Documents & Admin — Kept in Trailer
These never leave the RV. Keep physical copies in a labeled folder in the glove box or a dedicated document pouch.
- RV insurance card and policy number
- Tow vehicle and trailer registration
- RV owner's manualoriginal, stored in trailer permanently
- Roadside assistance cardAAA, Coach-Net, or Good Sam
- Emergency contact listprinted copy
Safety Gear — Non-Negotiable
Check these monthly. CO is odorless. A failing propane detector has killed people. This gear costs less than one campsite.
- CO + LP combo detectorcheck battery and test button every trip
- Fire extinguisher (ABC rated)check gauge is in green zone
- Smoke detectortest monthly
- EMS surge protectorProgressive Industries EMS-PT30X (30A) or EMS-PT50X (50A) — protects all appliances from faulty campground powerBuy ↗
- Roadside emergency warning triangles + vestXOOL Kit — required by law in some states; far more visible than flaresBuy ↗
Electronics
- Portable power stationAnker SOLIX C1000 (1024Wh)Buy ↗
- 200W portable solar panel blanketRenogy N-Type (pairs with power station for off-grid recharging)Buy ↗
- Multi-port USB charging hub or surge-protected power strip
- RV-specific GPSGarmin RV 890 — car GPS will route you under low bridgesBuy ↗
- RV temp & humidity monitorTP-Link Tapo T315 (requires Tapo Hub; remote alerts when interior goes out of range — great for storage)Buy ↗
- 12V portable refrigeratorICECO GO20 20L (if you run a dedicated 12V fridge in tow vehicle or dry camp)Buy ↗
Kitchen
- Non-breakable plates, bowls, cups1 set per person
- Silverware set + serving utensils (spatula, tongs, wooden spoon)
- Compact cooking pots and pans
- Sharp chef's knife + cutting board
- Can opener, bottle opener, corkscrew
- Collapsible colander + mixing bowls
- Basic spices + olive oil + salt and pepper
- Dish soap, sponge, dish towels
- Zip-lock bags (assorted), aluminum foil, paper towels
- Insulated water bottles1 per personBuy ↗
- Travel coffee maker or pour-over kitBuy ↗
- Soft-sided overflow coolerRTIC 30 can
Bedding
- Pillows1+ per person
- Sleeping bags or blankets rated for your typical destination temperature
- Extra pillowcases + sheet sets
Bathroom Staples
- RV-safe toilet paperThetford Aqua-Soft or Camco (regular TP clogs black tanks — restock after every trip)Buy ↗
- Baby wipeslarge supply, restock monthly
- First aid kitAdventure Medical Kits Mountain SeriesBuy ↗
- Non-slip bath mat for RV shower
Tools & Maintenance
- Toolbox: hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrench
- Multi-bit ratcheting screwdriverBuy ↗
- Duct tape + zip ties
- Leveling blocksTri-Lynx Lynx Levelers 10-PackBuy ↗
- Wheel chocksCamco 44413 pair (2+ pairs for single-axle trailer)Buy ↗
- Stabilizer jack padsBAL 28010 set of 4Buy ↗
- Digital tire pressure gaugeJACO EliteProBuy ↗
- Jumper cables or portable jump starter for tow vehicle
- Headlamps1 per adultBuy ↗
- LED camp lanternBlack Diamond Moji 400Buy ↗
Power Tools Worth Packing
These items seem like overkill until you need them. The impact driver alone saves you from a miserable roadside tire change in 90°F heat. The leaf blower prevents hundreds of dollars in slide seal damage in 2 minutes.
- Electric 1/2" impact driverMilwaukee M12 Fuel or DeWalt 20V
- Scissor jack drill socket adapteruse with impact driver to raise/lower stabilizer jacks in secondsBuy ↗
- Socket setSAE (1/2" drive)
- Socket setMetric (1/2" drive)
- Portable floor jackArcan ALJ3T 3-ton
- Extra lug nuts matching your trailer wheel speccarry 4–6 spare
- Fuse assortment kit80pc blade fuses 1A–40ABuy ↗
- RTV silicone sealantJ-B Weld 31310 Clear — for roof seams, window edges, and roadside repairsBuy ↗
- Under-storage binsBuckhorn straight-wall + stackable totes — Hudson Exchange 3-Pack — keep under-storage organized and protected from road grimeBuy ↗
- Dry slide/jack lubeSuper Lube Silicone Spray —ONLY dry lube on slides and stabilizer jacks
- Compact cordless leaf blowerEGO Power+ 400 CFM — blow slide roofs before retracting every time
- Seal conditionerDicor Rubber Roof Cleaner or Protect-All (apply every 90 days)
Emergency Gear
The 3am Problem
Full black tank. Campground bathrooms closed. Dump station 10 miles away. Happens to every RV owner eventually. The $25 emergency toilet pays for itself the first time you need it.
- Emergency toiletReliance Products Luggable Loo — 5-gallon bucket + snap-on seat
- Heavy-duty 50-gallon trash bags20+ kept in emergency kit
- Hand-crank emergency weather radioMidland ER310
- Bear spray if you travel to bear countrystored in exterior compartment only
- Arm-length chemical-resistant glovesdump station protection
- Face shield or safety glassesdump station and under-trailer maintenance
- Heavy-duty hand cleanerFast Orange or Gojo
- MREs or sealed 2-day emergency food supply + 2 gallons sealed emergency water
- Collapsible water jugs with spigotGowithwind 2x5.3 Gal — BPA-free; for water-only sites or boondockingBuy ↗
Hookup Gear — Always in the Trailer
These stay permanently. You'll need them at every campsite. Never leave home without them.
- Water pressure regulator with gaugeCamco TastePURE (40–55 PSI)Buy ↗
- Food-grade drinking water hose (WHITE only)Camco TastePURE 25 ftBuy ↗
- Inline water filterCamco TastePURE KDFBuy ↗
- Dedicated gray water / tank flush hoseFlexzilla 25ft — label "GRAY ONLY"; never mix with drinking water hoseBuy ↗
- Sewer hose kitCamco RhinoFLEX 15 ftBuy ↗
- Sewer hose connector wrenchTagRecove 2-Pack — connect/disconnect without bare-handing the fittingsBuy ↗
- Sewer hose supportCamco Sidewinder 20 ftBuy ↗
- Clear 45° sewer elbow connectorCamco 39455Buy ↗
- 50A to 30A dogbone adapterRVGUARD (ETL Listed) — essential if your 30A trailer encounters a 50A-only pedestalBuy ↗
- RV propane quick-connect hose12ft with safety shut-off — for outdoor griddles, camp grills, or fire pit attachmentsBuy ↗
- Sewer hose bumper carrierValterra 34–60" — mounts externally to trailer bumper; keeps sewer hose out of interior storageBuy ↗
- Black tank treatmentHappy Campers or Thetford Aqua-KemBuy ↗
- Rubber glovesdedicated for sewer use, stored separately
- Extra hose washers and O-rings
Outdoor Living
- Camp chairs1 per person
- Folding camp table
- Outdoor rug/patio matCamco Reversible Patio Mat 8x16Buy ↗
- String lightsbattery-powered or plug-in
- Awning tie-down strapsCamco awning anchor kit
- Collapsible folding wagonRadio Flyer
Kids' Gear — Permanent in Trailer
- Portable night lightVAVA VA-CL006
- Portable travel potty for toddlersOXO 2-in-1 Go Potty
- Cabinet safety latches + outlet covers for RV interior
- Chalk, bubbles, crayons, coloring books
- Bug catcher + magnifying glass
- Glow-in-the-dark bracelets
Food — Permanent Pantry Staples
Restock after every trip. These should always be in the trailer so you're never starting from zero.
- Cooking oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder
- Canned goods: beans, soup, tuna, tomatoes
- Pasta + sauce
- Oatmeal or cereal
- Peanut butter + crackers + shelf-stable snacks
- S'mores supplies: marshmallows, chocolate, graham crackers
- Coffee + filters or pods
- Hot chocolate packets
- Emergency protein bars1 box minimum