RV Checklist – Everything You Need Before Getting in an RV

RVing for the first time? Here’s everything you need for your adventure.

When we moved into our Airstream, we had no idea what we would need. Airstream gave us an initial shopping list with basic items, but now that we’ve been on the road for a month, we’ve made one of our own. For anyone that’s new to the RVing world, we put together the ultimate RV checklist. I’m sure everyone’s ideal list will differ depending on the size of your RV and what you would prioritize, but this should give you a good start!

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Last Updated: June 18, 2024

The Ultimate RV Checklist for Setup and Teardown

RV Exterior

• Check and Fill Fresh Water
• Drain Black and Gray Tanks
• Disconnect Power and Cable
• Disconnect Sewer and Water
• Shut Off Propane
• Retract and Secure Awning
• Retract TV or Satellite Antenna
• Secure Kitchen Vent Flap
• Raise Rear and Front Jacks
• Hookup Trailer to Vehicle
• Remove Wheel Blocks
• Check Tire Pressure
• Check Lights
• Secure RV Steps
• Lock All Exterior Hatches
• Double Check Hitch

RV Interior

• Stored Items Secure
• Cupboards Closed and Locked
• Close Ceiling Vents
• Close Windows and Curtains
• Put Away Satellite Dish
• Put Away TV Antenna
• Empty Kitchen Sink and Counter
• Secure Refrigerator Items
• Refrigerator Door Secure
• Water Pump Off
• Slides in (Clean Room Beforehand)
• Take out Trash
• Turn off Water Heater
• Turn off Furnace or AC

Vehicle Exterior

• Tire Pressure
• Brake Safety Switch
• Check if Hitch is Secure
• Check for Leaking Fluids
• Power Cable
• Visually Check Underside
• Fluid Levels

Vehicle Interior

• Pack Away Drinks and Snacks
• Program Map or GPS
• Prep Music
• Cell Phone Charger
• Purse / Wallet / ID
• All Keys Accounted For
• Sunglasses and Sunblock
• Hand Sanitizer
• Wet Ones and Paper Towel
• Pets Walked and Ready
• Check Mirros and Seat Bets
• Camera and Camera Batteries
• Clean Windshield
• Check Fuel

Final Inspection

• Check All Doors and Windows
• Check Steps, Awning, Antennas
• Inspect Area for Litter
• Visualize Exit Plan
• Check for Obstructions
• Warm Up or Cool Down Vehicle

Ultimate RV Checklist – Everything You Need for Your RV

Bed

• Blanket
• Sheets
• Pillow
• Pillow Cases

Bath

• RV Toilet Paper
• Microfiber Towels
• Hand Soap (Anyone else love Method Grapefruit? :) )

Kitchen

• Camping Enamel Dinnerware Set (Bowls + Plates + Mugs)
• Camping Flatware
• Aluminum Foil
• Can Opener
• Nesting Plastic Food Containers
• Cooking Pot/Pan
• Corkscrew/Bottle Opener
• Stainless Steel Cups
• Microfiber Dishcloths (No room for a drying rack. Gotta dry everything by hand!)
• Knife Set
• Long Lighter (for the oven pilot light)
• Scissors
• Pot Holders
• Spatula
• Sponges
• Strainer
• Tongs
• Trash Bags
• Ziplock Bags
• Dish Detergent

Cleaning / Organization

• Wet Wipes (we use these every day!!)
• Plastic Containers for Organization
• Velcro (you will be velcroing down things you want to leave on the counter)
• Bungee Cables (keeps drawers extra secure when driving)
• Level
• Swiffer Sweep + Vac (awesome for small spaces!)
• Broom and Dust Pan
• All-Purpose Cleaner

Car + Outside the RV

• Flashlight
• Jumper Cables
• Hammer, Screw Driver, Toolset
• Road Map (these always remind me of our family road trips)
• Chocks
• RV Water Filter
• Leveling Blocks
• Heavy-Duty Sewer Hose
• Sewer Hose Support (some states require it)
• 45 Degree Sewer Hose Adapter
• Extra Drinking Water Hose

Toiletries

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Dr. Bronners Magic Soap (I use it as body wash and shampoo but it has 18-in-1 uses)
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• ☐ Floss
• First Aid Kit
• Q-tips
• Cotton Balls
• Sunblock
• Lotion
• Dry Shampoo (if we are boondocking and we really need to conserve water)
• Nail Clippers
• Makeup (I like to use travel sets to keep things minimal)
• Makeup Remover
• Travel Hair Dryer

For the Cats

• Litter Box with Lid
• Cat Pine Litter (so far works the best for the least amount of mess and smell)
• Cat Food
• Collapsible Food + Water Bowls
• Cat Waterless Bathfoam – this one smells kind of like cinnamon
• Furminator
• Harnesses
• Cat Leashes
• Cat Carrier

Patio Setup

• GloDea Lounge / Patio Chairs
• Nemo Puffin Blanket
• Tarp / Outdoor Rug / Tarp (we actually used a Mexican blanket since they’re cheaper)
• Side Table

Our RV Checklist – Optional Things We Like to Have

• Rice Cooker
• Vitamix (love our smoothies, but in hindsight, we’d probably bring a Magic Bullet and keep a Vitamix for a more permanent home base)
• Whiskey Glasses
• Nice Candles (my favorite one at the moment)
• Backpacking Gear
• Climbing Gear

Things We Bought / Brought But Don’t Use

• Nesting Bowls – We’d probably use them more as mixing bowls if we could figure out how to bake in our oven. So far all our desserts have been coming out burnt or undercooked. :(
• Painting Easel – So many outdoor activities that I can’t seem to make time to paint. Soon though!

We’re learning so much about minimizing what we have, and we keep finding more things we could do without. BUT we also keep seeing new gadgets that other Airstreamers have that we want to get! haha

We’re putting together a printable version of this soon, and we’ll continue to update this list as we get rid of or add more things. :)

Think you can handle RV life? What about for one summer? What are some things you’d keep that aren’t necessities but would be worth the space in your RV? What would you put on your RV checklist?

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