Some people are under the mistaken impression that RV space is limitless, but this just isn’t the case. RVs are clearly much larger than what the normal traveler is accustomed to, but they are not infinitely large.

Carefully Consider What You Need. Do you really need your golf clubs for your February trip to see your mother in Cleveland? Really? Thinking about what you are going to need and use on your trip well in advance is a very big deal. At first, you might think that this point is pretty obvious, but people consistently forget to spend some time before their trip thinking about what is essential and what isn’t. The reward for spending a little time thinking about what is really necessary can lead to more space.

Think Small. Learning to think small may not be easy. When you are contemplating different items that you may need to bring on your RV, it is best that you think about what smaller versions of a product might exist. Take a vacuum cleaner, for example. Odds are that you will want to bring a vacuum cleaner along, especially if you are taking your pets or have family members with allergies. With this in mind you should look for smaller vacuum cleaners that can do a reasonably decent job. Replacing bulky and heavy items with more streamline versions can help you in more ways than you might imagine.

It’s Time to Get Small. Small is not always a bad thing. In fact, sometimes small is great. More than likely, you have a host of items that you will need to bring with you on the trip. Let’s take a bulky item, for example. If you suffer from allergies, you may be traveling with something like an air-purifier. Not all air-purifiers are equal and that includes size. Some air purifiers can be quite large, bulky and heavy. Switching to a narrow, upright air purifier is a great way to save some much needed floor space. Of course, this is only one example of what is possible. Carefully look at your own particular situation to find what works best.

Prepare Ahead of Time and Save Money. With a little bit of forethought and preparation, you can reduce the amount of weight you are taking on your trip. This means you can save money on gas. Imagine saving money just by being prepared!Taking the time to plan ahead of time and eliminate unneeded and heavy items will save you money when you are filling up at the gas station. Try these organizing tips and you might even save some money at the same time.

Bill Hamilton is a lifelong traveler and travel expert. Once he reached retirement, he hit the open road and never looked back. Now Bill blogs about travel destinations and necessities like RV mattresses.