Your complete guide to planning and executing your first RV adventure. From pre-trip planning to pickup day, travel tips, and return instructions — we've got you covered.
First RV trip? You're in for an incredible adventure! This comprehensive checklist will help you plan, pack, and execute your trip with confidence.
📞 Emergency Contact
Save This Number: (626) 615-2798
Emergency contact number provided at pickup; office hours 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM PT.
- Complete the walkthrough at pickup — Our team will explain the systems and answer your questions before departure.
- Download offline maps for your route — Cell service can be spotty. Download Google Maps offline for your entire route and destination area.
- Book campgrounds on recreation.gov — Popular campgrounds fill up fast. Make reservations now, especially for weekends and national parks.
- Check weather for destination — Desert trips can be 40°F+ swings day to night. Mountain weather changes fast. Plan your clothing accordingly.
- Create grocery shopping list — Plan simple meals that don't require tons of fresh ingredients. Stock up on non-perishables.
- Review our destination guides — We have detailed guides for Joshua Tree, Big Sur, San Diego, and more with insider tips specific to RV travel.
- Arrange pet care/plant watering — Don't forget about responsibilities at home!
- Set work out-of-office messages — You're going on an adventure — make sure work knows you're disconnecting!
🎒 Complete Packing Lists by Category
We've organized everything by category to make packing easier. Items marked with ⭐ are absolutely essential for first-timers.
🍽️ KITCHEN ESSENTIALS
- ⭐ Paper towels (lots!) — Much easier than washing dishes constantly
- ⭐ Trash bags — We provide starter supply, bring extra
- ⭐ Dish soap — For the few dishes you will wash
- ⭐ Coffee & coffee filters — Wake up to amazing sunrise views
- Basic spices (salt, pepper, garlic powder) — Makes simple meals much better
- Cooler + ice — Extra storage for drinks and overflow
- Aluminum foil — Great for campfire cooking
- Ziploc bags — Keep everything organized and fresh
- Can opener — Don't assume there's one in the RV
- Sharp knife — RV knives are usually dull
💡 Kitchen Pro Tip: We provide plates, cups, utensils, pots, pans, and basic cookware in all our RVs. Don't overpack kitchen items!
🛏️ BEDROOM & BATHROOM
- ⭐ Extra blankets — Desert and mountain nights get surprisingly cold
- ⭐ Pillows — We provide basic pillows but bring your favorites
- Sleeping bags (backup) — Great for unexpected guests or kids
- Pajamas/comfortable clothes — Pack more than you think you need
- ⭐ Personal toiletries — Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.
- ⭐ RV-safe toilet paper — Regular TP can clog RV systems (we provide starter supply)
- Quick-dry towels — We provide basic towels but these are lighter
- Shower shoes/flip-flops — Campground showers aren't always pristine
- Medications — Bring extra in case you extend your trip
- Contact lens supplies — Desert dust is hard on contacts
💡 Bedroom Pro Tip: We provide fitted sheets, pillowcases, and comforters for all beds. Just bring personal items and extra blankets for cold nights.
🏕️ OUTDOOR & CAMPING
- ⭐ Camping chairs — We include basic set, but bring extra/better ones
- ⭐ Headlamp & flashlight — Essential for bathroom trips and campfire time
- ⭐ Sunscreen SPF 50+ — Desert and mountain sun is intense
- ⭐ Bug spray — Mosquitos love RV travelers
- ⭐ First aid kit — Bandages, pain relievers, antiseptic
- Firewood — Buy at campgrounds ($8-15/bundle) to avoid bringing invasive bugs
- Lighter/matches — Multiple sources in case one gets wet
- Lantern — Makes setting up in the dark much easier
- Tarp or outdoor rug — Defines your space and reduces dirt tracking
- Citronella candles — Natural bug deterrent for evening relaxation
👕 CLOTHING ESSENTIALS
- ⭐ Layers! — Desert/mountain temps swing 40-50°F day to night
- ⭐ Rain jacket — Weather changes fast in mountains
- ⭐ Sturdy hiking shoes — Ankle support for desert/mountain terrain
- ⭐ Comfortable camp shoes — Crocs, sandals, or slip-ons
- ⭐ Hat with brim — Sun protection is critical in open desert
- ⭐ Sunglasses — High-quality ones, sun reflects off sand/rock
- Swimsuit — Many campgrounds have pools, lakes, or beach access
- Extra socks & underwear — Pack 2x what you think you need
- Warm beanie — Cold desert nights require head warmth
- Long pants — Protection from sun, bugs, brush
📱 TECH & ENTERTAINMENT
- ⭐ Phone chargers — Car charger and wall charger
- ⭐ Portable battery pack — Cell service drains batteries fast searching for signal
- ⭐ Camera + extra batteries — Cold drains batteries quickly
- Downloaded movies for kids — Most campgrounds have poor WiFi
- Headphones — For personal entertainment without disturbing others
- E-reader or books — Great for relaxing afternoons
- Bluetooth speaker — Evening music around the campfire
- Extension cord — Sometimes campground power is far from where you need it
- USB charging hub — Charge multiple devices from one outlet
- GoPro or action camera — Capture your adventures
📋 IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
- ⭐ Valid driver's license — Required for pickup
- ⭐ At pickup, the primary renter must present a physical credit card in the same name as the driver's license.
- ⭐ Campground confirmation emails — Save offline copies
- ⭐ Rental documents and protection information provided with your confirmed booking
- ⭐ Emergency contact number provided at pickup; office hours 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM PT
- Emergency contact info — Leave copy with family/friends
- Medical information — Allergies, medications, emergency contacts
- Roadside assistance numbers — If you have AAA or Good Sam
- National parks annual pass — If you have America the Beautiful Pass
Our pickup hours: 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM daily. Plan for 60-90 minutes for your walkthrough.
- Arrive on time — Late arrivals may shorten your walkthrough time. Call us if you're running behind!
- Pickup card requirement — At pickup, the primary renter must present a physical credit card in the same name as the driver's license.
- Take photos/video of RV exterior — Document any existing scratches or damage before departure.
- Get complete walkthrough from our team — Ask questions! We'd rather spend extra time teaching than get emergency calls later.
- Test all lights and signals — Brake lights, turn signals, running lights. Make sure you know where switches are.
- Verify propane, water, battery levels — Learn how to check these systems yourself during your trip.
- Practice driving in our parking lot — Get comfortable with turning radius and blind spots before hitting the road.
- Program GPS destination — Set your campground address before leaving our lot.
- Exchange phone numbers — Make sure we have current contact info for emergencies.
⚡ Pickup Pro Tip: Don't be shy about asking questions during the walkthrough! The 15 minutes you spend learning systems now will save you hours of frustration at the campground.
- Check tire pressure daily — Temperature changes affect tire pressure. Look for obvious bulges or low spots.
- Monitor water/waste tank levels — Check monitor panel inside RV. Don't let waste tanks get completely full.
- Generator: 6 hours/day included, then $4/hour — Most campgrounds have quiet hours (usually 10 PM - 6 AM). Be respectful of neighbors.
- 125 miles/day included — Additional miles are $0.5/mile. Plan your routes accordingly.
- Lock all cabinets before driving — Contents will fly around if cabinets aren't latched properly.
- Retract awning before moving — ALWAYS retract the awning completely before driving. Wind can destroy an extended awning.
- Use the emergency contact number provided at pickup — Office hours are 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM PT.
- Take photos of amazing moments — This might be your first RV trip, but hopefully not your last!
🌡️ Weather Awareness: Desert temperatures can swing 50°F from day to night. Joshua Tree might be 85°F at 2 PM and 35°F at 6 AM. Always check hourly forecasts and pack layers.
Plan return by your scheduled time. Late returns affect the next renter's trip and may incur fees.
- Fill up gas tank — Return with same fuel level as pickup (we'll show you the gauge). Gas stations near airports are usually more expensive.
- Empty waste tanks at dump station — Required for all returns. We can recommend nearby dump stations if needed.
- Remove all personal items — Check all cabinets, drawers, and storage areas. We find phones, chargers, and medications left behind frequently.
- Basic cleanup — Wipe down counters, sweep floor, clean up any spills. We don't expect detailing, just basic tidiness.
- Return on time — Call if you're running late. We may have some flexibility but next renters are counting on us.
- Walk-through inspection together — We'll inspect the RV for any new damage and document the return condition.
💰 Security Deposit: A refundable $1,000 security deposit is held on your credit card. Release timing and conditions are described in our Terms (7–14 business days after return).
💡 Print-Friendly Version: This page is optimized for printing. Use your browser's print function to create a physical checklist to take on your trip.
Ready to Book Your First RV Adventure?
This checklist will be included with your rental confirmation email, and our team will provide a walkthrough at pickup.
⚠️ Disclaimer: All information on this page is provided for general reference only. Prices, amenities, availability, phone numbers, and policies may change without notice. For the most current and accurate information, please contact the campground, park, or service provider directly. RV We Go is not responsible for any inaccuracies or changes to third-party information. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.