Thanks for “checking out” the Changing Gears family checklists, budgets and forms! Our online RV checklists are provided to you free of charge.
Other Changing Gears Checklists
- RV PDI Inspection Checklist
- Arrival & Setup Checklist – Motorhome
- Arrival & Setup Checklist – Towables
- Departure Checklist – Motorhome
- Departure Checklist – Towables
- RV Must-Have Accessories List
- New to RVing? – Getting Started
- Road Test Checklist – Motorhome
- Road Test Checklist – Towables
- RV Camping Gear List
- RV Types Pros & Cons Chart
- RV Basic Lifestyle Budget
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Download This Checklist!
This checklist contains common items needed for RVcamping getaways. Camping to us implies spending time in nature, where the main goal is to relax and unwind.
RV camping is practiced in vehicles of all types and sizes. However, we feel that this checklist is most applicable to the smaller units intended for shorter trips. Long-term RVers, such as fulltimers and snowbirds have everything with them in the RV and most likely have no need for a camping checklist.
Tip: We have generalized this list to make it applicable to the typical camper. You may want to add extra details so that nothing is forgotten. For example, in place of “Prescription and other medicines”, you may want to list each medicine by name.
Days Before Departure
- Itinerary given to family or friends
- Weather reports checked for destination
- Emergency contact information in each person’s wallet
- Cash, traveler’s checks, credit cards
General Camping Items
- Cellular phone with extra battery or charger
- Map, compass, and GPS
- Weather radio
- Whistle for each person, for signaling in case of emergency
- Prescription and other medicines
- First aid kit
- Sunscreen
- Rope for emergencies, strong enough to hold a person
- Folding chairs
- Sunglasses
- Folding knife and seethe
- Binoculars
- Backpack, daypack or fanny pack
- Camera and film or memory cards
- Camera accessories: extra batteries, tripod, weatherproof case, etc.
- Flashlights and extra batteries (or better yet, hand cranked flashlights)
- Lantern
- Fuel for lantern (propane, extra batteries)
- Bug spray and other repellant products
- Alarm clock and battery
- Bedding (pillows, blankets, sheets)
- Sleeping bags
- Electric fan (for hot weather)
- Electric extension cord
- Savin dust (for killing bugs around RV and campsite)
- Fire wood
- Fire wood cutting tools, where permitted (saw, axe)
- Writing paper and pencil
- Basic tools (hammer, screw driver set, wrench set, etc.)
Clothing
- Warm weather clothes
- Cold weather clothes
- Underclothes
- Sleepwear
- Caps or hats
- Gloves
- Rain gear
- Shoes and socks
- Hiking boots and thick socks
Personal Hygiene Items
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Soap
- Washcloth
- Towel
- Antiperspirant
- Shaving kit
- Hair care products (comb, brush, hair dryer, etc.)
- Toilet paper
- Prescription glasses, sunglasses, contact lenses
- Dirty laundry bag
- Foot powder
- Small mirror
Kitchen and Food Preparation
- Detailed meal plan
- Groceries (see meal plan for shopping list)
- Seasoning and spices (salt, pepper, Lawry’s, steak sauce, etc.)
- Condiments (mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise, etc.)
- Drinking water and containers
- Water filter or treatment chemicals
- Utensils, cups, dishes
- Can opener
- Pots and skillet
- Oven mitts and hot pads
- Airtight food containers (to keep away animals)
- Ice chest and ice
- Camping stove or burner
- Fuel for camping stove
- Grill
- Fuel for grill (propane, butane, or charcoal)
- Lighter fluid for charcoal
- Lighter or waterproof matches
- Ziploc bags
- Aluminum foil
- Dishwashing items (basin, soap, sponge, drying rag)
- Trash bags
On the Water
- Sunscreen
- Watercraft (boat, jet ski, canoe, inflatable raft, etc.)
- Air pump for inflating rafts and toys
- Oars
- Life jackets
- Swimming clothes
- Snorkel gear (goggles, fins/flippers)
- Water shoes
- Waterproof camera
- Water toys
- Fishing
- Fishing gear with tackles
- Fishing license
- Fish bucket or stringer
- Minnow bucket
- Waders
- Fish cleaning and preparing implements (cutting board, filet knife, etc.)
Camping with Pets
- Food
- Water
- Treats
- Food and water bowl
- Pet toys
- Leash and harness
- Plastic bags for picking up after dog
- Clothing and blanket in cold weather
Andy Herrick is a blogging nerd, #8 Enneagram, wannabe bread baker, INTJ, RV industry professional, and small business entrepreneur. He can be found hanging out with his lovely wife and family, skiing, cycling, climbing, hiking, and convincing anyone who will listen why dogs aren’t really that great of pets. Also, he runs this website.
