On a motorhome trip, luggage works the opposite way to a hotel: you don't have a huge wardrobe and you don't want to load the vehicle with things. The key is taking just enough, well chosen and well organised. With a bit of judgement, you travel comfortably without turning the camper into a storeroom. Here are the key points.
Clothes: layers and versatility
The trick experienced travellers use: layered, versatile clothing. Instead of an outfit for every occasion, take basics that mix and match and that you can layer up depending on the cold. A T-shirt, a fleece and a windproof jacket cover a huge range of temperatures with very little bulk. Even in summer, bring something warm: nights get cool, especially further north or in the mountains.
The essentials by type of trip
- Always: comfortable clothes, something warm, a raincoat, comfortable footwear, swimwear and flip-flops.
- Mountains: technical layers, hiking boots, a hat and gloves.
- Winter or snow: genuine thermal clothing and good footwear (see motorhome in the snow).
- Beach: little more than the "always" list plus sun protection.
Organise with packing cubes
Packing cubes or organiser bags are the best invention for clothes in a camper: they group things by type (T-shirts, underwear, warm layers), make use of irregular cupboards and keep everything tidy. Far better than a rigid suitcase, which takes up space and doesn't adapt.
The anti-excess rule
The classic mistake is packing clothes "just in case" that you never wear. A good trick: pack what you think you need, then remove a third of it. In a camper you tend to repeat outfits and do laundry along the way, so you need less than you think. And every kilo counts towards the maximum weight.
Don't forget about laundry
For long trips, plan on doing laundry: launderettes at campsites and in towns, or hand-washing the basics with a folding airer. That lets you carry far less clothing.
In short
Camper luggage is built on layered, versatile clothing organised in packing cubes, taking just enough and planning to do laundry along the way. The step you can take today: for your next trip, pack your clothes and then remove a third; you'll find you're just as comfortable with less, and with more space and less weight. And store it properly with these storage tricks.
