First-Time RV Renter Checklist: Everything We Wished We Had Known

Before You Even Book the RV

This is the checklist nobody gives you. Everything else falls apart if you skip this step.

• Decide on RV type — travel trailer, Class B van, Class C motorhome, or fifth wheel. If you are not sure yet, read our RV Buying Guide first — it breaks down every type without the dealer pressure.

• Confirm your tow vehicle capacity if renting a towable

• Check driver's license requirements with your rental company

• Confirm pet policy if traveling with dogs

• Read the rental agreement — know what is covered for roadside assistance

• Ask exactly what gear is included — some rentals provide sewer hose, water hose, and leveling blocks, others do not

• Confirm campsite reservations — recreation.gov fills up fast for peak season

• Check rig dimensions and height restrictions for your planned campgrounds

• Set a packing budget — gear adds up fast on trip one

What to Ask Your Rental Company

These are the questions most first-timers forget to ask before leaving the lot.

• Is a full propane tank included at pickup?

• What is the generator hour policy?

• Is the fresh water tank full at pickup?

• What is the protocol if something breaks on the road?

• Is there a mileage limit?

• Will someone walk me through all systems before I drive off the lot?

We always ask for a systems walkthrough, no matter how rushed pickup feels. The fifteen minutes you spend learning how the water pump works saves you a very stressful night in the dark.

The Packing Checklist — What to Actually Bring

Skip the "pack everything from your house" instinct. RV space is limited and weight matters. Here is what we actually pack.

Kitchen Essentials

• Can opener (do not be us)

• A single good chef's knife

• Cutting board — flexible or compact

• Cast iron skillet or one non-stick pan

• Pot with lid

• Dish soap, sponge, small drying rack

• Paper towels — more than you think

• Ziplock bags in multiple sizes

• Coffee setup of your choice

• Spice kit — small travel spice container saves a ton of space

• Trash bags — rental rigs often have small bins

• Collapsible colander and mixing bowl

Gear we actually use: [Collapsible colander] [Travel spice kit] [Compact dish drying rack]

Bedding and Sleeping

• Sheets fitted to the RV mattress size — ask your rental company before you pack, RV mattresses are often not standard queen size. Ask if the bed is wrapped in plastic.

• Pillows — most rentals do not include these. Our suggestion is to pack your own pillows to separate your home from the RV Rental.

• Lightweight blanket or sleeping bag liner for cool nights. Our suggestion is to pack your own blankets to separate your home from the RV Rental.

• Eye mask and earplugs if you are a light sleeper in campgrounds

Gear we actually use: [RV mattress sheets] [Sleeping bag liner]

Bathroom and Personal

• RV-safe toilet paper — this is not optional. Regular TP can clog the black tank system and ruin your trip fast

• Small toiletry bag — shower space is tight

• Shower caddy with suction cups

• Flip flops for shared bathhouse situations

• Hand sanitizer for dump station duty. Our suggestion would be to sanitize the RV before leaving on your trip, this should only take you about 10-15 mins. Especially if you are traveling during flu and cold season.

• Small first aid kit

Gear we actually use: [RV-safe toilet paper] [Shower caddy with suction cups]

Clothing — Pack Less Than You Think

One thing we have learned renting RVs across multiple trips: you wear about half of what you pack. Campfire smoke means everything gets reworn anyway.

Our actual packing rule: two days of outdoor clothes per person, one nicer layer for cooler evenings, one set of campsite lounge clothes you will live in, and a good rain layer.

If you want to look like you belong on the campground — not like you just stumbled in from a business trip — you already know about the H&V gear. Our Backed It Up Eventually tee is printed on Comfort Colors 1717 and holds up to repeated campfire nights and rewears. It is the shirt that starts conversations at the hookup station.

Outdoor and Campsite Gear

• Campsite chairs — confirm if rental includes or bring your own. Our suggestion would be to bring your own since you can control the level of comfort.

• Small folding table if your rig does not have an outdoor option

• Outdoor mat or rug for the entrance step — keeps dirt out of the rig

• Headlamps — one per person minimum

• Lantern for table-level light at dusk

• Bug spray and sunscreen

• Firestarter, matches, or lighter — check campground fire rules first

• Firewood or confirm you can source it locally — do not transport across state lines

• Portable Bluetooth speaker — campground-volume appropriate

• Hammock if you have the trees for it

Gear we actually use: [Outdoor RV mat] [Rechargeable headlamp 2-pack] [Compact camp chairs]

Tech and Power

• Surge protector or EMS (electrical management system) — protects the RV from campground power spikes. Worth every penny.

• 30-amp or 50-amp adapter — ask your rental company what the rig requires

• Phone charging cables and a small power bank

• Portable WiFi hotspot if you need connectivity on the road

• Download offline maps before you leave cell range

Gear we actually use: [RV surge protector] [30-amp to 50-amp adapter] [Portable WiFi hotspot]

The RV Hookup Checklist — Arriving at Your Campsite

This is where most first-timers lose the most time. Go slow. There is no award for fastest hookup — we have checked.

Pulling In and Leveling

• Pull past your site before backing in — assess your approach first

• Use a spotter outside the rig if you have one

• Level the rig side-to-side first using leveling blocks under the tires

• Deploy the stabilizer jacks — these stabilize, they do not level

• Confirm level with a bubble level app or a glass of water

• Chock your wheels before unhitching a towable

Gear we actually use: [Leveling blocks] [Wheel chocks] [Bubble level]

If this is your first time backing a rig into a tight spot in front of an audience — we see you. It gets easier. And if it does not get easier, at least the story gets funnier.

Electric Hookup

• Plug your surge protector into the pedestal first — before connecting to the

• Check pedestal voltage with a meter if you have one

• Connect shore power cable — 30-amp or 50-amp depending on your rig

• Confirm interior lights and outlets are working before settling in

Gear we actually use: [RV surge protector / EMS] [30-amp to 50-amp adapter] [Voltmeter]

Water Hookup

• Attach a water pressure regulator to the campground spigot before your hose — campground pressure can be too high for RV systems

• Use a dedicated RV drinking water hose — not a garden hose

• Connect hose to the rig's city water inlet

• Check for drips at both connections before walking away

• If using the onboard fresh water tank instead, confirm it was filled at pickup

Gear we actually use: [RV water pressure regulator] [RV drinking water hose] [Hose splitter]

Sewer Hookup

• Wait until your tanks are three-quarters full before connecting — never leave the black tank valve open during your stay. This causes the infamous pyramid of doom in your black tank.

• Wear gloves. Full stop.

• Connect the sewer hose from the rig to the campground cleanout

• Use a sewer hose support to maintain a downward slope toward the cleanout

• Grey water valve can stay open on full hookup sites — black tank valve stays closed until dumping

• Dump black tank first, then grey — the grey water rinses the hose

• Rinse the tank with your black tank flush if your rig has one

• Add tank treatment after every dump

Gear we actually use: [Sewer hose kit] [Sewer hose support / slinky] [Disposable gloves] [Tank treatment tablets]

The sewer hookup is the one that intimidates every first-timer. You will do it wrong once, you will never do it wrong again, and you will tell the story forever.

RV Camping with Dogs

We never rent without our dogs. Here is the checklist we use specifically for the pups.

• Confirm pet policy with your rental company and campground before booking

• Pack a dedicated dog bag — food, collapsible bowls, leash, waste bags, medications

• Bring their bed or a familiar blanket — the smells help them settle in an unfamiliar space

• Crate if your dog travels better contained — it also protects the RV furniture

• Update ID tags with your cell number before departure

• Screenshot campground address and emergency vet clinics along your route

• Stake or tie-out cable for campsite time

• Towels dedicated to muddy paw duty — you will need more than one

• Check campground pet rules — leash length requirements vary by location

For everything we have learned about RVing with dogs — what to ask, what gear actually works, and what we would do differently — our RV Life with Dogs guide covers it all.

Gear we actually use: [Collapsible dog bowls] [Dog tie-out stake and cable] [Dog first aid kit] [RV pet steps] [Waterproof dog blanket]

Gear we actually use: [Dog waste bag dispenser] [Retractable leash for campgrounds] [Portable dog water bottle]

If your dog has a look on their face that says "I survived the campsite and I watched you back this thing in six times" — there is probably a shirt for that. Check the full collection at the H&V shop.

Departure Day — Don't Let This One Bite You

Leaving a campsite is faster than arriving but the consequences of skipping steps follow you down the highway.

• Disconnect and stow shore power cable

• Disconnect and drain water hose — stow in exterior bay

• Close and stow sewer hose — clean before stowing

• Retract any awnings fully

• Retract all slide-outs

• Raise stabilizer jacks completely

• Remove leveling blocks and wheel chocks

• Do a full walk-around — look for items left outside including chairs, mats, and the dog's tie-out stake

• Check all exterior compartment latches are closed and locked

• Walk through the interior — secure all cabinet latches and stow loose items

• Check refrigerator is latched for travel

• Confirm stove burners are off and propane is closed

• Confirm pets and all humans are inside

• Take a final look at your hookup area — leave the site cleaner than you found it

Do a lap around the outside of the rig before you pull out. Every single time. You will thank yourself the day you almost drove off with the water hose still connected.

Gear we actually use: [Exterior compartment locks] [Collapsible step stool for walk-around] [Magnetic cabinet latches]

First-Time RV Renter FAQ

Leaving a campsite is faster than arriving but the consequences of skipping steps follow you down the highway.

What do first-time RV renters forget most often?

The most commonly forgotten items are RV-safe toilet paper, a water pressure regulator, a surge protector for shore power, and basic kitchen tools like a can opener. Most rental companies provide a sewer hose and water hose but always confirm before you leave the lot.

Do I need a special license to rent an RV?

For most Class B and Class C motorhomes a standard driver's license is sufficient in the US. Class A motorhomes over 26,000 lbs GVWR may require a non-commercial Class B license in some states. Always verify with your rental company and check your state's requirements before your trip.

How do I hook up an RV at a campsite for the first time?

Level the rig first, then connect electric using a surge protector, then water using a pressure regulator, and wait on sewer until your tanks are three-quarters full. Never leave the black tank valve open during your stay — dump when the tank is three-quarters full, black tank first then grey.

Can I rent an RV if I have never driven one before?

Yes. Most rental companies offer a walkthrough before you leave the lot. Start with a Class C or smaller Class B van for your first rental — they handle more like a large moving truck. Avoid Class A motorhomes for trip one if possible.

What is the difference between grey water and black water in an RV?

Grey water comes from your sinks and shower. Black water is from the toilet. They are stored in separate holding tanks. Dump black water first when emptying, then grey water to rinse the sewer hose.

Is RV camping with dogs hard?

Not at all but it takes some prep. Confirm pet policies with both your rental company and your campgrounds before booking. Pack their food, bed, leash, and waste bags in a dedicated dog bag. Most campgrounds are very dog friendly.

What RV gear do I actually need to buy before my first trip?

The non-negotiables are a water pressure regulator, an RV-safe water hose, a surge protector, RV-safe toilet paper, and a basic first aid kit. Most other gear can be sourced at a store near your destination on trip one.

You Are More Ready Than You Think

Trip one is going to have a moment. Something will not work the way you expected, you will Google something embarrassing in the campground parking lot, or you will realize at 9pm that you left something important at home. That is just how it goes.

The good news: the RV community is genuinely helpful, campground neighbors will share supplies you forgot, and by the end of the weekend you will already be planning the next trip.

We are doing the same thing. Building the dream, one rental at a time, until we find the rig we want to call ours.

If you are still deciding what kind of RV to eventually buy, start with our RV Buying Guide — it is the research we did so you do not have to start from zero.

And if you show up looking like you belong out there — that does not hurt either. Browse the full H&V collection.