RVs -- recreational vehicles or a home on wheels -- are a great way to get around when on vacation. You can go wherever you want and never have to worry about getting back to your hotel, motel or Airbnb as you have your motorized shelter right with you. As long as you don’t forget to take what you need while on the road. Here's a detailed RV camping checklist to help you get ready.
Kitchen and Supplies
Let's start off with the basics: food. Cooking your own meals when traveling around in your RV will save you lots of money on expensive restaurant bills and allow you to relax in your own RV while enjoying the dishes you love. So the first item on our RV camping checklist is a stove. Many RVs -- whether it's a campervan, motorhome or other type, such as a caravan or truck camper -- come with built-in stoves, but others don't.
If you find yourself without a stove in your RV, you'll want to buy a camping stove or portable grill. And don't forget about pots and pans, and utensils as well. Think about the meals you'll cook and what you'll need to make them. For the sake of the environment, opt for reusable plates, utensils and other items, instead of those that are discarded after just one use. Make sure you're taking along enough gas to keep your stove flame lit -- and ingredients to cook all those delicious meals.
Water and Filtration
Next on our RV camping checklist is that other element vital for life: water. Your RV will almost certainly have a freshwater tank, with a capacity anywhere between 20 and 100 gallons. You'll fill it before you set off from home, and at various stops along your journey, including at campsites and possibly at gas stations too. But make sure you have a food-grade hose to fill the tank so you avoid any dirt entering the tank.
It's a good idea to also have a water filtration system in place, as it will remove bacteria and contaminants and therefore help prevent outbreaks of illness -- the last thing you need when you're traveling around in your RV. You can choose portable water filtration systems or those that attach onto your food-grade filling hose.
Powering Your RV Adventure
With everything you have on board your RV, possibly including a TV as well as lighting, you'll want some form of electricity to keep it all going. As well as to recharge electronics like laptops, tablet computers, cell phones and maybe a GPS device too. Solar panels on your RV can give you some power, but it's not always sunny, and what do you do in the winter when there's almost none?
One of the best options is to bring along a portable power plant. They don't cost that much, are not big and bulky, and the right one will deliver all the electricity you need to keep going. Look for sturdy and reliable products like the BLUETTI AC200L or AC70 -- powerful portable power stations that turbo charge and deliver high capacity and are kind to the environment.
Spare Tires and Tools
What to do when you're on the road, far from home and even civilization, and you suddenly get a flat tire and have to pull over? And then realize you don't have a spare, and there's no cell phone signal to call for help. You can rely on the kindness of passing strangers, or be proactive and ensure you have a fully inflated spare tire on board your RV -- and all the tools you need to remove the flat and add the new one.
So make sure your RV camping checklist also includes a jack and a suitable wrench that will let you remove the wheel nuts or lugs and put them back on. Check to make sure your wrench fits the nuts on your wheels or you might not be able to remove your flat.
Keep in mind that you could also suffer a flat battery, and bring jumper cables or a battery pack. They might also come in handy if fellow RVers are in trouble.
Now you're ready to hit the road with total peace of mind that you have all the essentials and are prepared for anything. And don't forget to take your vehicle registration, insurance and any other documentation too, including the owner's manual should you need to look anything up.
FAQs
What Do I Need to Buy for My RV?
Purchase a portable stove or grill if you don't have a stove built into your RV. Also buy a food-grade freshwater hose, electrical adapters and connectors and a basic tool kit.
What Does an RV Need to Run?
Depending on the type and size of your RV, you'll have certain power requirements. A Class A Motorhome (30 to 40 feet), for example, needs a 6000-8000W generator or portable power station. But if it's a luxury motorcoach (greater than 40 feet), you'll need between 10000 and 13000W.
How Many Miles to the Gallon Does an RV Get?
If you don't yet own an RV but are thinking about getting one to go traveling, you may be wondering how far a gallon will get you. The answer is anywhere from six to 10 miles. Depending on your model and tank size, you may be able to get up to 400 miles when you fill up.
What Should You Not Bring in an RV?
When you're going through your RV camping checklist, don't fall into the trap of unnecessarily weighing the vehicle down and creating lots of clutter in a small space. So avoid stocking the kitchen with a lot of food; opt for multifunctional appliances and tools over those that only do one thing; and remember that not everything you need at home is required in an RV, so only take the essentials.
