Must-Haves on a Motorhome Road Trip

You know that term “things you can’t live without?” Well, we’ve come up with a list of the “things you can’t road trip in a motorhome without.”

Road trips are great. Cruising through the USA, windows down, hair blowing in the wind, until all of a sudden you realize you’ve forgotten an essential. Could be the grill. Now what will you do with those perfectly marbled ribeyes? Maybe it’s something of lesser importance, like a book that you were really hoping to finish.

Big or small, we always keep a list of must-haves to check off before embarking on a motorhome road trip. Sure, preferences vary. But we can bet that what you’re going to read below are many of the things you’d like to have somewhere in the coach or storage rather than all the way back at home.

We’re ranking everything by its importance; A-List being things like your driver’s license all the way to the D-List where you’ll likely find things you’re glad are still home, like an overplayed music album. Miss something you wouldn’t leave home without? Leave a comment to let us know.

A-List: The Absolute Essentials

• License & registration - You probably don’t break traffic laws, but just in case.
• Required medications and medical equipment - For comfort.
• Sun & eyeglasses - Many of us tend to drive for long periods either directly west or east.
• Cell phone - Payphones are hard to come by these days.
• Grill/charcoal/lighter fluid/lighter - For that steak after a long haul.
• Toilet paper - Make sure it’s RV Friendly.
• Paper towels (RV Friendly) - For spills and such.
• First-aid kit - Just in case.
• Flashlight/headlamp - Setting up camp at night is so much better with one.
• Map/GPS - Even if you don’t think you’ll need it.
• Bedding/pillows - For the sake of cleanliness.
• Shampoo/soap - Ditto.
• Cooking utensils: pots, pans, knife set, silverware, plates - Gotta cook and eat.
• Cleaning supplies - Somebody has to do the dirty work.
• Clothes - Could wear the same thing the entire trip, but that’s not recommended.

B-List: Fairly Important

• Extra set of sheets - Unless you enjoy visiting laundromats.
• Outdoor games: cornhole, frisbee, etc. - Even when the scenery is great, games are still fun.
• Playing cards - The options are endless.
• Extra cash - Parking, toll roads, and just in case.
• Bug spray/Thermacell - Them who invented the Thermacell deserve a Pulitzer.
• Books/magazines - Great way to while away the day-time hours or fall asleep at night.
• Large tarp or rug to cover the ground under the awning - For clean(er) feet.
• Tool box - Just in case.
• Cooler - In case you get to go to the beach for a day.
• Laptop/iPad - Another thing we can’t be without these days.
• Hotspot - Update social media daily.
• Phone charger - To charge cell phones.
• Extra socks/underwear - If you want.
• DSLR camera - In case you can’t capture those magic moments on a smartphone.
• Condiments - Nobody likes a dry ham sandwich.
• Bungee cords - Keep things from sliding in the storage compartments.
• Zip ties - More ways to secure your belongings.
• Water hose - Spray what needs spraying.

C-List: Either Way

• Duct tape - Should duct tape move up a list?
• Travel coffee mug - Save the Earth from styrofoam cups.
• Movies/DVDs/Netflix password - Sometimes it’s okay to forget TV for a while.
• Water bottle - For water, or whatever beverage you prefer.
• Yoga mats - If you’re into that sort of thing.

D-List: Glad To Forget It

• Your spouse’s game day outfit - Assuming they cheer for the other team, of course.
• Duck and turkey calls - Have a hunter in the family? No calls allowed.
• Taylor Swift’s 1989 - Some may disagree.
• Squeaky pet toys - Unless you can’t hear high-pitched sounds.

You’ll notice lists A and B are considerably longer than the other two. That’s because there are a lot of important things you’ll want with you on your motorhome road trip. However, despite seeming like a lot of items, you’ll be surprised how easy it is to pack. Ample storage space, both inside and outside of the coach, is standard.

Check out our blog How to Pack for a Road Trip for more packing tips. Happy Travels.