Before Your First RV Trip Basic Inventory Checklist

September 13, 2025

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Basic Inventory Checklist

Much of what we load in our RV is common sense, but inevitably we will forget something. This list is a reminder of certain items you will probably want to have.

ć Address book
ć Air freshener / deodorizer
ć Aluminum foil
ć Ant traps
ć Atlas & maps
ć Backpacks
ć Bath towels
ć BBQ utensils
ć Beach towels
ć Bedspreads
ć Bicycles & helmets
ć Blankets
ć Books and magazines
ć Bottle opener
ć Bottled water
ć Bowls
ć Broom & dustpan
ć Bug spray
ć Camera and/or camcorder
ć Campground directory
ć Can opener
ć Can to drain grease in
ć Cell phone and charger
ć Chap stick
ć Citronella candles
ć Change for laundry & tolls
ć Cleaning supplies
ć Clothes hamper or bag
ć Clothes hangers
ć Clothes line or rope
ć Clothes pins
ć Clothes detergent
ć Clothing- Always prepare for the unexpected
ć Coffee, coffee pot, coffee filters, coffee cups
ć Colander
ć Combs
ć Cooler
ć Cookie sheet
ć Corkscrew
ć Cutlery
ć Cutting board
ć Deodorant
ć Dish cloths
ć Dish detergent
ć Dish drainer
ć Dish pan
ć Dish towels
ć Dishes
ć Door mat
ć Drinking cups
ć Electric frying pan
ć Eye/reading glasses
ć Fire extinguisher
ć First aid kit
ć Fishing poles & tackle box
ć Flashlight
ć Flyswatter
ć Folding chairs
ć Games
ć Griddle
ć Hairbrush
ć Holding tank chemicals
ć Ice cube trays
ć Ice pick
ć Jar gripper
ć Kitchen utensils
ć Kleenex
ć Ladle
ć Laptop computer
ć Life jackets
ć Matches
ć Measuring cup & spoons
ć Medications
ć Mixing bowls
ć Napkins
ć Night lights
ć Non-stick cooking spray
ć Outdoor carpet
ć Oven mitt
ć Paper plates & holders
ć Paper towels
ć Pens & pencils
ć Pillows & pillow cases
ć Pizza cutter
ć Plastic cups
ć Plastic wrap
ć Plates (large & small)
ć Playing cards & games
ć Portable BBQ grill or propane grill
ć Portable radio/CD player
ć Pot & pans
ć Pot holders
ć Pot lids
ć Propane bottles for grill & lantern
ć Propane lantern
ć Serving spoons
ć Serving tray
ć Sewing kit
ć Scissors
ć Scrub pads
ć Sheets
ć Shower shoes/water shoes
ć Silverware/plastic eating utensils
ć Skewers
ć Sleeping bags
ć Spatula
ć Spices & condiments
ć Sponges
ć Stamps
ć Sunglasses
ć Sunscreen
ć Suntan lotion
ć Surge suppressor
ć Swimsuits
ć Tablecloth & tablecloth holders
ć Tea pot & tea bags
ć Thermos
ć Toaster
ć Toiletries
ć Toilet paper (RV)
ć Tongs
ć Toys
ć Trash bags
ć Trash can
ć Travel clock / alarm clock
ć TV cable
ć Vacuum cleaner (small)
ć Videos/DVDs
ć Umbrellas
ć Wash cloths
ć Water carrier bag (portable)
ć Weather radio
ć Windbreakers & raincoats
ć Zip lock bags

Camping Tip: It would not be practical for me to list what food to take with you. That is solely a matter of preference. I will mention that you should not pack the refrigerator so tight that it prevents air circulation. This will make the refrigerator less efficient. Consider taking a few days supply of food and replenish as needed.
See Checklist 28, Refrigerator efficiency

Clothing is another matter of preference. Just keep in mind to always expect the unexpected!