It has been said, “you gotta check yourself before you wreck yourself.” This has never been more applicable than in this RV lifestyle! Therefore we are sharing our checklists. These checklists were found on line and modified to fit our personal situation. On “move days” the checklist along with our walkie-talkies are must haves to ensure a successful and smooth departure and/or arrival.
| RV ARRIVAL, SET UP AND DEPARTURE | ||
| DONE | DAYS BEFORE DEPARTURE | |
| Print this checklist | ||
| Confirm reservations at destination | ||
| Prepare maps and directions | ||
| Wash Laundry | ||
| Buy groceries and supplies | ||
| Check propane levels | ||
| Check RV battery charge | ||
| Check tow vehicle fluid levels (oil, transmission, brake, coolant, power steering.) | ||
| Apply grease to hitch where needed | ||
| Inspect hitch to make sure it is attached securely to tow vehicle (nuts, bolts, etc.) | ||
| Review RV Supplies list in Notes | ||
| Fuel up the tow vehicle | ||
| Clean tow vehicle windows and mirrors | ||
| DONE | DAY OF DEPARTURE | |
| Setup Tire Monitor/GPS/Observation Camera/Dash Cam | ||
| Check battery water level | ||
| Check tow vehicle tire pressure | ||
| Check RV tire pressure | ||
| Check the mirrors | ||
| DONE | ARRIVAL, CHECKING IN, DRIVING IN AND PARKING | |
| If site has NO water, drive to water source and fill fresh water tranks | ||
| Before driving into site, determine if RV will fit and all slides/awnings can deploy | ||
| Keep an eye on trees, fences, utility poles, picnic tables, etc. | ||
| Check ground condition (paved or sand) and if level blocks needed | ||
| Drive RV into site and position as desired | ||
| Confirm that utilities (electric, water, sewer,cable) are reachable | ||
| Walk around RV to confirm necessary space for deployment of slides and awnings | ||
| LEVEL SIDE TO SIDE | ||
| CHOCK trailer wheels | ||
| Plug in electrical: turn breaker off/plug in EMS/check for open ground/plug in cable/turn breaker on | ||
| Loosen front Strong arms | ||
| Drop landing pads | ||
| Lower landing gear until they support front weight of trailer | ||
| Open padlock latch and disconnect RV umbilical cord and breakaway switch cable from the tow vehicle | ||
| Lower tailgate | ||
| Pull jaw release fully open so that it opens the hitch jaws and allows trailer kingpin to disengage from truck hitch. | ||
| NOTE: If jaw release bar cannot be easily pulled out, the weight of the truck is causing pressure between hitch jaws and trailer kingpin. To remove pressure, gently put truck in reverse (no gas) shift to neutral, step on brake and apply parking brake. | ||
| Slowly drive truck forward until a few feet in front of trailer | ||
| Move truck mirrors to the IN position for use without trailer | ||
| Push jaw release bar into the closed position so that hitch jaws close. Leave jaw release padlock latch in the unlocked position. | ||
| Raise truck tailgate | ||
| DONE | SETTING UP | |
| LEVEL RV LENGTHWISE (use front leveling jacks to raise or lower front.) | ||
| Tighten (front ) Strongarms | ||
| Loosen rear strongarms | ||
| Lower (rear) stabilizing jacks and apply enough tension to minimize RV movement (do not place a significant amount of weight on stabilizing jacks or attempt to lift a portion of the RV with them) | ||
| Tighten Rear StrongArms | ||
| INSTALL X-CHOCKS | ||
| Deploy steps and hand rails | ||
| Check slide paths (inside and outside) are clear | ||
| DEPLOY SLIDES (from inside RV, confirm that slides form a seal all around) | ||
| Swing King Pin in | ||
| If site has water: Connect Y hose adapter on water supply/ Connect water pressure regulator, white water hose and water filter | ||
| If site has sewer: connect sewer hose and make sure both ends are secure and both gray and black tank valves are closed /add slinky. | ||
| If site has cable: connect coaxial cable | ||
| Turn on propane bottle | ||
| Fill water heater tank by opening hot water faucet valve until water comes out | ||
| Turn on Electrical (or propane) for water heater | ||
| Turn on water pump (if no external water source is available) | ||
| Confirm that refrigerator is turned on and running on AC | ||
| Turn on air conditioners or furnace and set thermostat | ||
| Remove items from RV which are kept outside (chairs, grills, etc.) | ||
| Raise roof-mounted TV antenna | ||
| Install foam covers over slide | ||
| If using stove: unlock tabs on external range hood vent | ||
| Return all items to their normal locations (end table/lamp/stools) | ||
| Lock all external RV panels | ||
| DONE | DEPARTURE – INSIDE | |
| BEDROOM | ||
| lower roof-mounted TV antenna/turn off booster | ||
| Secure items in cabinets storage compartments (clock/charger cables) | ||
| Move items out of the slides’ way inside the RV | ||
| Close and lock windows. Turn off lights. | ||
| BATHROOM | ||
| Secure items in shower (shower head) close drains, toilet lid and store toilet brush | ||
| Secure items in cabinets/storage compartments (soap) | ||
| Latch shower and pocket door | ||
| Close roof vents. Turn off lights | ||
| LIVING ROOM | ||
| Store WEBoost internal antenna- unplug Booster | ||
| Secure items in cabinets/storage compartments | ||
| Secure end table/lamp, dinette chairs, and stools. Pad printer and recliners with pillows. | ||
| Move items out of the slides’ way inside the RV | ||
| Close and lock windows | ||
| KITCHEN | ||
| Secure items in cabinets/storage compartments (microwave turntable and pantry turntable) | ||
| Secure items on kitchen sink and countertops. Close drains | ||
| Close and secure stove top. | ||
| NOTE: Check slide tops for debris and water; | ||
| Bring in awning | ||
| MOVE IN SLIDES | ||
| Close bedroom door | ||
| Turn off water heater | ||
| Turn off air conditioner /furnace | ||
| Close and lock windows and roof vents | ||
| Turn off lights | ||
| Take out final trash | ||
| DONE | DEPARTURE – OUTSIDE | |
| Set up tire monitor/ GPS/Observation Camera/ DashCam | ||
| Check the mirrors | ||
| Fuel up the tow vehicle, clean windows and mirrors | ||
| Check tow vehicle tire pressure/Check RV tire pressure | ||
| Collect and store all items from outside the RV (drink holders, chairs, mats, tables, etc.) | ||
| Bring in outdoor thermometer and flags | ||
| FHS: Empty black tank. Flush black tank. Close black tank valve. | ||
| FHS: Empty gray tanks (2) Close gray tank valves. Rinse WasteMaster Hose. | ||
| FHS: Disconnect sewer hose, and store hose and slinky | ||
| FHS: Add water to black (2 gals) and gray tanks (1 gal) Add tank cleaning mixture to black (8 oz) and gray tanks (4oz) | ||
| FHS: Disconnect water hose/water filter/water regulator/y-valve and store | ||
| Open freshwater tank to drain | ||
| Disconnect cable TV and store cables | ||
| Turn off water heater | ||
| Shut off propane tanks | ||
| Lock tabs on external range hood vent | ||
| Secure all items carried on outside (ladder etc.) | ||
| Stow hand rails and steps | ||
| REMOVE X CHOCKS | ||
| Loosen rear Strong Arms/Raise rear landing gear/Tighten rear Strong Arms | ||
| Loosen front Strong Arms/ Adjust Front Landing gear for hookup | ||
| Raise/lower the trailer until the base of the pin box is just slightly higher than the hitch | ||
| Lower truck tail gate | ||
| Extend truck mirrors | ||
| Remove padlock and assure jaw release arm is free to actuate | ||
| Back up slowly until the pin is fully seated in the hitch. You should hear a clunk or snap as the hitch jaws lock or the release handle locks | ||
| VISUALLY CHECK – 2 PAIRS OF EYES | ||
| Once the pin is seated in the hitch, move the padlock latch to its locked position, connect RV breakaway switch cable to the tow vehicle release handle. | ||
| Once the hitch is locked, lower the trailer onto the hitch, operate the jacks until weight is on the hitch but do not raise the landing jacks completely (just clear the ground). | ||
| Connect the RV umbilical cord to the tow vehicle | ||
| PULL CHECK: At this point, CAREFULLY, put the tow vehicle in gear and GENTLY pull forward against the hitch to ensure that the kingpin is locked. | ||
| CLOSE TAIL GATE | ||
| Continue to operate the landing jacks until they are fully retracted, and then lock the landing gear into the travel position. | ||
| Tighten front StrongArms | ||
| DISCONNECT SHORE POWER store EMS and cables | ||
| REMOVE WHEEL CHOCKS | ||
| Confirm that all is clear under the RV (all jacks are raised or removed) | ||
| Confirm that all slides are moved in completely | ||
| Perform a final walk around. Look under, around and top of RV that nothing is protruding from sides or roof. Check awning, door handle, steps, antenna, water spigot | ||
| If RV wheels are resting on leveling blocks, move RV off blocks, collect and store blocks | ||
| Lock all external RV doors and panels | ||
| LIGHT CHECK: Check RV and tow vehicle lights (including signal, four-way, running and brake lights.) | ||
| BRAKE CHECK: engage RV brakes by using trailer brake controller inside tow vehicle | ||
| Turn on headlights, SWITCH TO TOW/HAUL MODE | ||
| Drop off trash on the way out. | ||
FHS?
Full Hookup Site. Good question!
My checklist.
* Give name to receptionist
* Get key to concierge floor
* Go get a cookie and something to drink
* Go to room
* Take a nap
Ahhh, the travel life…:-)