How to Stock an RV
Before deciding what to pack for your recreational vehicle road trip, consult your RV owner's manual to find the Gross Vehicle Weight Ratio (GVWR) of your rig. This is the maximum that your RV can safely weigh, including the RV itself, fuel, water, personal gear and food. Overloading your RV is dangerous because the accumulated weight of whatever you put inside will influence the handling of your RV and potentially cause it to react poorly to road conditions. Carefully choosing what you're going to put in the RV is one way to ensure maximum safety on the open road.
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Instructions
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Save Space by Planning Ahead
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Select your personal gear, such as toiletries, MP3 players and laptop computers. Consider what you will use the most, and pack only the most critical items--the ones you always use. Remember, during your travels you will be exploring new areas and finding other activities to occupy your downtime. Pack every person's toiletries in a small bin that fits in the RV's bathroom. Create or purchase a basic first aid kit and include that as well.
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Pick five to six days worth of casual clothing, choosing wash-and-wear items with color schemes that allow you to mix and match everything. A lightweight rain parka and heavy sweater should provide enough protection when traveling in warmer months. According to Phil and Carol White, authors of the book "Live Your Road Trip Dream," start selecting your clothing by making two stacks of "must go" and "candidates." Gradually eliminate from your "candidates" stack until you have no more than five days worth of clothing.
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Plan your food items around a specific menu. For shorter trips, draft a meal plan and pack the necessary food items for the menu. For longer trips, consider what your favorite food items are and what meals you enjoy the most. Then ask yourself how much of a mess they make in the kitchen. Pick only the easiest recipes you enjoy the most, then choose food items accordingly. One-pot meals are preferable, and you should pack only utensils that can function in at least two different ways. For example, an egg beater isn't necessary because you can use a fork instead for beating eggs. A wine opener should also have a bottle opener attached to it. RV kitchens have limited space, so choose your kitchen items carefully. Avoid glass and breakable items, as all items will shift when the RV is in motion.
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Pack a toolbox for mechanical repairs to prepare for the unexpected breakdown or broken RV part. The Kampgrounds of America (KOA) organization recommends "pliers, an assortment of both open and closed-end wrenches, an adjustable wrench, extra hose, several wooden leveling blocks, a hammer and two or three sizes of flat and Philips screwdrivers."
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Fill your freshwater tank to about 1/3 capacity, which is enough water to get you to where you're going comfortably and safely. If you are traveling to a spot with utility hookups, there is no need to travel with more water. Remember that an extra 100 pounds in your RV can reduce your fuel economy by 2 percent or more.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep heavy items low in the RV. This will prevent them from falling out of top shelves and causing damage, and will lower the RV's center of gravity.
Always secure items in your RV. Purchase small tension rods built for RV cabinets and place them in shelves with heavy items such as canned goods and books.
After your stocked RV has been in motion, never open storage spaces without slowly opening the door first. All items will shift during motion and can fall and cause injury when cabinet doors are opened.
References
Resources
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