Back

What to Bring On an RV Camping Trip

May. 10 2023 Travel Tips By 47 West Trailers

Share

If you’re new to the world of RVing, then you may not be familiar with all the ins and outs of getting ready for a trip. Obviously, one of the most crucial components of readying your RV for a trip is packing. Not only do you have to pack all the personal items you’d usually take on vacation, but you also have to pack your RV with the supplies and gear you’ll need in order to have a safe and comfortable trip. Packing can be especially challenging when you’re packing for a family trip and need to pack for your children too.

Here at 47 West Trailers, we love supporting folks in their RV adventures. We created the following guide to packing for an RV trip. For more tips or to explore RVs for sale, visit our dealership in Troy, Missouri.

Remember: It’s Better to Overprepare Then Underprepare

While it’s wise to avoid stuffing your RV too full so that it’s not too heavy, it’s probably best if you pack a bit more than you think you’ll need. Trying to pack the absolute bare minimum in terms of supplies, food or clothing might force you to interrupt your trip to go shopping for those items you forgot.

General RV Supplies

RVs have their own list of supplies that are needed to ensure proper functioning. These items include:

  • Sewage hose for your blackwater tank
  • Water-pressure regulator
  • Surge protector
  • Leveling blocks and wheel chocks to stabilize the vehicle
  • Hoses
  • Toolkit for making minor repairs on the road, including spare tires and an air compressor
  • Flashlights
  • First-aid kit

Food & Kitchenware

Your RV kitchen should be stocked with the items you’ll need to prepare food on the road. Durable and lightweight kitchen items are best; stackable and collapsible dishes are commonly used to save space. A good cast-iron skillet can be used either in the oven or on the stove for cooking a wide variety of dishes and is easy to clean. A slow cooker is another good tool to have on hand in an RV for preparing cuts of meat and stews easily and with little fuss.

Staple foods in sturdy, airtight containers or in cans are good options for forming the basis of your meals. You can pick up fresh produce and dairy along the way to save space in your fridge, rather than packing everything you might need all at once. Keep a stash of basic spices and cooking oils on your RV as well.

Toiletries

Everyone will need their own supply of toiletries for hygiene purposes. As a family, you might prefer to buy bulk toiletries to share as a group, if no one has special preferences. These items might include:

  • Deodorant
  • Toothbrush, toothpaste & dental floss
  • Shampoo & conditioner
  • Hair brushes or combs
  • Razors and shaving cream
  • Makeup
  • Lotions and creams
  • Body wash or soap and washcloths or loofahs

Clothing

You should make sure to pack enough clothing for the whole trip and to account for different weather conditions along the way. Don’t forget to pack waterproof gear like ponchos as well as hiking boots and other outdoor gear.

If you have a way to do laundry on your RV or on the road, you can condense what you pack to some degree, but if not, you’ll have to overpack a bit just to make sure you’re fully prepared.

A Taste of Home

Kids can become sad and anxious in an unfamiliar environment, especially if this is going to be your first RV trip as a family. To help assuage their worries, why not bring some items that make the RV more homelike?

  • Hang up photos of family or friends from back home
  • Bring plush toys and favorite blankets
  • Carry craft or activity supplies
  • Choose some favorite snacks that children are used to having at home

We hope this guide helps you to pack your RV for your upcoming trips. If you are looking to buy an RV for your family vacations, visit 47 West Trailers. We’d love to help you find your perfect camper! We are located in Troy, Missouri, and also serve those in Columbia and St. Louis.