RV Packing Lists For Your First RV Camping Trip

Let's start with the most important room in the RV: the kitchen! C'mon, it's ok, you can admit it. The best part of RV camping is the food! We all agree here.

As a woman, let me confess something. One of my favorite things about RV camping is that I don't have to do that much cooking.

Thanks to my husband's love for smoking meats and our electric smoker, I get out of the necessity to do too much cooking in my RV kitchen. However, there are still a few essentials every woman needs in her kitchen.

It's true that you will probably use a lot of paper supplies while in your RV travel trailer, but I also like to keep some non-disposable dishes and glassware on hand. These durable everyday tableware dishes by Preserve are microwave safe and made in America from recycled materials.

One of my favorite things about camping in an RV is seeing everyone's style at the campground. From personalized RV camping signs to awning lights, to how they decorate their kitchens.

RV decor is a great way to show your happy camper personality and RV dishes like these adorable retro travel trailer set of dishes are a great place to start.

If you really want to get cute and personal, check out these hand-painted personalized RV dishes I found on ETSY.

I am sort of a coffee mug and wine tumbler collector/snob. This is one RV kitchen necessity in my book. I am always on the lookout for super cute RV camping coffee mugs and new wine tumblers. It's absolutely an addiction.

Check out these cute handmade coffee mugs I recently found. These handmade super cute coffee mugs are perfect to wake up by the campfire in the morning.

• Home is Where We Park It mug

• Making Memories One Campsite At A Time Campfire Mug 

• Retro Van Ceramic Coffee Mug

• Happy Campers Mug

Quality cutlery is an RV kitchen essential and you will want to invest in a great set of knives if you plan to smoke meats and eat steaks while camping.

In addition to a good set of kitchen knives, you will also need some tongs, spatulas, and perhaps a pizza cutter. Here are a few ideas to help you think through what you might need. Check my RV Kitchen Amazon Store for more of my favorites.

• Assorted Sharp Knives
• Ladle
• Tongs
• Spatula
• Scissors
• Wooden & plastic spoons
• Slotted spoon
• Measuring spoons & cups
• Pizza Cutter
• Ice Cream Scoop

There will always be a need for flatware and serving utensils. Don't break the bank here, just pick up a standard set of houseware utensils.

It goes without saying, you will need a few pots and pans in your RV kitchen. As a camper, I'd be remiss if I didn't recommend you consider purchasing cast iron for your RV.

You can always bring your cast iron from home and pack it back up if the expense is an issue, but if you can afford your own set for the RV, here are a few pieces you may wish to purchase.

The beauty of investing in these three pans and a lid is that they will serve your needs for everything from soups and stews to frying bacon, to pizza making cast iron an excellent choice since space is at a premium in the camper.

• Lodge Cast Iron Dutch Oven
• Lodge 10.5" Pre-seasoned round skillet griddle (Perfect for campfire pancakes or bacon)
• Lodge 10.25" Pre-seasoned Cast Iron Skillet and Ready for Stove Top or Oven Use

There always seems to be some new kitchen gadget I'm thinking I need. Since space is limited, however, you want to be choosey with your kitchen gadgets. A Keurig, Instant Pot, and Collapsible colander should be all a girl really needs, but here's a list just in case.

• Corkscrew
• Bottle Opener
• Can Opener
• Coffee Maker
• Crock or Instant Pot
• Handheld blender
• Collapsible Wisk
• Fruit Bowl/basket
• Cutting board(s)
• Placemats
• Collapsible colander
• Pot Holders
• Meat thermometer
• Timer
• Spoon rest
• Chip bag clips

Cleaning in the RV is definitely better than at home since the space is generally much smaller, but the fact is, you still gotta clean.

Here are a few things you will want to pack to help you clean the RV when necessary.

• Dish towels, rags, sponges
• Rubber Gloves
• Dish soap
• Hand soap
• Spray Cleaner/Clorox Wipes
• Window Cleaner
• Hand sanitizer
• Dish drying rack
• Broom and dustpan
• Handheld vacuum

Here are a few other items you will need for your RV kitchen and Cupboard.

• Funnel (s)
• Matches/Lighter
• Water pitcher
• Ice bucket
• Spice rack
• Plastic storage containers
• Recipes/cookbooks
• Trash can(s)
• Toothpicks
• Apron
• Serving bowls
• Mixing bowls
• Salad bowl
• Serving platters
• Small casserole & lid
• Butter dish
• Cream & sugar bowl

You will want to stock up on disposable supplies too. I usually stock up on Amazon or Sam's Club so I don't have to run back to the store over and over all season.

• Paper plates & bowls
• Plastic cutlery
• Paper cups
• Napkins
• Paper Towels
• Parchment Paper
• Aluminum Foil
• Plastic Wrap
• Coffee Filters
• Paper Bags
• Disposable Aluminum Pan(s)
• Ziploc Bags
• Trash Can bags

Ok, now that you have a few ideas for the basic RV kitchen supplies, what about food? Obviously, this will vary from one family to the next, but here are a few staples as well as some storage ideas.

• Water gallons
• Water bottles
• Tea(s)
• Coffee
• Whatever else your family drinks
• Snack Foods
• Cereals
• Pancake mix and syrup
• Canned beans
• S'mores Fixins
• Popcorn
• Condiments
• Seasonings [Salt, Pepper, Garlic Seasoning, Chili Powder, etc]
• Sandwich Bread
• Hot Dog/Hamburger Buns

• Eggs
• Bacon
• Milk
• Sandwich Meats
• Cheeses
• Hot Dogs
• Fresh Fruit

• Chicken
• Steak
• Hamburger
• Misc. Veggies

For a more comprehensive RV packing list for your pantry, kitchen, and beyond, check out our Interactive RV Packing Lists.

What do I need to pack in my RV for the bathroom & laundry?

Don't forget to pack bath supplies and laundry detergent. Again, this is another area that can be easily forgotten. You probably won't forget shampoo, but you might not remember the detergent.

We try to use the bathhouse as much as possible and rarely shower in our travel trailer, so a bath caddy is a great resource.

However, you will likely appreciate that RV toilet when you don't have to traipse to the bathhouse in the middle of the night, so don't forget to pack some Clorox wipes and other cleaning supplies.

• Toilet Cleaning Brush
• Toilet Cleaner
• Septic Safe Tissue
• RV Safe Cleaning Chemicals (check owner's manual)
• Garbage Can
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Hand soap
• Bath Towels
• Hand Towels
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrushes
• Hairbrush
• Personal Care Items
• First Aid Kit
• Laundry Soap & Softener
• Bathroom Trash Can

There you have the basics for packing your RV for the first time every year.

I definitely recommend you use an RV packing list because there is nothing worse than getting all the way to the campsite and realizing you forgot some necessities.

Check out these tips and tricks to organize your RV bathroom.

What do I pack for my RV bedroom? Here is another area where your personality and style can shine. RV Decor is really fun so I threw in a few things I think are super cute ETSY is a great place to go to find fun, handmade, RV decor for your bedrooms and your living area.

However, beyond fun, here are the essentials you won't want to forget for your bedroom. I cannot tell you how many times I forget to pack our sheets. So ridiculous!

Again, that is why I created my spreadsheets with RV checklists and packing lists. While I love a printable checklist, having something on my phone means I can check it off in my house and in the RV and it updates. No more forgetting the sheets!

• Sheets
• Sleeping Bags
• Blankets
• Pillows
• Alarm clock (frankly, I never take this, but if you must here it is LOL)
• Flashlight
• Hangers
• Electric sheets/blankets
• Slippers