As the proud new owner of a used pop-up camper, I was at a loss for what sort of inventory to keep stocked in it. But last month I had to get my act together quickly: our family of four (children ages 5 and 7) was eager to start exploring statewide campgrounds and making plans for some backcountry adventures.
Unfortunately, I never camped in an recreational vehicle as a kid. Together, my husband and I had some ideas of what we needed to pack in our pop-up camper, but since we were more accustomed to tent camping as a family, we weren't fully sure what the ideal items for long-term storage in a pop-up might be.
Thankfully, I've got some good local friends and neighbors who use their RVs often. They shared their valuable advice and helped me put together an inventory list of items we can keep in our folding camping trailer. Here's what I now have in our pop-up for our small family:
Kitchen:
4 plastic plates
4 plastic bowls
4 drinking cups
4 plastic mugs
2 plastic wine glasses
4 knives
4 forks
4 spoons
1 large spoon for mixing or serving
1 large plastic bowl (for salads or mixing pancake batter)
2 steak knives
1 sharp all-purpose knife for preparing food
1 large frying pan
1 small frying pan
1 medium pot
1 small pot
Straightened clothes hangers for roasting marshmallows
Plastic pitcher
Coffee percolater or French press
Cutting board
Corkscrew
Can opener
Dishpan
Lighter
Dry goods:
Coffee
Hot chocolate
Oatmeal
Powdered drink mix (Kool-aid, Crystal light)
Wine
Salt & pepper
Small packets of sweetner, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise
See this great article for more non-perishable ideas.
Cleaning & storage:
Dish soap
Hand soap
Kleenex
Paper towels
Napkins
Baby wipes
Clorox bleach wipes
All-purpose spray cleaner (such as Fantastik)
Rags
Dish towels
Bags and baggies: Ziploc sandwich and snack bags, recycled grocery bags, large garbage bags
Aluminium foil
Dustpan and small brush
Sponge or dish scrubber
Clothesline and clothespins
Linens:
4 pillows
Sheets, blankets for two beds
2 sleeping bags for kids
4 beach towels
Toiletries:
Toilet paper
Hand sanitizer
Hand soap
One medium-sized plastic box storing the following:
- Sunscreen
- Ibuprofen for adults and kids
- First-aid kit with plenty of band-aids
- Bug spray
- Hair ties for the girls
- Shampoo, conditioner, shower gel
- Hairbrush
- Cotton balls, cotton swabs
- Toothpaste and toothbrushes
Entertainment:
Playing cards
Coloring and activity books
A handful of picture books
Travel board games
Miscellaneous:
Tablecloth
Folding chairs
Axe
String of Christmas lights (for festive feel!)
Small tool kit (wrench, screwdriver, pliers, hammer)
2 throw rugs for just inside and outside door
Hanging three-tier basket as a "catch-all" for random stuff
Journal to record our thoughts on campgrounds we visit
Citronella candles
Headlamps
2 battery-operated lanterns
Matches
What did I miss? Feel free to email me (click on my name above and then click on "Contact Me" on my bio page). I'd love to know what you keep in your RV inventory--especially if you camp regularly with kids! I'll add it to this running list, and add to my family's pop-up camper. I'm always up for learning more tips for packing. Happy travels!
Kara Williams - Kara Williams is a longtime journalist, having worn many different hats in her 20-year editorial career--newspaper reporter, corporate ...
