Our Wandering Pack

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Why Downsizing is Necessary

A travel trailer has limited space. Every item has to earn its place, or it’s out. Our goal is to simplify our lives while making sure we have everything we need to be comfortable on the road.

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Step 1: Sorting Everything We Own

We started with a four-category method:
✅ Keep: Only essentials and sentimental items that fit in the trailer.
🛍 Sell: Items in good condition that we can list online or at a yard sale.
🎁 Donate: Things that others can use but aren’t worth selling.
🚮 Toss: Anything broken, expired, or unusable.

👉 OWP Tip: If we haven’t used something in the past six months (and it’s not seasonal), we’re probably not bringing it!

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Step 2: Selling and Donating Items

We used Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and local thrift stores to offload furniture and gear we no longer need. Some things sell surprisingly fast—our old camping gear found a new home in just a day!

If you’re downsizing, check out these platforms:

• Facebook Marketplace (best for big items & local buyers)
• Poshmark / eBay (great for clothes & accessories)
• OfferUp (another local selling option)
• Goodwill / Local Shelters (for donating items)

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Step 3: Choosing RV-Friendly Storage Solutions

Since we still have a lot to bring, we’re investing in space-saving and multi-functional storage items. These are some of the best finds so far:

• Collapsible kitchen gear – Pots and Pans, Magnetic Spice Organizer , Hanging Pantry Storage, Cabinet Organizer, Nesting Bowls [Insert Amazon link for collapsible bowls, dishes, etc.]
• Vacuum storage bags – Perfect for off-season clothes!
• Stackable bins for under-bed storage – We use these bins for everything from pantry storage to clothing storage to floating around the truck bed with tools! These come in extra handy!
• Wall-mounted organizers & command hooks – A game changer for keeping things tidy.
• Over-the-door storage solutions – We use these to house pantry items, toiletries and even our games!
• Magnetic Knife Stripe – This type of Magnetic Knife Stripe clears up a ton of counter space.
• Dual Laundry Hamper – We use one side for the ‘could be worn again’ pieces and one side for the dirty clothes!

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Step 4: Digitizing Important Items

To save space, we’re scanning and storing documents digitally. We’re also converting keepsakes (like old photos) into digital albums so we don’t have to haul boxes of stuff.

Tech we’re using:

• Portable document scanner – this can help you turn those papers into digital memories that you can hold on to forever!
• External hard drive for extra storage – If you are anything like us, the experience is what your here for. The best way to keep those memories safe is to back them up on an external hard drive!

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Step 5: Testing Our Minimalist Lifestyle

Before making any final cuts, we’re doing a “trial run” by living with ONLY what we plan to take. This has helped us figure out what we actually use and what we thought we needed but don’t.

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Final Thoughts: Less Stuff, More Freedom

Downsizing has been challenging but freeing. The fewer things we have, the less we have to worry about—and the more space we have for adventure. We’re excited to start our RV journey knowing that everything we own serves a purpose!

Are you thinking about downsizing? Let us know in the comments what you’d find hardest to let go of!

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📌 Pinterest has tons of boards to help you downsize and organize!

• RV Safety Tips & Security for Full Time Travelers
• Travel Trailer Organization & Storage Solutions 🚐
• 🚐 Travel Trailer Living & Tiny Home Inspiration

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Ready to Get Started?

If you’re prepping for RV life, here are some of our favorite space-saving essentials:

🛒 Shop our full list of must-have RV downsizing gear here!

👉 Affiliate Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This means if you buy something through our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting Our Wandering Pack!