RV camping looks simple from the outside, but anyone who has spent a night at a site knows how fast gear, hoses and clutter pile up. A recent Islands rundown highlights 12 affordable organization products available at Target that seasoned RVers swear by — most under $50, and several under $10.
Bungee cords top the list. A 20-piece assorted set from Cling costs $14.99 and earns its keep in ways you might not expect: securing a power station in the trailer's holding area, stretched across shelves to stop items sliding during travel, or even strapped around a picnic tablecloth so it survives a gusty afternoon. Campers online report using the smallest cords to pin down egg cartons on travel days.
Storage is where Target shines. Brightroom's collapsible soft-sided bin ($12) holds extra blankets and towels at 14 x 26 x 17 inches, then folds flat when empty. The store's 32.5-inch reusable XL tote — essentially a $5 take on IKEA's cult-favourite FRAKTA bag — is waterproof, weighs almost nothing, and gets recruited for everything from laundry runs to hauling firewood. Clear stackable bins ($6 to $7 each) let you see contents at a glance, and handled bathroom organisers ($5 to $7) work well for under-sink bottles or grab-and-go snacks.
For bulkier kit, Camco's all-purpose RV storage bag ($42.99) swallows wheel chocks, cables and level tools, with interior pockets and handles that make it easy to lug to the picnic table. Outside the rig, a 36-inch aluminium trailer tongue box ($239.99) mounts between the camper body and propane tanks, carries up to 100 pounds while weighing only about 15.5 itself, and locks — handy for tools, extension cords and sewer supports you'd rather keep out of your living space. Speaking of sewer gear, a purpose-built hose storage bag from Unique Bargains ($33.69) contains the ridged grey/black water hose that won't coil neatly, with breathable mesh so it dries instead of trapping moisture. Just don't reuse it for laundry afterwards.
The priciest pick is a portable pop-up privacy tent ($103.99) — a place to change, shower or house a composting toilet away from campground neighbours. It packs down to a 2-by-2-foot disc under 4 pounds, though tall pop-ups catch wind, so many campers only pitch them when needed. One caveat: check whether your RV park allows tents at all.
Timing tip from the piece: late summer and early autumn are prime shopping months, as retailers discount camping stock to clear seasonal inventory. Some items may be online-only or ship-to-store, so it's worth checking stock before you drive over.
Why it matters: anyone renting an RV or gearing up for their first trailer trip learns quickly that organisation is the difference between a relaxing holiday and a rummaging-through-every-bin headache. The good news is you don't need a specialty outfitter — a single big-box run, mostly under $15 per item, can sort out your storage, sanitation and campsite setup in one go.
