"Heading Home" checklist

[dperkinstx]

We're new to RVing. We're taking our first trip next weekend. Being a licensed pilot, I know the importance of check lists. I also don't want to be the person other RVers are laughing at. I'm making a check list of things to do before pulling out of the camp site. I'm sure I'm missing a lot of things so any input would be appreciated.

Awning in up & locked position
Drain waste water tanks
Shut off water heater
Disconnect & stow sewer hose
Turn off A/C (or start generator)
Disconnect & stow power cord
Disconnect & stow water hose
Refill fresh water tank if needed
Verify all outside doors are closed & locked
Steps are in up position
Verify interior items are secure
Lock cabin door
Close roof vents

[EMD360]

We wrap the glass turntable in the microwave too. Our sinks are pretty secure so extra water bottles etc. can ride there. Just everything off counters and table and secured. The curtain rod holders in the cabinets need to be tightened. The fridge bars go back in. We often travel with stuff in the shower that has to be stowed too. Sometimes that means a closed shower door. We have toiletries in a plastic pencil box that goes back into the bathroom cabinet.
RV campers will notice if you are driving off with the antenna up or an electrical cord hanging and hail you. They are helpful not mocking. Nicest folks in the world! 🙂

[derh20]

Wife on board

[klutchdust]

Never fails a drawer or two will open shortly after departure. My Satellite dish is the first thing I crank down. Tried to open slide once with lock on it so now key hangs on lock, tried not using lock slide squeaks.

tried lubing slide and it still squeaks, installed new XM radio and speakers slide squeak disappeared; usually when listening to 'classic vinyl" 🙂

[magnusfide]

Good on you for doing the checklist!

Dishes secured in cabinets.
Refrigerator switched to travel mode.
All outdoor chairs and tables stowed securely in cargo.
Animals secured in their carriers, etc.
If you had FHU at the cg, pour water down the toilet to clear the stinky slinky.
Empty grey and black water tanks at cg dump station, if you didn't have FHU.

[gbopp]

Beverley&Ken wrote:
I do two walk arounds, first one looking at the bottom of the RV, wheel chocks hookups, anything that shouldn't be there.
Ken

I also double check. And I still managed to drive away while hooked to shore power. :E

You can't be too careful when doing your preflight.

[johnnyrv]

bathroom door shut, water pump on, draws and cabinets closed

[Janss]

In addition to everything already mentioned, I also check all the cabinet doors and drawers inside the RV to make sure they are securely closed.

[sharibartling]

Make sure you give your levels enough time to securely retract. Last year we had problems a couple times, we had to turn engine off and on again.

[OFDPOS]

Before unplugging power, flip the breakers off !
I'd add to not only drain the black / grey tanks , but do a couple back flushes as well if possible.
Cable (TV)connection cable.
Check power pole hookup ,faucet, sewer etc didn't leave anything left connected at the pole.
I've went to hook-up before and found 30 to 50 plug plugged into the power , water pressure connectors on faucets, sewer threaded piece still screwed into the sewer drain..
Like others have said pull out do a walk around again , then have the Mrs (or) do a headlights high and low,turnsignals brake, backup lights check. Pulling a toad same for the rear lights on it too.

Don't worry bring along a tablet and right down what you forgot to bring , every trip out we've done we come back home with at least 5-10 things we forgot to bring.

[pauldub]

and.... be sure the gear are down and locked before you land.

[DrewE]

Not all of these are universally applicable...

Curtains/blinds in appropriate travel positions
House windows closed, particularly swing out or jalousie style ones
Basic vehicle mechanical checks—tire pressures, oil level, etc.
Count noses—preferably making sure they're the noses you expect to count
Slides in
Toad or trailer hooked up securely and safety chains/cables attached
Trash cans emptied and trash taken care of

(Regarding the curtains and blinds: on my motorhome, this mainly means the bedroom curtain is open and the rear window blind raised so there's a clear line of sight from the interior rear view mirror to the fresnel lens on the back window.)

[D_E_Bishop]

I just use the Pre-Trip inspection that came with the Bounder with a few additions. We go through it every time we move the rig. If I'm just going out for a half hour to exercise the engine, drive train and generator, I go through the list. That way I don't haft to have the DW along to remember everything. Just kidding. When we're together she reads, I check. Sometimes she double checks if I answer too fast.

[Beverley_Ken]

I do two walk arounds, first one looking at the bottom of the RV, wheel chocks hookups, anything that shouldn't be there. Second time around, looking up, awnings antennae etc. I use a Velcro tie that is on the steering wheel when antennae is up, on antennae crank when down.
Last thing is to pull off site, walk back to site, to make sure that everything, including garbage has been removed.

Ken

[_en_Plain_Air_]

Secure loose inside items.
Blinds/shades in travel position.
Douse campfire embers.