What do you do before a trip?

Good advise above, I will just throw one more thing in. Start it up and take it for a drive as soon as possible. Even if you only go to a Walmart but make it one that is 20 or 30 miles away. If there are any problems from sitting you need to find out about them before the day you leave. Most likely everything will be fine but nothing ruins a trip faster than an overheated engine 30 miles from home or a check engine light that came out of nowhere.

TyroneandGladys wrote:

harley-dave wrote:

I notice everyone says "fill the water tank". Don't!! Most class C's are weight capacity limited (ours is very limited) so why carry an extra 300-400 pounds (or more) you don't need to. We limit the water tank to 5-6 gallons, just enough for the toilet until we reach our destination. Fill if needed at that point for boon-docking. Keep just a couple of gallons in the grey and black tanks. Other than that the lists are good.

Dave


Excellent advice unless you breakdown in hot weather or the water at your campground has taste issues.

X2 on starting out with a full freshwater tank. We try to always begin our trips with all tanks full that should be full and all tanks empty that should be empty.

Maybe it's just a thing with me, but I don't like to start out our travels in a "well stocked and self contained RV" that really isn't. To achieve this we had to find an RV that had a whole bunch of extra weight carrying capacity so we could load it up with no concerns.

TyroneandGladys wrote:
Will here I go and open a can of worms. Your rig is a 2013 so if you have never bought tires the tires are at or past the 4 year mark. IMHO no matter what you have done to the tires and no matter how much tread is left they need to be replaced.

They are actually brand new tires. They had a recall on the tires so I was able to get all new ones!!!

harley-dave wrote:
I notice everyone says "fill the water tank". Don't!! Most class C's are weight capacity limited (ours is very limited) so why carry an extra 300-400 pounds (or more) you don't need to. We limit the water tank to 5-6 gallons, just enough for the toilet until we reach our destination. Fill if needed at that point for boon-docking. Keep just a couple of gallons in the grey and black tanks. Other than that the lists are good.

Dave

Excellent advice unless you breakdown in hot weather or the water at your campground has taste issues.

I notice everyone says "fill the water tank". Don't!! Most class C's are weight capacity limited (ours is very limited) so why carry an extra 300-400 pounds (or more) you don't need to. We limit the water tank to 5-6 gallons, just enough for the toilet until we reach our destination. Fill if needed at that point for boon-docking. Keep just a couple of gallons in the grey and black tanks. Other than that the lists are good.

Dave

Will here I go and open a can of worms. Your rig is a 2013 so if you have never bought tires the tires are at or past the 4 year mark. IMHO no matter what you have done to the tires and no matter how much tread is left they need to be replaced.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I appreciate 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.

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.

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