1. Decide what to do with all the things you are NOT taking before you start to pack for an rv trip.
Every situation will be different. If you are keeping your current residence, and returning after a few months, you will probably just leave most of your things in your PERMANANT home, and just take the things you need for the trip. But if you are gone for longer and are renting or selling your house… you will need to figure out storage options.
If you are NOT moving back into your Home — I strongly suggest one of the POD companies. I have used them twice. They deliver the PODS to your address, and you fill them. Then they pick them up and hold them for you, until you are ready to have them delivered to the next address. In the meantime, they hold them in a temperature controlled warehouse. And without much notice, you can go get things out of them. Best part — you don’t have to even have the second address secured to get started. Storage fees were quite reasonable.
The second option would be traditional storage. Reasonable monthly fees, and you have more access.
Third option — a rented (or relative’s) garage. Works well if you have a vehicle you want stored… along with other things.
Option 4 — Just get rid of it. Sell, donate, bequeath. The Jumbo Purge is both liberating and scary.
I confess I did a hybrid. I have some treasures and seasonal things stored in a relative’s garage, but I also did the Jumbo Purge.
2. Clothes — you don’t need as much as you think.
I guarantee you… most people pact too manny clothes. The length of you stay, and the location(s) will play a big part in what you tea with you. I have my clothes divided — current season and next season. The next season clothes live in securely locking tubs that are kept on the back rack of my 24′ class c. But whether you store them on a rack, or in undercarriage storage, it helps to keep only the current season’s clothes in the drawers & closet
It’s summer, and I am in the Pacific Northwest where there are huge temperature changes. So… I layer. I have my basic layer “uniform” — t-shirt, waffleknit, oversized button-down (some flannel, some cotton), a lightweight and a bulky sweater, vest (favorite one is the jean vest) and rain jacket. Bottoms are either shorts, capris, or jeans
Everything is interchangeable. For slightly dressier… I have linen — shirts, capris and dresses, which I pair with the different elements of my “uniform”
Top it off with sandals, tennis shoes, water shoes, and a pair of rubber shot boots and I am all set for footwear. Lastly, undies, socks and a couple of bathing suits, hats and light weight scarves… and I am ready for about anything.
I tend to get most of my clothes at the GAP — so they are all interchangeable. 10 pieces and you have 40 possible outfits. And I wear most things more than once (except underwater). I buy linen or cotton, and can wash them out in the sink and dry in the shower. But then… I don’t mind wrinkles.
3. The kitchen
The kitchen is important, especially if you cook a lot. As far as dishes and silverware.. no more than 2 per person — with a minimum of 4each. I use melamine dishware: saves both space and weight. — 12 pc set includes a shallow bowl and 3 sizes of plates — for 4 people, retro aluminum tumblers, insulated travel cups , Nalgene water bottles (gets rid of single use bottles), a melamine garbage bowl doubles as a salad bowl, and measuring cups that double as prep bowls. I love these evo 24 oz bowls — and eat most of my meals on them I use three bamboo cutting boards one for food prep, and one for a cheese board, and one for small prep. In addition, I have:
- Instant Pot (best appliance ever!)
- electric water kettle — saves propane
- French press coffee maker insulated
- casserole set with lid
- 12 fry pan
**NOTE: I saved a ton of room switching from paper towels and napkins to cloth napkins, and Swedish dishcloths.
And by using silicone storage bags, I got rid of boxes of single-use plastic.
Silicone bakeware also saves not only space, but weight… which helps gas mileage.
4. The linen closet
Ok… I don’t really have a linen closet in my rig. It all goes under the couch. For each person pack: 1 bath towel, 1 beach towel, 2 washcloths. Throw in an extra towel for the dog.
Get a pack of 12 bar mops for cleaning, and cotton dishtowels for dishes. I use an over the sink dish drainer.
Also handy — a collapsible washtub. You will be surprised how much you use this. From rinsing out clothes to rinsing sand off feet after a walk on the beach.
5. RV tools and supplies
You should pack a basic tool kit. Even if you don’t know how to use them, someone else might. But don’t go overboard. Include, a hammer, a crescent wrench, pliers, a wire cutter, a screwdriver set, a socket set, a rubber mallet, vice grips, zip ties, duct tape, a flashlight, and extra batteries.
Let’s keep it on the level– literally. Being out of level is really hard on your rig, especially your refrigerator. You should always pack a level, leveling blocks, and tire hocks.
In addition, you will need a fresh water hose, pressure regulator, and inline water filter, a sewer hose set up, sewer hose support system, and either a 30 amp power cord or a 50 amp power cord
****DO NOT USE A REGULAR EXTENTION CORD!! They will get way too hot, If you are unsure, talk to an RV Professional.
I also have a cleanout hose— so I don’t have to use my freshwater hose to flush out my tanks. Yuk.
And I have a hitch mounted folding cargo carrier so I can bring my bicycle, surfboard, and locking, stacking utility tubs.
6. Making it homey
Everyone has their own style. It is hard… but the best advice I can give is to keep it simple and try to minimize clutter. Everyone will need blankets and pillows, and maybe a throw to wrap up in. More than likely, you will have an outside area to decorate as well
I use a patio mat to keep the dirt out of the house and define the patio area, and a foldable camp table for my plants… and for serving food, a couple of zero gravity chairs to sit in around the fire pit.
Even though I have an awning, I also have a popup. Works great over the picnic table, and lets you spread out. I also have a great, lightweight, freestanding folding hammock.
7. Hobbies and toys
This is the fun part — and all up to you. I personally have a lot of fun: guitars, ukuleles, music stands, knitting things, and yarn, art supplies, books, travel scrabble and cards.
I also have an Amazon ECHO — so I can listen to music, the news, set alarms, ask questions, and find out the weather. I can even ask it to call people, or look up recipies. Best of all… I play audio books on it. So I knit and listen to books, or play guitar to music… or just keep current on what is happening in the world.
So have fun. Save space and weight making smart choices, and you will have more room for fishing poles, golfclubs, tennis rackets, kayaaks…. or what ever else floats your boat!
Happy Camping.
Tracy
