Permanent Packing List

Before You Leave Home

• Confirm campsite utilities: 30 or 50 amp? Water and sewer hookups available?
• Download offline maps for destination (Google Maps, AllTrails app)
• Check weather forecast — pack layers accordingly
• Plan food menu (fridge space is limited — plan before you shop)
• Order or buy groceries in advance
• Check propane level — fill if under 25%
• Start RV fridge 4–8 hours before departure to pre-cool
• Charge all devices: phones, tablets, battery banks
• Download kids' offline entertainment: movies, games, audiobooks
• Take out home trash, secure windows and doors
• Set thermostat to vacation mode
• Buy road snacks and lunch for departure day

Documents & Admin

• Camping reservation confirmation — print + screenshot offline
• America the Beautiful / National Park annual pass
• RV insurance card and policy number
• Tow vehicle and trailer registration
• RV owner's manual (kept permanently in trailer)
• Roadside assistance card — AAA, Coach-Net, or Good Sam
• Emergency contact list — printed, in RV glove box
• Photo ID / passports if crossing border
• RV-specific GPS — Garmin RV 890 (car GPS will route you under low bridges)

Electronics

• Phones + chargers — one per family member
• Tablets/iPads + chargers
• E-reader + charger — Kindle Paperwhite (long battery, sunlight-readable)
• Camera + spare batteries + memory cards
• Portable power station — EcoFlow DELTA 2 or Jackery Explorer 1000
• Multi-port USB charging hub or surge-protected power strip

Kitchen

• Non-breakable plates, bowls, cups — 1 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 (major space-saver)
• Basic spices + olive oil + salt and pepper
• Dish soap, sponge, dish towels
• Zip-lock bags (assorted), aluminum foil, paper towels
• Insulated water bottles — 1 per person (Hydro Flask or similar)
• Travel coffee maker or pour-over kit
• Soft-sided overflow cooler — RTIC 30 can

Bedding & Bath

• Pillows — 1+ per person
• Sleeping bags or blankets rated for destination temperature range
• Extra pillowcases + sheet sets
• Towels — 2 per person + 1 beach/pool towel per person
• Non-slip bath mat for RV shower
• Toiletry bag per person
• Sunscreen SPF 50+
• Bug spray — Sawyer Picaridin (DEET-free, safe for whole family)
• First aid kit — Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series
• Children's Tylenol/ibuprofen, anti-itch cream, extra bandages (if traveling with kids)
• Prescription medications — pack 2 extra days' supply
• OTC meds: antacid, pain reliever, cold medicine, anti-diarrheal
• RV-safe toilet paper — Thetford Aqua-Soft or Camco (regular TP clogs black tanks)
• Baby wipes — large supply (most-used item with kids at camp)

Tools & Maintenance

• Toolbox: hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrench
• Duct tape + zip ties
• Leveling blocks — Camco 44505 10-pack
• Wheel chocks — Camco 44413 pair (2+ pairs for single-axle trailer)
• Stabilizer jack pads — BAL 28010 set of 4
• Digital tire pressure gauge — JACO ElitePro
• Jumper cables or portable jump starter for tow vehicle
• Headlamps — 1 per adult (Petzl Tikka recommended)
• LED camp lantern — Black Diamond Moji 400

• Electric 1/2" impact driver — Milwaukee M12 Fuel or DeWalt 20V
• Socket set — SAE (1/2" drive): RVs use both SAE AND metric — pack both
• Socket set — Metric (1/2" drive): chassis often SAE, components often metric
• Portable floor jack — Arcan ALJ3T 3-ton
• Extra lug nuts matching your trailer wheel spec — carry 4–6 spare
• Grease gun + 2 extra cartridges
• Dry slide/jack lube (spray) — Super Lube Silicone Spray — ONLY dry lube on slides and stabilizer jacks
• Compact cordless leaf blower — EGO Power+ 400 CFM — blow slide roofs before retracting every time
• Seal conditioner — Dicor Rubber Roof Cleaner or Protect-All (every 90 days)
• Black tank flush wand — Camco 40144 Swivel Stik 360°

Emergency Gear

• Emergency toilet — Reliance Products Luggable Loo 5-gallon bucket + snap-on throne seat
• Heavy-duty 50-gallon trash bags — 20+ in emergency kit
• Hand-crank emergency weather radio — Midland ER310
• Bear spray if traveling to bear country — stored in exterior compartment, never inside RV
• Arm-length chemical-resistant gloves (separate from all kitchen items) — dump station protection
• Face shield or safety glasses — dump station and under-trailer maintenance
• Heavy-duty hand cleaner — Fast Orange or Gojo Scrubber
• MREs or sealed 2-day emergency food supply + 2 gallons sealed emergency water
• Printed copy of RV owner's manual — stored in trailer permanently

Hookup Gear — Always in the Trailer

• EMS surge protector — Progressive Industries EMS-PT30X (30A) or EMS-PT50X (50A)
• Water pressure regulator with gauge — Camco TastePURE (40–55 PSI)
• Food-grade drinking water hose (WHITE only) — Camco TastePURE 25 ft
• Inline water filter — Camco TastePURE KDF
• Sewer hose kit — Camco RhinoFLEX 15 ft + 10 ft extension
• Sewer hose support — Camco Sidewinder 20 ft
• Clear 45° sewer elbow connector — Camco 39455
• Black tank treatment — Happy Campers or Thetford Aqua-Kem
• Rubber gloves — dedicated for sewer use, stored separately from other gear
• Extra hose washers and O-rings (prevent drips at connections)

Outdoor Living

• Camp chairs — 1 per person (YETI Trailhead or Helinox Chair One)
• Folding camp table
• Outdoor rug/patio mat — Camco Reversible Patio Mat 8x16
• String lights — battery-powered or plug-in
• Awning tie-down straps — Camco awning anchor kit (essential in wind)
• Firewood + kindling (confirm campsite rules on bringing outside wood)
• Fire starters, lighter, and waterproof matches
• Telescoping marshmallow and hot dog sticks
• Tarp + stakes + rope + small hammer
• Collapsible folding wagon — Radio Flyer (hauls gear, carries tired kids)

Kids & Family

• In-vehicle snack bag packed for the drive (separate from RV supplies)
• Kids' headphones — LilGadgets Untangled Pro (volume-limited to 85dB)
• Each child's comfort item: stuffed animal, small blanket, pillow from home
• Portable night light — VAVA VA-CL006 (USB-rechargeable)
• Kids' sleeping bags rated for destination temperature
• Portable travel potty for toddlers — OXO 2-in-1 Go Potty
• Cabinet safety latches + outlet covers for RV interior
• Chalk, bubbles, crayons, coloring books
• Kite — easy-launch for campsite open areas
• Bug catcher + magnifying glass
• Glow-in-the-dark bracelets for kids at night
• Kids' sunscreen — SPF 50+, reef-safe
• Kids' bug spray — Sawyer Picaridin, DEET-free
• Large supply of wet wipes — the most-used item with kids at any campsite

Clothing (Pack Per Trip)

• Layers: base layer + fleece + waterproof rain jacket — per person
• Hiking boots or trail shoes — per person
• Camp sandals or water shoes
• Rain gear + rubber boots for wet weather
• Wide-brim sun hats — adults and kids
• Hiking pants with zip-off knees — Columbia Silver Ridge or similar
• Swimsuits — water opportunities appear unexpectedly
• Sunglasses + spare pair per person
• Permethrin clothing spray — Sawyer (apply before packing, not on skin)
• Warm pajamas/sleepwear — temperatures drop at night even in summer
• Plan 2 full outfit changes per child per day — camping kids get dirty fast

Food — Permanent Pantry Staples

• Cooking oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder
• Canned goods: beans, soup, tuna, tomatoes
• Pasta + sauce
• Oatmeal or cereal for easy mornings
• Peanut butter + crackers + shelf-stable snacks
• S'mores supplies: marshmallows, chocolate, graham crackers
• Coffee + filters or pods (non-negotiable)
• Hot chocolate packets for kids
• Emergency protein bars — 1 box minimum