What Not to Pack for Your RV Trip

Before you hit the road in your RV, you will need to pack a lot of supplies. It's tempting to bring anything and everything you might need "just in case," but this clutters up your limited interior space and weighs down your rig. A better solution is to be strategic about what you take onto your RV. We've created the following guide to help you know what you can leave behind so you can pack smarter. If you have any questions or want to look at RVs for sale, visit The Outpost RV in Middlebury, Indiana.

Too Much Food

It's important to bring enough food for every passenger. It's even wise to bring more than you need in case your RV trip experiences an obstacle and you have to stay longer than you expected. But there's a difference between "extra food to be prepared" and packing half a grocery store in your tiny kitchen. Packing too much fresh food can easily lead to food expiring before you can eat it, which means you wasted the money you spent to buy those items. Plus, too much food leads to excess weight that you don't need to haul to your destination.

A better solution is to plan your meals. Think about what you'll be preparing and the ingredients you'll need for each day in your RV. Then pack a little extra food for an emergency situation.

Unnecessary Kitchen Equipment

Your RV kitchen only has so much counter space. It's unnecessary to bring along all your fancy kitchen equipment when there are simpler alternatives available. Instead of cooking complicated meals, stick to one-pot recipes. Instead of using a large and fancy coffee maker with twelve settings, stick to a compact and basic model. Keep your appliances and cooking simple to save space and reduce clean-up time.

Too Many Clothes

When you are limited to one suitcase, it's easy to be selective about what clothing items you bring. But when you have access to an RV closet and other storage areas, it's easy to justify bringing along most of your closet. But you don't need to subject your RV (or your traveling companions) to a rig overrun by clothing.

Instead, be strategic with what you pack. Look up the weather and make sure your clothes are warm or cool enough. Think about what activities you'll do and pack accordingly. If you'll be exploring hiking trails, be sure you have sturdy closed-toed shoes. If you'll be lounging on the beach, pack a pair of sandals. A waterproof jacket and a pair of waterproof shoes is usually enough to be prepared for rain. Once you pack for specific situations, you can turn your attention to general clothing.

As you pack your everyday clothing, keep in mind the power of the sink. You could always hand-wash clothes at the end of the day, let them dry overnight, and use them again later on the trip. You can bring a container of laundry soap or even buy pre-set individual load sizes to wash your garments. Or you can look into RV campsites that offer laundry services or are near a laundromat.

We hope you found these tips helpful! If you want more RV advice or want to look at models for sale, head over to The Outpost RV. We offer a wide range of models for all budgets. Our friendly staff can help you find the perfect fit for your family, so stop by today! We proudly serve those in Middlebury, Indiana, and Kalamazoo, Michigan.