Pre-trip checklists, gear that lasts, and the tips you actually need on the road.
Camper Pro Living is a working library for RVers, van-lifers, and weekenders. No fluff. No sponsored takes. Just what we've learned the hard way across 47,000 miles and three rigs.
Plan. Pack. Live.
Three sides of RV life that actually matter — and where most beginner advice gets it wrong.
Plan
Pre-trip checklists, route planning, and the seasonal prep that keeps small problems from turning into expensive ones.
- The 47-item pre-trip checklist
- Route planning for first-timers
- Seasonal prep & winterization
- Boondocking site selection
Pack
Gear that earns its space. Honest reviews, side-by-side comparisons, and the tier-by-tier picks we actually use.
- Power, solar & lithium
- Water & waste systems
- Connectivity & tech
- Outdoor living gear
Live
Maintenance, repairs, and the daily-life details. The stuff nobody talks about until something goes wrong at 11pm.
- Tire care & blowout prevention
- Roof, seals & slide-outs
- Troubleshooting on the road
- Workspaces & remote work setups
Get the 47-Item Pre-Trip Checklist
The exact list we run before every long-haul trip. Built from 47,000+ miles and three different rigs. Print it once, run it forever.
Download The Checklist →From rig-curious to rolling in 4 steps.
No mystery, no guru routine. The order we tell every friend who asks how to begin.
Pick Your Rig
Class A, Class C, travel trailer, van, or truck camper — match the rig to how you actually plan to travel.
Plan The First Trip
Pick a destination 2–4 hours away. Reserve the campground. Run the checklist. Come home with a list of fixes.
Pack Smart
Use our gear tiers — essentials, upgrades, optional. Buy the essentials first. Skip the rest until you know you need it.
Hit The Road
Use the maintenance routine, learn the troubleshooting basics, and join the Insider Club for ongoing intel.
Pick the level that fits where you are.
Free if you're just starting, paid if you want to compress the learning curve.
- 47-item PDF, print or phone
- Weekly Tuesday newsletter
- Subscriber-only resources
- Unsubscribe in one click
- Essentials, upgrades, optional
- Direct buy links
- Updated quarterly
- One-time payment, lifetime access
- 8 modules · LearnDash
- Checklists & downloadables
- Lifetime updates
- Includes the Gear Guide
- Weekly campsite picks
- Gear deal alerts
- Member discount codes
- Seasonal itineraries
Start with something free.
Three downloads we use ourselves — yours to keep, no strings.
47-Item Pre-Trip Checklist
The exact list we run before every trip. Mechanical, water, power, interior, outdoor — every category covered.
Download free →Trip Cost Calculator
Plug in distance, days, and rig — get a realistic estimate for fuel, campground fees, food, and propane.
Run the numbers →The 40-Term Beginner Glossary
From shore power to gray tank to dry weight — every term a new RVer needs, in plain English.
Read the glossary →Things people ask before they hit the road.
Do I need to own an RV to get value here?
No. About a third of our readers are still rig-shopping. The Launchpad course and the Class A vs van vs trailer guides are built for that exact stage.
Class A, Class C, van, or trailer — which is right for me?
Depends on how often you'll go, how far, and whether you want a daily driver. The course breaks it down with a decision tree. Short version: most first-timers should start with a travel trailer.
What's the difference between the Gear Guide and the Course?
The Gear Guide is just the gear picks — 50 items, 8 categories, three budget tiers. The Course is the full system: rig selection, planning, packing, maintenance, and life on the road. The Gear Guide is included in the course.
Are the gear picks affiliate links?
Some are, some aren't. Where we link to Amazon or REI it's an affiliate link. We never recommend gear we wouldn't buy ourselves and we don't take paid placements.
Is the Insider Club worth $12/month?
If you camp 4+ times a year, the deal alerts and discount codes usually pay for it the first month. If you camp twice a year, probably not — start with the free checklist instead.
Get the checklist. Plan the first trip.
One free download, one weekly newsletter. Everything else is optional. That's the deal.