Your First Trip

Well, What Now?
So, you've made the plunge and purchased that Camper you've been dreaming of. You've stayed up late, talking about all the places you want to see, the side trips you want to make, the rolling and rambling lifestyle of an RV owner. Now the Camper is in the driveway and you're ready to load up and hit the trail. But what stuff do you pack, and how much?

Power, Water, and Sewage: the Big Three
Without the convenience of fresh water, electricity, and sewage lines, an RV is not much more than a large tin tent with a bed. Access to drinking water, toilet facilities (unless you have a toilet in your RV), and electricity makes all the difference in your RV adventure. Be sure to check for the proper tubing and other items for these three utilities each time you prepare for an RV trip:

Electrical connections

1. An properly rated extension cord (see RV manual for details), in case you are unable to park close enough to the power source.
2. Any power or voltage adapters you might need.

Water

1. A white fresh water hose fitted with the necessary connectors.
2. A water pressure regulator, since the water pressure varies between RV parks. It's rare to experience this, but since excess water pressure can damage the plumbing in your RV, a regulator is a good safety precaution.
3. An in-line water filter for your RV's water supply is strongly suggested. Unless you're traveling in Mexico, it's very rare to have any problems with municipal water supplies. This simply adds an extra purification and filtration step to your water, and can eliminate the need for bottled water.

Sewage/Grey Water

1. Stock a full sewage disposal kit including the proper hoses, fittings, flushing connections, rubber gloves, a sewer hose support to use while draining the black or grey water tank, and any sewage tank additives called for in the manual for your RV's septic system if your RV is equipped with one.
2. A length of hose and a tank-cleaning wand to clean the sewage holding tanks, again if your RV has one.
   Equipment and sanitizer for the sewage hoses and fittings, if you prefer to sanitize them before you stow them away.
3. Rapid-disintegration toilet paper designed for use in an RV.
   Getting Level and Stable

Arrival
Once you get to the RV pad at the campground or other parking area, you'll want to make sure the vehicle is level and stabilized. Here are a few items that will help balance things out and keep them that way:

1. Leveling blocks.
2. A bubble level (if you're extremely concerned about being exactly level).
3. Basic camping supplies.

Camping Supplies
Now you should be ready to unpack. Here is a list of some basic camping supplies you'll want to have on board for a short or long RV camping trip:

1. A gas or battery-powered camping lantern.
2. Campfire wood.
3. Flashlight(s).
4. Self-powered radio.
5. Fire extinguisher.
6. Multiple-outlet cord (surge protector type).
7. Folding chairs.
8. Folding table for outside.
9. Large plastic trash bags.
10. Trash can.
11. Smaller plastic trash bags.
12. Lightweight and heavy-duty rope for tie-downs, clotheslines, etc.
13. Selection of bungee cords in a variety of lengths and sizes.
14. Matches or long butane lighter made for lighting fires and burners.
15. Well-stocked first-aid kit (top up the contents before each trip).
16. A small handheld vacuum cleaner.
17. Bug spray.
18. Ant traps and repellant.
19. Doormat outside the RV.
20. Electric fan.
21. Cell phone.
22. Reading material.
23. Sewing kit.
24. Camera.
25. Partridge.
26. Pear tree.

Personal Items
Although you may have the luxury of a toilet in your RV (if equipped), you'll still need to bring along the same basic personal hygiene items as you do when you're camping outside:
Hand and bath soap.

1. Shampoo.
2. Deodorant.
3. Hand lotion.
4. Insect repellent for skin.
5. Hydrogen peroxide or isopropyl alcohol for bites and scrapes.
6. Sunscreen and sun block.
7. Tissues and wet wipes.
8. Toothbrush and toothpaste.
9. Contact lens case and cleaner.
10. Combs and hairbrushes.

Kitchen Items
This list will depend on what you prefer to eat and drink, and how you like to cook. If you're planning to use your own grill or one provided by the campground for most of the cooking, augmented with the RV stovetop, microwave, or an outdoor camp stove, then you might want to carry fewer kitchen items.  If you plan to use a skillet or frying pan on the campfire or in the coals, refrain from using any pans with a nonstick coating, as these can become toxic when exposed to high heat. Cast iron is the preferred material for these cooking methods.  Paper or reusable plastic plates and cups are preferred over glassware, stoneware, pottery, or china, both for the reduced weight and for the safety factor. Glassware and pottery can cause severe injuries if they are broken in the sink, on the ground, or by falling from a shelf.

A Word About Cooking Fuel
Scrap lumber makes great bonfire wood but should not be used as cooking fuel. Lumber is treated with chemicals to retard warping, fire, mildew, and other damage. If it is used for cooking, the chemicals can contaminate the food. Campfire or fireplace wood can be purchased at most grocery stores, especially in the winter. If you live where it gets cold in winter, you can buy oak wood to take camping. Oak makes outdoor cooking taste great and, as an added bonus, stays hot for a long time, enabling you to cook baked potatoes, carrots, parsnips, or the partridge you brought along (see Camping Supplies above). Just don't forget the butter! .

If you plan to go all-out with your RV recipes, then you'll need more in the way of kitchen gear. Here's a list to start with:

1. Lightweight frying pan (not a nonstick surface).
2. Cast iron skillet.
3. Cast iron Dutch oven.
4. Saucepans and covers.
5. Paper or reusable plastic plates.
6. Plastic cups and glasses.
7. Measuring cups and spoons.
8. Steak or paring knives.
9. Butcher or chopping knife.
10. Large wooden spoons.
11. Serving utensils.
12. Paper towels.
13. Can opener (take two).
14. Stovetop or electric coffee pot.
15. Baking soda.
16. Bottle opener.
17. Paper plate holders.
18. Ladle.
19. Tongs.
20. Sponges.
21. Scrub pads.
22. Corkscrew .
23. Steamer for Dutch oven.
24. Plastic dishpan and drainer.
25. Cutting board.
26. Coffee scoop.
27. Pot holders.
28. Oven and barbecue mitt.
29. Coffee filters.
30. Aluminum foil.
31. Ziplock plastic bags.
32. Trash bags.
33. Dish soap.
34. Tablecloth.
35. Beer or soda can cozies to keep them cold.

Sleeping in the Comfort of Home
Most folks with an RV sleep as they do at home, using blankets and bedding rather than sleeping bags. Others, because they use their beds as lounging areas while driving, will keep a basic cover over the mattress and use sleeping bags at night.

Towels and Linens
Purchase each person towels of their own color so you can tell them apart. If towels are hung to dry in the sun or other dry place immediately after use, they can be reused for at least a couple of showers before laundering. Here's a list for both types of sleeping, as well as various other linens and towels:

1. Blanket, comforter, and sheets for bed.
2. Sleeping bags for each person, if preferred.
3. Pillow for each person.
4. Two to four washcloths per person.
5. Two bath towels per person.
6. Two hand towels per person.
7. Extra pillowcases.
8. Beach towels .

RV Maintenance and Safety
Take a well-stocked toolbox with you on each trip. Sort through it to make sure that everything is there before you leave. Nothing is worse than to be broken down on the road, reach for the toolbox, and discover that the exact tool you need is at home, sitting on the workbench.

Here's a list of basics to remember:

1. Extra fuses.
2. Extra light bulbs.
3. Electrical tape.
4. Plumbing tape.
5. Duct tape.
6. Tire repair kit.
7. Wrench set.
8. Small hammer.
9. Jan Hammer (if you're traveling to Miami)
10. Multipurpose knife or tool.
11. Screwdrivers.
12. Socket set.
13. Jumper cables.
14. Wrench for hitch bolts.
15. Small can of WD-40.
16. Various nuts, bolts, connectors, etc.

Camping Extras
In case you plan to stop someplace aside from a regular RV park, you might like to have these extra items on board:

1. Small gasoline-powered generator (if your RV doesn't have one).
2. Approved and properly stowed gas cans with fuel for generator.

Additional Resources
Camping World or your local Walmart carry just about everything you'll need to make your RV camping trip fun, clean, and easy.

1. Space Saver Storage Bags make packing, both outbound and coming home, a cinch. You can just toss in the bulky clothes, bedding, and towels and then remove the air, compacting everything down to almost nothing. The bags don't even need a vacuum to work their magic.