Fifth wheel trailers are often outfitted to drastically decrease the need for packing. This is one of the many advantages of RVing. Due to the fact that the RV provides accommodations for traveling as well as a substantial amount of storage for items needed while on the road, many lose the stress and worry that is often associated with “packing for a trip.” While this is one of the advantages of the recreational vehicle, it can also lead to a recurring problem.

This recurring problem that often plagues owners of fifth wheel trailers and other larger RVs that tend to offer substantial permanent storage of necessary travel items is that certain items tend to be overlooked in the packing process. Recreational vehicle owners come to depend a little too heavily on their RVs permanent storage and forget that they need to double-check certain items prior to departure. Ignoring the need to check fifth wheel trailers inventory when packing leads to frequent unscheduled stops to purchase items that travelers aren’t willing to do without on the road.

The Fifth Wheel Trailers “Double Check” List:

1. Bathroom necessities: toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, etc.
2. Kitchen basics: paper plates, napkins, cups, etc.
3. Towels
4. Blankets and pillows
5. Jackets
6. Activity specific equipment (fishing, hunting, etc.)
7. Board games and movies (on the road entertainment)

While the ability to stock the RV is one of the advantages, stocking the RV once doesn’t mean that that stock will never be depleted. Before heading out check and make sure that no one ran out to the RV to grab the book of movies when they couldn’t find one they wanted. Consider the fact that no shampoo and conditioner is going to last forever and every bottle will eventually need a replacement. Be aware that sometimes those activities that are so enjoyed on the road in the RV are also enjoyed elsewhere and the lucky fishing rod may have ended up in the garage or your oldest son’s closet. Jackets may have been outgrown since last summer. Towels may have been damp when you arrived home from your last trip to the beach so they were taken inside and washed. Blankets and pillows may have been stocked for 3, but this year the kids invited friends along on the trip.

It doesn’t really matter. What matters is that RVers have what they need when they head out of their driveway. The recreational vehicle does make it fairly easy to pull over and purchase forgotten items, but with just a few minutes of extra preparation, those extra stops and unbudgeted purchases can be avoided. When it’s time to pull out the fifth wheel trailer and head out on the next family adventure, double check that all your necessities are still where you left them. And if they aren’t, don’t waste a lot of time trying to figure out what happened. Just replace them, restock them, return them or whatever you need to do to get yourself where you want to be…on the road in your RV!