I recently received the following email:

"I'm an RV dummy and I need ideas on what to store in the RV. We have a 20' travel trailer for our family to travel in this summer but I don't know how to stock it. It's got a full kitchen bathroom, diner, 2 sets of bunks and a full size bed. HELP!!!"

This is good question. All the convenience of having a home away from home goes out the window if you forget some of the items that will make life on the road easy. Here's a checklist of things to pack in the RV. If I've missed anything you think is essential, please email me at cheri@fabuloustravel.com and I'll be happy to add it to the list.

Kitchen

Make sure you have the staples you'll need for cooking (presuming you plan on cooking and not eating out much of the time). These would include things like cooking oils, vinegars, butter, salt, pepper, favorite seasoning ingredients. It helps to have some canned food for quick meals -- tomatoes, tuna fish, etc. ( See the article Cooking with What's in the Cabinets for more ideas.) Also coffee, tea or other beverages.

As far as utensils make sure you carry not only eating utensils but a good sharp knife or two, can opener, corkscrew, spatula, serving spoon and tongs (especially if you'll be BBQing).

Also pack trash bags, sponges or cleaning cloths, a small bottle of dishwashing detergent, dish towels. Baking soda has a million uses, both for cooking and cleaning so I always carry it.

Bathroom

Toilet paper, soap, shampoo, towels, shower shoes (in case you use the showers at campgrounds), chemical for the RV toilet, sunscreen, after sun moisturizer (depending on your activities).

Bedding

Sheets, towels, blankets, pillows. I usually carry a tent and an air mattress too, so friends can come along and then we have an extra bedroom.

Miscellaneous

Flashlight, batteries, portable radio, matches or firstarter, playing cards or other games, books or magazines, BBQ grill, charcoal, firewood (if you plan on making campfires), fire extinguisher, and a radio so you can always check on weather status.

RV & Vehicle Functionality

Quality waterhoses, electrical cable, jacks (if necessary, depends on your RV), blocks (again, you may or may not need them depending on your RV and the intended use), jumper cables, micellaneous tools and spare parts like fan belts, duct tape, spark plugs, transmission fluid, motor oil, radiator coolant, etc. (this also will depend on how far and where your traveling, but if you are going to remote areas, it really makes sense to carry some basic parts). I never leave home withoutmy AAA card with the RV upgrade as well.