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Packing up an RV for a trip can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to fit all of your items into a limited space while also ensuring everything stays secure while on the road. Whether you're a seasoned RV traveler or a first-timer, taking the time to pack your RV efficiently and safely can make your trip much more enjoyable.
Below, you’ll find best practices for packing up an RV, from organizing your gear and securing everything, to ensuring your vehicle is road-ready. These tips break down every aspect of preparing yourself and your RV for a trip.
Start with a Packing List -
rain2shine's Ultimate RV Packing Checklist is available for purchase here and towards the end of this article.
Packing an RV is sometimes a bit daunting, and having a packing list is a great way to ensure you don’t forget anything. A well-organized checklist can help you stay on track, especially if you’re in a rush to leave. You might not get everything right on the first try but from personal experience, if you keep a running list to update every trip when you forget something or need something you didn’t think about, you’ll eventually have a fool-proof packing list that includes everything from tools to everyday conveniences.
Essential Items: Your list should include things like food, camping gear, toiletries, and clothes. Don’t forget your RV-specific necessities, such as leveling blocks, fresh water hose, electrical cords (30amp or 50amp), and wheel chocks.
Seasonal Considerations: Think about the weather and the season. Will you need extra blankets, warm clothing, or rain gear? Adjust your packing list based on the forecast and expected conditions at your destination. If you’re a full-time RVer, you may want to make these items more accessible for specific trips.
Personal Preferences: Every RV trip is different, so personalize your list to suit your travel style. Whether you're bringing sporting gear, or arts and crafts for downtime, make sure your list reflects your personal needs.
Maximize Storage Space
RVs offer a lot of storage (although, often never enough), but sometimes they have compartments shaped awkwardly. To make the most of your storage, I suggest following these tips:
Utilize Vertical Space: Closets, cabinets, and overhead compartments are perfect for lightweight items– clothing, towels, shoes and kitchen supplies. Stack them neatly, using bins or baskets for smaller items.
Use Space-Saving Containers: Investing in stackable bins or clear storage containers is extremely helpful to keep everything organized and easy to access. Taking it a step further, you can label or color code your bins to avoid rummaging around for items.
Pack Smart: Places that are easy to access should store the items you use the most. Keep heavier items on lower shelves or closer to the vehicle’s center of gravity to improve stability and decrease the chance of damage while on the road. Store lighter items in higher compartments with some kind of latch.
Organize Kitchen and Food Items
Most would agree that packing your kitchen is one of the most impactful elements of a successful trip. A well-organized kitchen ensures you have everything needed to prepare meals on your journey while saving space. Depending on the length of your trip, you might need to make a grocery run (or two) but I highly suggest, making one before you hit the road to ensure you at least have what you need for the first few days/nights. The last thing anyone wants to do after a trip with their RV is get to your campsite, set up and then have to turn around and run out for groceries.
Consider Your Cooking Needs: Pack your kitchen based on your cooking style. Do you plan on using the stove and oven a lot, or will you rely on a grill or fire pit for cooking outside? Bring only the cooking utensils and equipment you’ll actually use. If you’re full-time, just take the time to make your key items more accessible.
Use Airtight Containers: Store dry goods like pasta, rice, and snacks in airtight containers to keep them fresh in varying climates and prevent spills.
Cooler vs. Refrigerator: If your RV has a refrigerator, make sure you stock it with perishable food like dairy, meats, and fresh fruits. Use a cooler for drinks and additional food that doesn’t need to be kept cold if you’re tight on space within your refrigerator.
Maximize Pantry Space: Use collapsible containers, spice racks, and drawer organizers to keep your kitchen tidy. If you’re using small cabinets, consider hanging baskets or using tension rods to create extra storage.
Warning: Please be super careful opening your fridge after traveling! Things WILL move around and can fall out when you first open the door. Trust me, a can or bottle to the head upon arrival is not a fun way to start your camping vacay! However, you might want to try these grippy refrigerator liners. I don’t have any personal experience with them…yet but they look like they might help.
Secure Everything for Travel–Easily The Most Imperative Step Thus Far
Once your items are packed, it’s imperative to secure anything that could shift within your RV while on the road. Loose items can be a safety hazard and could damage your RV walls, furniture and other belongings during transit.
Use Non-Slip Mats: Using non-slip mats on shelves, in drawers, and under appliances to prevent them from sliding around while driving. However, a best practice would be to remove appliances from countertops altogether.
Tie Down Heavy Items: If you’re packing heavier items, like pots, pans, or equipment, use straps or even zip ties to secure them. My preference is using bungee cords for any furniture that isn’t bolted to the floor. Some people even use cargo nets to keep large items in place.
Close Cabinets and Doors: Double-check that all cabinets, drawers, and doors are properly latched. Consider using childproof locks or Velcro strips for extra security. Additionally, you can install decorative latches for cabinet doors if you don’t want to sacrifice aesthetics.
Fragile Items: It may be worth making a list specifically for items that are extremely fragile–heirlooms, perfume bottles, etc. so you don’t get down the road and question if each delicate item was secured. Pro Tip: If you have any glass or fragile items that you HAVE to travel with, either pack them in the vehicle you’re towing with or put them in the front most part of the RV. For instance, there is less bounce in a 5th wheel that is secured in the bed of the truck than the back that’s bouncing all over the road.
Vents and windows: Double-check all vents and windows to ensure they’re closed and secured.
Organize the Exterior: Don’t forget to secure everything on the exterior of the RV as well–awnings, doors, etc. If you’re bringing bicycles, grills, or outdoor equipment, ensure they’re properly strapped to racks or stored securely and remember to lock each outdoor RV compartment.
Utilities: Check Water, Propane, and Waste Systems
Before hitting the road, make sure all systems in your RV are functioning properly. This is especially important for water and propane systems, as these are often necessary for cooking, heating, and cleaning. If you’re a full-time RVer, you will already have a pretty good idea of where things stand on the below items.
Fill Freshwater Tank: If you plan to use your RV’s water system during the trip, make sure the freshwater tank is full or you’ll need enough bottled water to get you through the first leg of your trip. You will also need to make sure your water heater and pump are both turned off while you’re on the road. Additionally, it’s good to make sure the water system is free from leaks.
Check Propane Levels: Determine if your propane tank is full, and check that all propane-powered appliances are in good working order and turned off for the trip. You will also need to make sure to shut the valves off on your propane tanks for travel. If you have multiple tanks, it’s important to switch or refill them whenever necessary.
Empty Waste Tanks: Empty your gray and black water tanks before leaving your campsite (and close off all valves) to prevent odors and any leaks. A full waste tank can add unnecessary weight and make your RV less stable on the road.
Check Hoses: Make sure your water hoses, sewer hoses, and electrical cords are properly stored and ready to use once you arrive at your destination.
Pack for Outdoor and Recreational Activities
This is one of the best parts of RV life. Whether you’re planning to hike, fish, bike, swim or enjoy other outdoor adventures, you don’t want to forget to pack the right gear.
Outdoor Furniture: If you plan to spend time outside, you may want to consider bringing lightweight folding chairs, a portable table, and an awning or tarp for shade.
Sports and Recreation Gear: If you enjoy hiking, biking, or fishing, pack the necessary gear–A bike rack, fishing rods, water shoes and/or hiking boots tend to be common sporting equipment, but adjust based on your needs/plans.
Camping Gear: Don’t forget the camping essentials like lanterns, a portable grill, fire starter, fly deterrent, s'more kit, and extra batteries. If you plan on setting up camp outside the RV, bring a tent, sleeping bags, and ground tarps. Don’t forget to check on firewood! Most campgrounds/parks prefer you use wood from within the park/campground instead of bringing your own, but not always. Also! They usually only accept cash--so, don’t forget that!
Emergency & Safety Gear
It’s important to be prepared for emergencies, and when you travel with an RV, the unexpected should be expected. Make sure you have a well-stocked emergency kit and safety supplies to assist you if something happens.
First Aid Kit: Keep a first aid kit that includes bandages, antiseptic, pain relievers, and any personal medications you may need.
Fire Extinguisher: Ensure your RV is equipped with a working fire extinguisher, smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector.
Roadside Emergency Kit: Pack a roadside emergency kit with items like a headlamp, jumper cables, tire repair kit, and even some road flares or reflective cones.
Additionally, I suggest a toolbox curated specifically for travel repairs, such as:
DeWalt Drill and Impact Set
Backup Essentials: Bring extra batteries, a spare tire, and even some duct tape. Also, it’s a good idea to have a portable power bank or generator if your RV relies on electricity.
List of Resources: Know your resources ahead of time. When it comes to roadside RV (or your towing vehicle) issues, I suggest:
Final Checks
Before hitting the road, do a final sweep to ensure everything is packed and ready so you can have peace of mind on the road!
Check the RV’s Exterior: Take a lap around your RV and make sure that all exterior compartments are locked, the awning is secured, wheel chocks are picked up and any steps and/or handrails are retracted.
Check Tire Pressure: Confirm that the tire pressure is appropriate for both the RV and any towed vehicle (like a car, golf cart or boat). Uneven or underinflated tires can lead to safety issues on the road and ultimately put a big damper on your trip. Additionally, we always travel with a tire inflator and extra 20V battery. I would also suggest checking the tires lug nuts for extra precaution before hitting the road.
Double-Check Lights: Ensure that your RV’s lights, including brake lights, turn signals, and running lights, are working. This is critical for your safety and the safety of others, especially when driving at night. And, don’t forget about the interior lights! You will need to make sure everything is turned off inside so as not to drain your batteries.
Conclusion: Pack Smarter, Travel Farther
Packing an RV is an art that combines organization, efficiency, and safety. As a full-time RVer, I can pack up my campsite and RV in under 30 minutes. The task becomes less daunting each trip, but I encourage folks to start with solid packing habits and adjust where needed. I believe by following the steps above, you can make the most of your RV's space, avoid common packing mistakes, be prepared for on-the-road mishaps and ensure that everything stays secure and functional while driving/towing.
Whether you’re heading to a remote campground or a popular tourist destination, the right packing approach will allow you to focus on the adventure ahead. So, take the time to plan your packing, check your systems, and get everything organized. With a little preparation, you’ll be ready for your next road trip with ease and confidence. Happy packing!
After living in my fifth wheel for 5 years, I can pack up and be ready to go in about thirty minutes!
And, don't forget to check out our camping and travel journal available on Amazon!
Thanks for reading! Happy travels!
Alice Zealy, Owner & Writer
ChatGPT referenced for this article.
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