Packing for your first mobile home adventure may feel a bit daunting, but helpful guidance can help you pack like a pro. Taking the comforts of home while packing minimally is achievable and realistic, whether you embark on a weekend adventure or travel in your RV long-term.
The Essential Tips You Need to Follow
An RV’s natural constraints require extra planning when it comes to packing — what to bring, what not to bring and everything in between. Follow these handy RV packing tips to ensure that you are well-stocked, comfortable and prepared for fun.
1. Keep It to the Essentials
Minimalism and downsizing are key when it comes to packing for an RV trip. Whether you have a small RV or a large rig, focusing on the necessities and avoiding unnecessary extras gives you more space to kick back and relax. For example, a spatula and beach towels might be good ideas, but a paddleboard or mountain bike might be a bit extra.
Depending on the length of the trip you’re taking, you will want to map it all out in advance. Consider what your adventure will entail, what items you think you will need and what you want to do. List the equipment, clothing and gear you need, and try to leave the rest behind. Worst-case scenario, you can purchase a replacement for something you left behind along your route.
It helps to break down your RV by section. Determine what you will need for the bathroom, the kitchen, the bed and your outdoor space. This helps you remember items such as patio chairs, toilet paper, pillow cases and other vital sundries.
2. Bring the Right Food (and Dine Out Responsibly)
One of the best parts of camping is the food. You can roast s’mores over the fire, grill savory burgers and try creative campfire recipes. While roadside diners and fast-food drive-thrus may seem convenient, they can quickly increase your vacation costs. Food is a key part of the RV packing equation that has a ripple effect on budget, so it is important to plan and pack accordingly.
Plan meals, prepack as much food as you think you will need, and prioritize items that are not too bulky or heavy. This helps cut down on restaurant and grocery expenses along the way. Try to pack lighter, smaller snacks and ingredients that emphasize nutrition and are easy to store. Ensure you have enough room in your RV fridge or cooler for foods that require cold storage. It is absolutely fine to splurge on occasional dining out, but striking that balance is key.
3. Keep Things Lightweight
The focus on lightweight items is a theme that should permeate all aspects of RV packing. Heavier items are inevitable, but maintaining a good balance is important. For instance, you should avoid placing all of your heavy equipment in one section of the RV. You can opt for lighter items like reusable plastic dishware or silicone cooking utensils over metal to reduce overall weight. You can also pack lightweight clothing depending on the weather.
A lightweight approach will make it easier to move around your RV and organize (and reorganize) it. It makes the overall driving experience that much smoother.
4. Pack Some Fun
Your entertainment and fun items are just as necessary as the essentials. Try to opt for items that are easy to pack and transport. Card games and compact board games take up much less space than full-size board games, and paperback books are easier to pack than hardcover.
You should also consider which outdoor recreational activities are most important to you and your family. For example, you can probably skip bulky bikes and surfboards if you fill your itinerary with plenty of hiking trails and outdoor adventures. You may also be able to rent equipment like bikes at your campground.
5. Minimize Fragile Items
The road can get bumpy along your route. Glass items are especially vulnerable, which is another reason to look for silicone or plastic dining items. If and when you need to bring something fragile, like a coffee-maker, secure it in place to prevent it from jolting around.
RV Space-Saving Tips
These RV storage tips can help you save space and stay organized no matter how much time you spend on the road.
1. Make Use of Vertical Storage
You may not realize how much vertical space goes unused in your RV. Optimize vertical space by:
- Storing lightweight items on adhesive hooks.
- Storing your broom and vacuum on broom holders that stick to the wall or door.
- Hanging mesh bags on the ceiling for lightweight items.
- Storing items in over-the-door organizers.
- Using magnetic strips for metal kitchen utensils.
- Installing extra wall-mounted shelves.
2. Secure Items With Velcro
Velcro is one of the best RV storage hacks because it enables you to optimize vertical and horizontal space. Heavy-duty strips help secure items, preventing them from sliding and shifting when your RV is in motion. You can use Velcro to secure bins, baskets and containers on your RV’s shelving, or to secure items to the walls.
3. Pack Compact, Foldable and Stackable Kitchen Items
Kitchen items may take up the majority of your RV’s packing space. Opt for lightweight, compact cookware so you can make delicious camping meals while using minimal space. Nesting containers and collapsible items are also fantastic ways to save space.
4. Take Advantage of Campground Amenities and Activities
Convenient campground amenities and activities can help reduce the amount of stuff you need to pack for each trip. Laundry facilities enable you to wash clothes so you can pack fewer outfits, and campground stores provide common camping items you may need.
Campsite grills let you cook mouthwatering meals without packing heavy cooking equipment, and rental bikes eliminate the need to pack bulky bikes in your rig. Choose campgrounds that prioritize convenience so you can pack less while accessing everything you need.
Enjoy Unforgettable RV Adventures at KOA
Now that you have the best RV packing and space-saving hacks, you are ready to hit the road. KOA locations throughout North America offer fun and relaxing places to experience the great outdoors. Each KOA Campground features convenient amenities and unique recreational activities to make your stay as comfortable and memorable as possible. Reserve a stay at KOA to start your RV adventures.
between waterfalls, discover local attractions, and connect with fellow travelers at your KOA campgrounds – some of the best RV memories happen in unexpected moments between planned stops!
Born and raised in New Hampshire, Matt Kirouac grew up with a love for camping and the outdoors. Though he’s lived in Chicago since 2006, he’s always on the lookout for new adventures. He writes about travel and food for outlets like TripExpert, Money Inc, Upventur, DiningOut, Food Fanatics magazine, Plate Magazine and Zagat, and he currently serves as Chicago editor for What Should We Do?! He’s the author of The Hunt Guides: Chicago (2016) and Unique Eats & Eateries of Chicago (2017).
