- Menstrual products
- Septic-safe toilet paper
- Skincare serums & creams
- Toilet & black tank chemicals
- Toiletry kit (e.g., nail clippers, tweezers, razor, deodorant, lip balm)
- Trash can
Camping Clothing List
Photo via @atwellathome
What clothing should you bring while camping? Of course, your road trip packing list will vary depending on the expected weather, your preferred clothing type, and the activities planned during your RV adventure. Make sure your travel checklist is complete by figuring out what clothing to pack in your tiny RV closet.
- Accessories (e.g., hats, sunglasses, umbrellas, belts)
- Backpack & purses
- Jackets (e.g., waterproof raincoat, sweatshirt, winter coat)
- Pants
- Sewing kit
- Shirts
- Shoes (e.g, sneakers, sandals, hiking shoes, waterproof boots)
- Socks
- Swimsuit
- Underwear
Outdoor Recreation Equipment
Photo via @follow_your_detour
Ready to spend some time outside during your RV adventure? Whether you plan to hike, bike, swim, stargaze, or roast s’mores around the campfire, be sure to add this outdoor recreation equipment to your RV packing list.
- 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., giant Jenga, ladder toss, cornhole)
- Picnic basket
- Portable fire pit
- Sports equipment
- Sunscreen
- Tent
Entertainment for Road Trips
Photo via @_crossedkeys_
No road trip packing list is complete without entertainment. The days can be long when traveling on the road, but you can ensure hours of fun with these RV entertainment options!
- Books & magazines
- Board games
- Crosswords
- Deck of cards
- Journal
- Puzzles
- Streaming devices or portable TV & DVD player
- TV antenna
Travel Tech & Gadgets
Photo via @laptopsupermarketbrighton
Planning to use electronics in your mobile home? Whether you’re going to digitally document your road trip adventure or you need to work remotely while RVing, take the time to make sure you have all of the must-have electronics for digital nomads!
- Adapter
- Camera
- Charging cords
- Extension cords
- GPS
- Headphones
- Laptops & tablets
- Mini fans
- Speaker
- Surge protector
- Virtual Private Network (VPN)
- Weather radio
- WiFi signal booster
***
Looking to store your RV or camper when you’re not traveling? Extra Space Storage has convenient and secure vehicle storage solutions available throughout the U.S. Learn more about our affordable RV storage solutions and rent local storage units now!
