Need tips on what we need to do within the week before our 1st trip. Husband just wants to get the trailer out of storage Friday, throw our bags in and leave--I know we'll need more time than that, and I'm sure there are things I won't even think of that need to be done/brought. Maintenance-wise we just got it all 'summer-ized', new tires, and various mechanical things done to it.:h

On our first trip of the year we always plan to stay the first day or so some place where we can easily get everything we forgot.

If you haven't already, containerize your gear. Cookware, linens, towels etc all in containers ahead of time to load when ready, you can leave the containers at home, but have them at the ready to transfer back when you arrive, and on the items that can stay on the RV your already done as far as packing and loading. It can help cut down of the forgotten items.

Let's see -- check propane, check fridge outside including vent for wasps etc., confirm fridge is cooling, sanitize fresh water system - 6 hours minimum time, fill fresh water, check battery fluid levels and terminals, charge batteries, clean hitch & apply fresh grease, check all 12 volt and 120 volt lights, plugs and appliances including trailer lights - stop, running and signals, check TV and TT tire pressure day of leaving, check television antenna by extending and retracting, check radio, check sewer hose for leaks, insure dump values are still moveable, clean windows at least maybe entire outside of TT, check that water flows to all sinks, the shower and toilet, check water heater...there are more. Better to know in the driveway than the campsite.

My first of the season checklist is a bit different than others. I will normally inspect the roof, make sure everything works, and re-stock everything that we took out when we winter-ized.

If it truly not camped in it, try a driveway night!Downs load a camping check list, include everything you take, and then check everything you used while camping. Then remove those things not used

What to do within the week before 1st trip | Good Sam Community

DE88ROX
Explorer
Jun 15, 2017
First trip of the year, we basically reload it with everything that stays in the trailer during camping season. 4 Rubbermaid totes worth. After every trip the fridge is emtpied and all food removed from the trailer.

Just reloaded this past Memorial Day weekend while I had it home to de-winterize wash and wax and seal the roof seams with some eterna-bond.
Pinstriper
Explorer
Jun 15, 2017
Our TT lives at the barn, 400' from the house. I bring it up sometime during the week before a Friday departure. Thursday night the fridge gets turned on.

Bedding and housewares live in the rig year round. Some clothing we have just for camping and lives there, too. This all comes in for laundry and goes straight back out.

Some foodstuffs are shelf-stable and go in at the start of the season, comes out at the end. The only thing we have to pack for the trip is perishable food, and a daypack each for clothes. We give ourselves a day to do all that - Friday morning usually. I work a short day and we try to hit the road by 4 or 5.

First trip of the year is to a state park about 20 miles away, so if something catastrophic goes wrong with the trailer we can abort the trip and be home. If it's something dumb like forgetting a new water filter, etc. we just get it where we are.

Once you have a few trips under your belt, you don't need a checklist anymore. At least we don't, with our system there's just very little to do.
suprz
Explorer
Jun 10, 2017
There are two essential things to bring on any rv trip....
1- a credit card
2- a sense of humor
dave54
Nomad
Jun 08, 2017
I also crawl underneath with a flashlight and mechanics mirror. Inspect every nook and cranny, looking for loose wires or bolts, sticks or nests jammed into obscure spaces, unusual wear and tear, etc. Don't forget the air in the spare.

Remove all the accumulated excess junk from last year, like that extra roll of duct tape you or your partner threw in a drawer, the old magazines, et al.
jplante4
Explorer II
Jun 07, 2017
SDRS wrote:
Hey, how do I get that cool little US map were you can color in which states you've been to??

Google states visited map

Even the smallest one they let you create is too big for a signature here. You'll need to open it in Paint or some photo editor and resize it. I just added the map to my rig picture and made is small enough for the forum to accept it.
IAMICHABOD
Explorer II
Jun 07, 2017
SDRS wrote:

Hey, how do I get that cool little US map were you can color in which states you've been to??

Here try this
captnjack
Explorer
Jun 07, 2017
malexander wrote:
I forgot to mention.....start buying/stocking beer.:B

Best answer yet!
captnjack
Explorer
Jun 07, 2017
I'll go in the other direction from most. If the rig has been checked out and is mechanically sound then just bring what you think you need and have fun. It all works itself out. It's only camping after all.
All these "lists" and "checking" sound like they could make this into too much work.
SDRS
Explorer
Jun 06, 2017
"Well, if he's not listening to you, he sure as hell won't listen to a bunch of strangers on a web forum"

Actually, you'd be surprised. He will listen to people who have experience.

All went well, no problems. Forgot to bring just a couple things. No issues with the trailer itself.

Thanks for the suggestions all.

Hey, how do I get that cool little US map were you can color in which states you've been to??
malexander
Explorer
May 18, 2017
I forgot to mention.....start buying/stocking beer.:B