Motorhome packing list - checklist for departure

Motorhome packing list! This year has seen many new motorhome owners and we've had lots of questions about what to pack, what not to forget and what to think about. So here it is, our ultimate motorhome packing list!

Our motorhome packing list

Our campervan packing list includes everything from travel documents to clothes and tools. The list was a little longer than we thought when we started writing it, but there's a lot of stuff you have to - or can choose to - pack. Here we go!

1. travel documents

First of all, it's a good idea to remember to pack your travel documents and other important documents. Many things can be purchased along the way, but important documents can be tricky to replace. Remember to pack:

• Driving licence
• Registration certificate for the motorhome (the blue part)
• Any camping cards, discount cards and membership cards
• Any tickets and bookings

If you are travelling abroad ...

• Valid passport and/or national ID card
• When travelling outside the EU/EEA countries: International driving licence.
• If the motorhome has been borrowed: permission/authorisation from the owner.
• Any environmental stickers (DEKRA sticker in German cities and Vignette Crit´Air in some French regions).
• Possible vignette/transponder for the payment of motorway tolls (check the rules for each country).

2. Money and insurance papers

Of course, it is also important to be able to pay for yourself, and to have insurance papers ready. Remember:

• Cash/credit cards (preferably more than one, stored in different places)
• Box to do banking online
• Insurance policy (paper for motorhome insurance, home insurance, travel insurance, accident insurance, etc.)
• Telephone numbers for roadside assistance, insurance companies, SOS International, the bank's blocking service, relatives and others.

If you are travelling abroad ...

• Cash in different currencies
• The European Health Insurance Card
• When travelling outside EU/EEA countries: the "green card" ordered from the insurance company as proof that your vehicle is insured.

3. Gadgets for travel planning

Today you can often use your mobile phone to orientate yourself or to look up campsites and pitches. Sometimes you may want to supplement this with a catalogue or physical map.

• GPS
• Lists or apps of campsites and caravan parks (e.g. CamperContact or RV parks).
• Road atlases or detailed maps for specific destinations

4. Technical equipment

These days, most people want to take their mobile phones and perhaps some other technical equipment with them when travelling. Check the list so you don't forget anything!

• Mobile phone including power cord and any extra backup battery.
• Laptop or iPad including power cable and perhaps an external hard drive
• Router
• Camera including charger and any additional equipment such as a tripod or extra lens.
• Drone, underwater camera or other specialised camera equipment.

5. Entertainment and amusement

Of course, you want to be able to entertain and relax while travelling. Here are some things you might want to pack:

• Books, tablets or audio books
• TV and/or computer with films and TV series
• Music player/stereo and music and possibly headphones
• Hobby equipment, such as handicrafts, drawing/painting/crafting equipment, binoculars for bird watching, etc.
• Exercise equipment
• Games and toys

6. Clothing and accessories

The clothes you need will of course depend on the time of year and what you intend to do while travelling. Here is a checklist:

• Summer clothes: shorts, skirts, dresses, T-shirts, tank tops.
• Long trousers/jeans and possibly a belt
• Thin jerseys/shirts/blouses
• Thick sweaters/cotton jackets
• Warm and windproof outerwear including hat, mittens and scarf.
• Rainwear and/or umbrella
• Rag socks or slippers/indoor shoes
• Underwear and socks (or maybe a pair of good support socks)
• Shoes (sandals/flip-flops, trainers, boots/hiking boots, trainers)
• Training clothes
• Swimwear
• Sunglasses and hat/cap to protect from the sun
• Bags (handbag/shoulder strap bag, backpack, etc.)
• Comfortable clothing to sleep in, such as a soft and cosy nightshirt or flannel pyamas

7. Hygiene products

In the motorhome's bathroom, you'll want to stock up on some hygiene items, although you can of course replenish your supplies as you travel. Small packing list for the motorhome:

• Toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss
• Soap/shower cream
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Lotion and moisturising skin cream
• Deodorant/perfume
• Pads/tampons
• Brush, comb and hair products
• Shaver/razor
• Nail scissors and more

8. travel pharmacy

It's always good to have a small travel pharmacy in your motorhome, although most of it can be replenished along the way. Here are a few things you might want to pack:

• Prescription medicines
• First aid equipment
• Plasters and other equipment for wound care
• Sunscreen and After Sun
• Mosquito repellent
• Fluid replacement
• Painkillers and antipyretics

9. Bed linen and towels

Bedding and towels are also bulky and heavy, but need to be packed. Blankets can be useful if it gets chilly inside or outside the car in the evenings.

• Mattresses, duvets and pillows
• Sheets and pillowcases
• Towels for the bathroom
• Bath towels
• Filtar

10. Laundry and clothing care

If you're only going on a short motorhome trip, you won't need to do laundry, but if you're planning to be away for a longer period of time, it's a good idea to be able to take care of laundry and torn clothes.

• Bag/sack to store dirty laundry in
• Detergents and fabric softeners for machine washing
• Detergent for hand washing and washing line and clips.
• Sewing case with sewing needles, thread, etc.

11. Kitchen equipment

Pack your kitchen cabinets so that the contents don't move around and clink too much. For example, you can equip the cabinets with plastic boxes or baskets and use towels between clanking pots and pans.

• Tableware (preferably melamine) including bowls and serving dishes
• Wine glasses and other hard plastic glasses
• Coffee/tea cups in melamine or other materials
• Cutlery, kitchen utensils and knives
• Frying pans, pots, pans and trivets
• Kitchen towels and potholders
• Dish brush and detergent
• Consumable items such as paper towels, freezer bags and candles.

12. Food products

Groceries can of course be bought while travelling, and it is not necessary to travel with a well-stocked pantry, but it can be useful to have some groceries in the cupboards.

• Coffee and tea
• Spices, flavourings, oil and sauces
• Rice, pasta, preserves and powdered soups
• Hard bread, biscuits, cereals and snacks
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner meals for the first stops/days

If you are travelling abroad ...

• Specific products that you think you will miss from Sweden, such as hard bread, herring or caviar.

13. cleaning & tidying

Cleaning products can of course be purchased during the trip, but it's a good idea to be prepared to keep your motorhome clean and tidy.

• Dustpan and/or vacuum cleaner
• Sponges and cloths
• Detergents
• Chemical fluid for toilet tank
• Rubbish bags/garbage bags

14. Energy supply equipment

Most things in a motorhome are powered by electricity or LPG. Here are some of the things you may need to consider packing to ensure your energy supply works:

• Power cable to connect electricity to the motorhome from the power pole, incl. adapter for different sockets (Europe glove).
• Voltage converter (To convert 220 to 12 volts, if the sockets are to be used when electricity is not connected to the motorhome).
• Possible solar panels, generator or extra battery in the living area

If you are travelling abroad ...

• LPG adapters to be able to connect a foreign LPG bottle 

15. Equipment for filling water

A motorhome has a fresh water tank of varying sizes, and fresh water can be filled at campsites and some caravan parks. It can be easy to pack:

• Water hose for refilling water in the motorhome
• Nozzles for the water hose in different sizes

16. Safety equipment

In a motorhome, you may need some safety equipment to protect yourself against, for example, burglary or fire. Some things to consider:

• Safety box/cash box (Must be bolted to the motorhome)
• Burglar alarms
• Possibly an additional lock for the living area door and/or wire rope stretched between the front doors of the driver's cabin.
• Fire alarms, powder fire extinguishers and fire blankets
• Reflective vest

If you are travelling abroad ...

• Two warning triangles (Required in some countries)
• Angles Morts decal (Required in France if you drive a motorhome over 3.5 tonnes)
• Tow rope (required in some countries)
• Breathalyser (Required in France)
• Snow chains or autosocks (In the Alps or Norwegian mountains in winter)

17. Equipment for the camping site

Tables and chairs for the campsite are a must for many people. Otherwise, what you choose to pack can vary. Keep in mind that what you choose to bring should fit in the motorhome, and don't forget to consider the weight.

• Levelling blocks (To be able to park the motorhome straight on sloping terrain)
• Doormat
• Tables and chairs (collapsible and preferably in a lightweight material)
• Lantern or lamp for outdoor use
• Awning and tent pegs and straps (to secure the awning in windy conditions).
• Sunbed/sun chairs and parasols for the beach
• Grills and barbecue tools

18. Equipment for transport and excursions

It is not necessary to have a vehicle for transport and excursions, but many people find it practical and enjoyable.

• Bicycles or electric bicycles with charger, possibly including bicycle racks attached to the back of the motorhome.
• Moped, scooter or other vehicle
• SUP, canoe, inflatable mattress or the like

If you are travelling abroad ...

• Red/white warning sign for bicycles attached to the outside of the motorhome (Required in some countries).

19. Tools and other practical gadgets

If there's a serious problem with your motorhome, you'll obviously need the help of a garage, but it's good to have basic equipment to fix small things. Here is a packing list for your motorhome:

• jumper cables, tow rope, jack, wheel cross or nut driver
• Engine oil, coolant and windscreen washer fluid
• Tyre repair kit or well-inflated spare tyre
• Snow shovel, snow brush and ice scraper (For northern Europe in the cold season)
• Working gloves
• Mini toolbox with tools such as screwdrivers and spanners.
• Hammer/mallet for knocking down tent pegs
• Flashlight
• Batteries in different sizes
• Silver tape
• Car wash brush, sponge and bucket to wash the car
• Cleaning agents for cars, windscreens, rims, etc.
• User manual for the motorhome

If you are travelling abroad ...

• Extra light bulbs are required in some countries

20. Equipment for the dog

Bringing a dog in a motorhome is very common. Check in advance where the dog is welcome, and be aware that there is sometimes an extra charge for bringing a dog.

• Food bowls and food
• Leash and collar/harness
• Bedding and towels
• Tick picker
• First aid kit and any medication
• Toys

If you are travelling abroad ...

• EU passport
• Relevant insurance papers and vaccination certificates

What is on your motorhome packing list?

What is on your motorhome packing list? Is there anything there that we haven't included in our list? Maybe something you would never travel without?