How to Pack for Extended RV Travel

How to Pack for Extended RV Travel
Tips for what to bring on a long RVing trip.

By: Peter & Kathy Holcombe

We purchased our first Winnebago (a Class C View) on June 7, 2014. We were planning a one-year journey across the United States to show our daughter the best of the public lands that blanket the country. At the time, we were still working as wedding photographers and had to return periodically to Colorado, our home state. We had just sold our house and moved most of our possessions into a large storage unit, to be used when we settled back into a “bricks and sticks” home a year later.

As we loaded the storage unit, we tried to anticipate what we would need on the road so that, when we swung through town, we could swap out seasonal clothes and gear as needed. Everything we thought we might need went into the RV; the rest went into storage. Honestly, the RV was bursting at the seams with “essentials.” Over the course of that year, we ended up ditching most of what we thought we couldn’t live without and homed in on the true necessities of life on the road.

Twelve years later, we’ve pared down even further and now travel in a small adventure van (Class B Winnebago Revel), which we’ve taken to more than 40 countries worldwide. Here’s what we’ve learned about packing for extended RV travel.

1. Clothes – Less Is More

Clothing lets us express our personal style, but I’ll admit, when we first started traveling, I wanted to bring it all—dress clothes, technical clothing, comfy items, pajamas, winter and summer outfits. After living with all my clothes in a single cabinet for 12 years, I’ve mostly mastered the art of layers, complementary colors, and minimalism.

Packing for a year is really no different than packing for a couple of weeks; you just need to prepare for both winter and summer climates. I stick to my favorites and wear them all the time: 2–3 pairs of shorts/skirts, 5 short-sleeve shirts, 2–3 jeans/pants, 5 long-sleeve shirts, a couple of dress-up outfits (one warm, one cool), a couple of sweaters/sweatshirts, 2 swimsuits, a sun hat, a jacket, a warm coat, rain jacket and pants, a winter hat and gloves, and any technical clothing needed for climbing, biking, backpacking, or kayaking.
 
One critical note: If you’re alternating between two pairs of shorts or pants for an entire season, invest in comfortable, high-quality items rather than fast fashion. Your key pieces need to withstand frequent wear and washing. Peter swears by Patagonia for its durability and repair guarantee; I aim for similarly high-quality, versatile pieces that mix and match well.

2. Kitchen – Quality is King

Early on, we relied on paper plates, plastic dishes, and lots of take-out food. It worked for short trips and conserved water, but it generated tons of trash and left us feeling like we were living temporarily. Eventually, I realized nothing is more comforting than home cooking. I missed the aesthetic of glass dishes and metal silverware, so we bought them at thrift stores—but quickly learned glass doesn’t survive RV life. We replaced drinking glasses every few months after bumpy dirt-road travels.

Now, we use metal tumblers that feel like glass but endure the road, and Corelle dishes—lightweight, durable, and still going strong after five years of rough travel.
 
Cookware is another area where quality matters. High-quality pots and pans prevent food from burning and sticking, and removable handles make storage in a small space much easier. Our favorites include Magma stainless steel and Sensarte nonstick. You can read more about our favorite small space kitchen gear here.

3. Tools, Recovery Gear, and First Aid – In Case Something Goes Wrong

Time on the open road inevitably brings unplanned situations. A basic toolkit (and YouTube) has saved us thousands of dollars by helping us fix minor issues ourselves. Off-pavement adventures increase the odds of needing vehicle recovery, and a robust first aid kit is mandatory for any backcountry travel. Here are our recommendations for tools, recovery gear and first aid supplies for extended RV travel. 

4. Creature Comforts – What Makes You Happy

Short road trips are easy to “rough it,” but for longer travel, small comforts make your RV feel like home. For me, that means a cozy bed with natural-material blankets and sheets, my favorite pillow, and a comfortable camp chair for spending time outside the Revel.

When I find spare time on the road, I love playing my small TravellerGuitar or experimenting with watercolor paints. Bringing items that fuel creativity is key to feeling at home, no matter where we roam.

Review and Adjust as You Go!

Packing for extended travel is more art than science. We continuously pare down our belongings to fit our limited space and shed what we no longer need. Sometimes we give items away; other times we store them to use later. For gear used sporadically—like kayaks or ski equipment—we often rent instead of carrying it. If something is needed for a short time, we may buy it used and donate it afterward.
 
Note: Be sure to keep your RV's carrying capacity in mind when packing to remain at a safe weight for travel. You can learn more about having your RV weighed and what to keep in mind in this article.

The bottom line: you need far less than you think, and it’s easier to pick up a few items along the way than cram too much into a small space. Enjoy the journey, and remember: less is always more when traveling in a compact home on wheels.