It is not a well-known fact that a longer trip requires adequate preparation. Depending on the means of transportation, we will have to plan the arrangement of luggage differently. If we are going on vacation in an RV, we can take much more, but we also need to remember to bring an extra assortment. Check out what should be in your RV!
What should we always have in an RV?
If you have just purchased an RV, it is important to equip it properly so that you don’t have to pack all your gear each time. Camping accessories should have a permanent place in the camper. If, on the other hand, you are using a used caravan, it is best if you write down all the things you need on a piece of paper so that you don’t forget anything. In addition to personal items such as clothing and toiletries, we need to remember the camper’s equipment. The following items, among others, absolutely must appear on such a list.
Click here to learn more about RVs.
Dishes. They must be resilient because it would be a shame to damage beautiful ceramics or porcelain on bumpy roads. In this case, practicality comes first. The most common choice among dishes for campers are those made of melamine. This is a material that is shatterproof and at the same time very lightweight, which makes it a great material to use in a camper. In camping accessories stores you will find really quite a lot of dishes made of melamine, which can adapt to your lifestyle. Among them are glasses, cups, bowls, dessert plates, and deep plates.
A set of pots. It would be hard to imagine cooking on vacation without the right assortment! Most campers have gas stoves, so bring along pots or pans on which to prepare proper meals. If you like to bake, and your RV has an oven, don’t forget a single sheet pan as well. Nothing tastes as good as a freshly baked yeast cake at the campsite! Don’t forget the cutting boards as well. Among the kitchen, accessories can also be useful… a wine opener. It’s better to bring it than to later agonize over prying out the cork with a knife
Dry provisions. An absolute staple in an RV, whether you are traveling for two or perhaps six. Taking dry provisions is worth planning ahead. Think through what you can prepare for the whole family! Today’s campervan kitchens are no different from those at home, so you don’t have to limit yourself to Chinese soups or canned goods. You can confidently prepare your favorite rice dishes, pasta with sauce, pork chops, and much, much more! What is worth taking with you? Certainly groats, rice, pasta, breadcrumbs, and if you eat legumes, chickpeas or lentils. We also recommend that you take coffee (either beans or ground); after all, a coffee grinder and a coffee maker can easily fit in the camper, so coffee drinkers don’t have to give up their favorite beverage. For breakfast, for example, oatmeal or cornflakes will come in handy. In addition to dry products, consider bringing jars of jam, honey, or peanut butter – they’ll be the perfect accompaniment to pancakes!
Bedding and towels. If you want to create a truly homely environment, you will undoubtedly need to remember to bring bedding. However, if you want to lighten the load on your overall luggage, sleeping bags may work a bit better. It’s certainly worth remembering towels, too. We suggest counting how many towels you will need during your trip, especially if you are going to, for example, swimming pools. It’s also worth considering taking blankets, they can sometimes come in handy during children’s naps, for example.
Clothes. We think this point is pretty self-explanatory, so we won’t give you a detailed breakdown of the contents of your suitcase. We’ll just mention that it’s a good idea to bring something warm to wear, such as a fleece. While in the trailer the temperature should not be a problem (you can always turn on the heating), if you will be spending the evening outdoors and it gets chilly, it’s a good idea to carry something warmer. A fleece or a thick sweater will work perfectly in such a situation.
A supply of toilet paper. Keep in mind that in campers and caravans we only use paper that is made entirely of cellulose. Ordinary homemade toilet paper will definitely not work! Unfortunately, the such paper does not decompose properly and can clog the waste water container.
Cords and laundry detergents. If you are going on an extended vacation and will need to do laundry, don’t forget cords to hang up wet clothes or towels. It’s also a good idea to bring along remedies to refresh your closet.
Electronics. A navigation device for RVs will undoubtedly be useful for the driver (it will take into account the routes suitable for vehicles of such large dimensions). For the whole family, instead, it is worth taking a laptop or tablet on which to play movies. Sometimes the weather is not good, or you simply need something to occupy the little ones, for example, while preparing dinner. In such a situation, cartoons can provide you with a moment of peace. Also, remember to bring chargers for all your equipment. We recommend that you also buy special smartphone chargers, i.e. ones with a two-meter cable – they will allow you to freely charge your phones in the place of your choice. Some people also decide to bring speakers to the camper, but here we suggest caution. No one is forbidding you from listening to music, but do it in such a way that you don’t disturb other people at the campsite at the same time.
Cleaning products. In our opinion, this is an absolute must-have before leaving on a trip! Cleaning products will enable you to keep your camping toilet fresh. In particular, we recommend flushable liquids, which speed up the decomposition of fecal matter and paper and prevent unpleasant odors from escaping in the process. Instead of liquids, you can also use sachets. They work well in virtually any temperature and you can successfully use them even at -15 degrees Celsius.
Gadgets for the family. Board games, drawing books, balls to play on the beach, and whatever else you like. If you have a book-reading fan in the family, we suggest bringing an e-book reader with you. It will allow you to have up to a hundred books at hand without any problem, and you will avoid overloading your vehicles with too much weight. This is definitely a good solution for an RV! And for readers, we also recommend small night lights that can be attached to the wall or to a bunk bed, for example. They will make reading in the evening easier. Besides, playing cards or toys for the youngest participants of the trip can also be useful.
How to transport luggage in an RV?
Due to the route, we are traveling and possible bumps in the road (or other inconveniences), we should secure all pots and dishes, for example, by interleaving them with towels or pillowcases. We can also use plastic plates, but for longer distances this will become cumbersome. Other accessories and equipment should be placed in such a place in the camper that they can’t move during the trip. If you are traveling in an alcove-type camper, the bedroom above the driver’s cabin can be used just as a good storage area for the temporary storage of certain things, such as travel furniture. Remember, however, that everything must be properly secured so that it won’t pose a danger to the driver or passengers when braking.
Before you leave, you should also secure the refrigerator door and, if possible, the cabinet doors. We also recommend you invest in special shelves that will hold, for example, jars of spices and prevent them from moving around. Some camper models also have racks or spaces under the floor adapted to carry heavier items there safely. When packing, however, remember that you should be scrupulous about not exceeding the total allowable weight of the vehicle. Overloading can adversely affect the stability of the camper while driving. By doing so, you will be causing danger to yourself and other road users!
Also, remember to secure the equipment you carry outside. If you are taking bicycles on the rack, make sure that they are secured properly and that they will not move during the ride. On the other hand, when packing luggage in the interior, take into account that the heaviest items should, if possible, be distributed around the center of the vehicle’s axle. This will ensure better stability on the road. Of course, not all in one place. Try to distribute the luggage evenly, on both sides of the camper. This will avoid overloading one side.
