My husband Stan and I live in Lake Havasu City, Arizona and we are part-time RVers. We retired in August of 2019, bought our first travel trailer two months later and started our new adventure. We aren’t new to RVing and camping. Stan grew up camping in tents, tent trailers, then his family purchased a Class C. Stan’s childhood memories made him want to do the same with his family, and that’s exactly what he did. We raised our four kids tent camping, camping out of a conversion van, then to a Class A for a few years, then back to tent camping. 

Needless to say, with a family of six, packing was always an overwhelming task. There were times I felt like just staying home by the end of all the preparations due to exhaustion. Through the years, I felt like I brought packing down from a high level of chaos to at least organized chaos. Now, it’s just the two of us traveling in our 2021 Grand Design Imagine 2500rl and, well, packing is still a chore. I’m sure there has to be less stuff to bring for just two people, but it feels like there is more stuff in some ways.

I want to share my method to the packing madness with the hope it helps you with the task. Like I mentioned, we are part-time RVers so we travel for a month or so and then we return back home ready to plan the next trip. 

TIP: Leave Essential Items In The Rig

I try to leave as much as I can inside the trailer to reduce the amount I have to pack each trip. This has been a process and I’m continually adding things. I love shopping in the kitchen gadget section of stores (I have a fetish for kitchen accessories). I’m also very frugal. I shop clearance racks and yard sales for things I never knew I needed for the trailer until it’s staring me in the face. Here are the things I leave in our trailer:

Bedroom ~ Sheets, mattress topper, mattress pad, (I don’t leave pillows because we have our favorites that we use at home too), coat hangers, rain coats, blanket (electric), comforter

Bathroom ~ Blow dryer, curling iron, steamer, towels (2 sets), hand towels, beach towels, first aid kit (be sure to replenish after each trip), toothbrush/toothpaste, extra prescribed medications, OTC medications, soap/soap dispenser, toiletries, razors, hair accessories, toilet paper, toilet bowl scrub brush, cleaning products, bath mat, sunscreen, step stool, sanitizer, tissue, air freshener, nightlight, nail care, feminine products, q-tips, sewing kit

Kitchen ~ Keurig coffee pot and coffee pods (yes, coffee is first on the list for a reason), percolator, coffee cups, sweetener, spices, cooking spray, cooking oil, dishes, pots/pans, cups, plastic wine glasses, ice cube trays, mixing bowls, colander, storage containers, foil, plastic wrap, wine bottle/can opener, baggies, straws, silverware, knives, knife sharpener, cooking utensils, bakeware, cutting boards, dish drainer/drying mat, dish soap, dish sponge, rice cooker/steamer, toaster, canned goods, napkins, paper towels, cleaning supplies, trash bags, pot holders, misc. pantry items, to-go coffee cups, insulated bag, blender bottle (a blender will soon join the party), placemats, dish towels, measuring cups

Extras ~ Throw blankets, electric heater, fan, dog bowls, games, cards, mop, broom, stick vacuum, laundry bag & basket, laundry soap/dryer sheets, quarters, beach bag, drawstring bag, headlamps, dog potty bags, hiking belt/water bottle holder, batteries, office supplies, maps, heating pad, flashlight

I also keep an ongoing list of the items I run out of or need to replenish. You can do this on a good old fashioned piece of paper or, I love using my Alexa App and asking her to add an item to my shopping list… “Alexa, add coffee to my RV shopping list”.   She’s the best! This way I don’t have to worry about packing these items over and over or forgetting them. 

But wait, there’s more!

Now onto the personal items you will need to pack like clothes, shoes, make-up, pet stuff, food, drinks, chargers, oh, and don’t forget the pillows!!! Wow, my blood pressure just skyrocketed! Let’s calm down and take a deep breath. We will get it all packed and we will be heading down the road and realize, oh shoot, we forgot _________________! (Fill in the blank. Ours would say “the electrical cord!”)

The good news is, most things can be purchased wherever you are going so it’s not going to be the end of the world. Keep moving and embracing it as part of the adventure! 

IT’S TIME TO CATEGORIZE AND PRIORITIZE!

1. MEDICATIONS – TOP PRIORITY! These are the most important in my book. This includes daily prescribed medication, as well as any vitamins/supplements you take. Don’t forget to pack the pet meds too. In an emergency, we have been able to contact our pharmacy and get a refill. This is why we like to go with a nationwide pharmacy so our prescriptions are always available. It is possible they may only give you a few or you may have to pay for it yourself if you need more. Insurance will only cover one refill a month. TIP: This is also why I like to leave an emergency stash in the trailer. 
2. CLOTHING – We always seem to pack more than necessary. Sometimes it’s hard to anticipate all the different kinds of weather you may encounter. When we travel, I find that packing a week’s worth of clothing is plenty, but since I have room, and clothes don’t weigh too much, I usually just pack extra just in case.  We live in Arizona where it can get to 120+ degrees in the summer and it’s hard to imagine cool weather, and there have been times we’ve forgotten to pack warm clothes.  And vice versa, if you live in cooler weather, don’t forget to pack the shorts and bathing suits! 
3. SHOES – There have been times I’ve gotten so focused on packing other things that packing shoes was not even on my radar. Be sure to pack workout shoes, hiking shoes, dressier shoes or sandals (you might actually go out to dinner), and flip flops, especially if you are going to use the public showers.
4. FOOD – This is where it gets a little tricky for me. I feel like I can’t pack food until my fridge at home is organized and cleaned up. It’s kind of like when you invite people over to your house, it forces you to clean! I start by going through my fridge and getting rid of anything that has expired or will expire while I’m on my trip. TIP: Be sure to add the item you throw away to your shopping list or ask Alexa to add it to your shopping list. 

Now to the produce drawer (go ahead and throw away that mushy apple, you’re not going to eat it!). Now the meat/cheese drawer. TIP: Plan a few meals with your fridge items either for the days before you leave on your trip or for your trip if they will stay fresh long enough.

After looking through everything else in the fridge, go ahead and give it a good wipe down. Go through the same process for the freezer too (go ahead and finish off the ice cream, it won’t be any good when you get back!).  I usually start this process about 5 days before we leave. TIP: Go ahead and turn on your fridge in your RV at this point and give it at least 24 to 48 hours to get cold.

Now let’s move to the pantry while we wait for the fridge to cool down. Bread items are probably the most time sensitive items in your pantry so let’s go through the bread basket and get rid of any expired items. If you want to bring it with you, then let’s start a spot on the counter of things to pack. You may or may not have a meal plan for your last few days at home or the first few days on the trip, but going through your fridge and pantry will help give you a few ideas. TIP: Plan to pick up takeout the night before your trip.  Continue the process by checking dates and answering the questions, Chuck, Keep or Pack. You should have a nice pile on the counter by the end of this. Now grab your laundry basket or a few grocery bags and start filling up your pantry in the rig. This can be done up to a week before you go. TIP: I like to go to the grocery store at least two days before our big trip. This is a chore in itself and this way I pace myself.

5. PETS: If your pets are like mine, they get a little nervous when they start seeing the packing going on. They think they are going to get left behind. TIP: I put the dog’s things by the door so they see their stuff packed and know they are going too. If your pets are on medications, you should have that packed already. Now let’s get the dog food, leashes, dog harness, dog beds/blankets, towel (in case you have to rinse them off), toys and don’t forget the treats!
6. TOILETRIES: Make-up, perfume/cologne
7. ELECTRONICS: Chargers, Computers, Cameras, Video Equipment, Computers, Headphones
8. PERSONAL ITEMS: Beanies, Hats, Masks, Gloves, Books, Glasses

Oh, and don’t forget the pillows!! 

Hope this was helpful! Wishing you happy and safe travels my friends!

Rhonda