Pre trip prep...what am I forgetting?

We will be leaving in less than two weeks for a serious, as in 2 months 7,500 mile, cross country trip. Highlights will be driving the Blue Ridge Parkway, a stop in Annapolis and then on to New England to visit my brides family with a quick run up to Maine. From there across the top of the lower 48 to Elkhart for a visit to the Nexus factory to add a couple of toys. On through Indiana and up into Michigan to visit more relatives and friends before heading down to Branson and home by July first.

Our C is a Nexus Phantom 23P with 16,000 miles (see sig), and I have been crossing off most of my pre trip checklist. Here is what I have done or am about to do before we depart:

Got 6 brand dandy new Michelin LTX M/S 2's courtesy of the recall about 2 months ago so I will be getting all of the wheels retorqued and the pressure checked to be sure I'm still running 55 psi in all 6 + the spare.

I went with pure synthetic on my first oil change 6,000 miles ago so I'll get the oil changed a little early for good measure. Going to have the transmission fluid changed and will go with full synthetic there as well.

Replaced what was probably the original air filter with a new Fram.

Washed the rig yesterday and waxed ( 2 coats of Nu Finish), the front of the coach. I hope to finish waxing the rest before we leave but it looks pretty good right now so....:h

The generator has 33 hours on it so I'll be changing the oil and filter and cleaning/gapping the plug as well.

I travel with a brand new spare mounted on the rear bumper and a 100 psi (HF), 3 gallon pancake compressor, 8 ton bottle jack and jack stands, large, very heavy duty cross/X lug wrench, torque wrench and tire repair kit. I have the Tire Trakker TPMS and an infra red thermometer for checking tire/wheel/brake temps at each fuel stop and at the end of the day.

Yes I have CoachNet but if they can't get to me right away I can change out the spare safely. CoachNet provides a very complete, free, trip planner service. We now have guide books and local info for the entire trip.

We have the Rand McNally 7720 LM RV GPS, Passport America Membership, Good Sam Membership and our beloved "Geezer" cards. The Scan Gauge II keeps us rolling along with all of the data I could ever want.

We put 10,000 miles on the rig the first 7 months we had it so I don't feel like there should be any surprises. So what am I missing? Thanks in advance for all of the sage advice to come. :B

Class C

16 Replies

Kidsgone
Explorer
Apr 30, 2014
Beer, wine, duct tape?
Desert_Captain
Explorer III
Apr 30, 2014
We are down to loading, the coach is out in front of the house plugged in with the frig chilling down nicely. I changed the oil in the generator and cleaned/regapped the plug and the air filter is clean. Got the oil and trans mission fluid changed out, running full synthetic on both. All 7 tires are at 55 psi and the wheels torqued to 140#. Added a new Fram air filter and topped up the coach batteries.

Cleared out the storage bays, vacuumed them out and reloaded getting rid of a lot gear we just won't need on this trip. I have a tub of 2" X construction scrap for firewood. Inventoried a rather extensive tool collection making a couple of additions, helps to know exactly where everything is. I climbed up on the roof this morning and everything looks good. Took the time to measure our clearance as I have seen a couple of different numbers, we are just under 11' 2" so I will add 4" for good measure and skip anything lower than 11' 6", (who knows who measures these things). :h

Off to bank to get cash and the grocery store for the last of food shopping. It has been windy in Tucson the last few days and more is predicted for tomorrow so we will be hitting the road at 0600. By the time the wind comes up we should be in New Mexico or even Texas and the long range forecast looks good along our entire route, first destination is Asheville NC and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

If we have forgotten anything I am reasonably certain we can pick it up along the way. Thanks for all of your input and we might just see you down the road. :B
Jim_Shoe
Explorer
Apr 26, 2014
Print out a copy of This. Camping World locations by state.
Since I'm not much of a mechanic, I've found that its cheaper in the long run to pay somebody to fix what's broken than paying them to fix what I broke while trying to fix the problem as well as the original problem.
Even if nothing's broken and you're just looking around, you'll find something that you can't live without. :)
glennts
Explorer
Apr 26, 2014
don't forget to take one of these as you venture across the desolate wasteland otherwise known as the "lower 48" ... http://www.gerbergear.com/Apocalypse/Gear/Apocalypse-Kit_30-000601
Desert_Captain
Explorer III
Apr 20, 2014
As always, lots of great info here. I like the post about all of the documentation to carry and we are on the same page. With our two I phones and a tablet all sharing 4 GB of data thru Verizon wherever we go we have the internet. All of our bills get auto pay and the internet connection lets me easily keep track. I would add documentation for da pooch, copies of her rabies shots, health certificate etc.. No plans to enter Canada but will travel with our passports.

I will turn off Direct TV and internet connection at home for the two months, same for trash pickup and the daily newspaper and I expect our utility bills to drop like a stone. I have several neighbors to keep an eye on the house as well as security checks by our local community Patrol. It is nice to have ex LEO's for neighbors. ;)

Keep all of these tips coming, they are greatly appreciated. :B
sh410
Explorer
Apr 19, 2014
MAKE SURE, repeat, MAKE SURE your spouse is aboard!!! :B:B:B
NCWriter
Explorer
Apr 19, 2014
Is some extra cash on that list? Credit cards, checkbook?

We take along copies of all the credit cards, front & back. Medicare and other insurance cards, originals and copies. Also the addresses and phone numbers for all the relatives. Passports in case we want to go to Canada unexpectedly - you might want to run over to Campobello Island across the bridge from Maine.

Llist of all our account and policy numbers and contact info in case we need to reach an insurance agent after a disaster back home. RV road service card. All the cords for recharging electronics like phone or tablet, and for recharging camera battery.

But our geezer passes for sure.
Hank85713
Explorer
Apr 19, 2014
As I said I do not like the lack of throttle response as the one I have is fly by wire but doesw not direct connect. It goes thru the computer system, measures output somehow at the tailshaft of the transmission, then measures the throttle input and then goes into what it thinks you need. When pulling the salt river canyon tried to maintain speed and it would just suddenly downshift and go up to 4500 or so rpms, just while trying to maintain a steady 35-40 mph. Yes it has power but I want to control it not the computer.

As to the 10% improvement, that is not what really interested me it was the ability to control the throttle and maintain rpms at a reasonable level. If I get the 10% (.8-1.0 MPG) improvement it will be great but nothing I will loose sleep over.

The electric wrenches can be had for $65 or so less with a coupon (20-25%) depending on which magazine you get them from.

I used to use fletchers but the ones close went TU so I stopped as it was too far to get to one. Last time I tried to make an appointment the guy got kinda smart ased so I just quit going/trying. I have been to discount and they said they cannot get tires and have no idea of the get well plan. I also called and spoke with the michellin dealers and they were the same. Been trying to find tires for about 3 months now, no one has any.

Yes the trans is the same as in my 04 F350, works well, btw mine is a 2011/12 E450 winnebago so we are compatible in running gear.

Again have fun, maybe see ya on the road? Think I will be going to TTT and get a CB install done before I go? About $200 installed for ant and radio.
Nutinelse2do
Explorer
Apr 19, 2014
We carry road triangles and the led road flares. Just another safety precaution to throw in the mix. Have a safe, fun trip.
MitchF150
Explorer III
Apr 19, 2014
I think you have it covered.. I'm sure you have a full tool box with all the basic wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers and a roll or two of duct tape??

I like to bring along some extra fuses, hose clamps, fan belt, black electrical tape, etc... ;)

Sounds like a great trip plan and I wish you the best! I hope to do that at some point in my life!

Mitch