What to Pack for an RV Rental Trip

The Goal: Pack Smart, Not Heavy

One of the best things about RV travel is that you don't need to pack like a backpacker — you have cabinets, a closet, and a full kitchen. But RVs also have weight limits, limited storage in specific spots, and certain essential items that first-timers consistently forget.

This is what I'd actually pack, organized by priority. The first section is non-negotiable. The rest scales with your trip length and comfort preferences.

The Non-Negotiables

These items are either safety-critical or will make or break your trip if forgotten:

Driver's license and rental documents. Obvious, but I list it because the stress of forgetting these at home ruins a trip before it starts. Keep digital copies on your phone and email yourself the rental confirmation.

Personal medications. Bring more than you need. If your trip extends a day or two, you don't want to scramble for a pharmacy in a small town. Keep them in a bag you personally carry — not packed in a suitcase stored in an exterior compartment.

Phone chargers and cables. Bring at least two per person. RV outlet locations are unpredictable, so bring long cables (6+ feet). A multi-port USB charger saves outlet space.

Flashlights and headlamps. Campgrounds get genuinely dark at night. A headlamp is better than a flashlight because your hands are free for carrying things, connecting hoses, or managing campfire cooking. Bring one per person.

First aid kit. Burns from campfires and grills, cuts from outdoor cooking, and insect bites are the most common camping injuries. A basic kit with bandages, antiseptic, burn cream, antihistamines, and pain relievers covers 95% of situations.

Sunscreen and insect repellent. You will be outside more than you think.

Toilet paper. RV-specific toilet paper (Scott Rapid Dissolving or similar) that breaks down in holding tanks. Regular toilet paper can cause clogs. Your rental may include some, but bring extra.

Kitchen and Food

What most rentals include: Pots, pans, plates, cups, utensils, a coffee maker. Verify this before departure. Some rentals charge extra for a "kitchen kit," others include it, and some provide nothing.

What to bring regardless:

A good knife (rental knives are universally terrible)
A cutting board
Aluminum foil (the campfire cooking MVP)
Zip-lock bags in multiple sizes
Paper towels (at least 2 rolls)
Dish soap and a sponge
Trash bags
Basic spices: salt, pepper, garlic powder, olive oil
Coffee and your preferred brewing method if you're particular about coffee

Food strategy: Don't over-buy groceries before departure. Stock non-perishables (pasta, rice, canned goods, snacks) and enough fresh food for 2–3 days. Buy fresh items at local stores along your route — it's fresher, you avoid waste, and you discover local specialties.

Cooler or ice: Even with a working RV refrigerator, a small cooler is useful for day trips away from the RV, keeping drinks cold at the campsite, and as overflow cold storage.

Clothing

RV camping means temperature swings. Mornings can be 50°F, afternoons 85°F, and evenings back to 55°F. Pack in layers:

Base layers: T-shirts, shorts/lightweight pants for daytime warmth.

Mid layers: A fleece or lightweight jacket for cool mornings and evenings.

Outer layer: A rain jacket — even in the desert, weather surprises happen.

Footwear: Two pairs minimum. Hiking boots or trail shoes for daytime activities. Slip-on shoes or sandals for the campsite and quick trips outside (you'll take shoes on and off dozens of times).

Pajamas and loungewear. You're going to spend evenings in the RV. Be comfortable.

Swimsuit. Even if swimming isn't the plan, hot springs, campground pools, and unexpected swimming holes happen.

Quantity: Pack for 4–5 days and plan to do laundry. Most campgrounds have coin laundry facilities. Packing for the full trip duration when it's longer than a week wastes space and weight.

Bedding and Towels

Check what's included. Some rentals provide bedding and towels. Many don't, or charge $50–100 for a "bedding kit."

If you need to bring your own:

Fitted sheet for the main bed (check bed dimensions — RV beds are often non-standard)
Sleeping bags or a comforter (easier than trying to make a bed in a tiny space)
Pillows (RV pillows, when provided, are terrible)
2 bath towels per person
A couple of hand towels
Washcloths

Pro tip: Dark-colored towels hide campground grime better than white ones.

Outdoor Gear

Camping chairs. Even if the campsite has a picnic table, you want chairs around the campfire. Bring one per person. Don't rent them — buy $15 chairs at Walmart and keep them forever.

A small outdoor rug or mat. Place it at the RV door to keep dirt out of the interior. This single item saves significant cleaning effort and protects your security deposit.

Campfire supplies: Firewood is almost always available at campgrounds ($5–10/bundle). But bring a lighter or waterproof matches, fire starters (dryer lint in toilet paper tubes works perfectly), and roasting sticks if you want s'mores.

Bug protection: In addition to repellent, a citronella candle or battery-powered bug zapper for the campsite makes evenings more enjoyable.

Tech and Entertainment

Offline entertainment. Cell service is unreliable at many campgrounds, and RV park WiFi is universally terrible. Download movies, shows, music, audiobooks, and podcasts before departure. Books, card games, and board games don't need WiFi.

A Bluetooth speaker. For music at the campsite. Keep it at respectful volume, especially during quiet hours.

Binoculars. Surprisingly useful for wildlife watching, scenic viewpoints, and stargazing.

Camera. Your phone works, but if you have a decent camera, bring it. Campground sunrises and national park landscapes deserve better than a phone camera.

RV-Specific Items

Most rentals include these, but verify and bring backups:

A water pressure regulator. Protects the RV's plumbing from high-pressure campground water. $10, non-negotiable.

A drinking-water-safe hose. The white or blue hoses designed for potable water. Don't drink from a standard garden hose.

Sewer hose and gloves. Usually included with the rental, but pack disposable gloves regardless.

Leveling blocks. Keeps the RV flat on uneven sites. Usually included, but worth confirming.

A surge protector. Protects the RV's electrical system from campground power issues. $80–150 investment, or check if the rental includes one.

What NOT to Pack

A common mistake: packing as if you're moving, not camping. You don't need a week's worth of fresh groceries on departure day (buy along the way). You don't need 6 pairs of shoes. You don't need every kitchen gadget you own.

Pack what you'll actually use. You can almost always buy forgotten items at a Walmart within a few hours of any campground in America.

Leave at home:

Formal clothes (you won't need them)
Excessive electronics (embrace the disconnect)
Full-size pillows if space is tight (camping pillows work fine)
Hardside luggage (soft bags fit RV storage better)
Anything you'd be devastated to lose or damage

The most experienced RV travelers I know pack less each trip, not more. They've figured out what they actually use and stopped bringing everything else.