6 Must-Have Essentials When Packing Your RV for a Road Trip

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. All opinions are 100% mine.

Nationwide provided me with information regarding its In The Nation blog post.

Summer is in full swing, which means families across the country are packing their RV’s for road trips into the great unknown. Whether you’re taking a long weekend or a few weeks, there are some essentials you need before hitting the road. The largest RV’s might seem spacious, but they can quickly load up unless you are careful about what you pack. Here’s our list of the must-have necessities for traveling in your RV this summer.

1. Emergency Supplies – Don’t just rely on your mobile phone to help get you out of trouble. Make sure you’ve got roadside flares, cb radio, and plenty of water, in case you get a flat tire or are stranded somewhere for any length of time. If you can change the tire on your RV, make sure the spare is aired up and you’ve flashlights and the proper tools to change tires. A 12-volt power supply can also come in handy for giving yourself a jump and powering up mobile phones and other devices.
2. GPS – A stand-alone GPS system (not one tied to your mobile phone), is a necessity for any extended road trip, especially if you plan on getting off the beaten trail. It can help navigate the time and distance to your next destination, as well as pinpoint exactly where you are if you need help.
3. Tool Kit – A basic tool kit can come in handy when traveling. Pack a set of screwdrivers, wrenches, utility knife, duct tape, and a hammer, to help you do some basic maintenance on your rig as well as anything else around your campsite that needs attending to.
4. 50-Foot Extension Cord – To ensure you’ve got access to power, bring an extra-long extension cord. This way you won’t have to worry about doubling up cables which can disconnect or having a cord that is too short to reach the outlet.
5. First Aid – From band aids to mosquito repellent and sunscreen, a basic first aid kit should always be on board your RV.
6. Fire Extinguisher – Check that your RV has a fire extinguisher on board and that it has not expired. Everyone in your group should be aware of where it is located and understand how to use it.

Now that we’ve got the basics out of the way, let’s get to the fun stuff. We wouldn’t suggest you bring all of this, as we mentioned above the weight can start getting out of control, but bringing games and other fun stuff is what traveling is all about.

1. Corn hole and tailgating games – These types of games are made to be easily transported to the tailgate, so why not pack them up for the campsite. They can provide hours of fun and some healthy competition within your group.
2. Fishing poles – Fishing is a wonderful pastime and a great way to enjoy the great outdoors. Come prepared with fishing poles and tackle and you’ll never miss out on catching your meal for the night.
3. Flashlights – Always bring plenty of flashlights which are not only useful but fun for taking night hikes.
4. S’mores sticks – Bring proper wood handled s’mores sticks so you can roast your marshmallows without burning the handle or your hand.

For more tips and information visit the The Nationwide blog and check out their article “What to Pack for an RV Trip: Don’t Forget the Basics“