The Ultimate RV Camping Checklists for 2021 [9 Free Printable PDFs]

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If you just bought an RV and are now looking for a checklist of everything you need to go camping, you might be a little intimidated… but don’t worry! I’ll break down everything you need to get to camping!

Not going to lie, this RV checklist can seem pretty big, but the good news is that once you get everything in place, you shouldn’t need to buy new things for your RV very often!

We personally bought ALOT of stuff used. This helped us save a lot of money on the basics such as kitchen and organizational items. That way we could have more for travel or for buying the things that were important to us or more of a “luxury”.

I will include my premade RV camping checklist you can print as well as each list item. That way you can copy and paste what you want and make your own RV camping lists!

9/5/21 NEW “RED-y” RV Checklist Set (see picture below!) available now

If you’re in a hurry and would like to skip the previews – here’s where you can sign up to get your printable RV checklists today for FREE! You can also purchase this set of 9 RV camping checklists on Etsy!!



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Trailer Hook-Ups RV Checklist

This is probably the only checklist RV owners will have to buy new, and pretty darn quick – a lot of these items are necessary for RV travel.

  • ⬜ Sewer hose
  • ⬜ Freshwater hose
  • ⬜ Power cord adapter
  • ⬜ Black/dark color hose for black tank
  • ⬜ Rv Manual (You won’t have internet access everywhere should you have a question!)
  • ⬜ Water pressure regulator
  • ⬜ Wheel chocks
  • ⬜ Propane
  • ⬜ Rubber gloves
  • ⬜ Water filter
  • ⬜ Wye fitting for hoses
  • ⬜ Emergency brake cable
  • ⬜ A connector to reduce 50 amp to 30 amp
    and vice versa
  • ⬜ Jack and/or ramp
  • ⬜ Tire iron
  • ⬜ Tire Gauge
  • ⬜ Level
  • ⬜ Leveling Blocks
  • ⬜ Spray bottle with bleach water (for hooking up to fresh water)
rv camping checklist for trailer needs

RV Tools to Keep on Hand

Probably one of the most important RV checklists that you won’t realize the importance of until something breaks! This is especially true if you plan on full-timing or traveling long distances since there isn’t always cell service or a repair place nearby (that won’t cost you an arm and a leg!)

Check out this article to see all of our exact RV tool recommendations (with links!) We have three little kids, so we definitely are sure to be very safe and prepared in the tool department!

  • ⬜ Screwdriver w/multiple tip sizes and types
  • ⬜ Needle nose pliers
  • ⬜ Electrical tape
  • ⬜ Zip ties
  • ⬜ Duct tape
  • ⬜ Hammer/saw/hatchet
  • ⬜ Bungee cords/ratchet straps
  • ⬜ Folding shovel
  • ⬜ Small step stool/ladder
  • ⬜ Extra extension cords
  • ⬜ Torque wrench
  • ⬜ Tire plug kit/rv tire jack
  • ⬜ Flashlights
  • ⬜ Extra hitch pin
  • ⬜ Extra fresh water tank cap
See also
What to Expect... When You're Expecting to Buy a Travel Trailer! (+FREE PDF Workbook! )
tools to keep on hand for camper checklist

Outdoors Camp Gear

All you really need are some chairs and a way to start a fire… but these are all nice to have if you want to slowly add on to your collection!

I compiled a list of RV outdoor gear upgrades here if you want to see some deluxe stuff!

  • ⬜ Entry mat
  • ⬜ Camp Chairs
  • ⬜ Charcoal/lighter fluid/lighter
  • ⬜ Firewood
  • ⬜ Bug Spray
  • ⬜ Citronella Candles/Insect Repellent
  • ⬜ Patio Lights
  • ⬜ Bicycles
  • ⬜ Outdoor extension cord
  • ⬜ Portable grill
  • ⬜ Sunscreen
outdoor rv checklist

RV Kitchen Checklist

  • ⬜ Crock pot or Insta pot
  • ⬜ Cast iron
  • ⬜ Griddle
  • ⬜ Coffee pot
  • ⬜ Trash bags
  • ⬜ Dish soap
  • ⬜ Ice chest
  • ⬜ Food/Drinks
  • ⬜ Spices
  • ⬜ Utensils
  • ⬜ Can opener
  • ⬜ Pots/Pans
  • ⬜ Silverware
  • ⬜ Hot pads
  • ⬜ Dish towels/Dish Rags
  • ⬜ Plates/Bowls/Cups
  • ⬜ Paper plates
  • ⬜ Picnic table cloth
  • ⬜ Pitcher
  • ⬜ Small trash can
  • ⬜ Paper towels/napkins
  • ⬜ Foil/Ziplock bags
  • ⬜ Wine bottle opener
  • ⬜ Bottle/can opener
  • ⬜ Can/bottle koozies
rv kitchen checklist

RV Bathroom Checklist

Depending on how far you’re going and if you’re going to use the shower in your RV, this RV camping checklist should be pretty easy!

We don’t often use our shower for short camping trips, and on long trips we try to pepper in some hotel showers as an excuse to explore town. If you plan on using yours often though, make sure you got the basics (+ some medical items!)

  • ⬜ Soap
  • ⬜ Toilet Paper
  • ⬜ Toiletries
  • ⬜ Sun screen
  • ⬜ Towels
  • ⬜ Band Aids
  • ⬜ Eye Drops
  • ⬜ First Aid Kit (make sure to include Benadryl)
  • ⬜ Feminine Hygiene Products
  • ⬜ Extra hair ties / pony holders
  • ⬜ Any personal medications
  • ⬜ Copy of insurance cards
  • ⬜ Tote to carry items to shower
rv bathroom checklist

RV Bedroom Checklist

  • ⬜ Bedding
  • ⬜ Pillows
  • ⬜ Hangers
  • ⬜ Clothes/pajamas
  • ⬜ Outdoor clothes/hiking boots
  • ⬜ Water shoes
  • ⬜ Swimsuits
  • ⬜ Beach towels
  • ⬜ Hats/Sunglasses
  • ⬜ Flip flops for shower
bedroom in camper checklist

Other RV Needs

Here are some miscellaneous things to think about bringing to your camper!

Two things I want to point out – the surge protector you’ll need for your RV when hooking up to campsites is NOT the one you use at home! RV Surge Protectors like this are built for RVs that often plug into new power sources. They monitor for spikes and will auto shut off if they detect something dangerous!

See also
9 Most Romantic Camping Gifts + 19 FREE Camping Valentine Printables!

Secondly – Always bring a checkbook! A lot of campgrounds don’t accept credit cards (especially the ones out of cell service) and you never know if you’ll be out of cash (ATM machines are hit or miss in small towns). We have used it as a last resort a couple of times when our other methods of payment fell through!

  • ⬜ Surge protectors
  • ⬜ Batteries – various sizes
  • ⬜ Extra Plastic Bags
  • ⬜ Card/Board Games
  • ⬜ Books
  • ⬜ Quarters
  • ⬜ Small laundry soap/dryer sheets
  • ⬜ Paper/Pen
  • ⬜ Broom / dust pan
  • ⬜ Throw rugs
  • ⬜ Checkbook (in case campgrounds don’t take cards and you don’t have cash)
  • ⬜ Copy of insurance papers
  • ⬜ Rope/clothes pins
  • ⬜ Command strips
  • ⬜ Extra fuses
  • ⬜ Spare bulbs indoor & out
travel trailer misc checklist

RVing with Babies/Toddlers

There’s going to be way more gear now than when they get older, but it’s worth it to still go out and adventure! At the time of writing this, I have a four year old and two year old twins!

Try to keep in mind that there’s a minimal amount of baby stuff you need to bring on a camping trip with young kids. But you can usually pack a few extra items that will make camp life waaaaay easier with your young child!

All you REALLY need are the meds + diapers and wipes… but after camping with three babies now, I will say that all the stuff below that helps ALOT!

Here we go!

  • ⬜ Diapers and Wipes
  • ⬜ Rash Cream
  • ⬜ PJS / Daytime Clothes
  • ⬜ Thermometer
  • ⬜ Infant Tylenol
  • ⬜ Safe Sleep Situation (Bassinet, cosleeper etc)
  • ⬜ Carrier
  • ⬜ Favorite toy or lovie
  • ⬜ White Noise Machine
  • ⬜ Monitor
  • ⬜ Bottles and/or Formula
  • ⬜ Bottle Cleaning Gear
  • ⬜ Hat and/or Sunglasses
  • ⬜ Potty Chair if applicable
  • ⬜ Camp Highchair
  • ⬜ Camp Bouncer
  • ⬜ Camp Pack N Play / Containment Area
rving with kids checklist

RVing with Pets Checklist

We don’t have any, but have camped with A LOT of dogs! Here’s a list of things you don’t want to forget if you want a successful camp trip with the pets!

  • ⬜ Stakes/lead
  • ⬜ Leashes
  • ⬜ Poop bags
  • ⬜ Bedding
  • ⬜ Food/water bowl
  • ⬜ Food
  • ⬜ ID tags/Vaccination tags
  • ⬜ Copies of vacs records
  • ⬜ Fencing/gates
  • ⬜ Kennel
rving checklist with pets

Leave in the comments any items you think I should add to these checklists!

I want these to be the absolute most helpful RV checklists around, so help me improve them by letting me know in the comments anything I’m missing!

See also
9 Hidden Spots in Your RV You Need to Remember to Clean [PDF Checklist]

Sign up on the form below to download your 9 RV Camping Checklists today! Plus you’ll get access to my ENTIRE Resource Library with tons of other fun printables!

Whether you’re a first-time camper or a seasoned expert looking to get more organized, these camping checklists have everything you could need!

This includes camping with babies/toddlers and animals!

Alternatively, copy and paste the checkbox list I created for each section and make your own custom checklist that’s perfect for you!

Lastly, if you prefer not to share your email or just want it now (with some cover options, meal plan and updated font!) you can purchase it on Etsy!



ultimate rv checklist

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116 thoughts on “The Ultimate RV Camping Checklists for 2021 [9 Free Printable PDFs]”

    • Hi Ireee!
      You need to sign up (the form is near the bottom of the post) and then you will be able to access the resource library where it (and a TON of other camping printables!) are stored. You might even find something else you like there! – Stacy

      Reply

    • How do I download the PDF’s? I signed up already. I see the pages on the website but no where to download them. Thanks, Suzy

      Reply

      • Hi Suzy!
        When you sign up, you’ll get a password to be able to access the “Resource Library” where all the printables are at (including the 9 page RV checklist one!) I’ll just send it over to you though to make it easier. – Stacy

        Reply

  7. Love the camping journals! I will definitely be ordering one from amazon for my kiddos! I would love one of your camping checklists if possible, going camping this weekend ;). Thank you!

    Reply

    • Hi Jamie!
      There is a sign up form at the bottom of the post (I changed the text to have a green backing so it’s easier to see). I’ll send them over the camping checklists, but if you ever need anything else you should sign up! you might find some other printables you like! =) – Stacy

      Reply

  12. Hi Stacy!
    My husband and I are getting ready to take our first camping trip and I would love to be able to download your checklist! We’re a little nervous about our first trip! Thanks!

    Reply

    • Lynne,
      How exciting! It can definitely be pretty nerve wracking to go on that first trip (heck I still forget stuff if I don’t use some of my checklists!) I’ll send it over and then add you to my email list so that you can access some other camping printables you might need! – Stacy

      Reply

  17. We are seasoned camper / boon dockers. We camp for weekends, or vacations. We have been from OR to OK and to IL and all states traveled in between We keep most of the stuff on your lists in the travel trailer all the time. i just like to look at lists to see what other people pack in their RV’s. One of these days I will make a list of my own. I would like to shorten our loading time by being a little more organized and save time. Maybe we can take a long vacation after I retire in a few years. Maybe a snow bird one winter. I did enjoy your writing and lists. .

    Reply

  18. I would love to have your checklists! On the page for the PETS, it would be good to have recent good photos of your pet in case it runs away. and gets lost. Make sure your pet has a tag with phone number on it as well.

    Thank you for providing the lists!! They will be very helpful.

    Reply

  26. Hi Stacy,
    My wife and I are new to the Camper world and would love to begin right with your checklists..
    Cheers
    Paul and Dyana

    Reply

  66. Hello, Your checklists are easy to read and detailed!
    Thanks for taking the time to put these together! As we wait for our first RV to arrive, these checklists make our first few trips do able and not so overwhelming!
    I’m having trouble downloading them, can you direct me to an easier way to download them?
    Thanks for your time,
    Scott

    Reply

    • Hi Scott! I’m happy you’ve found them helpful! So if you were able to download the checklists from the resource library here , I would just save the PDF file somewhere easy to access like your desktop or on your favorite cloud drive (I use dropbox and cloud) and then print from there each time. That way, you won’t have to come to my website and deal with logging in and all that stuff. I hope this helps! -Stacy

      Reply

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