(Because everyone packs differently—and no one wants to forget the coffee filters.)

Every RVer has a checklist.
Some keep it laminated. Some scribble it on the back of a grocery receipt. Some just wing it and call it “freedom.”

But when multiple people (and pets) are involved in packing and prepping the rig?
The checklists multiply.
Suddenly you’re not just planning for the trip—you’re navigating a battlefield of competing priorities, duplicated items, and passive-aggressive highlighters.

Welcome to Checklist Wars—the great RV trip prequel where the coffee gets packed twice, the shoes not at all, and someone’s been assigned “black tank duty” without consent.

Let’s break down how to win the war (without waging one in the driveway).

📝 1. The “His” List: Gear, Tools, and Overconfidence

You know the one.

  • Chocks

  • Hoses

  • Generator oil

  • Torque wrench

  • Backup torque wrench

  • “Everything else is in my head” (it’s not)

🧠 Strong on logistics. Weak on pantry. Will absolutely forget to pack condiments, but has four different wrenches for the stabilisers.

👜 2. The “Hers” List: Comfort, Function, and the Good Snacks

This list is tactical and aesthetically pleasing:

  • Coffee (plus filters, creamer, backup creamer)

  • Charging cables

  • Pillows, blankets, diffuser

  • Trash bags and actual trash bag holder

  • The one pair of shoes that goes with everything

✨ Bonus section: “Things that’ll get forgotten if I don’t pack them myself.”

🐕 3. The Dog’s List (Which Is Longer Than It Should Be)

Because let’s be honest—the dog’s needs are better documented than yours.

  • Food (three kinds)

  • Bowl (collapsible AND stainless)

  • Leash, backup leash, long line

  • Bed, backup bed, weird toy he only likes on Wednesdays

  • Vet records (just in case someone asks?)

  • Poop bags. All the poop bags.

🎯 Plus, a note: “Remind everyone not to forget THE DOG.” Yes, this has happened to someone. Probably more than once.

🧩 4. The “Theirs” List: Kids, Teens, Guests, or Whoever Else Is Along

This list includes:

  • Headphones

  • Chargers

  • Snacks you don’t like but they need

  • Allergy meds

  • Flashlight that they will still never use

  • Clothing for two climates and none for the actual one

Also: three bags for a two-day trip, and zero socks.

🧠 Pro tip: Assign packing zones. It’s the only way to avoid someone bringing a Bluetooth speaker but no toothbrush.

🧠 5. The Master List: The Peace Treaty

To avoid checklist chaos, you need one shared, central list:

  • Setup gear

  • Food and kitchen

  • Clothes and bedding

  • Safety and tools

  • Outdoor items

  • Personal extras

  • Pet needs

💡 Use colour coding or initials to assign items, and share digitally (Google Keep, Apple Notes, a printed sheet on the fridge—dealer’s choice).

No more “I thought you packed it.” No more passive sighs when the dog has his collapsible bed but you forgot towels.

💬 Final Thoughts

Checklists save sanity—until there are five of them competing for control.
The goal isn’t to win the war… it’s to merge forces and get out the door with everything you need (and maybe one less rice cooker).

So combine your strengths, compare your lists, and remember:

No one’s checklist is perfect. But all of them together? That’s how you roll like a pro.

🐟 Want to preview your site before you realize you packed the outdoor rug but forgot the leveling blocks?
Use Campground Views to tour site layouts, slope, space, and setup zones—so your packing list meets real-world needs, not just best-case dreams.

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