RV Camping Checklist & Campervan Packing List

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We’ve done multiple campervan and motorhome trips as a family — across New Zealand’s South Island and up and down the Australian coast — and the one thing that makes every trip smoother is packing well before you leave.

This RV camping checklist covers everything you need for a comfortable family campervan trip, from kitchen essentials and sleeping gear to entertainment and cleaning supplies.

This campervan checklist is great if you’re hiring for the first time, or if you’ve done it before. Use this as your pre-departure checklist so nothing gets left behind.

Prefer a printable checklist? Get our RV packing list bundle

You need an RVing checklist to make sure to stock your RV with everything that you need for the road.

If you are hiring an RV, most of these items will be included with your hire cost.

TIP: Check with the hire company to make sure they have included any of the essential equipment you may need.

If it’s not included, get their advice on whether some of these items are needed, as smaller vans may not require as much equipment.

Most companies provide roadside assistance as part of the RV rental cost, so this reduces the need to carry certain equipment.

However, if it is your own motor home, you want to be as self-sufficient as possible.

READ: No-Cook camping meals

RV Camping Kitchen Supplies Checklist

The type of equipment you pack will depend entirely on the van you’re hiring and what’s already included. Most hire campervans come with the basics — check with your hire company before packing your own kitchen gear.

One thing worth knowing: cooking inside the van is often the reality, especially in cold or wet weather.

We spent a lot of time cooking inside on our New Zealand winter trip, and while the smells do linger longer than you’d like, it beats standing in the rain. A good ventilation routine — windows cracked, range hood on if there is one — helps more than you’d think.

We stick to one-pan meals and simple BBQ options wherever possible. When the weather cooperates, cooking outside is always better — more space, no lingering smells, and it just feels more like camping.

TIP: A pressure cooker is a fantastic addition to your RV kitchen for quick meals. They are also very compact and affordable.

• Plates
• Bowls
• Cups
• Cutlery
• Chopping board
• Tongs
• Napkins
• Electric griddle / grill
• Kettle
• Utensils
• Pots 
• Frying pan 
• Coffee Pot – Check out this single serve option
• Potholders
• Can opener
• Microwavable bowl
• Pressure cooker 
• Knives
• Water bottles
• Paper plates
• Ziplock bags
• Aluminium foil
• Cling wrap
• Storage containers

RV Camping Cleaning Supplies Checklist

With kids coming in and out all day, muddy shoes are inevitable and the van floor takes a beating.

A small doormat at the entrance makes a real difference. Wet wipes are endlessly useful — for sticky hands, spilled drinks, and wiping down surfaces after cooking. We’d take them on every trip regardless of whether kids were involved.

In most cases, even when you are hiring a campervan, most cleaning supplies are not provided aside from a few basics such as a dustpan and washing up supplies.

And of course, having a place for rubbish is essential!

• Trash Bags
• Toilet brush
• Rubber gloves
• Magic Erasers
• Fabric and upholstery cleaner
• Carpet cleaner
• Dishtowels
• Sponge
• Dishwashing soap
• Paper towels
• All-purpose cleaner
• Toilet bowl drop-ins
• Hand sanitiser
• Disinfectant wipes
• Laundry powder

Resources: Check out our other travel packing lists and our favourite travel gear.

Bedroom RV Packing List

Comfort in an RV is easier with the right bedroom essentials! Especially during cold weather. Winter in an RV can be a chilly experience in you aren’t properly prepared.

During warm months or when travelling in warm places, you won’t need a few of these items.

On our New Zealand winter campervan trip, we hired a luxury camper with a gas heater to stay warm. It was worth it when travelling with young kids.

Budget campervans will mean being prepared with sleeping bags and liners to suit the weather conditions.

• Blankets 
• Sleeping bags
• Thermal sleeping bag liner
• Sheets
• Pillowcases
• Pillows
• Air mattress
• Window coverings
• Space heater 
• Wool blankets 
• Waterproof mattress pad

RV Camping Bathroom Checklist

Toiletries and personal items are essential for every type of vacation and an RV camping trip is no exception!

TIP: If short on space, take mini versions of your toiletries or fill reusable travel bottles with your lotions to make them more compact.

• Shampoo and conditioner
• Soap or shower gel
• RV toilet paper
• Brush and comb
• Moisturising lotion
• Deodorant
• Q-tips
• Toothbrushes
• Toothpaste
• Floss
• Sunscreen
• Aloe vera gel
• Washcloths
• Quick-dry towels
• Dirty clothes bag
• First aid kit – see below for a detailed first aid list
• Medications
• Hair ties
• Glasses / contact lenses
• Nail care kit
• Makeup

The Extra RV Essentials You Won’t Want To Forget

These items are the ones that will make your RV camping experience more comfortable and easier.

Camp chairs and tables mean you can sit outdoors to eat and hang out together, which is perfect during the warmer months and gives you more space to move.

TIP: A headlamp will help you find your way around without having to hold a torch if setting up camp at night or using public toilets at campsites.

• Camp chairs
• Bug screen tent
• Portable table 
• Camera
• Phone
• Charging cables
• Shade tent 
• Backpacks
• Headlamps
• Doormat
• Wallet/purse with license
• Maps
• Portable clothesline

RV Camping First Aid Kit Checklist

A well-stocked first aid kit will help your family stay safe and manage any incidents during your trip.

These are RV camping checklist essentials you don’t want to forget if you are going off the grid!

• Antiseptic cream
• Prescription medications
• Nausea and diarrhea medication
• Anti-itch cream or hydrocortisone cream
• Tweezers
• Aloe vera
• Scissors
• Vitamins and supplements
• Sewing kit
• Fever and cold medication
• Band-Aids
• Absorbent compress dressings
• Allergy medication
• Paracetamol
• Bug spray
• Sunblock
• Thermometer
• Burn Cream

RV Camping Clothing Checklist

The clothes you pack will depend on the time of year, the weather conditions and the type of places you plan to visit.

We recommend using soft bags rather than suitcases for your RV luggage because they are far more compact to store.

TIP: A great campervan hack is to pack each of your clothes into colour coordinated packing cubes for each family member and use these to store your clothing inside the van.

By using packing cubes, you can fold your large bags flat and store them out of the way until you’re ready to pack to go home.

• Socks 
• Underwear
• Dresses
• Pants 
• Shorts
• Short sleeve shirts
• Long sleeve shirts
• Sweatshirts 
• Rain Jacket and Pants
• Fleece Jacket
• Snow Jacket 
• Gumboots
• Gloves
• Hat
• Scarf
• Hand Warmers
• Snow Boots
• Hiking Boots
• Sneakers
• Sandals – These are my favourite all-occasion women’s sandals
• Sunglasses
• Swimming gear
• Baby essentials – nappies, wipes, bottles, formula etc.

Camping with kids? Read our tent camping checklist for families.

Entertainment Essentials For RV Camping

Rainy days and long evenings in the van are where good entertainment planning pays off. Here’s what we’d pack:

Screens and tech:

• Tablet or laptop with downloaded shows — don’t rely on campsite wifi
• Headphones — essential for everyone’s sanity
• Bluetooth speaker for music around the campsite
• Music streaming subscription downloaded offline before you leave

Games and activities:

• Playing cards — compact, versatile, works for all ages
• Puzzle books and activity books
• Small puzzles
• Colouring books and pencils for younger kids
• Books — actual ones, for when screens feel like too much
• Fishing gear if your stops allow for it

Outdoor games:

• Frisbee
• Football or a small ball
• Scavenger hunt cards

Our family favourites for long van evenings:

• Road trip trivia questions — we play these at the table after dinner
• Would You Rather questions — works for all ages and needs nothing but a phone
• Road trip conversation starters — surprisingly good for evenings when everyone is tired but not quite ready to sleep
• Free printable road trip scavenger hunt — works for the drive days too

For more ideas see our full guide to road trip activities for kids.

TIP: A tablet loaded up with downloaded TV shows and movies is a great way to wind down after dark. We usually add a few kids programs from Netflix or Disney+ to entertain the kids while we cook dinner too.

We always pack our kids a travel activity kit for every type of vacation, and these are great for driving between destinations.