RV Packing Checklist — The Complete List for Any Trip
BeginnerThe complete RV packing checklist covering kitchen, bedding, tools, safety gear, and everything you'll forget if you don't write it down. Covers all RV types — print it, check it off, and hit the road with confidence.
Checklist 48
Sheets that fit your RV mattress
RV mattresses are often non-standard sizes — shorter, narrower, or odd shapes for bunks. Measure your mattresses and buy RV-specific sheets. Standard home sheets usually don't fit. Check your RV's mattress specs at https://mintrv.com to find the exact dimensions for your model.
Pillows and blankets
RV nights get cold even in summer — especially at altitude. Bring more blankets than you think you need.
Bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths
Two towels per person plus a few extras for swimming. Quick-dry microfiber towels save storage space and dry faster in humid conditions.
Kitchen towels — at least 3
One for dishes, one for hands, one for general messes. They go through the wringer in an RV kitchen.
A dedicated hookup towel or rag
For wiping sewer connections, muddy hands at the pedestal, or drying off the water pressure regulator. Keep it separate from the towels that touch your face.
Camp chairs — one per person
Bag chairs work but dedicated camp chairs with cup holders and arm rests are worth the upgrade for multi-day trips.
Outdoor mat for under the awning
Keeps dirt and mud out of the RV. Defines your campsite space. Get one big enough to cover the entry door area at minimum.
Outdoor lighting — LED string lights or lanterns
Solar-powered string lights under the awning are the campground standard. They charge during the day and run all evening without draining anything.
Firewood or fire starters (if campfires are allowed)
Many campgrounds sell firewood on-site. Check local rules — some areas restrict bringing firewood from outside the region to prevent invasive species.
Outdoor table or fold-out table
Campsite picnic tables exist but they're not always in a good spot relative to your awning. A portable table gives you flexibility.
Weather-appropriate clothing — check the forecast for your destination
Mountain campgrounds can drop 30-40 degrees at night. Desert campgrounds hit 100+ during the day. Pack layers.
Rain gear — jacket and waterproof shoes
Rain doesn't cancel an RV trip, but getting soaked connecting hookups in a downpour is miserable without rain gear.
Water shoes or sandals
Campground showers, lake wading, and beach walking. Your regular shoes will be destroyed.
Swimsuits
Pack them where they're accessible — not buried under everything else. Lake days happen spontaneously.
Toiletries and prescription medications
Keep a pre-packed toiletry bag in the RV. Forgetting a prescription 3 hours from home ruins a trip.
Sunscreen and lip balm with SPF
Reapply every 2 hours, more often around water. Campsite sunburn on day one wrecks the rest of the trip.
Bug spray
DEET-based for serious mosquito areas. Picaridin-based if you want less chemical feel. Either way, bring it.
Campground confirmation and reservation details
Print it or screenshot it. Cell service at campgrounds is unreliable and pulling up your email at the check-in gate with a line behind you is stressful.
RV registration and insurance card
Keep copies in the RV at all times. If you're towing, have both the tow vehicle and trailer registration accessible.
Roadside assistance card and phone number
Good Sam, AAA RV, Coach-Net — whatever you have. Program the number in your phone and keep the physical card in the glovebox.
Cash and coins
Laundry machines, firewood bundles, small-town campgrounds, and dump stations that don't take cards. $40-60 in small bills and quarters covers most situations.
Prescription medications
The most commonly forgotten item and the one with the highest consequence. Pack these first.
Phone and device chargers
Second most forgotten item. Keep a dedicated set in the RV so you never have to remember to pack them.
Pet supplies (if traveling with animals)
Food, bowls, leash, waste bags, medications, vaccination records. Check out MintRV's RV With Pets Checklist for the full list.
Spare keys for the RV and tow vehicle
Lock yourself out of the RV at a campsite once and you'll never forget spare keys again. Magnetic key boxes work well.
Glasses, sunglasses, and contact lens supplies
If you wear corrective lenses, forgetting them is a trip-ender. Pack them with your medications.
Phone chargers and a power strip
RV outlets are limited. A power strip near the dinette or bedroom charges everything in one spot.
Books, board games, playing cards
Rainy days happen. Screen-free entertainment keeps the trip fun when the weather doesn't cooperate.
Outdoor games — frisbee, football, cornhole, fishing poles
Depends on your destination. But having at least one outdoor activity keeps everyone out of the RV during the day.
Bluetooth speaker
Keep the volume campground-friendly. Respect quiet hours. Nobody came camping to hear your playlist at full volume.
Binoculars or a camera
Wildlife sightings, star gazing, and documenting the trip. You'll use binoculars more than you expect.
Pots, pans, and a skillet
One medium pot and one skillet covers 90% of RV cooking. Nesting cookware sets save cabinet space.
Utensils — spatula, tongs, can opener, corkscrew, serving spoons
Keep a dedicated RV utensil set so you're not raiding the house kitchen before every trip.
Plates, bowls, cups, and mugs
Melamine or enamel — not glass. Things fall out of RV cabinets during travel. A shattered glass plate on the highway is a cleanup nightmare.
Cutting board and a good knife
A small flexible cutting board stores flat. One quality chef's knife with a blade guard beats a whole knife block.
Dish soap, sponge, and a small dish drying rack or towel
Campground sinks are hit or miss. Having your own supplies means you can clean up at the RV.
Paper towels and aluminum foil
Paper towels for everything from spills to campfire plate liners. Foil for grilling and covering leftovers.
Trash bags — more than you think you need
RV trash cans are tiny. Bring 13-gallon kitchen bags and a few heavy-duty bags for campsite cleanup.
Coffee maker or pour-over setup and coffee
Whatever your morning routine is at home, replicate it in the RV. Nobody wants to troubleshoot plumbing before coffee.
Cooler with ice for travel day perishables
The RV fridge takes time to cool down, especially absorption models. A cooler keeps food safe during the drive.
Food and groceries — plan meals before you pack
Plan meals for the trip plus one extra day. Buy non-perishables ahead of time and load perishables the morning of departure.
Spices, cooking oil, condiments
Keep a small dedicated spice kit in the RV. Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and olive oil cover most camp cooking.
Basic tool kit — crescent wrench, screwdrivers, pliers, socket set
The crescent wrench alone is worth its weight in gold. Campground water spigots are so heavily used you can't hand-tighten them. This tip comes directly from Bart Downing at Mastercraft RV Center.
Duct tape, zip ties, and electrical tape
The RV repair trinity. These three items have saved more camping trips than any tool kit.
Flashlights and headlamps with spare batteries
Hookup pedestals are not well lit. You'll be connecting power, water, and sewer in the dark. A headlamp keeps both hands free.
Fire extinguisher — check the gauge before every trip
Most RVs come with one but it's often too small or expired. Keep it near the entry door, not buried in a basement compartment.
First aid kit
Bandages, antiseptic, pain relievers, allergy meds, tweezers, and any prescriptions. You're often 30+ minutes from medical care.
Tire pressure gauge
Check pressure before every trip — tow vehicle and RV. Use your tow vehicle and RV specs to verify correct pressure. Look up your specific vehicle at https://mintrv.com/tow-calculator to see towing capacity and weight limits.
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