If you are new to RV camping it’s easy to get overwhelmed with everything you need to bring, and this can become really stressful so it’s a very good idea to use an RV checklist.
When we started camping, we once forgot to bring the bowls and the plates! We ended up eating on paper towel for 3 days and the kids had to eat their cereal in coffee mugs. They thought it was pretty funny actually, but you get the point.
You can avoid forgetting something vital if you use a checklist. That’s why we’ve created two complete checklists to help you with your packing and overall preparation.
You may not need all the items on the list. Just select the items that apply to you. You may also think of things you want that are not on the list. Add them.
You can see both RV checklists below. You can download the RV Camping Checklist and the RV Maintenance Checklist.
Print out our RV checklists and keep them in your rig for your inventory check.
You may also want to check out our Camping Checklist and Beach Camping Checklist.
RV Camping Checklist
>> RV Camping Checklist Download<<
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Clothing
- T-shirts
- Shorts
- Jeans/pants
- Underwear
- Sweater
- Jacket
- Socks
- Shoes/boots
- Sandals/flip flops
- Hat/cap
- Swimsuit
- Pajamas
- Rain gear
- Gloves
- Sunglasses
Bedding, Bath & Laundry
- Sheets
- Pillows/pillowcases
- Bed comforter/blankets
- Sleeping bags
- Towels
- Bath mat
- RV toilet paper
- Toilet cleaner
- Spray cleaner
- Cleaning brush
- Hand soap
- Stain remover
- Laundry bag
- Laundry detergent
- Clothesline/clothespins
- Roll of quarters
Personal Items
- Soap
- Shampoo/conditioner
- Toothbrush/Toothpaste/Floss
- Deodorant
- Washcloths
- Face/body lotion
- Towels
- Hair Brush/comb
- Hair Ties
- Nail clippers
- Razor/blades
- Shaving cream
- Small mirror
- Tissues
- Sunscreen
- Lip Balm
- Sanitary pads/tampons
- Toiletry bag
First Aid Kit
- Personal medications
- Aspirin/Tylenol/Ibuprofen
- Bug repellent
- Antihistamine
- Sinus medication
- Antacids (Rolaids)
- Imodium
- EPI pen
- Bandages
- Medical tape
- Sterile gauze
- Elastic wrap
- Burn ointment
- Aloe gel
- Antibiotic cream
- Antiseptic wipes
- Saline solution
- Latex gloves
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Alcohol
- Thermometer
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Hot/cold compress
- Safety Pins
- Bee sting Kit
- Snakebite kit
- Sewing kit
Camp Set-Up
- Cooler/ice
- Camping stove
- Camping grill
- Portable propane fire pit
- Charcoal or wood
- Propane bottle
- Smoker
- Pie irons
- Lighter/matches
- Firestarters
- Citronella candles
- Insect repellent
- Camping chairs
- Camping table
- Tablecloth/holders
- Picnic rug
- Tarp
- Hammock
- Screen Room
- Flashlight/lantern
Cooking & Dining
- Silverware
- Glasses
- Cups/mugs
- Bowls/plates
- Serving bowl
- Serving tray
- Frying pan/pots
- Kettle
- Baking pans/sheets
- Knives
- Tongs
- Spatula
- Wooden spoon
- Serving spoon
- Ice cream scoop
- Ladle
- Whisk
- Scissors
- Cutting board
- Bottle/can opener
- Vegetable peeler
- Measuring cups
- Mixing bowl
- Colander
- Potholders
- Toaster
- Blender
- Coffee maker /filters
- Aluminum foil
- Skewers
- Storage containers
- Zip lock bags
- Plastic wrap
- Bag clips
Cleaning
- Hand soap
- Dish soap
- Sponge/scrubber
- Dish rag/towel
- Dish rack
- Paper towel
- Cleaning cloths
- Spray cleaner
- Bucket
- Broom & dust pan
- Dustbuster
- Trash bags
Groceries
- Water bottles
- Mineral water
- Soda
- Juice
- Tea/coffee
- Beer/wine/liquor
- Milk
- Cream
- Eggs
- Butter/margarine
- Cheese
- Sliced meats
- Fruit & veg
- Dips
- Salt & pepper
- Olive/vegetable oil
- Spices
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayonnaise
- BBQ sauce
- Soy sauce
- Vinegar
- Salad dressing
- Tabasco/hot sauce
- Maple syrup
- Peanut butter
- Jam
- Flour
- Sugar
- Baking soda
- Oats/oatmeal
- Cereal
- Pasta
- Rice
- Canned soups
- Canned vegetables
- Bread
- Chips
- Nuts
- Pretzels
- Graham crackers
- Marshmallows
- Chocolate
Recreation
- Camera
- Deck of cards
- Board games
- Frisbee
- Ball
- Badminton kit
- Lawn games
- Kite
- Books
- Puzzles
- Binoculars
- Bikes/helmet
- Kayak
- Hiking gear
- Fishing gear
- Snorkel gear
- Flotation devices
- Life Jacket
- Backpack
RV Checklist – Maintenance & Setup
>>RV Maintenance Checklist Download<<
Share This Checklist On Your Site
Paperwork & Accessories
- Driver’s license/passport
- Credit card/cash
- Vehicle Registration
- Insurance papers
- Warranty documents
- Owner’s manual
- Cell phone
- Road map/compass
- GPS
- CB Radio
- Parks/campgrounds directories
- Pen & paper
Motor & Vehicle
- Wheel chocks
- Levelers and stabilizers
- Motor oil/fluids
- Grease
- Tire pressure gauge
- Tire pump
- Tire repair kit
- Wheel lug wrench
- Spare batteries
- Battery charger
- Jumper cables
- Power/extension cord
- Portable generator
- Multimeter
- Spare fuses
- Radiator hose – top and bottom
- Multiple hose clamps
- Siphon hose
- Gas can
Holding Tanks
- Sewer hose kit with hook-up fittings
- Bucket
- Water pressure valve
- Tank chemicals
Emergency Tool kit
- Flare kit
- Jack
- Leatherman multi-tool
- Multigrip pliers
- Needle nose pliers
- Wire cutters
- Hammer
- Screwdriver set
- Socket Set including spark plug socket
- Wrench Set
- Allen key set
- Rubber gloves
- Rags
- Duct tape
- Electrical tape
- WD-40
- Hacksaw & spare blades
- Pocket knife
- Small electric drill & bits
- Small soldering iron
- Solder
- Nuts, bolts, nails, screws & washers
- Rope
- Rubber bands
- Ratchet straps
- Bungee cords
- Super glue
- Collapsible shovel
- Fire extinguisher
Campground Set Up
- Drive to your allocated site – Back in or pull through
- Park the trailer or motorhome away from low-hanging branches and other obstacles
- Make sure you are within reach of water and electrical Connections Make sure your slide outs will have enough room to clear obstacles
- Apply parking brake
- Install wheel chocks
- Disconnect Trailer from tow vehicle
- Raise trailer to disengage hitch
- Extend rear-stabilizing jacks as required
- Extend trailer steps
- Level the trailer front to back
- Level side to side with levelers
- Check Shore power Outlet and polarity with testers
- Remove travel bars from slides
- Extend slides
- For propane use – turn on gas tank
- Pull out & secure the awning
- Set up camp
- Now kick back and have a good time!
Here’s a good video from the guys at The Great Outdoors R.V. Co. outlining the essentials, wants, and would-be-nice-to-have items for a camper.
Summary
RV Camping is fun and shouldn’t be stressful. Take care to follow these checklists to be fully prepared, and you’re sure to have a great time on your first RV Camping trip, and every trip afterward.
If there are any other items you think we should add to this list, please let us know in the comments below. Happy camping!
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We just bought our first trailer and looking at those lists makes me realize there’s so much we didn’t think about, yikes! Thanks for sharing!
I know right! It’s easy to overlook some things but you don’t want to overpack either. With time you’ll know exactly what to bring and what not to bring. Glad we could help Melinda! 🙂
Thank you…. thank you!!! I’m heading out on my first adventure and was worried I would forget something!!