What do you need for a family RV camping trip? Here is my best resource for RV camping checklist for family. You are getting a sneak peek at my personal RV camping checklist for family with babies, toddlers, and big kids. You will see a special section just for packing for the baby or toddler.
The first baby we took tent camping at a few weeks old. Since then we have been tent camping and backpacking with infants and toddlers but now with #5 and #6 we have been enjoying RV camping.
See our sanity-saving tips for RV camping with a toddler and packing checklist specifically for RV camping with a toddler.
I love to tent camp but RV camping with young children has allowed us to get out and camp more and extend the season. Plus, we have been able to take very long, 3 week and month road trips, that would have never worked in a tent or car camping.
Our first RV experience was renting a camper. We rented from Canadream on a half-price special. Otherwise, that would have been quite expensive.
You can get a printable checklist by clicking this link for the Google file, choose to make your own copy (on the dropdown on the left) and save to your own Google drive.
I hope you find this checklist helpful for answering all your questions about – What Should I pack in my RV checklist?
RV Camping Checklist for Family
Whether you have been tent camping, or are new to camping altogether, RV camping requires some equipment specific to an RV.
You may also like: Family Camping Checklist: Free Printable PDF
RV Equipment and Necessities
- Hitch
- Weight distribution bar
- Leveling blocks
- Wheel chocks
- Tire pressure gauge
- Generator
- Fuel for the generator
- Surge Protectors
- Electrical adapters
- Water pressure regulator
- Water purifier
- Drinking water hose
- Sewer hoses and gloves
- Shovel
- Battery jumper cables
- Roadside emergency kit with flares or triangles
- Small tool kit with screwdrivers, hammer, wrenches
- Fire extinguisher
- Hydraulic or scissor jack
A travel trailer and fifth wheel must be towed safely with the correct hitch. A motorhome is one unit and does not include a hitch – so you can cross that off your list along with the weight distribution bar.
RV Kitchen Checklist
In an RV you will have the luxury of cooking as you do at home. Take advantage fo this by having a well-stocked kitchen, ready to make, fun meals for the whole family. When we are boondocking, I use the built-in propane cooktop and oven. When we are camping at a campground, I pull out all the electric appliances and use the power from the campground. So I have multiple options when cooking.
- Utensils
- Pots
- Pans
- Griddle
- Lid- One size fits all
- Microwavable bowl
- Pressure cooker (Instapot)
- Electric griddle
- Tea Kettle
- Coffee Pot
- Potholders
- Can opener
- Knives
- Flat wear
- Plates
- Bowls
- Cups
- Water bottles
- Paper plates
- Napkins
- Ziplock bags
Cleaning Supplies List for RV
The best and worst thing about an RV is cleaning. In this small space, you can clean your entire house in just minutes but the mess will also happen in just minutes. So you can feel like you spend your entire day cleaning small messes. Be prepared with some cleaning supplies on hand to make the job easier and faster.
- Dishtowel
- Sponge
- Dish soap
- Paper towels
- Brillo pad
- Rubber gloves
- Magic Erasers
- Fabric/upholstery cleaner
- Carpet cleaner
- Trash Bags
- Toilet brush
- All-purpose cleaner
- Dilute bleach
- Toilet bowl drop-ins
RV Bedroom and Sleeping Checklist
Sleeping in an RV can be as much as camping or home as you would like it to be. You can have the comfort of sleeping home with sheets and blankets, or the kids can still have a campout and sleeping bags.
In cold season camping, the bottom of the beds and floor can get cold. So we use wool blankets under the sheets or electric blankets to keep warm.
- Waterproof mattress pad
- Sheets
- Pillowcases
- Pillows
- Blankets
- Sleeping bags
- Wool blankets (for under or on top)
- Electric blanket
- Air mattress
- Lovey or stuffed animal for the kids
- Window coverings
- Space heater (safe and electric)
RV Bathroom Checklist
I think the most wonderful thing about RV camping is an indoor bathroom. Especially with kids …. In the middle of the night. You do need to have some RV bathroom essentials and keep up with the cleanliness in this tiny space though. This is our RV bathroom packing checklist:
- RV toilet paper
- RV toilet drop-ins
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
- Floss
- Qtips
- Small paper cups
- Shampoo & Conditioner
- Bath Soap
- Washcloth
- Quick-dry towels
- Brush and comb
- Lotion
- Deodorant
- Laundry soap
- Dirty clothes bag
- First aid kit
Other RV Camping Essentials
- Camera
- Shade tent
- Bug screen tent
- Portable table
- Headlamps
- Water purifier
- Backpacks
- Camp chairs
- Doormat
Hobbies and Camping Activities
RV camping is about having fun and exploring the area around you. This may mean riding bikes around the campground, swimming in a lake, or hanging out by the campfire. This is list is likely more comprehensive than what you will need on every trip but it is a start.
Some of the athletic gear and bikes go on a platform on the back of our travel trailer. We also have a specific bike rack that we squeeze a couple of extra bikes onto.
- Scooter
- Bike
- Helmet
- Glow sticks
- Headlamp
- Collapsible bucket
- Butterfly net
- Sports balls – Soccer, football
- Binoculars
- Puzzles
- Drawing and art supplies
- Playing cards
- Swimsuits
- towels
- goggles
- toys
- bag for wet suits
- life jackets
- Sand Toys
RV First Aid Kit Checklist
Our first aid kit has grown over the years form some basic anti-biotic cream and bandages to include more things for emergencies. With 6 kids, we have had our share of bumps, bruises, accidents, and the occasional stitches. Here is our personal checklist for our RV first aid kit.
- Triple Antibiotic
- Anti-itch cream or hydrocortisone cream
- Bug spray
- Sunblock
- Aloe vera
- Burn Cream
- Band-Aids
- Absorbent compress dressings
- Tweezers
- Scissors
- Individual eye drops
- Thermometer
- Blanket
- Baby fever medication
- Fever and cold medication
- Pain reliever
- Allergy pills
- Children’s motion sickness pills
- Prescription medications
- Nausea and diarrhea remedies
- Vitamin and supplements
- Sewing kit
- Coconut oil
- Water purifier
Camping Clothes Checklist
- Pants (Hiking pants)
- Shorts
- Short sleeve shirts
- Long sleeve shirts
- sweatshirts
- Socks
- Underwear
- Dresses
- Laundry soap
- Dirty clothes bag
Camping Outerwear for the Family
- Rain Jacket and Pants
- Fleece Jacket
- Snow Jacket and Pants
- Galoshes
- Snow Boots
- Hiking Boots
- Sneakers
- Sandals
- Gloves
- Hat
- Scarf
- Hand Warmers
Baby and Toddler Camping Gear Checklist
Camping at Green River campground and hiking Green River Trail at Dinosaur National Monument Utah and Colorado
Traveling with a baby or toddler in tow requires some extra gear. When we travel in the RV we take along some of the comforts of home. Taking care of a baby or toddler in the camper is much easier when you have the basics on hand. Your baby or toddler will be more comfortable and happier also. See our article here on the blog for a complete checklist for RV camping with a baby or toddler.
- Diapers or pull-ups
- Wipes
- Diaper cream
- Bottles and cleaning supplies
- Nursing supplies (breastfeeding)
- Sippy cup
- Bibs
- Burp cloth
- Sun hat
- Fleece sleep sack
- Warm hat for sleeping
- Baby sleeping bag
- Portable bassinet or sleep tent
- Small booster seat (at the dinette)
- Baby monitor
- Portable High chair
- Wagon
- Stroller
- Vitamins
RV Dog Essentials Checklist
A baby and dogs are a big reason that we transferred from tent camping to road tripping in an RV. The dogs loved tent camping but in order to do long trips with dogs, we chose our travel trailer.
- Food
- Treats
- Food bowls
- Collar and tags
- Leashes
- Tie-out
- Dog towels (rags)
- Waste bags
- Blankets or pet bed
- Portable pen
- Medications
- Toys
Grab a copy of the checklist and start packing everything you need right into the camper. If you are renting a camper, use this rv camping checklist for family to ask the company what they supply for your trip and what you will need to bring.
I hope this checklist helps you prepare for your next trip too.
This article was originally published by Family Travel Fever (edited).
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