How to Stay Organized While RV Camping (For Beginners)

RV organization goes beyond the typical sticks-and-bricks ‘spring cleaning’. After you’ve left your unit in storage for a season, you have to inspect everything, create travel plans, and pack with dual-use in mind.

It can be overwhelming to stay organized when your to-do list is a mile long. To help you prepare for your next weekend getaway, we’ve compiled 4 steps to make RV prep and packing as straightforward as possible. Read until the end for some exclusive organization hacks from full-timers!

Step 1: Inspect Your Unit

When pulling your RV out of storage, the first thing to do is check that it’s in shape for use. Inspect the interior elements by identifying any water damage or traces of unwanted critters that came by in your absence.

Once you’ve inspected your dusty camper for any surprise guests, it’s time to tune up your home-on-wheels with standard RV maintenance. This will help avoid heavy duty clean-up and costly repairs down the road.

Step 2: Plan Your Trip

As your RV is getting spruced up, organize your vacation plans. Make reservations, map out your route, and plan for stops along the way. If you’re traveling with kids, try these 7 kid-friendly destinations.

Step 3: Pack

Pack ahead of time and follow a list to avoid bringing unnecessary items. Limited storage and weight restrictions make every piece of gear in your rig matter. It’s best to have at least two uses for everything you pack to maximize space.

Create a packing list, or use a pre-made version like the one from RV Lifestyle (available for download here) to start. Everyone’s needs will vary slightly, so use this version as a base and modify it after your weekend adventures.

Add anything that you would’ve liked to have had to the list, and take off anything you didn’t use for one less piece of clutter! It may take a couple of trial runs to get things up to par, but after a few trips under your belt – you’ll have everything down to a science!

Step 4: Upgrade Your RV Organization

Saving space in an RV can be a lot like playing Tetris. Lucky for you, we love a good campfire game. Here are the best space-saving hacks to use in your RV this year, courtesy of some of our fantastic affiliate partners.

Ashley of RV Inspiration: “Look for vertical spaces that could be used to add extra storage: walls, doors, the sides of cabinets.

Just be sure anything you hang won’t be in the way when you bring in your RV’s slide-outs.” Find more RV kitchen storage hacks here.

Rae and Jason of Getaway Couple: “One of our favorite tiny living tips is to switch plastic or wooden hangers to felt hangers. This small switch can save you a ton of frustration!

We were constantly picking up clothes off our closet floor after moving day. The plastic hangers would either bounce off the rod or the clothes would slip off.

I [Rae] used plastic hangers and Jason used wooden hangers and we both had these issues. Ever since we made the switch to felt hangers, we haven’t picked up one piece of clothing again! The felt hangers grip your clothes and the hook is a little more curved so it won’t bounce off the rod.

Not to mention, felt hangers are lighter than wooden hangers and we all know how much every ounce counts in an RV!” Check out more RV tips from Getaway Couple here. 

Emily of Roads Less Traveled: “If you need to find some extra storage space in your RV, one easy way is to replace your dinette chairs with two storage ottoman benches.

Ours are 18” by 36” and 17” tall with interior dimensions of 15.5” x 33.5” and 12” deep. They are faux leather and have a hinged top. We have added rug savers underneath to raise them up a half inch.

It’s intimate with four people, but the added storage space and an unobstructed view out the windows is fantastic.” For more RV storage hacks, visit this blog post. 

Once you’ve inspected your rig, done proper maintenance, and upgraded your packing and storage – you’re on your way the best kind of travel weekend. What’s your favorite way to stay organized before heading out on a road trip?