RV Camping Checklist: 13 Essentials for a Long-Term RV Adventure

RV camping takes the regular camping experience to a whole new level. It allows you to explore new, far away locations, provides a reliable shelter in case of unfavorable weather, and simply gives you the opportunity to go for longer and more comfortable adventures in the wild.

However, the longer you want your camping trip to be, the more prepared you should be to fully enjoy it. Apart from packing your personal essentials, such as enough clothes, nonperishable foods, healthy snacks, power banks, and flashlights, you also have to ensure that your RV is adequately equipped for a long-term adventure.

Below, you can find a complete RV camping checklist that includes must-have accessories and items you should have in your camper for a comfortable long vacation. They range from a portable generator, an RV washing machine, and a water pressure regulator to a tire pressure gauge, an emergency road kit, toilet chemicals, and more. Make sure you are ready for your next adventure!

Portable Generator

The first item on the list is a portable generator. It will allow you to use all the appliances and accessories in your RV when you are on the road. You can take it with you anywhere, so it is a must-have for long camping trips.

RV Washing Machine

Your clothes will get dirty sooner or later during your long trip. If you don’t want to be stuck in your small camper with a heavy load of dirty laundry, you should bring along an RV washing machine. It will save you from having to drive to a laundromat or spending your free time washing clothes by hand, not to mention that you’ll simply bring fewer clothes with you, which means you will save some precious space that is usually scarce in RVs.

Water Pressure Regulator

Another must-have item on your RV camping checklist is a water pressure regulator. The water pressure at an RV park can seriously damage your sensitive appliances, so you need to install a regulator that will protect them.​

Tire Pressure Gauge

High tire pressure is crucial for safety when driving on the road. It increases fuel efficiency and reduces rolling resistance. However, if it is too high, tires can burst easily, so never forget to check it every once in a while. The best way to make sure that your tires are inflated to the right pressure is to use a tire pressure gauge.

Emergency Road Kit

If you plan to drive for long distances with your RV or tow a trailer, you should definitely have an emergency road kit. This kit contains all the tools necessary to fix some of the issues that can suddenly arise on the road. It includes such things as spare fuses, jumper cables, a spare tire, and more.

Toilet Chemicals

If you’re going for a long RV camping trip, it may be necessary for you to empty your waste tank at some point. To empty it, you will have to remove its lid and use toilet chemicals that will help you clean it thoroughly.​​

Portable Light / Lanterns

While you’re driving along the road, you may need to go outside at night to check on your car or do some other things. Having a portable light or lantern with you is helpful because it allows you to work outside without turning on the lights in your camper and draining it from power or waking up everyone else sleeping inside. ​

Power Cords

If you’re planning to stay in your camper for a long time, you should bring along extension cords. They are useful when you want to power up various appliances in your RV as well as your own mobile devices. ​

Tarp

A tarp is another essential item that all RV owners should have with them, especially if they plan to go camping for a long time. It may come in handy in various situations, such as covering the camper and its contents from rain, protecting your vehicle from dirt and dust when loading/unloading things, and more. ​

Wheel Blocks and Levelers

When traveling in an RV, you may need to leave your camper parked on uneven ground. For example, if you want to check out the surroundings, go for a hike, or just enjoy being outside. In this case, you should have wheel blocks and levelers with you. They are useful for leveling the camper for a more stable and safe stay. ​​

Electric Cooker

If you’re planning to go camping for a long time, you may want to bring along an electric cooker with you. It will allow you to cook meals in your RV’s small kitchen instead of having to eat out all the time. ​

Fire Extinguisher

A fire extinguisher is a must-have item on your RV camping checklist. It will help you prevent a fire from spreading if one should break out, protecting your belongings from being damaged or destroyed. ​​

Final Note

RV camping is an excellent alternative to regular camping. It allows you to go for longer, more comfortable adventures in the wild and gives you more freedom in terms of the routes you can take. However, to be able to go on such a trip, you must equip your RV with all the necessary accessories and items.

Make sure that your camper contains everything you need by packing it with our gear list that will keep your mind from worrying about having all the essentials installed inside. Have a fantastic RV adventure!

Noah Sullivan

Noah Sullivan, an alumnus of the University of British Columbia with a degree in Recreation and Tourism Management, has been exploring the RV and camping world for 16 years. His professional journey includes managing outdoor adventure companies. His insights are drawn from personal adventures and professional roles in travel consultancy. Since 2019, as part of our editorial team, Noah has guided readers through the intricacies of mobile living. He's a licensed pilot and enjoys landscape photography.

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