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The Ultimate Camping Packing List

Everything you need & what’s already included with your roadsurfer RV!

Packing for any vacation is often a challenge, especially when you are on the road with a campervan or RV with lots of different activities and adventures ahead of you. The most important camping rule is less is more, and what is not necessary to bring stays at home!

camping packing list

© roadsurfer GmbH / Kim Raaf


Preparing for Your Road Trip

Anyone who has ever been on the road with an RV or camper van knows that nothing is more annoying than having too much luggage with you! Our roadsurfer tip: Only pack the essentials! You can buy everything you need on the road if you feel you are missing anything.

The good news is that if you pack for a trip with one of our RVs, you can leave some things at home as we have your essentials covered. We summarized what you need on your camping packing list so that you are road trip ready!

Packed with great things that make life easier. The roadsurfer camper has it all:

Whether your making your morning oats with fruit or hosting a cookout at the campground, your roadsurfer comes with all the kitchen essentials so that you can cook your favorite meals on the road.


  • 4x deep plates
  • 4x dinner plates
  • 4x cereal bowls
  • 4x coffee mugs
  • 4x glasses
  • Cutlery
  • Children’s crockery
  • Camping pot/pan set
  • Espresso pot
  • Cutting board
  • Small sharp knife
  • Cooking utensils (ladle, spoon etc.)
  • Can opener
  • Corkscrew
  • Salad servers
  • Salad spinner (bowl, sieve)
  • Rinsing bowl
  • Lighter

Additional Essentials for the Road

Our roadsurfer rentals also come with the following essentials:

  • A gas bottle 6 lbs (drop out)
  • External power cable and 2 adapters fresh water hoses (drop out)
  • Cool off in the shade with the awning
  • Keep things tidy with the broom
  • Stay on the right track with the mobile navigation device

Your Personal Camping Essentials

Packing rule no. 2: Leave your suitcases at home! You travel best with a bag or with boxes like the pros. Why? Because you will have better access to your bag or boxes in the trunk, and you don’t have to carry your suitcase out to open it – it’s that simple.

When it comes to packing your own essentials, there are some things you should always have on your packing list, no matter which trip such as your first-aid kit and important paperwork.

Your First-Aid Travel Kit

  • Bug spray and bug bite cream
  • Allergy tablets, diarrhea medication, stomach drops
  • Personal medication
  • Headache tablets
  • Band-aids and disinfectant spray/cream

Important Documents

  • Identity card
  • Driving license (International if necessary)
  • Debit and credit card
  • Cash (but not too much)
  • Foreign health insurance
  • Health insurance card
  • Vaccination card
  • Toll pass (EZ-pass, FasTrak, SunPass etc)
  • Diving certification/ sailing license
  • Student ID

Personalize Your Camping Experience With These Nice to Haves

Whether your planning an incredible hiking adventure or looking forward to sitting back and catching up on your reading list, these are the nice to have camping accessories on your packing list that will make your road trip more enjoyable:


  • Sleeping bag + pillow
  • Fitted Sheets (bring your own or include it in your booking)
  • A small tent (Can be used as storage space, too, e.g. for child seats)
  • Air mattress (Also great playground for the kids!)
  • Washing line (Even if you don’t wash, a rope is versatile item to have)
  • Camping chairs (2 are already included in the Couple Condo and Road House XL)
  • Camping table ( included in the Couple Condo and Road House XL)
  • Picnic blanket
  • Gas or kerosene lamp, tea lights (For long nights)
  • Mosquito spray
  • Bread/meat knife
  • Salad bowl
  • Pocket knives
  • Thermos flask (+ coffee filter)
  • Paper towels
  • Camelbacks (perfect for hiking)
  • Hiking Poles
  • Garbage bags
  • Toilet paper (really important!)
  • Diapers
  • Aluminum foil
  • Sink/sponges/cloths/towel for dishes
  • Kettle
  • Extra tarp /sun sail
  • Rain Jacket/Fleece Jacket
  • Food and drinks for the first days and the first trips
  • Travel guide / Camping guide
  • Replacement-8 oz gas cartridges
  • Ear plugs (You can’t choose your neighbors)
  • Torch
  • Wool or fleece blanket
  • Rubber mallet

Packing List for Camping by the Ocean

If your road trip takes you to the ocean or a lake, there are a few essentials to pack:

  • Sunscreen and after sun-lotion
  • Beach toys
  • Swimming shorts, bikini, swimsuit
  • Flip-flops
  • Beach towel
  • UV shirt (practical, especially for the little ones)
  • Sunglasses
  • Sun hat
  • Umbrella/Parasol
  • Swimming armbands
  • Water ball
  • Beach bag/backpack

Nice to Have:

  • Camera
  • Laptop, mobile phone (But don’t switch on too often!)
  • Charging cable
  • Books, music, headphones
  • Deck of cards
  • Boules, badminton, frisbee, beachball, kite, other games…
  • Writing and painting materials

Are you planning a hiking adventure? Check out our Grand Canyon Camping guide for more information about what to pack for your hiking trip.

Everything packed? Well, then nothing like filling up with gas and starting your engines! We wish you a great camping holiday with many big and small adventures!

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