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Tikkamike's avatar
Tikkamike
Explorer
Apr 07, 2015

First outing coming up.. check lists?

I recently bought a 2000 22' Terry bumper pull. I have cleaned it from top to bottom inside and out. Replaced what was broken etc.. I purchased a generator. and charged the batteries up. I now need to rinse the winterizing antifreeze out of the tanks. I think I will fill the water storage with bleach water a few times and rinse. My question is What do I need to do to prepare for the first outing coming up next month. I will be taking it to the foot of the mountain and leaving it for about a month during bear season. Does anyone have check lists they use before going somewhere? before leaving it somewhere? and anything else I havent thought of which is probably a lot?
  • Check propane system and appliances, esp. for leaks if an older TT. Inflate tires on TT to max. sidewall pressure and increase pressure on TV tires (I run ours at 80 psi). Are the TT tires in good condition? Do you know what condition the TT brakes are in? At the least, jack one wheel up at a time (under U-bolts only along with wood block) and pull brake-away pin out and ensure the brake is working. Adjust as necessary. When was the last time wheel bearings were inspected and repacked? Lube hitch & ball as needed. Take a jack in case of a flat, wood blocks for under stab. jacks and various tools.

    Otherwise, as mentioned, find one of the checklists on the internet and print it out and systematically go through it.

    The simple things can be the easiest to forget. On our first camping trip ever, we forgot coffee mugs and toothbrushes but luckily stores were nearby. For some reason, I still often forget to pack pajamas.
  • Tikkamike wrote:
    I recently bought a 2000 22' Terry bumper pull. I have cleaned it from top to bottom inside and out. Replaced what was broken etc.. I purchased a generator. and charged the batteries up. I now need to rinse the winterizing antifreeze out of the tanks. I think I will fill the water storage with bleach water a few times and rinse. My question is What do I need to do to prepare for the first outing coming up next month. I will be taking it to the foot of the mountain and leaving it for about a month during bear season. Does anyone have check lists they use before going somewhere? before leaving it somewhere? and anything else I havent thought of which is probably a lot?

    1. pack the wheel bearings/check the brake shoes/wiring to brakes/ replace any bad bearings, racers
    2. have the batteries tested under a load testing machine/remove and clean all battery posts. Turn on all electrical units in trailer and all the lights on the outside of the trailer and leave them on for 20 min. Test every light.
    3. check all your propane tanks/ fill if needed. Go inside trailer and turn on stove,oven and heater, leave them on for 30 min. buy 2 propane gauges from Camping W.orld so you don't have to guess when a tank is almost empty.
    4. replace all air filters
    5. Tires- look on the side of the tires to determine the age of the tires. the numbers will tell you what week in the year and then year the tires were manufactured. If the tires are over 4 yrs. old replace them even if your visual inspection tells you that the tires look ok.
    6. Fill water tanks, turn pump on and let water run for 15 min. in the sink,toilet and shower. Make sure hot water tank is turned off. Empty the shower and gray tanks. Make sure all 3 handles open and close easy.
    7. There are many packing and unpacking lists but it really just comes down to your preferences based on your repeated RV trips. #'s 1 through 6 are items that can ruin your RV trip or end you up in a RV repair facility$$$
    8. Buy a Emergency Road Side Service policy. I have had good luck with the Good Sam policy, but there are others. Would not recommend AAA.
  • I don't over-think it. I usually keep a notepad in the RV while out with things I need to buy before the next outing. Once at home I move the list to my workbench and add all of the things I need to bring. While packing I put everything I need to bring on my bench and always look at the bench before I leave to be sure I have everything I need. I rarely find myself without something I meant to bring but constantly worry anyway :)
  • I highly recommend a night or two camping in your driveway, with a notepad at the ready.

    Every time you think of something or go into the house/garage for something, that gets added to your list.
  • rbpru wrote:
    Spare tires for TT and TV.
    Jacks, blocks and chocks for TT and TV tire changes.
    Torque wrench.
    Small air compressor.
    The knowledge of how to use the above.

    The rest you can get a Wal-Mart on the way.


    X2

    And a tire air pressure gage. Oh, check the wheel lugs on both the TT and it's spare, found that out on the last trip, sometimes they're not the same size, so make sure you have the right size sockets.
  • Spare tires for TT and TV.
    Jacks, blocks and chocks for TT and TV tire changes.
    Torque wrench.
    Small air compressor.
    The knowledge of how to use the above.

    The rest you can get a Wal-Mart on the way.
  • donn0128 wrote:
    If you have a smart phone or tablet there are apps for just that. We have been using RVchecklist for several years and like it a lot.
    BTW do a search using the search function at the top of the page for the correct method of sanitising your potable water system.


    I will do that thank you!
  • If you have a smart phone or tablet there are apps for just that. We have been using RVchecklist for several years and like it a lot.
    BTW do a search using the search function at the top of the page for the correct method of sanitising your potable water system.