Checklist for Breaking Camp or Leaving
Campground/RV-Park
1. Turn on weather radio & listen while working.
You may or may not decide to travel with a weather radio that will
warn you of impending inclement weather especially tornadoes.
2. Wash glasses & sun glasses--
You don't want to realize that your glasses are dirty after you start
driving.
3. Record your odometer reading or generator hours in a log book-
4. Record the name of the campground, address, phone number or whatever-
Some people keep log books or note books with this information while
others do not. While we don't keep this information in a "logbook"
I do have this information in my travelogues and find that it is good
information when we what that information in the future.
5. Check the level of your tanks-fresh water, gray & black tanks.
-
You will not always have to fill the fresh water or dump the black
& gray tanks depending on what your plans are. It is always a
good idea to know the level of these tanks and a discussion will bring
about a decision on whether you need to dump the black or gray tanks
or possibly fill the fresh water tank.
6. Assure that your "batwing" TV antenna has been lowered
and properly been made ready for travel-
You don't want to traveling with that antenna in the up position,
they are expensive to repair or replace.
7. You may want to turn off the TV antenna booster-
Some people do this while others do not. It is your decision. We leave
ours on.
8. Assure your glass shower door is closed-
You don't want that glass door swinging open when you moving down
the highway.
9. Close the shower & sink (kitchen & bathroom) drain plugs--
Gasses from the black & gray tank may be drawn into the RV if
the water in the P-traps happens to bounce out. Remember your plumbing
is traveling down the highway not sitting still. The water in those
P-traps could & does slosh around and can allow smelly gasses
into the RV. If your stuff doesn't stink feel free to forget this
item.
10. Start your computer and GPS and bring up your mapping program-
Not everyone travels with a mapping program but those of you who do
will want to get these items ready to travel.
11. Verify all cabinet doors are closed--
This isn't something you want to be taking care of while heading down
the highway.
12. Verify that everything is stowed for travel in the kitchen, bathroom
& living area.
13. Check & assure all the cooking stove knobs are in the off
position.
A propane leak from an open valve wouldn't be nice.
14. Assure that all windows are closed------or set for travel. Also
check the roof vents and assure they are set for travel.
Sometimes we travel with some windows open. Other times we travel
with the air conditioner on. Decide what you are going to do and act
accordingly.
15. Adjust blinds for travel.
16. Disconnect your electric power cord from the campground ----
after about 5-minutes check the charge in your house batteries. It
is very important that you do this without the power cord being plugged
into the campgrounds power because you will be reading the output
of the converter/battery charger if you check with the power cord
connected. You want to know the charge on the house batteries-------------not
whether the converter/battery charger is working.
17. Turn your water heater off, furnace off and make sure that your
refrigerator is on Auto.--
Some people turn their refrigerator off (propane operated) when traveling
on the highway. Some people turn their water heater off (propane)
while traveling. We don't! You will have to decide whether you are
going to travel with your appliances on. We do however, turn off our
furnace when traveling, again your choice.
18. Check tires on your motorhome & towed vehicle (our Saturn).
-
Bang them with a hammer, visually check them, do it with a gauge,
whatever makes you comfortable. If you are going to check your tires,
and you should, this is the time to do it.
19. Check under your vehicles for fluid leaks (gas, diesel, hydraulic,
transmission, antifreeze etc.,) -
20. Stow awnings and empty the trash from the motorhome.
21. Clean windshield.
22. Check & lock all external hatches, check your propane level.
23. Check engine fluids; water, oil, & transmission fluid.
24. Stow hoses (fresh water & 3"sanitary disposal hose)--
25. Disconnect electric cord from campground power and stow electric
cord.
26. Crank vehicle (motorhome) & immediately raise leveling jacks.
Don't get caught up with other things and forget to raise those leveling
jacks before you put the motorhome in gear and destroy the jacks!
Don't do it. This is important.
27. Put the motorhome in gear and pull away from the site.
Once you have moved the motorhome from the site put it in park and
walk around the site looking for anything you might have left behind
and inspecting the ground for fluids that might have leaked from the
motorhome. People leave their leveling boards, hoses, gloves, door
mats, buckets, pressure regulators and a variety of other things.
It only takes a moment to look around the site. It is something that
my wife does while I am driving the motorhome off the site. Since
she is outside while I am inside she is also checking to assure that
the automatic steps retracted. If there is a problem with the steps
they will not retract and it is very hard to check that when you are
inside the motorhome. During this time also assure that you are leaving
the campsite spotless, as in NO trash.
28. Connect your tow car and check to assure that all the lights
are working.
After connecting our Saturn we always check the lights. Once or twice
a year we catch a burned out bulb. To do our check Joyce stands behind
the Saturn where I can see her in my rearview mirror. When I turn
on the left turn signal she will raise her left hand with two fingers
extended telling me that BOTH the blinker on the motorhome and Saturn
are working. Then we do that with the right turn signal and she raises
her right arm and two fingers. Then we check the brakes where she
must raise both hands with two fingers extended on both. At this point
she gives me thumbs up and heads to the motorhome. The complete check
takes place in less than 20-seconds. To make this happen both of us
have to understand the hand signals.
Checklist
for arriving at or checking into a Campground/RV-Park
Checklist
of things you should have in your RV before heading out
Thoughts on
Essential Equipment to carry in your RV
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