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RV Packing Checklist: Stocking A New RV

If you’ve just purchased your first RV, it’s time to stock your rig—while it’s tempting to head straight to a camping store, you should pause and prioritize before you drop hundreds (or thousands) on gear you might not want or need.

Jeremy & Stephanie Puglisi

Mar 26, 2024

4 MIN READ

First Time RVers Necessities & Accessories Tips, Tricks, & DIY

The ultimate goal with stocking your RV is to have everything you need and nothing you don’t. When we first started RVing, we hauled many of our regular household items out to the RV for each and every trip, and then we hauled those same items back into the house.

Of course, this process got tiresome after a bit. However, it helped us figure out which items we used the most, and those went to the top of our packing list. Over time, we bought dedicated gear that stayed in the RV and continued to use a checklist to repack items as needed.

RELATED: Organizing Your RV

You, too, will learn which items you can’t live without and which ones you never touch. Then, you can develop and refine your own personalized RV packing list.

Here’s an overview of some of our essential recommendations:

RV Tools and Safety Gear
Camp Furniture and Outdoor Gear
RV Kitchen
RV Bathroom
RV Bedroom and Closets
Pet Camping Gear

RV Tools And Safety Gear

Tools and safety gear are less fun to purchase than camping décor; however, these items ensure your safety and security while on the road or in a campground. Be sure to put these necessities at the top of your list.

RELATED: First-Timer's RV Tool Kit

To set up camp, you’ll need the following items:

Chocks
Leveling boards
Sewer hose
Potable water hose
Water pressure regulator
Surge protector
Electricity converters (to move between 20, 30, and 50 amps)

The following basic tools and gear can help you safely travel and repair small problems with your rig:

Basic toolbox
Tire pressure gauge
Fuse replacement kit
Replacement bulbs
Air compressor
Jumper cables

Other overlooked RV safety gear:

Rechargeable flashlight
Fly swatter
Water filter
Latex gloves

Camp Furniture And Outdoor Gear

Once you’ve safely set up your rig, now comes the fun part: turning your campsite into a pleasant outside living space. You can always start with relatively cheap versions of these items and then upgrade over time. After years of traveling, we’ve become camp chair connoisseurs, with each family member having a favorite style, but trust me, we didn’t start that way.

Here are some items you might want that will make your campsite even cozier:

Camping chairs (one per person)
Outdoor rug
Table cloth
Lanterns

Now, comes the fun part. You can truly personalize your campsite with the following gear:

Awning lights
Pop-up shelter
Rope lights
Hammock
Outdoor games

What’s a campsite without a campfire? If you forget to stock these items, you’ll miss out on this revered camping ritual:

Firewood (Note: some states do not allow the transport of firewood from area to area)
Fire starters
Lighter and matches

Stocking Your RV Kitchen (Indoor And Outdoor)

Some people use camping as a chance to take a break from their culinary duties, while others take pride in becoming the consummate camp chef. No matter which one of these is your goal, you’ll likely need some RV kitchen essentials.

You’ll need basic utensils, so consider purchasing unbreakable items, whenever possible. Rule of thumb: pack one of each per person, plus a couple of extras.

Plates and bowls
Silverware
Cups and mugs

Think about the wares and utensils you’ll need to prepare the meals you cook most often. Consider stocking the following:

Nesting bowls
Cutting board and quality knife set
Cooking utensils (spoons, ladle, tongs, peeler, whisk, etc.)
Collapsible colander
Measuring cups and spoons
Pots, skillets, and baking wares

Don’t store food in you RV when not in use, but these pantry staples can be kept in airtight containers, ready to load:

Salt, pepper, and other seasonings
Nonstick spray
Oil and vinegar
Coffee (don’t forget the filters and coffee maker)

You’ll want these miscellaneous kitchen items to help keep your RV kitchen clean and functional:

Dish towels and washcloths
Sponges
Can opener and bottle opener
Cleaning supplies

If you’ll be using an outdoor grill, be sure to include the specialty supplies to accompany your grill.

Tongs and spatula
Grill brush and cleaner
Griddle accessories

Stocking Your RV Bathroom

The bathroom is one of the places you’ll want to have well-stocked in your RV.

Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash
Toothpaste and toothbrush
Deodorant
Hairbrush
Shaving cream and razors
Hand soap and sanitizer
First-aid kit
Towels, hand towels, and washcloths

Stocking Your RV Bedroom And Closets

Have dedicated bedding for all of the beds in your rig. Bonus points if you have pillows and blankets you can leave in your RV because they’re the biggest pain to haul in and out. Whether you buy new or choose to use spares you already have, here are just a few of the main items you’ll need for your beds (and bodies):

Pillows
Sheets
Blankets
Laundry hamper
Jackets and rain gear
If you have old shoes and spare clothes that can “live” in the RV, it’s nice to leave them packed in case you forget to pack something.

Gear For Camping With Your Pet

And if you travel with a pet, don’t forget supplies for your furry friend on the road:

Food and water bowls
Leash and collar
Food and food storage containers
Medicine
Crate and/or bed
Seatbelt or car seat
Tie-ups
Waste bags
Monitoring system

RELATED: Tips for Pet Owners at Campgrounds

Remember, you don’t have to pack everything on this list. Start small, and add only the gear you think you’ll use. Once you have a handful of trips under your belt, you’ll have a good idea of your own perfect RV stock-up list.

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