As a kid or adult, camping is one of the coolest things to do during holidays. Whether it’s tent camping or RV camping, spending a summer or winter holiday at the campsite is one of the greatest things that ever happens.
However, forgetfulness happens, and you can end up trapped in the middle of nowhere starving with your family members. This post will cover the basic, must-have things you need by telling you the things not to forget when RV camping.
So, it’s normal to forget a few things along the way. However, there are other things you should never leave behind. As said, I’m here to give you the ultimate list of items that can make or break your next RV camping trip,
Things Not to Forget When RV Camping in Summer and Winter
The checklists are relevant to enjoy RV camping. They are well explained further below, so you can sit and enjoy making a proper checklist. Winter is a great time to go RV camping, but there are a few things that you need to be aware of.
1. Prepare Your RV for Cold Weather
The first thing you want to do when preparing for winter RV camping is make sure your RV is ready for cold weather. The first step is making sure the furnace and water heater are working properly.
You also want to make sure your batteries are in good shape and that you have plenty of gas in the tank. If your RV has them, use the generator as much as you can while driving — that way it’s already warmed up when you need it most.
2. Take Care of Your Feet
Keep dry socks handy so that if you’re caught in bad weather, you don’t have to get out into the cold just to change shoes or socks. Also bring along some warm slippers — nothing fancy, just something cheap and warm so that if your feet get cold from walking around camp, they’ll feel better once inside again.
3. Have Extra Blankets and Sleeping Bag Ready
If you’re traveling with kids in particular (or even adults), having extra blankets on hand can make all the difference when temperatures drop down below zero degrees Fahrenheit or colder.
This may seem obvious but some people don’t think about bringing a sleeping bag when it’s cold. Don’t just bring one; bring two, one for each person. You should also make sure that each person has a pillow and blanket (both are often provided by campgrounds).
If you’re camping in an RV with bunk beds, it’s also important to have a sleeping bag for each person on the bottom bunk so they don’t get cold from being on top of the bed covers.
Bring extra bedding just in case something happens to the original set you brought along with you. This includes extra blankets and pillows, as well as sleeping bags if necessary.
4. Winter Clothing and Boots
You’ll need to dress warmly if you’re going to be active outside during winter camping trips, especially if there’s snow on the ground or if it gets windy (which is common in winter).
In addition to having warm clothes, make sure to get appropriate footwear (e.g., hiking boots) so that your feet stay warm and dry throughout the day.
Pack clothes appropriate for the season and weather conditions where you will be camping. If it’s cold out, bring layers so that you can adjust according to how warm or cold it gets at night when sleeping under the stars.
5. Make Sure Your RV Has Gas Heaters
If you’re going to be staying in an RV, make sure that it has a gas heater so that you can stay warm at night.
These heaters are more reliable than electric ones, which often don’t work properly in the winter months due to low temperatures.
Also check tire pressure frequently during colder months, because tires lose air pressure more quickly in cold weather than in warmer months.
Here are must-haves for RV camping trips for summer or every other season:
6. Bring Some Medications
Make sure you pack all of your medications and any other health supplies that you will need. If you forget something, don’t worry, most campgrounds sell over-the-counter drugs.
But it can be difficult to find certain medications, such as birth control pills or asthma inhalers, so it’s best to bring your supply just in case.
7. Bring Along Plenty of Food and Water
Come with plenty of food and water for yourself and your pets.
Make sure that everyone has plenty of food and water for themselves during cold weather camping trips so that they don’t get dehydrated or sick from lack of fluids from time spent outside in the cold air without proper gear on hand such as hats, gloves, scarves, etc.
Don’t bring food items that will spoil easily or require refrigeration. You should also avoid foods that are high in sugar or fat because they could make your children hyperactive or irritable. Stick with foods like granola bars, trail mix, and dried fruit.
Family RV Camping Checklist
If you’re traveling by RV and camping with the family, there are a few essential things. Here’s a checklist of items to bring when you’re ready for an adventure in the great outdoors.
8. First Aid Kit
You never know what kind of injuries might occur while out on the road, so it’s important to have a well-stocked first aid kit on hand at all times. Pack everything from bandages and antibiotic ointment to painkillers and bandage scissors in case someone needs them during your trip.
9. Fire Extinguisher
Fire extinguishers are essential for any campground or home with open flames present (like candles), but they’re especially important when you’re traveling with children. Make sure everyone knows where it is stored, how to use it, and what not to use it near (gasoline).
10. Trailer Hitch Safety Check
If you’re going with an RV, make sure that your trailer hitch is up-to-date on its safety checks. This will ensure that it’s safe for driving down the road while carrying all of your gear behind you. You don’t want anything falling off while driving down the highway at 70 miles per hour.
RV Camping Trip
For the best RV camping trip, as a trip planner, you should make a camping trip checklist.
11. Coffee Maker
This is a big one. You may need your caffeine fix in the morning, but you don’t want to be lugging around a big electric machine. If you’re desperate for caffeine, try using a French press or pour-over system.
Otherwise, just make sure to stop at the local grocery store before you head out on the road to pick up some instant coffee.
12. Hair Dryer
If you’re staying in an RV park or campground, there’s probably an outlet right next door so you can plug in and use it there, which makes this one less of an issue than it might otherwise be.
But if you’re backpacking through national parks and other remote areas where there are no public bathrooms or showers, having a hair dryer with you would be overkill and unnecessary weight on your back.
13. Cooking Equipment
Cooking is a big part of camping, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re just getting into camp cooking, start with a basic set of utensils, pots, pans, and a few spices.
As you get more comfortable, add more tools to your collection. You don’t want to be lugging around a full-size speckled enamelware set if you’re only going for one night.
You can also bring waffle machine waffles to sounds like a great idea when camping (especially after drinking too much wine), bringing along a waffle maker can make it easier while it solves the problem of rather using campfires to make some snacks for campfires.
14. Cooler Full of Ice
Not only does ice take up valuable space in your cooler, but it also melts quickly and requires frequent replenishment when you’re on the go. Instead, pack your food in sealable plastic bags or containers that can be filled with water instead of ice cubes.
If you need ice for drinks or food preparation, buy it at the campsite or stop along the road before heading out on your trip so that you don’t have to haul around an entire bag of it with you all day long.
Things Not to Take Camping
You must be aware of the unnecessary things not to take camping, especially with plans that have to do with going very far or with RV camping trips out west.
Things to Know Before Camping
If you’re new to RV camping, here are some things you should know:
1. You don’t need a lot of stuff. The less stuff you have, the less you have to worry about losing or breaking and the more money you’ll save in fees.
2. Leave valuables at home. If you can’t bear to be without your laptop, then don’t bring it camping. If something happens to it while you’re away from civilization, there’s not much anyone can do about it besides writing it off as a loss and hoping for better luck next time.
3. Take only what is necessary for your trip, nothing more.
Things Not to Take for Camping Trips
1. Food in Glass Jars
Glass is heavy, fragile, and breakable. Don’t take it camping.
2. Hammocks
They’re great for lounging in on the beach or at home, but when you’re camping, there are other options for sleeping that are better suited for the outdoors and more comfortable than hanging from two trees. However
3. Tents with Poles That Aren’t Pre-Attached
Tents with poles that come apart easily are much harder to set up when they’re wet or muddy. Plus, if you don’t have them attached already, they could get lost easily as well.
4. Cameras
Unless your camera is waterproof and shockproof, don’t take it camping. The harsh elements can easily damage or destroy your camera.
5. Alcohol
If you drink too much alcohol while camping, the consequences could be deadly. Alcohol makes it easy for people to get sick in the wilderness and decreases their judgment about serious situations. Instead of drinking alcohol, enjoy a nice cup of hot chocolate or coffee.
6. Fireworks
Fireworks are illegal to have in most states unless you have permission from the local fire department or law enforcement agency. If you’re caught with fireworks while camping, they will be confiscated by the police and disposed of properly.
FAQ
Where do you hang towels in an RV?
On a cloth rack or towel bar. Most RVs come equipped with a clothes rack or towel bar above the toilet or shower stall so that towels remain dry during use and don’t get lost in the shuffle of daily life.
How do you dry clothes in an RV?
One of the easiest ways is to take advantage of your outdoor kitchen. Set up your clothesline between two trees and hang your wet laundry on it. If any clothes can’t go into the sun, use a drying rack instead.
If you want to take it one step further, put some space heaters near the clothesline so they will dry faster. You could also use a fan if it gets too hot outside to hang up your laundry in direct sunlight.
How do you dry sheets in an RV?
Use an outdoor shower; many outdoor showers have hooks where you can hang wet items to dry out before putting them away for good. This method works great for towels and swimsuits as well as sheets.
How do you make RV curtains?
The answer is easy: You just need to cut the fabric into squares or rectangles and sew the edges together with a seam allowance of 1/2 inch on all sides.
This creates a curtain rod pocket so that you can slide the rod through to hang your curtains from a curtain rod inside your vehicle.
Can you hang pictures on RV walls?
Yes. The walls of an RV aren’t just for show, they’re functional too. Many RVs come with built-in storage spaces and hooks or shelves where you can place items such as towels, and toiletries.
What do people always forget when camping?
Some of them are;
1. Cooking utensils 2. Dishwashing liquid, or wipes 3. Cleaning supplies (brooms, mops, sponges, etc.) 4. Paper plates, and plastic cutlery (for outdoor meals and picnics) 5. A small folding table (to use as a dining table, desk, or workbench).
Final Thought
The thing about camping is that you can’t just pack up and go. No, it takes a lot of preparation to get where you are going and make sure that everything you need is with you.
While the most obvious things like your tent will go without saying (unless you forget it), there are other items that if left behind could ruin your trip.
