What do you do before a trip?

2oldman wrote:
Trip prep

Thanks! I meant more of check tires, etc. that kinda thing

I think 2oldman's list is good. There are many things that, if forgotten, will make you slap your head.
If it has to be on the RV itself then I vote for sanitizing the fresh water system. Your C is pretty new so unless you've put a ton of miles on it shouldn't need anything. How's your generator, is it time for an oil change?

I read the title and thought to myself....before a long road trip i try to convince the famliy to leave a week early ;)

As a maintenance fanatic i dont need to do anythjng different the weeks before a trip...

You should consider changing your oil before going. Eight months is a long time for oil to sit, how many miles on the oil?

Check tire pressure before leaving home, and often during your trip when parked for the night.

Have fun.

Assuming the truck chassis has been kept up maintenance-wise ... in not any particular order some of the things we do are:

1) Set the tire pressures (including the spare tire)
2) Close the refrigerator door and turn it on a couple of days before we leave, then fill it with food the next day
3) Run the propane furnace a bit to get rid of the dust smell from it not being used in awhile
4) Empty the water, black, and grey tanks
5) Fill the black tank with fresh sanitizer and two gallons of water
6) Sanitize and fill the fresh water tank
7) Check the built-in generator's oil level
8) Run the built-in generator a bit to make sure it starts up and works
9) Make sure the gas can for the portable generator is full
10) Make sure the portable BBQ grill is clean
11) Make sure we have plenty of BBQ gas cylinders along
12) Load the tool bag into it's storage compartment
13) Load all the clothing and shoes
14) Load all the groceries into the coach cabinets
15) Load the cases of bottled drinking water
16) Pack in the electronic gear and all charging cables
17) Pack in a selection of DVD's
18) Make sure our portable medicine case is checked for inventory and packed into the RV
19) Vacuum the coach carpets and scrub the vinyl flooring
20) Clean the cab dash and vacumm the cab carpeting
21) Make sure all rockhounding tools are in the RV
22) Make sure the fishing gear is on board
23) Briefly run the air conditioner to make sure it cools OK
24) Make sure the electric portable heater is on board
25) Make sure the binoculars are on board
26) Make sure umbrellas are on board
27) Top up the engine fluids
28) Make sure the shovel is in it's storage cabinet
29) Make sure the crutches are on board
30) Make sure the walking sticks are on board
31) Make sure we have the camera on board
32) Make sure the laptop's USB photo storage stick is with the laptop
33) Make sure our reading books are on board
34) Make sure sunglasses are on board
35) Unroll and roll back up the awning to check for operability (if necessary, clean it and patch any tears)

PghBob wrote:
You should consider changing your oil before going. Eight months is a long time for oil to sit, how many miles on the oil?

Check tire pressure before leaving home, and often during your trip when parked for the night.

Have fun.

Oil doesn't go bad or wear out sitting in the engine sump, any more than it goes bad sitting in bottles on the shelf at Wal-Mart or in your garage. Assuming the mileage isn't excessive, eight month old oil is perfectly fine to go.

I check the level of the fluids (and in particular top up the windshield washer), check and adjust the tire pressure, and check that all the various lights are working (as in marker lights, turn signals, etc.). I also fill the water tank, and if it's the first trip of the season sanitize the fresh water system. Usually I give the motorhome a "quick" wash to get the dust etc. off from storage; at the very least, the windows get squeegeed clean.

As you may see in my signature I have a Former Rental,I have all service records and a record of what was checked before each rental,I pretty much do all of this before a long trip. It worked for them I see no reason to do any less.:B

I have had no problems on any of my trips.

Check all fluid levels
Check engine coolant
Check transmission
Check differential
Check power steering
Check belts and hoses
Check wiper/washer operation
Check auto heat/cool
Check tire pressure and condition
Check air filter
Check for damage to windshield
Check condition of roof sealants
Check LP leak detector system
Check all refrigerator cooling modes
Check exterior light covers
Check GFI outlets
Check battery
Check door latches
Check cabinet latches
Check the condition of roof vents/fans
Check LP regulator to proper pressure & fill tanks
Check Torque all lugnuts
Test furnace for proper heating and cycling
Test water heater
Test converter/inverter
Test all 110 outlets
Test water pump for operation
Test operation of toilet
Test generator for proper operation and output
Test microwave operation
Test all stove burners and oven
Test air conditioner(s) operation and cooling
Test operation of awnings
Test operation of TV
Test alternator for proper output
Test steering and all oil levels
Test all interior lights
Test all exterior lights
Test cruise control
Inspect drive train
Inspect undercarriage for leaks and damage
Fill fresh water tank
Fill water heater tank

My experience has been in spite of all the usual preparation and packing, something is always forgotten or left behind. Pack some tools for the inevitable repairs and know that there are plenty of places to buy stuff in Colorado and all points on the way there. When you get home, you will then have two of something. Count on it.

We carry two spare tires unless they are so standard that they can be found anywhere. and rotate the spare(s) in the the tire rotation.