Forum Discussion

tomkaren13's avatar
tomkaren13
Explorer
Oct 28, 2013

Want a check list for hitching up

We have had TT for a few years ----But now find we need a check list. Must be our age or just the fact we fall into bad habits.

Have had a list that I thought I got from RV.Net Faqs but found none.

I am now making a new one, somehow so far it seems incomplete.
  • If you are using a check list than at least make it apply to YOUR RV and tow vehicle. In other words, make your own and add to it any time you find something you're overlooking. It's been my experience that without the MOST strict discipline, it will be no time until you're skipping over the check list and will overlook something even with it. Watched a guy with a fairly lengthy check list on his motor home and he had a spare tire that swung out to the side to access a rear compartment. Watched him walk all around the vehicle being careful not to run into the spare tire carrier, get in the motor home and drive off. He DID notice it before the spare carrier took out a parked car a few sites down but.....well you get my point.
  • Jbechtoldt wrote:
    jerem0621 wrote:
    1) install hitch head into receiver hitch
    2) secure hitch head with receiver pin and clip
    3) clean hitch head sockets, ball, and WD bars of old grease
    4) put new grease on contact points. (Ball, WD bar sockets..etc)
    5) raise trailer tongue up above ball
    6) remove tongue lock and undo tongue latch.
    7) back truck up until the ball is under the coupler, put truck in park, e-brake on.
    8) Lowe coupler onto ball... Ensure that the ball is in the coupler socket
    9) latch tongue latch
    10) visually verify ball is captured by the tongue latch
    11) lock tongue latch
    12) raise tongue of TT again as far as needed to latch WD bars
    13) attach WD bars, snap up brackets, secure snap up brackets with pins
    14) lower tongue jack all the way and put all the weight on the truck
    15) plug in RV 7 blade pigtail
    16) securely attach brake away cable to something other than the hitch (I prefer bumper)

    17) attach safety chains to hitch
    18) Remove wheel chocks
    That's about all I for for hitching up.
  • jerem0621 wrote:
    1) install hitch head into receiver hitch
    2) secure hitch head with receiver pin and clip
    3) clean hitch head sockets, ball, and WD bars of old grease
    4) put new grease on contact points. (Ball, WD bar sockets..etc)
    5) raise trailer tongue up above ball
    6) remove tongue lock and undo tongue latch.
    7) back truck up until the ball is under the coupler, put truck in park, e-brake on.
    8) Lowe coupler onto ball... Ensure that the ball is in the coupler socket
    9) latch tongue latch
    10) visually verify ball is captured by the tongue latch
    11) lock tongue latch
    12) raise tongue of TT again as far as needed to latch WD bars
    13) attach WD bars, snap up brackets, secure snap up brackets with pins
    14) lower tongue jack all the way and put all the weight on the truck
    15) plug in RV 7 blade pigtail
    16) securely attach brake away cable to something other than the hitch (I prefer bumper)

    17) attach safety chains to hitch
    That's about all I for for hitching up.
  • I also visually check everything, and tug on things whenever I stop for gas, etc. A complete walkaround, and check the hitch.
  • 1) install hitch head into receiver hitch
    2) secure hitch head with receiver pin and clip
    3) clean hitch head sockets, ball, and WD bars of old grease
    4) put new grease on contact points. (Ball, WD bar sockets..etc)
    5) raise trailer tongue up above ball
    6) remove tongue lock and undo tongue latch.
    7) back truck up until the ball is under the coupler, put truck in park, e-brake on.
    8) Lowe coupler onto ball... Ensure that the ball is in the coupler socket
    9) latch tongue latch
    10) visually verify ball is captured by the tongue latch
    11) lock tongue latch
    12) raise tongue of TT again as far as needed to latch WD bars
    13) attach WD bars, snap up brackets, secure snap up brackets with pins
    14) lower tongue jack all the way and put all the weight on the truck
    15) plug in RV 7 blade pigtail
    16) securely attach brake away cable to something other than the hitch (I prefer bumper)

    That's about all I for for hitching up.
  • Why don't you post what you have and see anybody can add to or make better? Many checklists are generic, we like our own because items have has been added to or deleted for our situation.
    Here is some you might like, either to use as guide or change to your situation. We don't use our detailed step by step checklists much anymore (have most done to science or habit) except our awning, which I despise. We actually had our awning checklist plastic coated and use it everytime, step by step. To expensive to miss a stephttp://www.trailerlifedirectory.com/plan/travelchecklist.aspx
    http://www.fmca.com/motorhome/basics/156-motorhome-checklist