Travel checklist

You will find a variety of checklists offered in the RV world, such as in RV magazines and from RV sales and service centers. The checklist that follows is the one Paul and I actually use. I set it up originally when we bought our first RV. Over the succeeding years I’ve refined it as I learned what we would and would not need on the road. You will want to add or subtract those items unique to your special needs, interests, and destinations, of course.

The checklists—one for Paul and one for me—include what we normally try to keep in stock in the RV as well as reminders of what items to take along on each excursion. Paul and I each scan our lists before heading out. They are long lists, but we have learned to scan them quickly because we know which items are already on board and which details have been taken care of. Using the checklist gives us the satisfaction of knowing that when we pull out of the driveway we have on board what we will need (or know what we have to get along the way) and that our affairs at home are handled.

RV Checklist-Bernice

Kitchen and Dining Area Supplies and Equipment

• Place settings for eight: microwavable, nonbreakable dishes
• Silverware for four
• Acrylic tumblers
• Plastic knives, forks, spoons
• Plastic cereal bowls
• Paper plates
• Paper cups
• Paper napkins
• Placemats for eight
• Tablecloth and seat covers for picnic table
• Paper towels (two rolls for kitchen, one roll for windshield)
• Bottle opener
• Spatula
• Butcher knife
• Paring knife
• Serrated-edge knife
• Sieve spoon
• Measuring spoons
• Measuring cups
• Ice cream dipper
• Dish cloths (two)
• Tea towels (four)
• Hand towels, Turkish (four)
• Apron
• Dishwashing liquid
• Liquid hand soap
• Laundry detergent
• Spot-and-stain remover
• Fabric softener sheets
• Quart plastic pitcher
• Electric can opener
• Window cleaning liquid spray
• Waxed paper (one roll)
• Plastic wrap (one roll)
• Aluminum foil (one roll)
• Plastic sandwich bags
• Plastic freezer bags
• Trash bags to line wastebaskets
• Clothespins (12)
• Clothesline
• Matches
• Candles for lighting
• Candles for birthday cakes
• Plastic water bucket (1- or 2-gallon size)
• Plastic wash basin
• Steel wool pads
• Plastic scrubber for removing dried-on foods from cookware
• Hot mats (four)
• Oven mitts (two)
• Fly swatter
• Tape measure
• Pen flashlight
• Wastebaskets (one for kitchen area and one for bath area)
• Pens
• Pencil with eraser
• Eraser
• Pencil sharpener (hand-held)
• Memo pad for writing grocery lists
• Scissors
• Needle
• Thimble
• Sewing thread

Bathroom Supplies and Equipment

• Prescription medicines
• Bathroom tissue
• Chemical to deodorize holding tank
• Baking soda for toilet (alternative for chemical above)
• Toilet-bowl brush
• Facial tissues (at least three boxes-one each for bath, bedroom, passenger seat)
• Headache tablets
• Antiseptic such as Bactine
• Self-stick bandages
• Cough drops
• Upset stomach liquid or tablets
• Enema preparation
• Fever thermometer
• Bath powder
• Moleskin
• Cotton tips
• Petroleum jelly
• Lip balm
• Rubbing alcohol
• Shampoo
• Hair dryer (electric)
• Extension cord
• Insect repellent
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Dental floss
• Razor
• Hair pick
• Comb
• Spring clips for hair (four)
• Shower cap
• Deodorant
• Moisturizing cream
• Foundation liquid
• Rouge
• Makeup brushes
• Lipstick
• Hair spray
• Nail clippers
• Nail file
• Nail polish
• Nail polish remover
• Magnifying mirror
• Tweezers
• Nail scissors
• Wash cloths (four)
• Hand towels (four)
• Body towels (four)

Bedroom Supplies and Equipment

• Pillows (two)
• Sheets (two queen size)
• Thermal blanket (one queen size)
• Thermal bedspread (one queen size)
• Mattress cover (one queen size)
• Goose-down comforter (store in overhead cabinet until needed)
• Bible
• Dictionary
• Resource books for hobbies such as writing, crafts

Wardrobe Accessories and Equipment

• Extra hangers in each closet (four)
• Hats
• Lightweight boots that go over shoes
• Winter boots
• Umbrellas
• Bathrobe
• Laundry bag

Where we are going determines what other clothes we take, such as blouses, shirts, pants, skirts, coats, jackets, sweaters, shorts, vests, and shoes. I always take a raincoat. We also add everyday items such as underwear, socks, hose, shoes, pajamas, bedroom slippers, and jewelry.

Handbag Items
I use a handbag large enough to hold my camera if necessary and add the following:

• House keys
• RV keys
• Car keys
• Credit cards (as few as possible-carrying only one is recommend by safety experts)
• Plastic rain cap
• Hair care instructions for hair stylists en route
• Wallet with driver's license

Living Room Supplies and Equipment

• Sofa pillows (two)
• Afghan
• Stationery
• Tablets of lined paper
• Games (playing cards and others)
• Magazines
• Home telephone directory
• Address book
• Stamps (for both first class letters and postcards)
• Broom for sweeping scatter rugs and awning outside
• Whisk broom
• Journal
• Trip log
• Files from the house as relevant
• Laptop computer
• Printer that works with computer (I use an inexpensive multipurpose fax machine.)
• Paper and envelopes for printer

Driving Area Supplies and Equipment

• Sunglasses
• Calculator (to figure mileage from place to place and miles per gallon of fuel)
• Audiocassette tapes and/or CDs
• Cellular telephone
• Binoculars
• Map of each state we'll be going through
• Atlas
• Campground directory (tolocate campgrounds)
• Reservation confirmations or information
• Tour books
• Magnifying glass (useful when looking at maps or atlas)
• Proof of vehicle insurance

To Do Before Leaving Home

• Turn on refrigerator a few days before leaving to be sure it works, to begin freezing ice cubes, and to load frozen foods.
• Load electric toaster if we're going on a long journey and we think we'll want toasted bread.
• Leave license plate number of RV with appropriate person.
• Leave telephone numbers and addresses of stops en route with appropriate person.
• Leave obituary file in obvious place and be sure appropriate person has a house key and knows location of important papers. (The obituary file contains our instructions in the event of death.)
• Make arrangements for mail: (1) use mail forwarding service or (2) ask appropriate person to handle mail while we are away or (3) arrange with post office to forward or hold mail.
• Get maps and tour books as needed and place in passenger seat area.
• Call neighbors on either side of house and perhaps across the street to let them know our departure and return dates. Also notify police of these dates.
• Get groceries or load RV from what we have on hand. We usually follow our normal eating patterns when on the road: (1) breakfast consists of cereal, fruit, and skim milk; (2) lunch consists of a salad, fruit, and dessert; and (3) dinner consists of a meat, two vegetables, fruit, and dessert. For snacks on the road, we choose pretzels and graham crackers. The following is our typical grocery list:

• Milk
• Bananas
• Salad greens
• Fresh grapes
• Cereal
• Peanut butter
• Canned fruit
• Canned soups
• Jelly
• Canned vegetables (small cans)
• Cranberry juice
• Sodas in individual bottles with screw caps
• Graham crackers
• Soda crackers
• Frozen dinners
• Frozen meats
• Ice cream
• Bread or rolls
• Margarine or butter
• Vegetable oil cooking spray
• Salt (can keep on board)
• Sugar (can keep on board)
• Flour
• Eggs
• Coffee for guests
• Individual cakes or cookies

RV Checklist-Paul

Bathroom Supplies and Equipment

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Razor
• Shaving cream
• Aftershave lotion
• Comb
• Prescription medicines

Wardrobe Accessories and Equipment

• Bathrobe
• Coveralls
• Yellow slicker
• Baseball caps
• Short-sleeved shirts
• Long-sleeved shirts
• Jeans
• Sport trousers
• Sport shorts
• Sweaters
• Tee shirts
• Shorts
• Swim trunks
• Socks
• Handkerchiefs
• Belts
• Shoes
• Hiking boots

Driving Area Supplies and Equipment

• House keys
• RV keys
• Credit and debit cards
• Senior and campground membership cards
• Registration card for RV
• Flashlight with spare batteries
• Sunglasses
• Swiss Army knife

Living Room Area

• Files from house we want to take along
• Magazines from house we want to take along

Outside Storage Supplies and Equipment

• Folding lawn chairs (two)
• Mud rug for outside entrance steps to RV
• Antifreeze for water system
• Applicable tools and items such as (may be applicable in accordance with your owner's manual):

• flat and Phillips-head screwdrivers
• pliers
• wrenches
• socket wrenches and socket set
• a spark plug socket wrench
• an inexpensive electric test light or voltmeter to diagnose electrical difficulties
• quality jumper cables
• tire-changing equipment
• extra drive belts for the engine
• extra coolant for chassis engine
• extra 12-volt fuses for both coach and chassis systems
• fuel filters appropriate for the RV
• spare top and bottom radiator hoses
• a few feet of extra heater hose
• electrical wire and crimp-on terminals
• rolls of duct and electrical tape
• a few clean rags
• flares
• reflective warning signs

To Do Before Leaving Home

• Check on fuel for motorhome and tow car-fill tanks as needed
• Check on propane gas
• Obtain supply of oil for motorhome engine
• Obtain supply of oil for tow car engine
• Stop newspaper
• Get cash in $20 bills
• Pay ahead the following:

• house and car insurance
• vehicle fuel bill
• gas and electric bill
• telephone bill
• fuel oil bill

• Lubricate chassis
• Change oil and oil filter of motorhome engine and refill, if necessary
• Change transmission oil and filter and refill, if necessary
• Check auxiliary generator to be sure it operates and check oil level and change as noted in manual
• Check front wheel bearings and brake pads
• Check radiator
• Check furnace to be sure it works properly
• Check water heater to be sure it works properly
• Check tires (spare also)
• Check all lights outside and inside to be sure they work
• Check batteries
• Take along any additional specialty tools that might be needed
• Take along books and literature that may be needed for maintenance or repair
• Check power-steering fluid
• Check brake fluid
• If going to another country, follow instructions of tour company
• Get proof of vehicle coverage from RV insurance provider