Before We Knew Better: Packing For (RV) Life

…and what we really used.

Ever fall in love with an idea? And then discover—but don’t want to admit—the idea was way better than the reality?

Before setting out on our 15-month RV odyssey, we did all the prerequisite Google searches, like:

• “Everything You Need to Enjoy RV Life”

• “Essential Upgrades for Your Rig”

Then we hit up YouTube and full-time RV blogs that listed all the things we needed and even included helpful links. Oh, and we burned up the road to Camping World—surely that’s where we’d find everything we couldn’t live without. The only thing we didn’t purchase was RVs and Campers for Dummies.

After two shakedown trips and more than a year on the road, we came to a few conclusions:

• Some essentials are not.

• Others—I’d like to see you try to take them away from us!

So here’s our real-world take on 10 “essentials” for the road.

Totally Worth It

• Command strips. No brainer. They hold our broom and mop, clocks, jackets, and lightweight décor.

• Fabric storage bins. We were gifted with several cute ones complete with camping theme décor. They’re a perfect fit for the overhead cabinets and keep things from tumbling out after a long driving day. But my favorite bins have windows!

• Folding mesh laundry hampers. Best item overall! I can gauge how many loads I have (ugh), plus they hold lightweight laundry supplies such as dryer balls, Spray ‘N Wash, and a baggie full of quarters.

• Portable cordless tire inflator—fantastic! With a leaky valve stem on one of our truck tires, this little beauty kept us going until we replaced the tires.

Hard “No”

• Bass Pro zero gravity chairs. Remember the Cadillac stroller we all bought for our first-born child? Just like that stroller, these bulky chairs get left at home in favor of lightweight chairs in a bag—they even have beverage holders.

• Extra pantry items and toiletries. Really seemed like a good idea when we set out—why wouldn’t we want extras of our favorite shampoo, peanut butter, and Altoids? Everything lived in a plastic bin in the truck bed. But long before we got around to using them, most melted, spoiled, rusted, or expired. The bin became a visible reminder of poor planning.

• Picnic tablecloth and seat covers. Never touched ‘em. Don’t judge.

Split Decisions

• Folding wagon. Boy, I’m still clinging to this one. Our wagon is adorable—love the color—and it was on sale. Surely it’d be used multiple ways: lugging wood, hauling laundry, maybe even rides for grandkids. But it sat. And took up precious storage space. And I’m still not ready to give it up.

• Lap desks. Roger and I are divided on this one. I use mine all the time; he never does. So only one lives in the RV.

• Dustbuster. This one goes in the “Split Decisions” category because while I own a lightweight vacuum that transforms into a dustbuster, I seldom use it that way. I just don’t love using a dustbuster. I’ll reach for my mini dustpan and brush set instead—every time.

…and Here’s Our Conclusion

Even when your gurus are experienced, they don’t live like you do. It pays to reflect on your personal preferences and lifestyle habits to help filter out unnecessary stuff. For example, we don’t usually entertain big groups, so it was easy to pass up the large popup garbage container. And some things just require more setup and teardown than we’re comfortable with.

So if you, like us, find yourself preparing for a new season that feels overwhelming and uncertain, here’s three questions you might ask yourself.

• Is it worth packing and carrying?

• Will it get regular use?

• Can I live comfortably without it?

Did you see how I did that? What works for RV life works for many lifestyles. When our choices reflect our philosophy, we’re more likely to find satisfaction, whether it’s on the road or at home. You and I won’t fill our rigs with the exact same things, but we can both enjoy the journey. And be willing to shed the unnecessary along the way.

‘Bye, cute wagon.

What have you found useful along the way? Got a wagon in your life that needs dumping? Share in the comments--I'd love to hear.