What to pack: Motorhome essentials

Going on a motorhome holiday in North America is one of the best ways to discover the continent. Planning ahead is essential so here’s a checklist of everything you need to take with you on an RV holiday before heading out onto the open roads and into the wilderness/

what to pack for a motorhome holiday across north america

• Travel documents: essential for any trip.
• Clothes: bring enough to last several days and pack plenty of layers for all weathers. Most parks offer laundry facilities and if you plan to use them you should also bring some coins.
• Hiking gear: since you’ll be outdoors a lot. Bring good hiking boots and waterproofs.

• Food: this will depend on your personal preferences, but large roadside supermarkets in the US and Canada have a wide selection of food. Motorhomes are generally equipped with a hob and a microwave, so just don’t get anything that needs an oven!
• Cleaning supplies: spills can happen, and you’ll want to get any mess cleaned up fast when you’re in a small space.
• Paper maps: a useful alternative to offline directions on your phone.
• Tupperware: handy for bringing food on hikes.
• Personal care items: Toiletries, prescription drugs, earplugs, insect repellent, sun cream and first aid kit
• Refillable water bottles: water in RV parks is generally safe to drink from taps, unless marked otherwise. You shouldn’t drink water directly from the motorhome tap or from streams without boiling it first. You can buy special bottles that filter out bacteria and viruses – our sister company Journey Latin America is offering a 30% discount on Water-to-Go bottles.
• Cards and books: if you’re looking for some time away from a screen.
• Devices: RV park Wifi may not be the strongest so download your films and TV series in advance.
• Device chargers and batteries: to make sure you are always fully charged up!
• Balls and frisbees: many parks have open spaces, and there’s nothing quite like a game in the summer sun.
• Firewood: for campfires and a bag of marshmallows to go with it!

The following items are included in Cruise America motorhomes, but if you’re travelling independently, add them to your list or double-check that your rental includes them:

• Camping-style crockery and kitchenware
• Towels
• Bed linen/ sleeping bags
• A torch