What to pack in a motorhome for a week-long trip
Many people who hire a motorhome for the first time bring a lot more things than they actually need.
It is most common to see large suitcases, too many clothes and all sorts of “just in case” items. In the end, half of those things are not even used during the trip.
After years of hiring motorhomes, I've come to a very simple conclusion: for a week-long trip you normally only need clothes, personal items and food. Everything else is usually already inside the motorhome.
In this article I'll tell you what's worth taking with you and what's better to leave at home.
The most common mistake: too large a suitcase
If you arrive by plane and pick up the motorhome at the airport, my main advice is not to bring a large, hard suitcase.
This type of suitcase is awkward to store, takes up a lot of space, and during the trip they usually end up moving around from one place to another inside the motorhome.
It is much more practical to travel with a holdall or a backpack. Once you have put your clothes away in the wardrobes, you can fold it and store it away without it taking up hardly any space.
Many people pack for a one-week trip and bring clothes as if they were going to be away for a month. In reality, it is not necessary.
I usually recommend taking clothes for three or four days and planning to do a wash during the trip. In many campsites, motorhome service areas and even at some petrol stations there are washing machines and tumble dryers.
While your clothes are washing and drying, you can take the opportunity to grab a coffee, have a bite to eat or top up your motorhome's water tank.
That way you will carry less luggage, have more free space in the wardrobes and travel much more comfortably.
What is already included in the motorhome?
Before packing your bags, I recommend taking a look at the equipment included.
Many people ask me if they need to bring crockery, kitchen utensils, bed linen, towels, a table or camping chairs. In most cases, the answer is no.
The motorhome already comes with everything you need to travel comfortably from day one, so there is no need to pack luggage with things you probably won't use.
You can view the full equipment list, photographs and video here:
What I really recommend taking with you
If I had to sum it up in a few words, I'd recommend taking clothing, personal items, documentation and food.
Don't worry too much about forgetting something. During the trip you will always find a shop where you can buy anything you need.
After years of hiring motorhomes, I've come to the same conclusion: most people bring too many things, not too few.
That's why my main advice is not to turn a motorhome trip into a house move. The fewer unnecessary things you take, the more comfortable the trip will be.
If it is your first time travelling in a motorhome, I also recommend reading our guide «Hiring a motorhome for the first time», where I explain how vehicle delivery works, what to expect during the first few days, and how to prepare for the trip.
If you want to better understand how water, electricity, heating and the rest of the systems work, you can consult our guide on the motorhome autonomy.
And if you already know what to take with you and you're looking for a vehicle for your next trip, you can check out our catalogue of motorhomes and campervans available.
Once you've packed your luggage, I also recommend reading our guide on where
and how to choose the best places to spend the night.