In this article, we will answer the following question: What do I need in my motorhome? We will provide you with a full list of items for sleeping, cooking, taking a shower and living in a motorhome.

What do I need in my motorhome?

The items you will need in a motorhome will not differ too much from those you need at home. In order to make your trip as comfortable as possible, without giving up the comfort you have at home, you will need to pack absolutely essential items. First, let’s start with the most important thing: the things you need to rest.

To sleep in a motorhome, for example, you will need:

Pillowcases ;
Sheets ;
Blankets (especially when travelling in winter or heading to the mountains);
Pillows;
Sleeping bags.

As for more general items and equipment that may come in handy during your trip, don’t forget to pack these items in your motorhome:

Needle, thread and sewing kit;
Shoe wax or the like;
Shoe and clothes brush;
Battery chargers and extra batteries (for flashlights, camera, radio, stove, etc
Paper napkins ;
Umbrellas;
Insecticides and mouse traps;
Broom and dustpan;
Small vacuum cleaner;
Detergents for cleaning and laundry;
Bowl for washing dirty laundry;
Folding clothesline and clothes pegs;
Various cleaning sponges;
Toilet paper ;
Garbage bags.

And since there is always pleasure in addition to the use, for moments of relaxation and for pleasant spending of your free time, here are five absolutely essential elements:

Notepads, writing and drawing paper, pens and pencils;
Card games and board games;
Books and magazines;
Small radio;
Camera, to capture the landscapes and places you are going to visit.

Cooking onboard: what do you need in a motorhome?

For cooking in a motorhome, it is always best to choose dry or shelf-stable foods. For fresh products, such as eggs, fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, cheese and cold cuts, you can always buy them on the road or when you arrive at your destination unless your motorhome is equipped with a substantial refrigerator.

If your motorhome has a large enough freezer and oven, you can also prepare your own ready-to-eat meals at home, and thaw them if necessary. In any case, among the products that we recommend that you put in your pantry, there are:

Biscuits and rusks;
Sugar, honey, jam or spreads;
Sweet and savoury snacks;
Ready-to-use sauces;
Risottos and soups in sachets;
Various preserves (legumes, vegetables, fruit salad, tuna, meat, etc.);
Preserved vegetables and legumes;
Pasta and rice;
Canned peeled tomatoes;
Long-life milk;
Fine and coarse salt;
Flour;
Various spices (garlic, onion, chilli, pepper, oregano etc…);
Condiments (oil, vinegar, lemon, mayonnaise, etc.);
Bottled water;
Fruit juices;
Coffee;
Tea and herbal teas;
Various drinks.

The beauty of travelling in a motorhome is also the possibility of having lunch there or being host to your neighbours: stock up on provisions, but don’t think that you are going to war. If you have children or if there are special intolerances or other discomforts in your family due to digestive difficulties, always be precise and careful about what to bring.

Moreover, when you have to think about what to bring for your departure, especially if it is your first trip, you should also worry about equipping your kitchen with utensils and accessories that are really useful for the home. meal preparation.

As with food and drink, you should take into account that space in your motorhome is limited. We, therefore, advise you to leave having already established a general menu for each meal you will prepare during your vacation, in order to ensure that you only bring on board the necessary kitchen utensils. In any case, there are some of the essentials:

Tupperware with lids;
Pasta strainer;
Frying pan and saucepans;
Gloves, tea towels and dish towels;
Ladle, spaghetti tongs and wooden spoons;
Various bowls and salad bowls;
Cutlery ;
Plates and glasses (also disposable);
Coffee cups and mugs;
A coffee maker (don’t bring your bulky and noisy espresso grinder, a simple filter coffee maker will do the trick);
Can openers, bottle openers and corkscrews (preferably all in one);
Jars and containers;
Cutting board ;
Cheese grater;
Long bread knife;
Funnel;
Scissors;
Paper napkins and rolls of paper napkins;
Food packaging and bags;
Matches or gas lighters;
Garbage bags with a string;
Dishwashing liquid, rubber gloves, sponge and dish sponges;
Thermos.

Clothing and personal hygiene: what do I need in my motorhome?

Clothing is something that should always be considered depending on the destination, sea or mountain, depending on the season and the type of climate that prevails in the place where you are destined.

We advise you not to overdo it with the luggage load, but at the same time carefully study the clothes to bring, in order to be prepared for any eventuality. In general, the camper’s wardrobe should never run out of:

Sweatshirts and pullovers;
K-way, windbreaker and down jacket;
Jeans and long pants;
Enough of tops and t-shirts;
Lightweight scarves;
Belts;
Swimwear ;
Pyjamas;
Underwear (socks, briefs, tank tops);
Flip-flops and slippers for the beach and/or the shower;
Trainers ;
Hiking boots ;
Sunglasses ;
Hiking backpack or sleeping bag.

For bathing and personal hygiene, what you might need:

Bathrobe ;
Napkins ;
Shampoo, conditioner and shower gel;
Hand soap;
Toothbrush and toothpaste;
Deodorant;
Moisturizer, sunscreen and after-sun cream;
Everything you need for beards, make-up and make-up removal;
Razors and razor blades;
Hairdryers travel brushes and combs;
Cotton swabs.

First aid kit: the essentials you need in a motorhome

When you travel in a motorhome, it is also advisable to equip your vehicle with a small first aid kit, complete and compliant with the traffic laws in force in the countries you are going to. A self-respecting first aid kit should never lack:

Analgesics;
Antibiotics;
Antipyretics;
Antispasmodics;
Antihistamines;
Dressings, bands and gauzes;
Cotton;
Cleaning and disinfection products (hydrogen peroxide, alcohol);
Ointments for sprains, insect and animal stings, and burns;
Mosquitoes and insect repellents;
Menthol powdered talc;
Thermometer.

If possible, take whatever you might need in case of a snake bite, especially if you are travelling in the mountains or in places full of greenery and unspoiled nature.

The essentials of outdoor life: what do I need in my motorhome?

It is clear that those who travel by motorhome are also fond of camping and outdoor sports. In this case, the list should therefore be extended and also include:

Barbecue;
Charcoal/gas refill;
Outdoor picnic chairs and table;
Deck chairs ;
Citronella candles (to ward off mosquitoes).

And if the space in the garage allows it, opt for bikes, scooters, kayaks and any other vehicle or accessory that allows you to have fun and have a good time outside.

The essential accessories for the motorhome

Your attention to what to take in the motorhome should be meticulous, almost paranoid because if you forget something, say a flashlight, and have settled in a place away from other campers, it is in the evening and you have no light, how are you going to do it?

If you are far from a built-up area, and therefore not in a parking lot dedicated to campers, as is often the case to enjoy a bit of the typical adventure of this type of trip, you could find yourself in serious difficulty.

If you have young children, the problem can get very serious. So, in case of need, we suggest that you always have with you:

Toolbox containing tools;
Snow chains (if you are travelling in winter);
Battery cables;
Tow cable;
Key for the gas cylinder;
Spare belt;
Bungee cords for the luggage compartment;
Additional jack;
Chocks to block or level the vehicle (at least two, but four in the case of a tractor with dual rear wheels);
Fire extinguisher;
Electric wire ;
Diesel, air and oil filters;
Fuses;
Work gloves;
Replacement lamps;
Level;
Tire pressure gauge;
Spare engine oil (at least 1 litre);
Silicone spray;
Electrical contacts;
Multimeter;
Battery powered torch;
Safety triangle;
Reflective jacket.

Travelling by motorhome: list of travel documents to carry with you

Personal and vehicle documents are perhaps some of the most important things to take with you on a trip, almost as if it goes without saying, you might say. But because of this, these are also the things that we tend to forget too often at home.

So, before leaving on your trip, take a moment to sort and organize your documents, taking care to store them neatly in a briefcase that you will place in your motorhome in a safe and easily accessible place. The documents you need to approach your caravan trip are as follows:

Vehicle registration papers and insurance;
Bank card;
Passports, identity cards and Vitals cards;
Driver’s license ;
Road maps (if you don’t have a built-in motorhome GPS);
Camping guides and lists of rest areas;
Dictionary (depending on the destination);
Tourist guides.

Final thoughts

Now that you know what you absolutely must have with you, it will be easier for you to organize your basic checklist for your motorhome trip: print it in PDF format and in triplicate, and consult it. before your departure and also on your return.

This will help you understand what you forgot the first time around, how much food you ate, what you really needed and what happened to be superfluous. If you are a beginner and want to try this fantastic travel experience, you can decide to rent a motorhome or invest in a used motorhome, which will be laid out and equipped to your liking.

Do you have something else to add to the list of things you need in a motorhome? Let us know!

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