RV Camping Checklist & Campervan Packing List

This post may contain affiliate links. Read the full disclosure

This RV camping checklist will help you ensure you don’t forget any of the essentials for your next campervan vacation! Whether it is your first time travelling by RV or you’re a seasoned pro, this checklist will keep you organised.

Have you packed everything that you need for your RV Camping trip? Just like packing the camping essentials, motor home travel is more comfortable when you pack well. This new RV supply checklist will make sure you are properly set up!

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 on the type of RV you have and the amount of space.

If you have a larger, self-contained RV, you may have a built-in stovetop and possibly even an oven or microwave.

However, a small BBQ or camp grill is useful to have so you aren’t always having to cook inside your RV. Cooking smells can linger so outdoor cooking is great when the weather allows it!

Again, if you are hiring your van, most of these kitchen essentials for RVs will be provided for you. In this case, the disposable goods may be all you require.

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

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.

Having cleaning supplies in your RV will help make your trip more comfortable, especially if you are travelling as a family. Mess will happen!

From rainy days and dirty boots walking in and out of the van to accidental spills, it’s unavoidable!

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

Exploring through the day keeps you busy during your camping trip, however having a few entertainment options is great for downtime, after dinner or while you are driving if travelling with kids.

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

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.

Here are some more ideas for keeping the whole family entertained while camping:

• Tablet or laptop
• Playing cards
• Puzzle books
• Football
• Frisbee
• Books
• Colouring book and pencils
• Small puzzles
• Scavenger hunt
• Music streaming subscription & Bluetooth speaker
• Headphones
• Fishing gear

Find more travel activities and car game ideas for the whole family.