Whether you’re a first-time camper or a regular who’s sick of last-minute packing, there’s always a better way to pack your camper trailer. Packing in an efficient, organized way not only helps ensure you don’t forget anything, but also makes the entire vacation hassle-free and relaxing. No matter the length of your trip, from a quick weekend away to a several-week outback adventure, this guide to what to pack in a camper trailer and how to pack it will make sure you have everything you need for an enjoyable trip for you and your family. After all, the devil is in the details, and packing for an amazing camping trip involves accounting for a lot of details.
From inside the camper to outside, there are a ton of things you need to do to ensure your trip goes off without a hitch. Keep reading for a complete guide on what to pack in a camper trailer and how to pack most efficiently so that you can get the most out of your vacation.
- Put Everything Together at Once
The key to packing most efficiently is to get everything you need and lay it out in your front room or lawn (depending on the weather, soggy items won’t help matters!). This will allow you to see exactly what you have and how to pack it the most strategically space-wise. It’ll also help you do a complete inventory, checking off items on your list so that you don’t forget anything—being stuck in a campground with no matches or a cooking pot is never fun. When it comes to what to pack in a camper trailer, you’ll want to use your space most efficiently. Pack items in every nook and cranny, for example, blankets and towels are great for stuffing under seats and inside cupboards, padding items to avoid scratching or breaking anything, and layering between bulky items like chairs or fishing gear.
- Trim Down Your Items
Once you’ve seen everything all together, it’s easy to start weeding out what you might not actually need. This is a helpful step to cut down on weight, saving both money on fuel and wear and tear on your vehicle and camper. There are tons of fun extras you can bring if you have the room, like a hammock, sports equipment, floaties for swimming, beach umbrella, and even an extra tent or kitchen tent, but they’re not necessarily essentials. Even if you technically have the space, it’s important to consider how much effort you’re willing to put in towards packing and unpacking your trailer. The more stuff you have, the longer it will take, which can be a pain if you arrive somewhere late or if it’s raining. Plus, if you plan on hitting several campgrounds, that can mean a lot of repacking. Packing light can make your trip even more enjoyable and less stressful, as long as you have what you need.
- Pack Bulkier Items Carefully
If you’ve got bulkier items like bikes, boards, or large chairs, roof racks can be a great way to keep these items separate from the items in your camper. You can also use cargo barriers to stop things from sliding around destructively, especially if there might be lots of turns and sudden stops on your trip (there’s nothing worse than getting to the campground only to discover a mess inside your carefully packed camper).
- Keep Important Items Accessible
One thing you’ll want to keep in mind is how accessible everything is as you pack it. Once you get to the campsite, there are things you might need first, and it can be a pain to find them deep inside the camper. Some things you might want to keep around the front of the camper are levelling blocks, flashlights and lanterns, your tool kit, anything for your vehicle like jumper cables and motor oil, emergency road kit, etc.
- Double Check Your List
There’s always going to be something you forget, but hopefully with this guide it won’t be anything essential. Some common items that get forgotten are cooking items, clean-up stuff like garbage bags and paper towels, sunscreen and bug spray, an axe, tarps and rope, batteries, bathing suits, and toiletries. It always helps to have camping specific items that you keep year-round in your camper, like a durable set of cutlery and dishware, towels, pillows, etc., which will help ensure you don’t forget them. If you’re going with a partner or your family, having a second (or third) pair of eyes checking the packing list never hurts; they might even think of something you need that’s not even on the list. Keeping the same list year to year and adding to it is a great way to fine tune what to pack in a camper trailer every year, to get even better. After all, a smart packer is a happy camper!
