RV Packing Checklist for Families
A complete pre-trip checklist grouped by bay so nothing gets loaded twice and nothing gets left behind.
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How to use this checklist
The list is grouped by where things live, not by category, because that is how packing actually goes. Load one bay at a time, check it off, and close the door. Anything that does not have a home gets one before the trip, or it rides on the dinette and slides onto the floor at the first turn.
Print it, laminate it, and mark it with a dry-erase pen each trip. A checklist you re-read is worth ten checklists you wrote once.
Hookups and utilities
Drinking-water hose, water pressure regulator, inline filter, 90-degree hose elbow, sewer hose with clear elbow, sewer hose support, disposable gloves, 30/50 amp adapter, surge protector, extension cord, leveling blocks, wheel chocks and a small bubble level.
Keep all of it in one bay with the gloves on top. If you carry a second short water hose for tank fills, mark it a different color so it never touches the sewer bay.
In a hurry? Jump straight to the gear we recommend for this.
Tools and spares
Socket set, adjustable wrench, screwdrivers, pliers, duct and self-amalgamating tape, zip ties, spare fuses, a spare set of keys, lug wrench sized to your rig, torque wrench if you tow, and a 12-volt air compressor.
Add the boring spares that end trips when missing: a water pump fuse, a length of sewer hose, an extra propane regulator O-ring and a roll of Eternabond for a roof emergency.
Kitchen and food
Nesting pots, one deep skillet, one good knife, cutting board, collapsible colander, reusable containers, dish tub, quick-dry towels, biodegradable soap, foil, a lighter and a trash bag supply that outlasts the trip.
Plan a menu for every dinner before you shop, and write it on the fridge. Pack two travel-day lunches that need no heat, and keep a shelf-stable emergency dinner for the night you arrive late in the rain.
Clothing and bedding
Pack in soft bags, one per person, plus a shared bin for rain layers and warm layers. Two pairs of shoes each, one of which can get wet. Sheets, a blanket each and one spare set — someone will spill something on night two.
Campgrounds run cold at night even in summer at elevation. A fleece per person and a warm hat for kids costs almost no space and prevents the 3am shuffle.
Kids
Rain layers, headlamps, a bin of car games, bikes and helmets, a favorite blanket each, and a small first aid kit within reach in the cab rather than buried in a bay.
Give each kid one container they control — a snack box, a gear bag or a bin under the bunk. Ownership of a small space cuts the number of 'where is my…' conversations dramatically.
Safety and documents
Fire extinguishers checked and in date, working smoke, CO and propane alarms, a first aid kit, headlamps with fresh batteries, and reflective triangles or flares.
Carry registration, insurance, roadside assistance details and a printed copy of your reservations. Cell service disappears at exactly the campground where the office is closed when you arrive.
Departure-day checks
Antenna down, steps in, hitch pinned and locked, safety chains crossed, breakaway cable attached, lights tested, slides in, awning secured, propane off, vents closed, cabinet latches closed, refrigerator latched and tire pressures verified.
Then walk the site twice: once looking at the rig, once looking at the ground. The second lap is where you find the chocks, the leveling block and the kid's scooter.
Recommended gear for this trip
Everything below is hand-picked for family trips. Affiliate links support the site.
Best for campfire nightsGCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker
A rocking camp chair that works on grass or gravel, folds flat for storage, and is sturdy enough that parents and kids both end up fighting over it.
Key benefits
- Spring-action rocking on any surface
- Holds up to 250 lbs
- Folds flat for easy packing
Pros
- Rocking works even on uneven ground
- Padded armrests with a drink holder
- Sets up in seconds
Cons
- Heavier than a basic folding chair at about 12 lbs
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Best for camp cookingColeman RoadTrip 285 Portable Propane Grill
A wheeled stand-up grill with 285 sq in of cooking space and adjustable burners, running on the same 1 lb propane canisters most families already carry.
Key benefits
- 285 sq in of cooking space with 20,000 total BTU across three burners
- Instastart push-button ignition and adjustable burners for zone cooking
- Wheeled stand folds down to fit in a pass-through bay
Pros
- Fast preheat
- Even heat across the large grate
- Works with an adapter hose off a bigger tank
Cons
- Heavier than a tabletop grill at about 48 lbs
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
What do people most often forget to pack?
Sewer gloves, a second water hose, rain jackets and a backup key. The backup key is the one that ends trips.
Should I keep gear in the RV year-round?
Yes for hookup and tool items, no for food, liquids and batteries in freezing climates.
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