Camping/RV check list

[guest002]

I've decided that I need to make an RV check list so I don't forget to pack/bring something with us as we don't have double of everything to keep it stocked.

Do you have a checklist?

Can you share it?

How did you make it?

[HomeschoolMom]

I don't have a specific checklist but what I try to do when I'm packing for any trip is to go through my day from start to finish...

I.E. I get in the shower, wash my hair
(add shampoo, conditioner, razor, soap, towels to the list)
Style my hair (hair products, blow dryer)
Brush my teeth (toothbrushes and toothpaste, dental floss)
Get dressed (clothing and shoes - don't forget the pj's you took off before getting in the shower)

Then I'd move to breakfast and do the same thing....
breakfast foods, dishes, etc.

I'd also think about what my trip away will look like. Will we be sitting around the campfire? Hmmm, might need jackets, will we be swimming? (bathing suits and extra towels). Will we be hiking in the woods (bug spray!!)

I'd keep like things from my list on different pages... a page for food, a page for dishes, etc., a page for bathroom supplies....

Also, at the beginning of camping season I try to leave toothbrushes, paste, shampoo, tea, coffee, etc. in the trailer. It really cuts down on packing stuff.

Hope I've helped a bit

[Spirit Deer]

I, in fact, do have a rather comprehensive one. It came about when we brought our first pop up home and I promptly sprained both ankles. I was so excited about the new rig and couldn't do anything but sit around, so instead I ended up making the list so when I could walk again, I'd be ready to just gather everything up. I broke it down by areas to make it easier to organize. Naturally, it will vary somewhat based on what type of RV you have or if you tent camp.

Last year, I started keeping a pantry basket for staple foods. I bought a huge bag of square Tupperware containers at Goodwill for $3 and then bought a basket to hold them all, after carefully measuring to make sure the basket would fit into a specific cabinet in the pop up and another cabinet in the motorhome. I made space for that basket in the house pantry, too. The basket is put into the appropriate RV before every trip and brought into the house after each trip, so foods can be used in a timely manner and then restocked for the next trip. I made a pull-out tray in the pop up for the basket, and need to make another one for the moho. The tray turns the basket into a drawer, much more convenient than just setting it in the cabinet. I have a master list that stays in the basket all the time, so things don't get forgotten. It all sounds really involved but it's not.

My checklist follows. It looks like a lot but most of it is little things like matches. It's also changed over the years. I don't have a checklist for our moho but it would be similar, I think. Naturally, your needs will be a little different than ours, because everyone's list varies based on their needs and preferences. But this list will get you started. Dump it into your word processor, delete what you don't need, add what you do need, print it out, and Bob's your uncle.

Checklist for Sally
(leave in camper)

Food Staples:
Hot chocolate
Coffee/tea
Sugar
Soy sauce
Salt/pepper
Garlic salt
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Seasoned salt
Chili powder
Red pepper flakes
Italian seasoning
St. Louis seasoning
Cajun seasoning
Cinnamon/sugar
Popcorn
Popcorn salt
Powdered milk
Cornstarch
Creamed soup mix
Canned juice
Cooking spray

Galley Supplies:
Fire extinguisher
Lighter/matches
Dish rack
Dish soap
Dish towel
Dish cloth
Hand towel
Scrubber
Pot holders
Rags
Paper towels
Napkins
Coffee pot
Electric coffee pot
Coffee urn
Toaster
Aluminum Dutch oven
Dutch oven lid lifter
Frying pan
Muffin cups
Mixing bowl
Saucepan/cover
Small pot for grill
Cake pan
Spice boxes
Plates
Glasses
Cups
Can coolers (2)
Bowls
Paper plates
Plate holders
Can opener
Flatware
Paring knives
Steak knives
Meat fork
Serving spoons
Rubber scraper
Spatula
Strainer
Ladle
Tongs
Pizza cutter
Pie irons
Measuring cup
Measuring spoons
Cake pan
Wienie forks
Broom
Assorted plastic bags
Doggie bags
Aluminum foil
Large trash bags
Cutting board/sink cover
Table cloth/clips
Scissors
Plastic rinse tubs
Heavy duty foil

Bath Supplies:
Bath towels
Washcloths
Soap in soapbox
Toilet paper
Shampoo
Conditioner
Mouthwash
Toothpaste
Hand lotion
Bug spray
Sunscreen
First aid kit
Kleenex
Toilet chemical

Games:
Scrabble
Double deck of cards
Single deck of cards
Hoyle book
Skip Bo
Uno
Cribbage board
Yahtzee
Dominoes

Bunks:
Sheets
Light blankets
Comforters
Pillows
Pillow cases
Mattress Pads
Sleeping Bags

Tools:
Heavy plastic
Crank
Hammer
Lynx levelers
Wheel chocks
Fresh water hose
Gray water hose
Gray water tanks
Short level
Rope
Duct tape
Ax
Garden trowel
Orange extension cord
Plastic clamps
Cable ties
Tarps
Assorted bungees
Fresh water funnel

Miscellaneous:
Flashlights
Extra batteries
Tap lights
Pens/pencils
Paper/notebook
Camping journal
Stationery
Tacky lights
Extension cords for tacky lights
Grill/propane
Tarp
Fire starters
Charcoal
Charcoal chimney
Quik Shade/walls
AAR
Carpets
5x7 awning mat
Heater fan
Small folding tables, 2
Large folding table
Chairs
Umbrellas
Bunkend covers
Fire poker
Clothespins
Sewing kit
Sandals
Sweatshirts
Sun visors/caps
Slippers
Rain ponchos
Sweatshirts
Flyswatter
Hangers
Whisk broom/dust pan

[thefrug]

I keep extra large totes with all the stuff we use in the Travel Trailer. One ios for the sheets and blankets and towels and wash cloths. I wash them ( air dry the blankets) and then put them back in the tote and put it back in the TT. Same for the staples like paper towels, tp, matches, etc. They stay in a tote and then when we set up, I'll put them in the cabinet in the TT and use the tote for storing something else like our small gas grill ( table top model).Out of site, out of mind you know ( people have taking ways). I have a 3rd tote that I throw most of the canned and dry food into. Then again, when we get where we're going, I put that stuff in the cabinets and we use that tote in the back of the truck for when we go shopping and buy things. Of course we have a couple of coolers for the cold stuff. Once we get set up and the fridge gets cold then I can transfer it to that. And then we keep our beer and ice and such in the coolers so they don't take up all that space in the fridge.
I've made up " bathroom" bags for both of us. They're just bags with a drawstring at the top and I put tp, and a can of disinfecting wipes in each one. We took the toilet and shower out of our small TT to make a large clothes and supply closet, so we use the campground's bathrooms and we wipe the seats first before we use them. ( I'd rather sit in bleach than you know what! ICK)

As for other stuff. Pack what ya all eat. And don't for get the snacks. Lighting,entertainment,seating,clothes,food,drinks.

[debbiepete]

We keep everything in our 5th wheel except the fresh foods. So we are almost ready to go at any time.

[Ali Lee]

This year we're going from a 6'truck camper to a RV. So, I've learned to do with the bare essentials. So--now I wonder since I have more space, will I add more? I've never made a list for the camper. I've made a list for house-bring arm up on ice maker, stop chime clock, stop dehumidifier, stop mail, stop newspaper,etc. For my camping, about a week ahead of time I put a clothes basket on my kitchen table, when I think of something I put it in, when the basket is full, I take it out & put it away. I have the theory~~there's a Walmart somewhere if I forget anything (except in So Dakota, there's only 4 in the state). S'mores--yummmm

[guest002]

I found some online too. Thanks for the ideas! I guess I'm going to have to fiddle w/ it after a few trips and get it down for us.

I'll share the online ones:
RV Campground Departure Checklist
RV Checklist of Things to Bring on Your RV Trip
RV Campsite Arrival Checklist, for Travel Trailers & Fifth Wheels

[mom2matty]

We love camping!! I'm very excited since we are going next week for Spring break....to the beach!

So for me it is just so much easier to have everything we would need (besides food) in the trailer and it stays there. I have.........this is for dh, dd , ds and I........
towels
bedding
undies
socks
some clothes (although everyone brings what they want)
warm jackets
rain gear/umbrellas
extra shoes.....including flip flops for the showers (although we have our own shower now but sometimes we use the public showers)
laundry detergent, bleach and lysol
all H&B stuff
hair dryer, combs, brushes
laundry baskets
drying rack (fold down kind that I can set up for towels and such)
kitchen is fully stocked with everything I could need
spices
non perishable stuff
tools
hand vac/broom (4 people can make a mess very quickly no matter what the size of the RV!)
playing cards
games

I know there is more but all this stuff is in the trailer already and all the bedding and clothing is clean, when we get home from a trip I do that laundry immediately and it all goes back into the RV before we take it to storage.

The only things I really have to pack before we go is food/drinks, whatever extra clothes everyone wants and then we all pack our own goodie bag......laptops, books, games.....whatever.

I did this slowly over time, it can get expensive if you try to stock out a trailer all at one time. I did go through the house to see what I wasn't really using and would really miss and most of it ended up in the trailer!!

[WV_mom_of2]

I had a camping list on our old computer but when it crashed I lost it. I made it when we bought our first camper and added to it as needed. I need to get it started again before we head out for the first time. It also pays to camp close to home the first time or two and take a notebook with you so you can write down all the things you think of while you are camping!

I try to think of the camper as home. What do I use at home and what do I need/want to be comfortable? I also make a menu ahead of time and I list everything I need to make that meal beside each item. Right down to the salt, etc.

Then I move to the outside and list all the things we need there. Clothesline, pins, bug candles, chairs, canopy, newspapers, firestarters and wood for the fire, tablecloth and holders, extension cords, coolers, etc. I try to picture the camp set up and what I want/need.

[savvy_sniper]

We have plastic bins of camping equipment/supplies that STAY in those bins. The bins are gone through before the first camping trip of the season to make sure everything is there and in working order.

Then I have a very comprehensive list of items that need to be packed. It has evolved over time. A menu and grocery list are made before each trip.

[CampCrazyMom]

Your Adventure : Camper's Checklist

This is the one I use.