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February 11, 2020

27 Must Haves for your Camper on a Budget!

Save your money and buy these camping essentials used!

So you took the dive, and you bought a camper! But now you need to stock it, and everything really adds up – how can you save money and do it as thrifty as possible?

Thrift stores!

My favorite thing ever is finding deals at thrift stores, and I wanted to go over some things that are just better to buy used than to spend money on.

When we were deciding what camper we wanted, we were really torn in between buying an older one and renovating it, or buying a new one (with all the bells and whistles!) and just trying to be tight with our finances after.

In the end, we decided we did not want any problems to pop up if we bought a used camper. We also didn’t want to spend our weekends that we could be camping working on the camper!

This meant, though, that I couldn’t buy all the cute “adventure themed” linens, and the pretty silverware, or find the EXACT thing I wanted for everything.

I instead had to be resourceful and find as much as I could at our local thrift stores.

Where I live there aren’t too many, but I travel to a near by big city often, and they have a ton!

P.S. If you’re interested in organizing your RV, check this out!

RVs get messy… FAST! Check out this article of 41+ RV organizing accessories and tips to make sure your camping vacation remains stress free (and without clutter!

Here are my top picks of camper must haves to save money on when furnishing your camper + downloadable checklist if you’re in a hurry!

I seriously saved so much money buying used!

If you don’t have time to read through this whole thing, or just want to print off your own checklist, download it below!



Linens for your camper

There are always a ton every thrift store I go to!

The organization may not always be the best, but it’s worth going through what’s there to save some serious money!

Even the most basic sheet sets can cost 20-30 dollars, and normally you will need 2-3 of them to cover each bed.

While the linens might not be matching, it’s good to just get everything covered, then be on the lookout for cute stuff to upgrade over time.

Kind of mismatched, but it will do until you find the linens you love!

Here are some linens to make sure to get for your camper

  • Pillowcases – These are so cheap, that it’s worth buying a couple so that you have extras while camping! Kids get so dirty so quick that it’s nice to just switch out the pillowcase every day!
  • Fitted Sheet + Top Sheet – While I normally don’t use top sheets, they are helpful for camping because they prevent your bigger, heavier comforter from getting dirty as fast. Also, it’s just nice to have a lighter sheet for sleeping if it’s summer!
  • Extra thick blankets – Always good to have in an emergency, such as when your heater stop working or it’s just a really cold night. They can double as a safe surface for babies to play on outside!
  • Shower Towels – Even if you don’t have a shower, or never intend to be gone long enough to need to shower, they can come in handy for unexpected trips to the pool or splashes in the lake!
  • Ugly Shower Towels / Dish Rags – We bought a couple of ratty shower towels, and just cut them up to be dish rags. They are just helpful for wiping up, and will save you a ton of money on paper towels!
READ
11 Most Awesome Pieces of Baby Camping Gear [2020 Updates!]

It’s also nice to have a dedicated “camping” set of linens.

Having an extra linen set is helpful so that hat when you get back from camping, you can just strip everything, wash it, and get it all back on and be ready for your next trip!

Dish Accessories for your RV kitchen

Most thrift stores are OVERFLOWING with silverware and other cooking must haves!

A silverware set will be easy to find, but don’t forget to get these other essentials for your camper!

  • 1-2 Metal Pots – While camping might conventionally be all about grilling and smores, we know that, with kids, noodles and other less exciting food may be preferred. Also, you GOT to have “cowboy coffee” in the morning if you’re camping!
  • Spatulas and Whisk – Pancake making supplies!
  • PLASTIC Plates and Cups!- As pretty as others might look, if you’re camping with kids this just eliminates the possibility of breaking dishes. They also, in my opinion, hold up a lot longer. Just be sure they are dishwasher safe!
  • Coffee Cups – The most unique cups I have ever found have been at thrift stores! If you can’t find any cool ones, just get some basic cups and keep an eye out for those unique pieces
kitchen utensils in thrift store for a camper
If you have the patience, you can likely find all the kitchen utensils you need here!

Organizational Items to utilize all the space in your camper!

Laundry baskets, storage containers, hanging storage are all things I’m talking about!

Make sure to take measurements of any storage spaces that you’re trying to find a container for beforehand!

Campers often have weird shaped or sized storage areas, and it can be hard to find a good one. Luckily, there are many odd finds at thrift stores!

If you want some AMAZING ideas on how to organize your camper, check out these 31 tips from a professional organizer on how to kick the RV clutter HERE!

Here are some organizing items to look out for at your local thrift store

  • Laundry Hamper / Bag – I personally prefer a bag, since floor space is limited, but your camper might be bigger!
  • Hanging Organizers for Small Closets – These are often marketed as shoe or sweater organizers, but they are perfect for those weird spaces in your camper because they are soft and so sort of moldable to where they need to fit!
  • Back of the Door Hangers – It’s all about utilizing the space you have, and doors are prime realty! I often hang towels from them, but you could hang Day / Night clothes for easy changing!
  • Cloth Foldable Bins – I love these for bringing into the house, packing with our clothes, then transporting back into the camper. Each person has their own bin, and when not in use, they fold flat!
  • Trash Cans – I like to get two for outside, and one small one for inside the camper. It’s nice being able to have your recyclables already separated (one trash can for trash, the other for recyle) so it’s that much easier to take care of when you get home!
  • 3M Hooks – While these might be a little harder to find, you’ll want some hooks! They are great for hanging bigger utensils that don’t fit in your kitchen drawers as well as small items you don’t want to lose such as keys. These might be a little easier to find at a store such as Habitat for Humanity.
  • Velcro – You might find some rolls of velcro in the craft area of the thrift store – snatch them up if you see it! Velcro is amazing for keeping things in place while in transit, and it’s super easy to apply!
  • Silverware  Trays, Dish Drying Rack, Dish Storage (preferably vertical) – These are things that don’t get much use (unless you travel full time of course – lucky!) so you don’t need anything super quality. I always buy vertical storage for things like plates and cups because I find that I have a ton of vertical space with no shelves in most of my cabinets!
  • Wire Shelving or other Adjustable Shelving – This isn’t necessary, especially if you already found a good hanging organizer, but it’s good to look out for anyways. If you have a smaller camper, you’re probably going to be looking for locker sized shelving units!
READ
13 Ideas To Decorate Your RV for Halloween Camping!

P.S. If you can’t find some sort of bathroom organization, there’s this awesome DIY tutorial on how to make one from just a towel! Check it out HERE!

Kids Toys that can take some rough play!

I absolutely love buying toys used – there always seems to be a giant selection, and it’s kind of fun because you never know what you will find!

I like buying things that are durable, easy to clean, do well outside, and don’t have a bunch of little parts.

This means rubber or good plastic, as they are not easy to break and can be washed off fairly easy.

I also like to not have tons of little pieces laying around everywhere that will inevitably get lost!

sand toys for camping
There was this awesome dirt pit at our last campsite that the kids loved!

Here are some toys every kid needs on a camping trip (that you’ll likely find at your local thrift shop!)

  • 2 or 3 Balls – Get some different kinds! A rubber one for kicking, a cool textured one for the younger kids, and a bouncy one!
  • “Beach Toys” IE a Shovel, Bucket, Rake etc – Where there’s a campsite, there will be rocks and dirt! Just a couple of tools like this will keep kids busy for hours!
  • Truck Toys – Boys AND girls will love to dig stuff up and move dirt around! Another favorite that I see all the time at thrift stores!
  • A toy that can “eat” stuff – What I mean is some sort of toy that your kid can make eat things. A toy that has a mouth that can open and shut – this might be a hand puppet, or one of those finger operated toys that you pull the lever down and the mouth closes. I can’t tell you how much fun my toddler has had when I send him on some mission to feed his dino something from around camp!

Extra Baby / Kid Care Items

While this is mostly applicable to younger children, it’s still good to see if there are any duplicates of items you need for your kids!

This might include high chairs, booster seats, baby gates, or an extra pack ‘n play.

It might even be a good idea to pick up extra clothes so that you aren’t constantly having to pack the unpack after each camping trip!

The more dedicated camping items you have, the less you have to pack, and the quicker you can get out the door!

kids items to find in a thrift store for your camper like a bedrail
We use our bed rail for cosleeping and as sort of a makeshift barrier to keep everyone contained!

If you’re curious what all I pack for my 3 under 3, check out my article that details EXACTLY what you need to pack when camping with a baby HERE!

Some easy extra baby items to keep an eye out for

  • Booster seat/highchair – Even if your child is fine to sit on their own, sometimes it’s helpful to keep them “contained” while you get chores done
  • Pack N Play – I don’t use one, but I do know parents who use them for outside play!
  • Bed rails / Baby Gate – Helpful if you co-sleep, or just want to add some extra security to your toddler’s sleeping arrangement!
  • Shoes – These get wet often, so it’s really helpful to have one or two extra! The morning dew always get my guys shoes wet, despite us telling him to stay out of the grass!
  • Clothes – Pants are a big one here, since they will likely get dirty the fastest!
READ
11 Most Helpful Outdoor RV Products That You Don't Need... But Will Make Your Camp Trip WAY Nicer!

Other tips on finding cheap camping items!

If you can’t find what you need at the thrift store, the next best place to look would be on line community markets, such as Facebook Marketplace!

Be sure to join all the local garage sale sites too, as things like kid items are bought and sold fairly often.

Lastly, you could check out Amazon and see if there are any Warehouse Deals on things you need.

What are Warehouse Deals? They are items that, for whatever reason, were sent back to Amazon and are now considered used. The packaging might not be intact, there may be cosmetic damage or a screw might be missing.

What does this mean for you? Amazon is trying to compensate you for these flaws by offering it at a cheaper price!

I wrote an article all about how to find Amazon Warehouse Deals HERE. It’s a step by step guide (with pictures) to finding just about anything cheap!

I actually found a lot of the “nicer” camping and hiking gear for my babies this way!

If you want to check out what items those are – and trust me, you do because it will make camping with your baby that much more enjoyable – then head on over to my list of Must Haves for Camping with Your Baby!

Pin this by clicking here so you remember how to save your money  when it comes to the RV (and use it for more awesome camping things – like gourmet bacon and coffee in the morning!)

Yes, this cool coffee cup came from a thrift store! Even better, it was in a set of 4 that stacks vertically!
must haves rv basic products to get cheap at thrift store
what camper rv furnishings to buy cheap

  • About
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Stacy Bressler
Stacy Bressler is an avid outdoorswoman, wife, and mother of three who lives in Jackson, Wyoming. She loves all things camping and enjoys sharing helpful tips, fun activities and laughable learning experiences she finds along the way! Navigating the outdoor life through the lens of humor and positivity, she chronicles it all on her website "The Crazy Outdoor Mama"
Latest posts by Stacy Bressler (see all)
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Filed Under: RV Camping Tagged With: camper tips, camping tips, camping with kids, money saving

About Stacy Bressler

Stacy Bressler is an avid outdoorswoman, wife, and mother of three who lives in Jackson, Wyoming. She loves all things camping and enjoys sharing helpful tips, fun activities and laughable learning experiences she finds along the way! Navigating the outdoor life through the lens of humor and positivity, she chronicles it all on her website "The Crazy Outdoor Mama"

Comments

  1. K L says

    May 17, 2019 at 2:39 pm

    Dollar stores!!!

    Reply
    • The Crazy Outdoor Mama says

      May 17, 2019 at 4:09 pm

      Yessss! There are definitely some things that are cheaper at dollar stores that I should add to this! IE, they sell a set of like 6 plastic kid plates for a dollar, while they tend to be 50 cents for EACH PLATE on the thrift store! I <3 dollar stores!

      Reply
  2. Jacqueline M says

    June 20, 2019 at 12:06 pm

    I am having a hard time finding the checklist download. 🙁 Can you help me?

    Reply
    • The Crazy Outdoor Mama says

      June 20, 2019 at 12:25 pm

      Hi Jacqueline!
      The form for you to fill out so that I can send it to you is just a bit under the main picture. The heading is “HERE ARE MY TOP PICKS OF CAMPER MUST HAVES TO SAVE MONEY ON WHEN FURNISHING YOUR CAMPER + DOWNLOADABLE CHECKLIST IF YOU’RE IN A HURRY!” I hope that helps! I can also manually add you and send it on over if you like! -Stacy

      Reply
  3. Carrie Krumrie says

    July 19, 2019 at 9:58 am

    We got an RV and I went to a thrift store for sheets, towels, plastic containers for food storage! Went to BigLots to get plastic stack able containers for clothes! So glad to see checklists to help others get ready to take off!
    Plenty of other things that need to be purchased, not found in thrift stores!!
    Thank you so much for your good advice!!
    Carrie

    Reply
    • The Crazy Outdoor Mama says

      July 19, 2019 at 12:55 pm

      Hi Carrie!
      That’s awesome! I love biglots too! And yes, definitely much more! My plan is always thrift stores –> dollar store —> FB marketplace –> amazon warehouse deals —> amazon or whatever local company I want to support. I’m happy you like it! -Stacy

      Reply
  4. David Gear says

    July 25, 2019 at 9:04 am

    Great ideas! Just now purchasing an RV – please put me on your email list.

    Reply
    • The Crazy Outdoor Mama says

      July 25, 2019 at 12:39 pm

      David,
      Congrats on the RV! I’ll add ya to the list for sure! Thanks! -Stacy

      Reply
  5. Simon Harris says

    July 28, 2019 at 2:20 pm

    I recently bought a rv to live in fulltime. Im scalingdown as well as figuring out best deals to find things for rv living. Your list are so helpful. Please put me on your email list

    Reply
    • The Crazy Outdoor Mama says

      July 29, 2019 at 9:00 am

      Hi Simon!
      That’s exciting (and probably daunting at the same time!) I’m happy the list was helpful. I will add you to my email list! -Stacy

      Reply
  6. Heapie says

    August 20, 2019 at 5:47 am

    When I would go by a thrift store I would check out items I might need. Very often I would find a better item. I would buy the item and donate the old item, like a frying pan etc. That way I would get the newer stuff with out creating clutter.

    Reply
    • The Crazy Outdoor Mama says

      August 20, 2019 at 9:20 pm

      Hi Heapie!
      I do that too! I get something to just “get me by” until I saw or could afford something better! And if you actually follow through and donate the old thing it will definitely help with the clutter (I need to work on that, I always forget to actually get the donate stuff to the store!) – Stacy

      Reply
  7. Debby Bradford says

    November 22, 2019 at 7:47 am

    Thanks for the great ideas. Your kids are absolutely adorable. 😊

    Reply
    • Stacy Bressler says

      December 1, 2019 at 9:50 pm

      Debby,
      Awww, thanks! And I’m so happy that you liked the ideas! -Stacy

      Reply
  8. C. Stowe says

    August 14, 2020 at 8:51 pm

    I. Take. Extra. Fitted. Sheets. For. Picnic. Table. Covers. And. Extra. Queen. Or. King. Flat. Sheets. To. Put. Up. For. Privacy.

    Reply
    • Stacy Bressler says

      August 25, 2020 at 8:22 am

      Hi C!
      I looooove that idea! It’s so nice to have something on the table, and a fitted sheet is perfect (especially if it’s from the thrift store so you don’t feel bad for getting it dirty!) And the extra privacy at your camp is definitely good – campgrounds lately have been VERY crowded! Alot of peeping eyes! – Stacy

      Reply
  9. Kay Oden says

    October 2, 2020 at 10:57 am

    I make sun tea with an infusion type water bottle. As soon as we set up camp I fill the water bott,es with water and put herbal teabags in the infuser insert and sit the bottles on picnic table in sun. Doesn’t take long to make enough tea for rest of stay

    Reply
    • Stacy Bressler says

      October 14, 2020 at 10:25 am

      Wow Kay that sounds so tasty! I need to do that – less coffee and more tea would probably be good for me (hey that rhymed!) – Stacy

      Reply
  10. J David says

    October 10, 2020 at 6:53 pm

    RV ordered but available till May 2021 as the company I have chosen is incredible busy.
    I came to USA from Northern Ireland and had a RV when I was there.
    I would like to join your information as I may be a little rusty as it was a few years ago.

    Reply
    • Stacy Bressler says

      November 9, 2020 at 12:55 pm

      Hi J!
      Yes, COVID has caused a massive demand for RVs and a shortage for tons of RV parts. Welcome to the US! You can sign up here https://www.thecrazyoutdoormama.com/the-crazy-outdoor-mama-library/ to get my email and all the checklists you need! Thanks for reading! – Stacy

      Reply
  11. Becky says

    November 1, 2020 at 7:46 pm

    I haven’t been able to see how to download any of the free offers you have sent me.

    Reply
    • Stacy Bressler says

      November 4, 2020 at 4:44 pm

      Hi Becky! Im sorry you haven’t been able to! Did you go to the resource library ( https://www.thecrazyoutdoormama.com/resource-library/ ) and type in the password (it’s at the bottom of the emails I send ya). That’s where all the printable items are in one place! Please email me if that doesn’t work!

      All the best
      Stacy

      Reply

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