How To Pack For Your RV Camping Trip

So you’re planning to go camping in your RV, but you don’t know how to start packing! Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. In this article, you’ll learn practical tips about packing your RV for your next camping trip and how you can better prepare before heading out on the road.

Make A Plan

Before you start packing for your trip, you need to make a plan! First thing’s first, you need to plan your route. Where do you want to go? How do you want to get there? How many stops do you need to make, and how many do you want to make? There are several great places all over the Midwest to take your RV for an incredible camping trip. Wherever you go, you’ll want to research the weather and what activities are available to you, as this information will significantly impact what you pack for your trip.

Perhaps you’ll want to enjoy the hiking trails at your camping destinations, or maybe you’ll decide to go biking; there are several exciting activities to participate in when on a camping trip. It’s important to plan these activities before departing so that you can pack the gear you’ll need to be prepared. Depending on the danger of the activities, you might also want to pack extra first aid supplies.

Determine Your Needs

Once you’ve worked out the details of your camping trip, it’s time to determine your needs. How many people will be traveling with you? What gear will you need for your activities? How much food will you need to bring, and how much will you plan to pick up on the road? You might want to consider packing lightly; this will help you have the safest and most comfortable camping experience. Prioritize safety above everything else. Packing your RV too full can result in uneven weight distribution, a significant safety concern, especially when traveling through mountainous terrain. If you only focus on the food, tools, clothes and toiletries, first aid supplies, and entertainment materials that you need for your trip, your RV should be at a perfectly safe weight and balance.

Organize Your Packing By Type

After you’ve determined the needs for your camping trip, it’s finally time to start packing! A great way to get started is to organize your packing into different types: food, toiletries, entertainment, camping supplies, and first aid. Keeping things organized will help you to work quickly and efficiently.

Food

Starting with food, be sure only to bring what you need. It’s important to remember that you can pick up food during your travels. You don’t want to take up too much space with food that you don’t need. If you plan on cooking, whether inside your RV or around the campfire, you’ll need to bring the proper cooking equipment. We recommend planning your meals beforehand so that you know what tools and ingredients to bring. You don’t want too many extras that can take up space and add unnecessary weight to your RV.

Clothes & Toiletries

Now the clothes and toiletries you pack will greatly depend on the length of your trip and the capabilities of your RV. For example, if your RV is equipped with a washer and dryer, you won’t need to pack as many clothes. If your RV doesn’t include these appliances, you could also save space by planning to stop at locations that do. And, of course, you’ll want to remember to bring enough toiletries to maintain your personal hygiene during your trip.

Entertainment

Something that may go overlooked is the importance of entertainment. The drives between camping stops can be long, and if you’re traveling with companions, they’ll want things to do on the trip. Even if you’re traveling alone, you may want some other things to do besides camping activities to occupy your time. You can bring movies, board games, even video games if you would like. Just consider the possibility of losing anything you bring. Anything can happen on a camping trip, so you don’t want to risk more than you’re comfortable with.

Camping

This may seem self-explanatory for a camping trip, but don’t forget your camping supplies! The type of supplies you bring will largely depend on the nature of your trip. If you plan on hiking, you’ll want to bring the proper footwear, backpacks, and survival tools in case of emergencies. If you’re biking, you’ll need your bikes and any necessary repair tools to do maintenance. Kayaking? Be sure to bring aquatic safety gear in addition to your boats. This is why it’s essential to plan your trip before you pack.

First Aid

Safety should be your number one priority. Whether you plan to be out on the hiking trails or in the water, you want to be prepared for accidents of all kinds. How much first aid supplies you bring will depend on the number of people you are traveling with; you’ll want to make sure you have enough for everyone to be taken care of.

What NOT To Bring

Now that we’ve covered the things you should bring on your RV camping trip, let’s touch on some things you shouldn’t bring. For food, you want to make sure you aren’t bringing anything “gourmet,” the less perishable, the better. For clothes, nothing too expensive or fragile. You’re going to want to value function over fashion on a camping trip. Even with camping gear, don’t bring more supplies than you need. Pack light, focus on your needs, and you should be good to go.

Load Up Your RV

Looks like you’re all set and ready to go! Before you head out on your trip, take your RV to a weigh station to check that your vehicle is at a safe weight before travel. Once you’re clear, you can enjoy your RV camping trip!

We hope that this article will help you prepare for your next RV excursion, and be sure to contact us if you have any questions about your RV appliances!