Packing an RV for a Long Weekend Trip

Packing up the RV for a long weekend vacation can be challenging.  If you own or have ever owned an RV of any kind then I’m sure you know that loading it up for more than a night or two can be tricky.  It can also be overwhelming trying to remember to pack everything that you’ll need for trip.   B and I are gearing up for a trip to Delaware so I thought it would be the perfect time to share these tips.  We’ve been camping most of our lives so we like to think we know a thing or two about doing it right.

I am a list maker almost to a fault, but in this case it works wonders!  Doing a little planning up front doesn’t have to take a lot of extra time either.  I suggest organizing your list for each person and then meals.  Think about the days and nights you’ll be gone and then make a list for each person including clothing and personal items.  It’s also a good idea to take a look at the weather and check it periodically the few days leading up to the trip.  This ensures that you are packing the right kinds of things.  It’s also a good idea to consider any special events that you have going on during your trip so that you are sure to pack the exact things you will need.

Once you have the lists made for each person, it’s time to think about the menu.  One of the great things about an RV is that you can prepare many of your own meals which is a huge money saver compared to eating out every meal.  Just like with the personal lists, I suggest considering each meal that you’ll have to account for.  Be sure to list out everything that you will need for each meal.

When your lists are complete, it’s time to start packing up everything that will have to be loaded into your RV.  Check off each item from your list as it is packed.  Make sure as you are packing things into the camper that you are putting them away as you go.  Instead of having your bags of clothing lying on the beds or floor, hang clothes in the closet or fold them and put them into drawers or cabinets.

Put away all your non-perishable foods, paper plates or other items into cabinets out of the way.  Make sure everything has a home so the tiny space doesn’t feel cluttered.

RV’s come in all shapes and sizes but even the largest ones are much smaller than than most homes.  RV’s often have small cabinets or large ones without many shelves making it difficult sometimes to keep things neat and organized.  To help keep things from sliding around during travel, use storage containers in various sizes.  This keeps the cabinets looking neat and organized and keeps things from falling all over the place while driving.

Remove Unnecessary Items

Even if you have cleaned at the end of the last trip, I suggest doing a quick cleaning of the RV before each trip.  Take a few minutes and wipe all the surfaces down and give the floors a quick sweep.  Make all the beds and make sure the pillows on the sofa are in place.  There is nothing worse than arriving at your destination and wanting to start enjoying your vacation when you still have to do all that extra setting up.  Put fresh linens on the beds prior to leaving so that everything is ready to go before you pull out.

RVs have limited space so it makes no sense to drag along items you don’t need.  When B and I head up to the mountains, we take out our beach chairs which frees up space for our fishing supplies or oars for the canoe. We don’t drag along our hot dog sticks to the beach because they don’t allow camp fires. There is no need to feel cluttered and cramped if you don’t have to.

Packing up an RV for more than a couple nights can take a little thought and planning but it doesn’t have to be stressful.  By taking a little time before hand to plan, putting everything away and prepping the RV before you leave, you’ll arrive at your destination ready for fun without clutter or disorganization.