The disadvantage of having a part-time house now versus being a full-time RVer is that I am always forgetting something, or duplicating something, or just plain packing way too much! Packing the RV up for a six-month-long haul is a big job. There are a few tricks I have learned over the last few years that make it a little bit easier.
Make a list
This is my “don’t forget” list. Because we haven’t duplicated a lot of items, we cart stuff into the house and cart it back out to the RV. I inevitably forget something. Last year it was my favorite salad hands, the nutcracker that I used to open those stubborn little water bottle caps, and sweatshirts.
We took a few mini-trips this winter and I forgot my pillow, VIAIR for tire pressure, the doomed salad hands, and we also forgot to check the weather. Should have brought flannel PJs, too!
Leading up to the BIG trip, I use my phone and keep a list of things to remember as I used them. The coffee stirrer, my pillow, the electric heater, and my favorite throw cover are not going to be forgotten. I check the items off as they go into the RV.
Pre-order
Things I know that we will need on the road or when setting up I pre-order, usually from Amazon. We have a new refrigerator water filter, a box of toilet deodorizer, grill drip pans, and a carry case just sitting and waiting to be packed.
I also stock up on available prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines. Those can be difficult to get while traveling.
Make sure the RV is ready
Maintaining the RV is of the most importance. It doesn’t matter what goes in if it isn’t going anywhere. Double-check what work needs to be done before you leave. We got all new tires this year (more on how we got a big tire discount here) and had the oil changed. We carry a list of the recommended maintenance duties and check them off as completed.
Dedicated space
I keep the items that are only used in the RV in dedicated spaces. The garage has two shelves allocated for larger RV items like the forgotten VIAIR, extension cords, a box with RV specific tools, Power box, solar panel, new sewer hose, car starter, tarp, vacuum cleaner accessories. In the house we have a shelf with the RV GPS, TireMinder, camera borescope, tripod, computer bag, battery bag, miscellaneous charging bricks and cables.
The dedicated space really cuts down on looking for stuff (and forgetting stuff, too).
Extra stuff equals added weight
I am so guilty of overpacking. I love, love, love to read and restrain myself to only paperbacks that I buy used, usually at mass library sales. However, having an entire three-foot overhead cabinet filled with a double row of books can lead to minor disaster. Hence, I’m now packing more screws and nails and fewer books.
Be aware of weight, and how necessary and how often something is used when piling more into the RV. This year, I have slimmed down my wardrobe. I can always buy more clothes!
It is a really good idea to have your rig weighed fully loaded and know what your weight limits are. Less stuff means better gas mileage and handling.
The important things
I make sure we have our important papers: passports, copies of birth certificates, insurance papers, copies of trust and wills, along with contact info, medical papers, house info, frequently called numbers, warranties, RV info, and anything that needs to be in a “go bag” is pulled from one safe in the house to the safe in the RV.
Purge
Usually, I go through everything while we are traveling or just before we get back. This year, we will be camping for a few days before we leave, so that is when I will do the big purge. We pull out everything from the bays, vacuum and wipe the bays down, and go through it all. If it’s a duplicate, not used in the last year, rusted, torn, or just about empty, it goes. This part takes dedication to resist the “I-might-need-its”.
Packing the RV with care
This is the part that I really enjoy. I like to arrange all those organized plastic containers to best fit the space. I move things around so they don’t shift in transit and figure out the things we use most so we are not knocking our heads trying to get out our often-used items. Plus, this is another chance to discard and neaten up. I have noticed that having a set spot for everything cuts down on just throwing stuff in when in a hurry.
Be kind to each other!
We have moved into a sort of rhythm when loading up. I organize, he carries. Yes, he does call himself my pack mule. Once it is there, I put it away inside. He does most of the outside. The bikes are a pain and require both of us. We have learned to NOT tell each other what or how to do something. And when tired, we take a break. It works (most of the time).
While it does take a lot of energy to pack, empty, and repack, there is always the excitement and adventure of the open road awaiting.
Happy trails!
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RVDT2650
Great article with good advice! Been there, done that on missing things.
Nanci, I’m also an avid reader but I only have a Casita to travel, so no room for books. I am addicted to my kindle and the Libby app for free books from the library. You can join any number of libraries as well.
Libby’s a great app, but I like Hoopla better. It lets me search my local library and has movies, music, graphic books. Book funnel is another app I use.
Hi Nanci. Consider the Kuat rack with the (optional) telescoping ramp. I used to struggle with the bikes (same ones) but now that I’m a little older, I can load them myself with ease. This rack is not cheap, but well worth the ease of operation and awesome construction. I tried Hollywood rack, Thule, and I love this one much better and I can load myself easily. Kuat Piston Pro X. Here’s a link, but shop around!
https://sandyvans.com/products/kuat-piston-pro-x?variant=49464453628206&country=US¤cy=USD
We have a house near Lake Superior and a larger TT that is left in TX Hill Country. Roughly 6 months at each location and over 1,600 miles between them. We have increasingly decided some things are used mostly at one location and left there, and others justify duplication. The biggest exception are items that cannot be stored in the TX brutal summer heat.
If you are doing a commodities purchase from Amazon for either RV or house just before the migration trips, consider creating custom ‘wish lists’ in your Amazon account (under the Account & Lists option toward the upper right in your web browser). Make one for the RV another for the house. Add things as you think of them, then place the order at the appropriate time. Also makes repeat orders easier. Periodically prune the lists as your needs or product choice changes.
We spend the 6 winter months in the rv and the other 6 months the sticks and bricks. I got tired of transferring loads of things back and forth. It was easier to buy many duplicates, (tools, air compressor, warm and cool clothes, phone cords, etc) and leave them in their permanent location. By doing this, we don’t forget anything and when taking short trips from home during the summer we don’t have to transfer things back and forth.
Nanci,
Please just buy a second set of “salad hands”. And leave them in the rv so we don’t have to hear that you forgot them again.
Kevin
Thank you for your account of packing, Nanci! Sounds as though you and DH are a great team with a sound routine. Sadly, this came too late to prevent me leaving a couple of important items at home. Between your article and a two-day stay in Coeur d’Alene to recharge before heading on to Alaska, I reached this stark realization a mere 2,400 miles from home. 😉 Oh well! Guess we’ll shopping a bit more in Canada than we’d expected. Have a great weekend and safe travels!
We just duplicated almost everything. All we really needed to add for a trip was perishable food, our laptop and a few other things,