Be Prepared For Your RV Camping Using This Camping Checklist

No matter where you are going camping, whether it is a short weekend trip to a park or a long RV excursion across Western Canada, making sure that you are prepared is essential. Nothing could be worse than settling in at a campsite after driving 12 hours only to realize that you left something behind. 

To make sure you are completely prepared for your trip, creating a simple checklist of items to bring is something you should do. This allows you to plan ahead and make sure you don’t leave anything out at the last minute. From groceries and clothes to RV stability pads and everything in between, here are a few things to consider when making your checklist and preparing for your RV camping trip: 

Where are you traveling to?

One of the most common mistakes people make, especially if they are renting RVs or going camping for the first time, is to not think about where they will be going when they create their checklist. Instead, they list out items based on where they are, not where they will actually be camping. If you are starting out somewhere further south but are traveling to campsites you want to make sure you pack clothes accordingly. 

Another thing to keep in mind are the types of campsites you will be visiting along the way. While you may be used to having an electrical hookup in nearby campsites if you are traveling far and plan on stopping in areas without hookups you may only have a generator to rely on for a few hours of electricity which means you may need alternative entertainment like board games. 

How long will you be gone?

When preparing for your trip something else you want to keep in mind is how long you will be gone. There is not a lot of space in an RV so real estate is a premium. If you are taking a long trip you will need to use a lot of space for things like clothes or groceries as well as other items like hygiene products or storage for laundry. 
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Essential Items For Your RV Camping Trip

Keeping in mind where you are going to be, how long you are planning on camping, and the types of camping accommodations you will be staying at, here are some essentials you will want to consider for your checklist: 

First Aid Items
When you are camping you may not have any type of medical facility nearby. As a result, having a well-stocked first aid kit is important. Items to include are: 
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Any prescription medication. 
Bandages and cotton gauze. 
Disinfectants such as isopropyl alcohol or betadine. 
Bug and mosquito repellent. 
Allergy medications for everyone traveling with you. 
Over the counter pain medication. 
Antacids and throat lozenges. 

Clothing
When planning out the clothes that you are going to bring, remember that you should be planning mainly for your destination, not where you are departing from. Special clothes for any activities (such as hiking gear) need to be considered as well. Other items include: 

Extra socks. 
Hats and gloves. 
Sleepwear.
Hiking boots and walking shoes. 
Rain gear such as a poncho. 

Personal Hygiene 
During your camping trip, you and everyone with you will be stuck in a small space for a long time. Remembering to bring all of your personal hygiene products is very important. Things to remember are: 

Toothbrushes and toothpaste for everyone traveling. 
Washcloths and towels. 
Deodorant and antiperspirant. 
Soap and shampoo. 
Shaving equipment including razors and shaving cream. 
Toilet paper. 
If you are doing a lot of hiking or plan on being in a humid area, bring foot powder. 
Combs and brushes.

RV Equipment
It isn’t just personal items that you have to worry about when creating a camping preparedness list. You want to make sure that you have essential equipment for your RV as well. Items to consider are: 

Stability pads. With synthetic RV pads, you will be able to camp at campsites with loose gravel or soil without worrying about sinking into the ground or being unleveled. 
Foam for wrapping around pipes if you are camping somewhere cold, to prevent your water lines from bursting. 
Groceries. You may want to create a separate list to plan out all of your meals. 
Drinking water or a water filter.
Utensils, plastic storage containers, and garbage bags. 
Games and entertainment items. 
Sporting equipment like fishing gear or hiking items. 
Navigation equipment if necessary including GPS and maps. 

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