For Beginners: RV Checklist

Make Sure You Are Ready To Go!

Setting out on your first RV camping trip or first couple can be nerve-wrecking and exciting at the same time.  You probably received so much dag on information your head wants to explode.  Been there, trust me. There was a lot of “Babe, did you get that” between my husband and me. Here is a list to hopefully help out other newbies. We have a travel trailer so it caters more to that but can really be for any rig.

*Disclosure: This page contains some affiliate links. If you purchase something, I may receive a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you.

OUTDOOR LIST:

Water Filter– You’ll want this to help purify the campground water coming into your rig and reduce any blockage from unwanted impurities in the water.

 

Wheel Chocks– These are nothing fancy but put them behind your tires.  You don’t want that rig to roam away.

Leveling Blocks – When parking your rig, the ground can be uneven causing you to need to raise your RV in certain areas.  These blocks help with that.  They may have to go under tire, under levelers or under stabilizers.

Power Chord– Sometimes RV’s come with Power Chords but we enjoy this kind since it’s easy enough that I can use it too. (BE SURE TO CHECK TO SEE IF YOU NEED 30AMP OR 50AMP.)

Surge Protector– Yeah, I know this is a stretch but the last thing you want to do is fry your rig on the first trip.  We did not have one on our 1st trip but looking back, it feels like the right thing to have.

Sewer Hose– You’ll need to connect hoses from your RV to the sewer at the campground.  One end connects to your RV’s tank and the other to the campground sewer tank. Be sure to get one long enough if you go somewhere and you need longer hose to reach the sewer.

2 Plastic Bins – This is not mandatory but is how we transport our hoses.  One of them we use for the black tank hose and the other for the grey tank hose. Some RV’s come with an area to hold your hoses but ours does not.

Sewer Hose Slinky – When connecting your hose from the RV to the campground, you need to position the hose so that it can run down into the sewer tank.  These RV slinkies help elevate the hose in areas where you see fit and keep it in place.

 

Grill – This is complete preference if you plan to have a grill.  Campgrounds do have basic charcoal grills.  We use both the Blackstone and the Next Grill.  We used to own the Coleman and loved it but just opted for these smaller ones to fit inside our outdoor kitchen after usage.

Grill Option 1: Blackstone (very versatile and comes in bigger sizes with stand-up legs!)

   Grill Option 2: Next Grill

 Grill Option 3: Coleman Grill

Gloves– When dealing with your black tank, you want to put some kind of protector on your hands.  If there’s an accident (it will happen at least once to EVERYONE!), you are protected from the unsanitary waste in your tank and hose.

Hitch Lock– This pertains to travel trailers and anything with a hitch on the front.  We put this  lock inside the hitch while parked so no one can hook up the rig to their car.  We use this especially when we are gone and the RV is by itself.

Propane – Be sure to have enough for your trip – consider cooking, heat, outdoor grills or stoves. Most places do have access to get your propane refilled but we suggest bringing it along with you.

Bug Spray

Toolbox

 

INDOOR LIST:

Instacrate– We love them! These crates collapse down flat or expand up into the crate without any tools.  We pack anything that could break or that we need to load up in them.

RV Toilet Paper – RV toiler paper dissolves/breaks down in water and helps prevent clogging in the tank.

Dish Detergent

Dish Towels

Trash Bags

Hand Soap

Front Door Rug

Broom

Bathroom Toiletries

Shower Essentials (soap, wash cloth, towels, makeup remover, lotion, hair ties, deodorant, etc.)

Blanket (depending on weather and if chilly inside)

 

COOKING/ FOOD LIST:

Food and drinks (Purchase near campground or beforehand)

Paper Towels, Plates, Cups, Silverware

Cooking Ware (Pots, Pans, Tongs, Spatulas, Spoons, Tubberware)

Bottled Water

Zip Locs

 

EMERGENCY LIST:

Spare Tire for Rig and Tow Vehicle

Flares

Flashlight

Purchase Roadside Assistance

 

OTHER ITEMS

Camera

Extension Chords

Phone Chargers

Medication

This is not by all means the perfect list but a list that we think will get you started.  For a look and tips on our first RV Trip, check out our 1st RV Trip & What to Expect for Beginners post.  There are definitely other items to enhance your RV experience but this is a good start.  You can also check out Camper’s Inn RV’s article The Ultimate RV Packing List for First Time Camper for more helpful tips.

Questions or comments? Leave them below.

 

Create. Dope. Adventures.

 

Pin this for later