Whether you’re a seasoned RV road tripper or this is your first time traveling in an RV, you want your trip to be stress-free. The best way to have a smooth trip is to be prepared. The first and most important thing you should do is create an organized RV packing list of everything you need to pack.
Putting time now into figuring out exactly what your family needs on your RV adventure will save you hours of late-night trips to the store for emergency supplies. No one wants to tear themselves away from a serene campfire for a long drive to Walmart for a first-aid kit or batteries.
Of course, there are many staples that all RV travelers need to pack to have a safe and pleasant RV road trip. Beyond that, what you take with you on your RV road trip depends on you and your family. Ask yourself some basic questions about how long your trip will be, what you will be doing, and the weather to figure out what supplies you will need. You don’t want to forget anything on your RV packing list!
Considerations for Your RV Road Trip
Duration of trip
How long will you be gone? Certainly, for a long weekend, you can get away with the bare necessities for things like pots and pans.
Beware of overpacking your clothes. If you’re only going for a few days, take enough clothing and towels for that amount of time. It will save you on storage.
Activities
What will you be doing? Be realistic. Kayaks, boogie boards, and the like take up a lot of space, so pack wisely. If you’re going for less than a week, bring only what you think you will use.
This is a vacation. Don’t deprive yourself! If you’re unsure, take your fishing pole anyway. You don’t want to have regrets later on.
What Will You Eat?
Are you preparing all of your meals in your RV and outside on a grill or campfire? If you have access to a Walmart or other grocery store, you might want to go shopping when you get there. That’s a personal decision.
If you’re eating at restaurants part of the time, consider that when packing food. Cereals, bread, toaster pastries, tuna packets, and peanut butter are all easy foods to prepare for a snack or lunch. Make sure you are taking everyone’s preferences (and allergies!) into consideration.
What types of meals will you be cooking? If cooking spaghetti, a big pot is a must. A skillet is usually pretty handy for eggs and other foods as well. Only bring the pots and pans that you will use.
Not into homemade pizza? Leave the pizza pan and cutter at home. If you’re renting, your RV may already be equipped with what you need, so be sure to ask.
The Weather
Is it cold in the mornings and at night but hot during the day? Make sure you pack layers of appropriate clothing for varying temperatures.
Rain happens, so plan for it by packing the appropriate outdoor gear. Bring rain boots or waterproof footwear, umbrellas, raincoats with hoods, and ponchos. Extra socks are also a must.
Access To Laundry Facilities
Does the RV park have laundry facilities? Will you be swimming, hiking, and biking? Moisture-wicking fabrics are a good choice for hiking and other outdoor activities. This material also dries quickly. Pack appropriate clothing for all of your recreational activities.
Accept that you will encounter mud! Bring plenty of rags to wipe off boots, as well as several door mats to wipe off shoes. The goal is to keep as much mud out of the RV as possible.
Bedding
What’s your preference? Some families just make it easy and use sleeping bags. Others prefer sheets and blankets along with their favorite pillow.
Hobbies and Games
Nights can be long, especially if you get inclement weather. What games and hobbies do you enjoy as a family? Bring along Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit, and other fun family games. This is the time to make everlasting memories.
Do you play solitaire or read books? A deck of cards or two is a handy item to have in a drawer. Will you have access to a DVD player? If so, don’t forget your favorite movies. If you’re bringing a tablet or other device, download the movies you want to watch. This will save battery life.
Medical Issues
Does anyone have a serious health condition that requires medication? While this seems like a no-brainer, you don’t want to be on the road without your life-saving EpiPens, insulin, seizure medications, or C-pap machine. Check your scripts to make sure nothing is expired and that you have an ample supply of medications to get through the trip.
Be Prepared for Emergencies
What do you need in an emergency? Keep your RV’s toolbox and emergency roadside safety kit in easy reach so you can fix things as you go. These would be the essential tools you need to maintain your RV while on the road.
Have Your Documentation
What documents should you take along? Bring your vehicle registration, campground reservations, and information about roadside assistance in a folder that won’t get wet. Keep all of your RV and camping packing checklists in a separate folder for easy access. If you prefer digital, you can download the Togo RV app and use your profile to store your travel checklists and other important information.
RV Packing List For A Successful RV Roadtrip
Taking all of this into consideration, here’s a list of what most travelers need for their RV packing list for their next road trip.
Clothes
- A pair of shorts per day
- 2 t-shirts and/or tank tops per day
- Sweatshirts
- Sweaters
- Long sleeve t-shirts
- Jackets
- bathing suits
- Running/hiking shoes
- Sandals
- Hats
- Gloves
- Thick socks
- 2 pairs of underwear per day.
Toiletries
- Shampoo
- Dry shampoo
- Conditioner
- Hand soap
- Bar soap
- Shaving cream
- Razors
- Hair brush
- Comb
- Body lotion
- Facial lotions
- Feminine hygiene products
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
- Mouthwash
- Tylenol/Advil/Benadryl
- Hydrocortisone
- Neosporin
- Bug spray
- Sunscreen
- Shower towels
- Hand towels
- Washcloths
- Prescriptions
- Q-tips
- Cotton balls
- Tissues
- Shower caddy
- Prescription meds
- Deodorant
Tools/Utility Items
- Duct tape
- WD-40
- Socket wrenches
- Rope
- Tarp
- Pocket knife
- Scissors
- Headlamp
- Hammer
- Screwdrivers
- Hammer
- Duct tape
- Tire pressure gauge
- Jumper cables
- Leveling blocks
- Wheel chocks
- Roof patches
- Sealant
- Motor oil
Toys/Games/Hobbies
- Scrabble
- Trivial Pursuit
- Legos
- Mega Blocks
- Lincoln Logs
- Magazines
- Books
- Monopoly
- Crazy Eights
- Uno
- Go Fish
- Cards Against Humanity
- Deck of cards
- Velcro darts
- Coloring books
- Drawing paper
- Crayons
- Markers
- Boogie boards
- Beading kit
- Crafts box
Portable Workout Equipment
- Yoga mat
- Resistance bands
- Hand weights
- Kettlebell
Outside Recreational Gear
- Paddleboards
- Kayaks
- Paddles
- Innertubes
- Life jackets
- Fishing gear
- Bikes
- Lawn chairs
- Sand toys
- Pool floats
- Goggles
- Finns
- Squirt guns
- Badminton set
- Volleyball net
- Sports balls
- Hammock
- Comfortable camping chairs
- Horseshoes
- Bocce set
- Cornhole
- Metal detector
Electronics
- Laptops
- Tablets
- MP3 players
- Chargers
- Adapters
- Cell phones
- A portable speaker
- Wi-Fi Hot Spot
Cooking Utensils and Miscellaneous Kitchen Stuff
- Water filter
- Skillet
- Large pot
- Coffee maker
- Oven mitts
- Blender
- Pizza pan
- Cutting board
- Foil
- Plastic wrap
- Dish towels
- Dish soap
- Cups/plates/silverware (wash as you use)
- Paper products
- Coffee cups
- Wine glasses
- Whiskey tumbler
- Large mixing spoon
- Spatula
- Pizza cutter
- Wine bottle opener
- Can opener
- Cutting board
- Strainer
- Toaster
- Grill lighter for grill and firepit spatula
- Tongs, serving spoons
- Serving trays
- A salad bowl
- and a wooden spoon, and water filter.
Food and Beverages
- Cereal
- Pancakes
- Cinnamon rolls
- Toaster pastries
- Oatmeal
- Grits
- Waffles
- Eggs
- Bacon
- Hash browns
- Bagels
- Toast
- Pasta with jar sauce or butter
- Tuna packets
- Peanut butter and jelly
- Hummus and veggies
- Macaroni and cheese
- Tortellini
- Potato chips
- Tortilla chips
- Mixed nuts
- Dry fruit
- Jerky
- Popcorn
- Frozen pizza
- Burgers
- Hot dogs
- Tacos
- Nachos
- Smores
- Bottled water
- Wine
- Beer
Baby Stuff
- Diapers
- Wipes
- Diaper disposal bin
- Bottles
- Formula
- Baby food
- Bottle washer
- Pack and Play
- Toys
- Bedding
- Sleepers
- Onesies
Pet Supplies
- Leash
- Food bowl
- Water bowl
- Litter box
- Pet food
- Treats
- Collar w/tags and phone number
- Poop bags
- Medications
- Toys
- Fog bed
- Rope (if necessary to tie the dog up outside).
Before You Go…
Now that you’ve packed it all and then some, do a quick check to make sure you are leaving your permanent home in order. Set your home alarm. Make sure your outside lights are set how you want them. Are your smoke and carbon dioxide batteries fully charged? Set your heating and air conditioning appropriately.
Put a hold on your mail at the post office or have a trusted neighbor retrieve it for you daily. And this goes without saying but don’t forget your checklist!
Your Oklahoma RV Road Trip
Oklahoma is a great midwestern state destination for a family RV road trip. Beautiful Oklahoma is situated between Texas and Kansas. Oklahoma has captivating landscapes, including the Great Plains, lakes, hills, rivers, and forests.
The state of Oklahoma is home to a variety of historical sites and museums. If you want to escape the campfire for a night out on the town, The Bricktown District is known for its fun nightlife and great dining. The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum is quite popular with people taking RV road trips.
When planning your adventurous Oklahoma RV road trip, don’t forget to make a stop at Mountain View RV Park! We would love to host you and your family. So print off that RV packing list and hit the road!
