| ’ve booked your RV rental or purchased | | | | -Emergency contact information in case of |
| your first motorhome, but have no idea how to | | | | accident or illness, list of known allergies |
| outfit it for the perfect vacation. You’re in | | | | Vehicle Safety and Maintenance |
| luck, because this list of essential RV camping | | | | We’d all like our vacations to be |
| items will help you get on the road fast! | | | | trouble-free, but vehicle breakdowns occasionally |
| Keeping Things Safe and Comfortable | | | | occur. Why not keep the disruption to a minimum |
| Love to travel, but have trouble adjusting to the | | | | by being prepared? |
| road? Why not take along some of the things | | | | -Roadside assistance identification and contact info |
| that make your own home a haven? | | | | -Good flashlight with built-in strobe |
| -Battery-powered alarm clock - personally, we like | | | | -Toolbox with basic home and auto maintenance |
| to sleep in, but an alarm clock can keep busy | | | | tools |
| families on schedule! | | | | -Tire pressure gauge |
| -Comfy, durable bedding — check local RV | | | | -A compact set of jumper cables |
| stores for sheets that fit odd-sized RV beds, or | | | | RV Essentials |
| use your sewing skills to create your own custom | | | | -Waste water and fresh water hoses |
| bedding. Don’t forget pillows! | | | | -Rubber gloves for handling waste water hoses |
| -Comforters or quilts for cool mountain nights. | | | | -Bacterial additive for waste water tanks (no |
| -Towels and washcloths | | | | toxic chemicals, please!) |
| -Biodegradable toilet paper | | | | -A LARGE roll of duct tape! (you’ll be |
| -Net bag or reusable shopping bags for laundry | | | | amazed what it can do in a pinch!) |
| -First Aid kit | | | | -Heavy-duty extension cords (at least 25’ |
| -Insect repellent and sunscreen | | | | long) |
| -Green cleaning supplies and washable rags for | | | | -Wheel blocks and trailer levelers |
| cleaning | | | | Kitchen Cupboard Packing |
| -Toiletries in refillable containers — Fill and | | | | Packing an RV kitchen is as an art! The trick is to |
| store for the next trip! | | | | plan meals ahead and buy food items that can be |
| -Glasses or contacts and supplies | | | | used for more than one meal. Get creative and |
| -Medication and prescriptions | | | | think of one-pan delicacies, you’ll save |
| -Cash and credit/debit cards | | | | dishwater and spend less time in the kitchen! |
| -Comfortable clothes and shoes (remember | | | | -Favorite spices and condiments in labeled, refillable |
| swimsuits!) | | | | containers |
| -Flip flops for showers and beaches | | | | -Basic kitchen tools — can opener, stirring |
| -Reusable shopping bags for groceries, recyclables | | | | and serving utensils, spatulas, coffee scoop, |
| -Lawn chairs for campfire comfort | | | | knives and cutting board |
| Personal Items Worth Packing | | | | -Paper goods — aluminum foil, paper |
| The point of having downtime is to relax and | | | | towels, trash bags |
| enjoy it! Remember to pack these things if | | | | -Dishtowels |
| they’re important to your peace of mind. | | | | -Plastic, washable table cloth for picnic tables |
| -CDs, mp3 player or tapes | | | | -Laundry and dishwashing detergent in refillable |
| -Cell phone and calling cards | | | | containers |
| -Laptop computer/wireless card | | | | -Plastic tubs with lids for dirty dishes, kitchen tools |
| -Connector cable for cable television | | | | -Unbreakable dishes, inexpensive silverware (saves |
| -Camera and batteries, film if shooting 35mm | | | | on trash generated!) |
| photos, download cable for digital | | | | -Plastic food storage containers |
| Keeping the Trip on Track | | | | -Food and drink items from your menus, packed |
| There’s nothing worse than driving on a | | | | to minimize breakage from shifting |
| dark two-lane, trying to find the campground. | | | | -Snack items in tubs |
| Here are some tips for items that will keep your | | | | -Small set of pots and pansskillet, sauce pan, |
| trip on track. We suggest packing the following | | | | large pan for chili, pasta |
| items in resealable, waterproof bags in an | | | | -Coffeemaker, tea bags, coffee, creamer, |
| easily-secured area of your vehicle. | | | | sweetener |
| -MAPS! Print from Internet sites or purchase a | | | | This seems like a long list, doesn’t it? |
| set for the RV | | | | Remember, though, once you’ve collected |
| -Campground reservation receipts and directions | | | | these items the first time, they can be packed, |
| -Vehicle and health insurance information, vehicle | | | | stored and labeled for the next trip. |
| registration. | | | | |