PACKING THE RIGHT CLOTHES

Let’s look at some clever tips to help you pack the right gear for travelling

WORDS BY LINDA BLOFFWITCH PHOTOGRAPHY BY MY AUSSIE TRAVEL GUIDE

Whether you’re a short or long term traveller, we all like to think that we’ve packed the right clothes to accommodate all weather types. However, with RV space limited, you need to carefully consider the clothing you take. Bulky warm clothing not only adds to your RV’s weight, but also takes up precious space.

LAYERING

When it comes to determining what you wear in cooler weather, an approach we find effective is a layering method using breathable and lightweight clothing. The specially designed clothing is extremely lightweight and incorporates three layers. The layer worn next to your skin is the base layer that has thermal properties. A fleece mid layer is then worn over the top. When it’s really cold or windy, we wear a third outer layer which is normally a waterproof type jacket. The clothing is easy to wash, quickly dries, and takes up very little space when stored. Great for an RVer!

WARDROBES AND SHELVES

The base of many RV wardrobes can be difficult to reach. Keep some clothing in stackable baskets at the wardrobe’s base for easy access. If you’re the kind of RVer that rarely uses coat hangers, then loads of hanging space in your RV’s wardrobe can seem a bit of a waste. One solution is to convert the wardrobe to shelving by drilling some holes and using ply supported with shelf support brackets. This can be a temporary solution if you leave the hanging rod in place and remove the shelving when you would like some hanging space back.

VERSATILE CLOTHING

To reduce the need for travelling with similar types of clothing, travel with items that have multiple uses. A good example is packing a pair of lightweight travel pants which can easily zip off at the legs to become a pair of shorts. Travel with clothing that can be worn either casually during the day or for a night out on the town! Ladies, keep a pair of black or white pants and a pair of flat shoes or sandals in your wardrobe that can easily be dressed up with accessories when needed. For the men, a versatile pair of trousers and a couple of wrinkle-free shirts can accommodate most social outings.

SPACE SAVING BAGS

You may not require all of your clothes all of the time when travelling. So wouldn’t it be good if they could be stored away when not needed to help maximise your RV’s space? Keep a few space saver bags in your RV as they’re a great solution. The zip lock type bags have a one-way valve to expel air and can reduce to one third of their original size. They’re available in a variety of sizes and can accommodate all sorts of clothing – even larger items like towels and blankets.

Clothing can be one of the major contributors for increasing your RV’s weight and reducing space. So take the time to consider what you need and how it will be used before hitting the road. It can make all the difference between getting it right and packing far too much!