When we decided to hit the road full-time, I thought downsizing would be a weekend project. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t. Moving into an RV meant letting go of 80% of our stuff. We had to rethink what we actually needed. We learned to live lighter — in every sense of the word. Here’s how we did it (and what we wish we’d done differently).
1. Start Before You Think You Need To
If you think you’ll need a month, give yourself three. The emotional side of letting go takes longer than the physical part. Start small: one closet, one room, one category of items at a time.
Tip: Use the four-box method: Keep, Donate, Sell, Trash. Don’t add a fifth “Maybe” box — that’s where clutter goes to retire.
2. Measure Your New Space
Before you pack a single box, know your RV’s actual storage dimensions. A “big” RV closet can still be smaller than your old coat rack.
Pro move: Blue painter’s tape on the floor of your current home can mimic your new RV storage spaces. It’s a reality check for what will fit.
3. Ruthless Wardrobe Cuts
In an RV, “fashion season” means layering for the weather, not having a separate wardrobe for each season.
- Keep: Versatile pieces that mix & match.
- Lose: That sequined dress you wore once in 2014 (unless you’re headed to Vegas).
Rule of thumb: If it doesn’t work for at least 3 different outfits, it stays behind.
4. The 90/90 Rule for Everything Else
If you haven’t used it in the last 90 days, let it go. If you can’t see yourself using it in the next 90, release it. This works for kitchen gadgets, tools, and even sentimental items.
5. Go Digital Where You Can
Photos, important documents, books — all can be scanned or stored digitally to save space. We use a portable scanner and a cloud backup service for peace of mind.
6. Sentimental Items
This is the hardest part. Keep a small “memory box” for the truly irreplaceable things. For the rest, take a photo before you let it go. You’ll be surprised how much easier it is to part with something when you know you can revisit the memory.
7. Test Your Minimalism Before You Move In
About a month before your official move, try living in your current home with only the items you plan to bring. This will give you a good sense of what is essential. This “trial run” will quickly reveal what you’ve forgotten or what you thought you needed but don’t actually use.
Downsizing for RV life isn’t just about fitting into a smaller space. It’s about creating room for more experiences. It’s about embracing more freedom and enjoying less stress. The less you own, the less you have to keep up, clean, or worry about. Trust me, you won’t miss 90% of what you leave behind. You will love the feeling of breathing in your new, uncluttered home on wheels.
RV Downsizing & Decluttering Quick Guide
✅ Print or save this list to make downsizing stress-free.
Step 1 – Prep
- Set move date & work backwards on a calendar
- Measure all RV storage areas
- Gather boxes: Keep, Donate, Sell, Trash
Step 2 – Wardrobe
- Keep 3 versatile outfits per activity type (casual, outdoor, dressy)
- Store seasonal gear in vacuum bags
- Donate duplicates
Step 3 – Kitchen
- Keep multi-purpose tools (e.g., Instant Pot, Ninja Speedi)
- Limit dish sets to the number of people in your RV +1 extra set
- Toss chipped or single-use gadgets
Step 4 – Sentimental Items
- Keep a small “memory box”
- Photograph items before letting go
Step 5 – Digital Declutter
- Scan documents & photos
- Back up to cloud storage
Step 6 – Test Run
- Live with only RV items for 2–4 weeks
- Adjust list before final move
