Pre-Trip RV Departures Check-list

Days Before Departure

                 Confirm reservations at destination
  Change postal mail forwarding instructions
  Pay RV bills for current location
  Prepare maps and directions
  Wash laundry
  Buy groceries and supplies for trip
  Check propane bottle levels, fill if needed
  Check generator fuel levels, fill if needed
  Check two-way radio batteries
  Check flashlight battery
  Check motor home fluid levels
  If carrying a hitch platform, ensure hitch is secure
  Close gray tank valves
  Fill fresh water tank to desired level

Day of Departure

                           Check motor home tire pressure
                           Check motor home wheel lug nut torque
                           If towing, check trailer or toad tire pressure
                           If towing, check trailer wheel lug nut torque
                           Clean motor home windows and mirrors
                           Pick up postal mail
                           Arrange breakable items in fridge to prevent breakage
                           Fill drinking water containers

Departure

                           Lower roof-mounted TV antenna
                           Lower roof-mounted satellite dish (TV & Internet)
                           Store chairs, mats, satellite dishes on tripods, grills, etc.
                           Secure items inside cabinets and storage compartments
                           Secure items on kitchen sink and counter
                           Secure items on bathroom sink
                           Secure items in shower
                           Secure all other loose items
                           Latch shower and closet doors
                           Latch cabinet doors with Velcro strips, rope, or elastic
                           Latch refrigerator doors
                           Close and latch stove top and oven door
                           Lock tabs on external range hood vent
                           Secure TV's and sliding TV trays
                           Secure stereo, DVD, VCR, etc.
                           Secure computer and accessories
                           Secure all items which may fall on or injure passengers
                           Close roof vents and windows
                           Remove decorative and other items from awnings and store
                           Stowe and secure awnings
                           Check slide tops for debris and water
                           Move items out of the slides' way inside the RV
                           Move in slides and lock slide mechanism, if available
                           Lay down and pad large items which may fall or shift
                           Confirm that all sliding trays are latched and secure
                           Empty black tanks
                           Close black tank valves
                           Empty gray tanks
                           Close gray tank valves
                           Add chemicals and a small amount water to tanks
                           If traveling with pets, make arrangements for their needs
                           Disconnect cable TV and telephone line, and store cables
                           Disconnect electricity, and store cable and adapters
                           Disconnect sewer hose & store hose and relating accessories
                           Disconnect water hose & store hose and relating accessories
                           Confirm that refrigerator is running on 12 volt or is turned off
                           Turn off all other propane appliances (water heater, furnace
                           Shut off all propane bottle valves
                           Discard all trash
                           Fuel up the motorhome
                           Secure all items carried on outside or roof of RV
                           Raise or remove all stabilizing jacks
                           Raise leveling jacks
                           Collect and store leveling blocks from under jacks
                           Remove wheel chocks
                           Confirm that all is clear under the RV
                           Ensure slides are retracted & check exterior for protrusions
                           Remove RV from blocks, collect and store blocks
                           Leave marker in RV slot if returning
                           If towing, hitch trailer or toad to motor home
                           Close all internal doors (bathroom, bedroom, living room)
                           Lock all external RV doors and panels
                           Check motor home lights (including signal and brake lights)
                           If towing, check trailer or toad brakes
                           Double check that trailer or toad is hitched securely
                           Perform a final walk around
                           Check motor home mirrors, and adjust if necessary
                           Leave marker in RV slot, if returning
*If you are not certain how much your RV weighs, drive to a truck scale and confirm that all weights are within motor home ratings (see Understanding RV Weights)