A rented Class C has a real kitchen: a propane stove, a fridge, a sink and usually a microwave. A campervan may have a small fridge and a one- or two-burner stove, or nothing but a cooler. Either way, the rental kitchen kit covers the basics and misses a few things that make cooking at a picnic table much easier. This page sorts out which is which.
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Quick answer
- Book the kitchen kit if it's offered. At Cruise America it costs $125 per vehicle and includes pots, pans, plates, cutlery, knives, a kettle and more [S1].
- Add only what the kit misses: a proper cutting board, a cooler bag for day trips, a small dish kit and a long-reach lighter.
- Don't fly with stove gas. It's forbidden in all bags [S2]. A Class C cooks on the RV's own propane [A].
- In bear country, never leave a cooler or a food bag outside unattended [S3].
What the rental kit covers
Cruise America publishes its list, so we use it as the reference. Its vehicle provisioning kit ($125 per vehicle, booked ahead) includes pots and pans, plates, bowls, cutlery, knives, a mixing bowl, a colander, a kettle, coffee cups, tumblers, a broom and matches [S1]. Marketplace rentals on Outdoorsy or RVshare vary by owner: many include a kitchen, some charge for it. Ask the host what's in the drawers before you shop [A].
Cost line: the kit shows up in every real-cost breakdown and in the trip cost calculator.
Class C vs. campervan: what changes in the kitchen
| Class C (fleet) | Campervan | |
|---|---|---|
| Stove | Propane hob built in [A] | Varies: built-in burner, a portable butane stove, or none. Check the listing [A] |
| Fridge | Built in; switch it on at pickup, it can take hours to get cold [A] | Small fridge or a cooler box [A] |
| Counter space | A small counter and a dinette table | Little or none: you cook outside on the picnic table [A] |
| What to add | Cutting board, cooler bag for day trips | Cutting board, nesting pot set if the kit is thin, a bigger cooler |
Still choosing the vehicle? Class C vs. campervan compares space, cost and where each one fits.
Worth adding
Five things the standard kit tends to miss. Most fold flat and fit in a checked bag, or you can order them to your first night's hotel and pick them up on the way to the depot [A].
Nesting cookware set
Rental pans are often thin and mismatched. A compact nesting set gives you one good pot and one good pan that stack into a single cupboard, and works on an RV hob or a portable camp stove.
Look for: a pot, a pan and lids that nest together; handles that fold; a size that fits a two-burner stove.
Skip it if: you booked a fleet kitchen kit and only plan simple meals.
See nesting cookware on AmazonAmazon affiliate link.
Flexible cutting board
The one item almost every RV kitchen gets wrong. A thin, flexible board packs flat in a suitcase and turns a picnic table into a workspace.
Look for: two thin boards, one for raw meat and one for everything else.
See cutting boards on AmazonAmazon affiliate link.
Soft cooler bag
For lunch at a trailhead or a long day on the Grand Canyon rim. It folds flat in your luggage and keeps a day's food and drinks cold, so you don't have to drive back to the RV.
Look for: collapsible, 20–30 cans, a leak-proof liner, a shoulder strap.
See cooler bags on AmazonAmazon affiliate link.
Collapsible dish kit
Many campgrounds have no dish-washing sink, and you don't want to run the RV's grey tank full. A collapsible bowl, a brush and a quick-dry cloth handle the dishes with a few litres of water.
Look for: a collapsible wash bowl, a scrubbing brush, a dish towel; biodegradable soap you can buy after you land.
See dish kits on AmazonAmazon affiliate link.
Long-reach or rechargeable lighter
To light a propane hob or a campground grill without burning your fingers. Torch lighters can't fly at all, and a disposable one only in your pocket [S4], so buy a long-reach lighter at the first supermarket, or pack a rechargeable arc lighter in your carry-on (100 Wh limit, protected switch) [S4].
Look for: a long neck, a child-safety lock; for arc lighters, a cover or lock on the button.
See long-reach lighters on AmazonAmazon affiliate link.
Cooking in the parks
- Bear country: in Yellowstone and Grand Teton, don't leave packs, bags or coolers with food unattended, even for a few minutes. Keep them in the vehicle or a bear-proof locker [S3]. A hard-sided RV counts as a vehicle [A].
- Fire restrictions: campfire bans are common in summer in the desert parks and the Rockies. Stoves are usually still allowed, but check the park alerts the evening before (see before you drive).
- Water: at dry campsites such as Mather on the South Rim, every litre for cooking and washing up comes from the RV's tank. Fill up before you arrive (see the Phoenix route guide).
- Groceries: shop in the city before you drive. Shops near the parks are smaller and pricier [A].
Sources and how we checked
Checked 2026-10-29. Airline, park and rental rules change; confirm with the airline, the park and your rental company before you travel.
- [S1] Cruise America — Renters Resources (vehicle provisioning kit, $125, contents) — www.cruiseamerica.com/rv-rentals/renters-resources (checked 2026-10-29)
- [S2] FAA PackSafe — Fuels (all camp stove fuels, including gas canisters, forbidden in carry-on and checked bags) — www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/fuels (checked 2026-10-29)
- [S3] NPS Yellowstone — Safety (bear spray can't go on airplanes; don't leave coolers or food bags unattended, store them in vehicles or bear-proof lockers) — www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/safety.htm (checked 2026-10-29)
- [S4] FAA PackSafe — Lighters (one disposable or Zippo-type lighter, carry-on or on your person only; torch lighters forbidden) — www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/lighters (checked 2026-10-29)
Kitchen sorted?
Add the kits to your trip costRental, kits, fuel, campgrounds and fees in one number
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