Guide: 7 Road Trip Essentials for Your Next RV Trip

Are you planning an exciting RV excursion this year? While planning your route is important, strategic packing is just as essential.

After all, packing for a road trip is completely different from packing for a hotel vacation. We all know how annoying it can be to forget that one essential item. So what should you pack to ensure your RV is as comforting and convenient as your home base? Keep reading to find out!

Overview: Road Trip Essentials for Your RV

What are the must-haves for an RV vacation that leave you well-rested and ready to take on each new day (and destination) with enthusiasm?

• Navigation Tools/GPS
• A Backup Power Source
• The Perfect RV Mattress
• Cooling, Cozy Pillows and Sheets
• Stabilizers
• Water Filter
• Shelf-Stable Snacks

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1. Navigation Tools/GPS

All who wander may not be lost, but not knowing where you are (especially in sparsely populated areas) can be troubling. Avoid getting lost on your RV trip by investing in navigation tools, such as a compass or RV-specific GPS. A GPS will help you quickly find rest stops, restaurants, campsites and attractions with the push of a button. Also, don't forget to scour your phone's app store for road trip-friendly apps! Some apps can help connect you with those who have open land for your RV, while others map our constellations to enhance your stargazing sessions.

2. A Backup Power Source

In the event of an emergency, you’ll want to have plenty of backup power sources. Experts recommend packing extra battery packs, solar chargers or even a generator to keep your phone, laptop, GPS and other essential tools charged and ready for action. If you're a digital nomad, a signal booster for Wi-Fi is a wise investment as it will keep you connected and productive wherever you end up.

3. The Perfect RV Mattress

Finding the right balance between softness and firmness is the key to comfortable, rejuvenating sleep on the road. Instead of just settling with the mattress that came with your RV, why not consider an RV mattress upgrade? A fantastic bed can make all the difference in how you experience your vacation.

With the GhostBed RV Mattress, you get all the comfort and cooling features that GhostBed mattresses are famous for in an RV-friendly size. Plus, it’s naturally antimicrobial and resistant to mold, bacteria and dust mites—an important feature for your home-away-from-home.

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4. Cooling Pillows and Sheets

If you’re upgrading your RV mattress, don’t forget the right pillows and sheets to seal the deal. Comfy and cool is the way to go, especially if you’re heading to a warmer destination.

To avoid bedtime frustration, you're going to want to go with cooling sheets and pillows that are durable and easy to care for. As a rule of thumb, microfiber sheets tend to run hot, which can be helpful if you're sleeping in a cold environment. But if your goal is to beat the heat, check out our premium GhostSheets, made with a blend of cooling TENCEL™ and oh-so-soft Supima cotton.

Pillow-wise, the GhostPillow - Shredded offers a chilly resting place to support your neck after a long day of driving.

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GhostPillow - Shredded

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5. Stabilizers/Levelers

Nothing can disrupt your sleep in an RV more than setting up on uneven ground. An unlevel RV can damage your tires from uneven pressure being applied on them. And it can even cause unnecessary back pain as your back will not be properly aligned throughout the night. If the campground you're posting up in doesn't have a concrete pad to park on, consider utilizing some stabilizing blocks or levelers with you. This will fix any issues quickly.

6. Water Filter

Depending on where you post up, finding clean water can pose a challenge. Of course, you can always just opt for bottled water, but that option isn't always attractive to the eco-conscious. A pitcher-style water filter is an inexpensive option, but it may not be ideal for your kitchen configuration. Instead, try looking for a water filter that affixes to your RV hose. This type of filter will clean your water before it even reaches your rig. Conversely, you can pick up a straw-style water filter for emergencies. Bonus: you can use it on your next hiking or backpacking trip!

7. Shelf-Stable Snacks

If you've ever taken a road trip, you know how difficult it can be to find healthy, nutritious food on the road. It can seem as if the only thing to eat is fast food or gas station snacks like cookies, chips and candy. While we don't discourage you from treating yourself while on vacation, overeating junk food for days in a row can really wear you down, mess with digestion and make you an "unhappy camper."

Instead, consider packing some simple, shelf-stable snacks that don't require refrigeration, like dried fruit, nuts, low-sodium jerky, granola bars and protein bars.

Get Ready to Hit the Road with GhostBed

When you’re ready to stock up on all the road trip essentials for a perfect RV trip, GhostBed has you covered with incredibly comfy RV mattresses in a variety of sizes, cooling sheets and fantastic pillows that will elevate your vacation to the next level of comfort.

If you have any sleep-related questions about outfitting your RV for your next adventure, we invite you to reach out to our Sleep Experts today!