What NOT To Pack On Your RV
Undoubtedly you’ve seen no shortage of lists online and in RV magazines that tell you what to pack, categorized with helpful bullet points and tips.
Obviously you want to be prepared for any eventuality, whether that be inclement weather, a flat tire, a sudden cold snap, staying in one place for an extra day or two or a detour you didn’t mean to take that adds time to your trip.
With this in mind, many RVers take advantage of the full complement of storage space afforded to them on their RVs and fill every cabinet with every item imaginable, preparing as though every single day will bring new disaster.
If you’ve already taken some RV trips, then you’re well-aware that danger doesn’t necessarily lurk around every bend in the road and that your RV is likely overladen with items you neither use nor need. With this in mind, it’s time we detailed what you SHOULDN’T pack on your RV. This guide by Allan Dale Trailers & RVs lists several items that you can safely leave at home on your next trip. If you want more advice, stop by one of our Alberta dealerships to talk to our seasoned staff!
Too Much Food
Yes, you should pack food. You should even pack extra food in case your trip is extended for any reason. But you shouldn’t have a pantry stocked to the ceiling with canned goods and bulk items you never use. While canned food lasts a long time and is very quick to prepare, those cans get heavy, and you may end up with far too much in your cabinets that you fail to use, trip after trip. This is just dead weight that you don’t need to carry.
The best way to avoid taking too much food is to spend some time planning out your meals. Figure out what ingredients you’ll need for each dish, determine how much you can buy ahead of time and what you’ll want to get along the way (fresh produce, for example) and stick to that list! Stash a little food for emergencies, but keep it to a minimum. Don’t bring 12 cans of beans just because they were on sale if you don’t plan on cooking them!
Excess Kitchen Equipment
At home, you probably have several gadgets in your kitchen that allow you to fix fancy meals and treats, like cappuccino makers, bread machines and food processors. But on a camping trip, you’re not going to be making frothy coffee and seven-course dinners. You’ll plan simple meals that are easy to prepare and easy to clean up.
So why bother bringing any of these expensive gadgets when you won’t use them? They take up space and add more weight to your rig. Stick to a few sturdy pots and pans, a cast iron skillet, a place setting for each camper and some cups. Keep it simple and leave the Belgian waffle iron at home.
Your Entire Wardrobe
A problem that plagues travelers everywhere is how much clothing to pack. While most travelers are relegated to what fits in a suitcase, an RV gives you all this tempting closet space and so many cabinets and storage areas! Just think of all the clothes you could bring! And what if it gets cold? Or it rains? Or it’s rainy AND cold, and you want to wear that red sweater you’ve only ever worn once?
Okay, take a breath. Consider how long you’ll actually be gone and plan your outfits accordingly. An extra change of clothing is fine, but if you have access to laundry facilities on any part of your trip, you can get away with a very small rotation of clothing. Checking the weather in advance will allow you to plan around rain and extreme temperatures. One waterproof jacket and a pair of waterproof shoes will be enough to get you by in wet weather, since you’ll likely want to spend a very rainy day indoors anyhow.
You also won’t need more than two or maybe three pairs of shoes: everyday walking shoes, hiking boots (which could double as waterproof boots) and maybe sandals if you’re hitting the beach. You can take note of what items you wear most often and be sure to bring those. If you pack a lot of anything, let it be socks and underwear, but even these can be laundered or washed by hand!
Valuables
It’s the 21st century, so everyone has a phone and tablet or laptop that they’ll want to bring along for mapping, searching, social media, photographs, music and reading. But do you need to bring five laptops, two game systems and a BluRay player? Probably not. These items will only make you a target for thieves if you’re seen using them through the windows or if you leave them lying around with the blinds open. Keep them at home and make do with your phone. Camping should be about engaging with nature, anyway, not hitting high scores in a game!
You also will want to leave your expensive baubles behind. Fancy wristwatches and gold jewelry are all well and good at home, but are they really necessary on a camping trip? Again, think of the potential for theft. You’d do well to leave these items at home, too.
We hope this helps you to pare down your excess baggage and pack only what you need. Reducing weight will help you save wear and tear on your rig and its tires, too. If you still need an RV for your next camping trip, visit Allan Dale Trailers & RVs today. We proudly serve Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta.