just moved to DP from gasser

ncrowley wrote:
I also check the water in my batteries, .

Every day????

If it is a rear radiator model of the past with certain Cat engines, they tend to plug up the rad with blow by oil and dust. Nasty job to clean, you can do it yourself with simple green, yard sprayer and leaf blower. Chris

Hi Bob!
You asked in a PM what a LAB test was. I PMed you but thought I would post here also in case anyone else was wondering what a LAB test was.

A LAB check is for your air brakes.

L= leek check, start the engine and build air pressure to the cut off point (120-140lbs), release parking brake, shut off engine, push and hold the regular service brakes for 1 minute while checking your air gauge to see if the air pressure drops more than 3 pounds.

A= Alarm, without starting the engine turn the key to run, "fan" the service brakes by rapidly applying and releasing the foot petal, your low air warning devices (buzzer, light) should activate before air pressure drops below 60 psi.

B= Button, continue to fan off the air pressure, at approximately 40 psi the parking brake valve should close (pop out).

Finally pull forward at 5mph, apply the service brake and stop. Check to see that the vehicle does not pull to either side and that it stops when the brake is applied.

These instructions are from my WI commercial drivers manual.

Bob,
Don't let the check-lists get you down! Use them to ensure you will enjoy each and every day with your rig.
That said, there are checklists to use for the annual maintenance, before a trip after storage, checklists to use before departing on a trip and a daily checklist before departing for travel that day.

You need to determine which items are appropriate for which checklist.
I'll not go into an exhaustive list of items for each of the above three - just some examples.
Annual: Engine & generator fuel & oil filter & oil change (Plus many more)
Trip after storage: everything works - slide(s), A/C, fridge, water pump (clear the water system with a Clorox flush)et al
Departing on a trip - maps, GPS functioning, route plans, and all of your daily items too.

Daily before departure - fuel level & dump water from fuel filter, jacks UP, Antenna DOWN, electric, sewer and water disconnected and stowed, all compartments closed and locked, toad hookup correct and checked, etc, etc.

I would venture a guess that nearly all of us have - at one time or another - missed one or more items on a mental checklist and now have a pilot-like actual checklist. Mine are in plastic sleeves - with a real check-mark in grease pencil.

OH - and be SURE you do not depart the fuel stop with the hose still in the filler! VERY much an embarrassment!! (Please do not ask me how I know this!!)

I also check the water in my batteries, and the oil in the generator. I have a battery watering system that makes it very easy to top off the batteries before each trip.

You don't say what brand or kind of DP you bought. Make model and year is data we can use.

I stay on top of tire pressure but don't check anything else.

You should have an information display that will alarm if coolant or anything else is low.

I checked my oil every 500 miles until I established that it uses about a quart every. 10000 miles. Time for a oil change anyways.

If you have air brakes you should do the LAB (Leaks, Alarm, Button) test.

Air brake check before starting off. At least a leakdown, full if it's been sitting.

Congrats :) :)

I check the coolant level also.