What Not to Pack: Ditch These Items on Your Next RV Road Trip
You’ve finally done it. You’ve purchased a big league RV and are ready to set sail for your first adventure. Before you pull out your itinerary and map out your route, it’s time to talk about one of the least exciting activities known to man: packing. Packing may not be the first thing you wish to cross of your list, but this all-important task is key to a successful road trip. Extra space is a commodity inside an RV, so the last thing you want to do is overpack. The following list is a compilation of the nonessential items that you should leave at home. Ditch these things on your next RV road trip and leave extra space for all the items you really need.
Extra Clothes
Camping is all about roughing it. So there’s no reason to jam-pack your closet with a wardrobe that would make Carrie Bradshaw jealous. Your wardrobe should boil down to the very basics – underwear, socks, pants, shirts, a sun-protecting hat, and a pair of outdoor shoes. Obviously, you’ll want to pack a few extra layers if you’re heading to colder climates – but be sure not to overpack when it comes to bulky jackets. To save on space, you can pack your clothing in storage bins that serve as a makeshift dresser.
Canned Food
There’s nothing wrong with packing a little canned food for your road trip. It’s not uncommon, however, for newbie RVers to pack enough canned food to stock a bomb shelter. Overstocking food is one of the most common mistakes for RV rookies. Avoid that trip to Costco and do a little meal-prepping instead. This will help you limit your food supply and save money on unnecessary items. Plus, you can always make that last second trip to the grocery store if you’re running low on supplies.
Spices
Today’s RVs may have plenty of bells and whistles, but it’s important to remember that they’re still campers. You need to treat them as such and leave unnecessary kitchen items at home. Word to the wise? Forget your spices. Yes, your recipes may not have the same kick to them, but it’s a small price to pay for the added space. Plus, a spice rack is sure to spill all over your RV next time you hit the slightest of speed bumps. Limit your spices to salt, pepper, and maybe a little taco seasoning for extra flavor.
Beauty Items
What’s in your toiletry kit? If the answer includes anything more than travel-sized toothpaste, deodorant, and shampoo, you’ve probably overpacked. There’s no need to stock up on extra beauty items on an RV road trip, even if you plan on snapping those all-important Instagram selfies. Hair dryers, curlers and makeup should be left at home.
Excess Water
Beware of the water tank. Yes, water is your most important survival item if you get stuck in a Revenant-style trek through the woods. But packing excess water is a surefire way to weigh down your RV. Water tanks can add extra pounds that severely limit your fuel efficiency. Always remember to frequently dump your tanks. You can also load up on water when you reach your campground.
Firewood
From ghost stories to s’mores, a good campfire is quintessential to the camping experience. But hold off before packing up that bundle of firewood. Firewood can be one of the biggest wastes of space for RVers. The size and weight of firewood make it difficult to fit inside an RV, where virtually every nook and cranny is accounted for. Plus, some campsites prohibit you from bringing your own firewood because of invasive species. You don’t have to bail on a good old-fashioned campfire. Just purchase some wood at your campsite instead.
Tools
Tools are an instrumental piece of any camping trip. With that said, it’s important to minimize the items in your tool chest on your RV road trip. No, we’re not advising that you go full-caveman and stockpile sticks and rocks. Just make sure not to fill your RV with heavy, unnecessary equipment. A basic tool kit and some auto essentials should be enough to get by. Remember: a little duct tape goes a long way.
Kitchen Appliances
Who doesn’t love a good frozen margarita machine? Your home kitchen might be stockpiled with enough appliances to make it look like a Sur La Table, but they should stay where they belong. RVing doesn’t provide enough room or resources to make five star cuisine. So forget about packing the bread maker, waffle iron, and pressure cooker. Your RV will be much more roomy and efficient without these unnecessary items. Plus, that margarita will be all the more sweeter when you return home.
Electronics
Can you imagine a day without modern distractions? No email alerts, no push notifications and no stress. It’s harder than ever to fully detach from technology. Still, camping trips offer a unique chance to avoid electronics and fully embrace nature. Laptops, tablets and smartphones are not only an unnecessary waste of space, they take away from the genuine camping experience. Ditch your electronics in favor of a simplistic camping trip. You’ll thank us later.
Adi Hed is a writer and traveling enthusiast. He’s also the co-founder of Tadibrothers, which specializes in Backup Camera Systems and safety equipment for RVs and other vehicles. When he’s not traveling or in the office, he can be found writing on The Tadibrothers blog at https://www.tadibrothers.com/blog/