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RV Departure Checklist

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RV Arrival & Setup Checklist: Trailers

This checklist is intended for towable recreational vehicles such as fifth wheels and travel trailers, and it includes steps necessary during arrival and setup of the RV.

Please use this checklist as a guide and customize to your specific trailer and your own needs. Review the Owner's Manual supplied with your RV to ensure that you complete all necessary steps for the safe operation of your RV.

Many items on this list may be completed out of sequence. Some items may not apply to you or may not be necessary for every type of RV camping.

Disclaimer: All content as is, no warranty. More »

This checklist was designed for full-featured trailers and it does not include specific steps for RV's such as folding trailers or truck campers.

Trip Information
check box

Title:
check box

Date:

Arrival & Checking In
check box Park RV near entrance or office as indicated by signs, doing your best not to block other traffic
check box Check in
check box Ask if discount is offered for RV club members such as the Good Sam Club, or Escapees (generally 10% to 15% discount on daily rates)
check box Request a map of the park and directions on best way to drive to your slot
check box Request directions to park facilities of interest, including entry codes, if any
check box Ask if Internet access is offered and details on how to use it (WiFi SID and password, data phone line location, etc. See Internet Access)
check box If arriving after office is closed, look for after-hours check in instructions posted near entrance or office

Locating RV Slot
check box Find your slot on park map and determine entry and exit paths
check box Walk or take alternate transportation to RV slot before driving RV into park (Strongly recommended for large RV's to avoid potential tight spots. See article Hard Labor Creek State Park Earned Its Name.)
check box Before driving RV into park, determine if park roads can safely accommodate RV entry and exit (keep an eye on narrow roads, sharp corners, low trees, etc.)
check box Before driving RV into park, determine if RV will fit into slot and if all slides can be deployed (keep an eye on trees, fences, utility poles, picnic tables, etc.)
check box Confirm that slot has expected facilities (electricity with correct amperage and plugs, water, sewer, etc.)
check box Test water faucet, especially in freezing weather
check box Plan RV approach path and angle, especially if this is a back in slot

Driving In & Parking
check box If slot has no sewer facilities, drive to dump station and empty waste tanks, if needed
check box If slot has no water, drive to water source and fill fresh water tanks, if needed
check box Perform a two-way radio check, if using a spotter
check box Drive RV into slot and position as desired (be considerate to your neighbors by not crowding too close to their space)
check box Confirm that all necessary facilities are reachable from this position (electric, water, sewer, cable TV, etc.)
check box Walk around RV to confirm position allows deployment of slides and other RV features without obstruction (consider slide positions as deployed, awnings, steps, decks, etc.)
check box Check for high obstructions such as tree limbs (even small limbs almost touching RV can cause noise and damage slide covers in wind)
check box If clearance cannot be accurately determined, temporarily deploy slides and other features to confirm clearance
check box If slides or other features were temporarily deployed to check clearance, move slides, etc. back in until RV is completely parked and level
check box Determine if RV is level laterally (place level on floor inside RV or use level attached to outside of RV)
check box If RV is not level laterally, place leveling blocks in front of or behind the wheels on appropriate side and drive RV on top of blocks
check box Chock trailer wheels
check box Place blocks under leveling jacks or tongue jack (to prevent sinking and marking paved surface)
check box Lower leveling or tongue jacks until they support front weight of trailer
check box Remove safety chains (TT only)
check box Remove sway bars (TT only)
check box Disconnect RV umbilical cord from the tow vehicle
check box Disconnect RV breakaway switch cable from the tow vehicle
check box Store umbilical cord and breakaway switch cable in RV compartment, if available
check box Unhitch RV from tow vehicle
check box Install king pin lock, if used (FW only)

Setting Up
check box Level RV lengthwise (use tongue or leveling jacks to raise or lower front)
check box Deploy steps and hand rails
check box Unlock slide mechanism, if available
check box Deploy slides (from inside RV, confirm that slides form a seal all around)
check box Deploy decks and other heavy external features
check box Lower or install stabilizing jacks and apply enough tension to minimize RV movement (do not place a significant amount of weight on stabilizing jacks or attempt to lift a portion of the RV with them)
check box Check if RV is still level in both directions, and adjust leveling jacks, if necessary
check box If you have an electric outlet tester, use it now
check box If you have an RV surge protector, plug it into the outlet
check box Connect electricity and make sure breaker is turned on
check box Connect cable TV and telephone line
check box Connect water hose and water pressure regulator
check box If slot has sewer: Connect sewer hose and make sure both ends are secure
check box If slot has sewer: Open gray tank valves
check box If slot has sewer: Empty black tanks, if needed
check box If slot has sewer: Close black tank valves (to prevent odors escaping through roof vents)
check box Turn on all propane bottle valves and check for leaks
check box Fill water heater tank by opening hot water faucet valve until water comes out
check box Turn on propane water heater, if needed
check box Turn on water pump, if no external water source is available
check box Confirm that refrigerator is turned on and running on AC
check box Turn on air conditioners or furnace and set thermostat
check box Remove items from RV which are kept outside (chairs, grills, etc.)
check box Remove all fasteners used to secure cabinet doors and other items
check box Unlock tabs on external range hood vent
check box Return all items to their normal locations
check box Raise roof-mounted TV antenna
check box Raise roof-mounted satellite dishes
check box Lock all external RV panels

Miscellaneous
check box Record tow vehicle's ending miles:
check box Record towing miles in trailer log book (ending miles minus starting miles)
check box If using an engine tuner in the tow vehicle and have returned the engine to "stock" programming before towing, then re-install desired performance programming
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Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms and Conditions of Use and Privacy Statement.

Changin' Gears (http://ChanginGears.com)

Recreational vehicle information for RV camping and the RV lifestyle

See Also

RV Departure Checklist

RV Inspection Checklist

RV Manufacturers

Weight Calculators

RV Arrival & Setup Checklist: Trailers

This checklist is intended for towable recreational vehicles such as fifth wheels and travel trailers, and it includes steps necessary during arrival and setup of the RV.

Please use this checklist as a guide and customize to your specific trailer and your own needs. Review the Owner's Manual supplied with your RV to ensure that you complete all necessary steps for the safe operation of your RV.

Many items on this list may be completed out of sequence. Some items may not apply to you or may not be necessary for every type of RV camping.

Disclaimer: All content as is, no warranty. More »

This checklist was designed for full-featured trailers and it does not include specific steps for RV's such as folding trailers or truck campers.

Trip Information
check box

Title:
check box

Date:

Arrival & Checking In
check box Park RV near entrance or office as indicated by signs, doing your best not to block other traffic
check box Check in
check box Ask if discount is offered for RV club members such as the Good Sam Club, or Escapees (generally 10% to 15% discount on daily rates)
check box Request a map of the park and directions on best way to drive to your slot
check box Request directions to park facilities of interest, including entry codes, if any
check box Ask if Internet access is offered and details on how to use it (WiFi SID and password, data phone line location, etc. See Internet Access)
check box If arriving after office is closed, look for after-hours check in instructions posted near entrance or office

Locating RV Slot
check box Find your slot on park map and determine entry and exit paths
check box Walk or take alternate transportation to RV slot before driving RV into park (Strongly recommended for large RV's to avoid potential tight spots. See article Hard Labor Creek State Park Earned Its Name.)
check box Before driving RV into park, determine if park roads can safely accommodate RV entry and exit (keep an eye on narrow roads, sharp corners, low trees, etc.)
check box Before driving RV into park, determine if RV will fit into slot and if all slides can be deployed (keep an eye on trees, fences, utility poles, picnic tables, etc.)
check box Confirm that slot has expected facilities (electricity with correct amperage and plugs, water, sewer, etc.)
check box Test water faucet, especially in freezing weather
check box Plan RV approach path and angle, especially if this is a back in slot

Driving In & Parking
check box If slot has no sewer facilities, drive to dump station and empty waste tanks, if needed
check box If slot has no water, drive to water source and fill fresh water tanks, if needed
check box Perform a two-way radio check, if using a spotter
check box Drive RV into slot and position as desired (be considerate to your neighbors by not crowding too close to their space)
check box Confirm that all necessary facilities are reachable from this position (electric, water, sewer, cable TV, etc.)
check box Walk around RV to confirm position allows deployment of slides and other RV features without obstruction (consider slide positions as deployed, awnings, steps, decks, etc.)
check box Check for high obstructions such as tree limbs (even small limbs almost touching RV can cause noise and damage slide covers in wind)
check box If clearance cannot be accurately determined, temporarily deploy slides and other features to confirm clearance
check box If slides or other features were temporarily deployed to check clearance, move slides, etc. back in until RV is completely parked and level
check box Determine if RV is level laterally (place level on floor inside RV or use level attached to outside of RV)
check box If RV is not level laterally, place leveling blocks in front of or behind the wheels on appropriate side and drive RV on top of blocks
check box Chock trailer wheels
check box Place blocks under leveling jacks or tongue jack (to prevent sinking and marking paved surface)
check box Lower leveling or tongue jacks until they support front weight of trailer
check box Remove safety chains (TT only)
check box Remove sway bars (TT only)
check box Disconnect RV umbilical cord from the tow vehicle
check box Disconnect RV breakaway switch cable from the tow vehicle
check box Store umbilical cord and breakaway switch cable in RV compartment, if available
check box Unhitch RV from tow vehicle
check box Install king pin lock, if used (FW only)

Setting Up
check box Level RV lengthwise (use tongue or leveling jacks to raise or lower front)
check box Deploy steps and hand rails
check box Unlock slide mechanism, if available
check box Deploy slides (from inside RV, confirm that slides form a seal all around)
check box Deploy decks and other heavy external features
check box Lower or install stabilizing jacks and apply enough tension to minimize RV movement (do not place a significant amount of weight on stabilizing jacks or attempt to lift a portion of the RV with them)
check box Check if RV is still level in both directions, and adjust leveling jacks, if necessary
check box If you have an electric outlet tester, use it now
check box If you have an RV surge protector, plug it into the outlet
check box Connect electricity and make sure breaker is turned on
check box Connect cable TV and telephone line
check box Connect water hose and water pressure regulator
check box If slot has sewer: Connect sewer hose and make sure both ends are secure
check box If slot has sewer: Open gray tank valves
check box If slot has sewer: Empty black tanks, if needed
check box If slot has sewer: Close black tank valves (to prevent odors escaping through roof vents)
check box Turn on all propane bottle valves and check for leaks
check box Fill water heater tank by opening hot water faucet valve until water comes out
check box Turn on propane water heater, if needed
check box Turn on water pump, if no external water source is available
check box Confirm that refrigerator is turned on and running on AC
check box Turn on air conditioners or furnace and set thermostat
check box Remove items from RV which are kept outside (chairs, grills, etc.)
check box Remove all fasteners used to secure cabinet doors and other items
check box Unlock tabs on external range hood vent
check box Return all items to their normal locations
check box Raise roof-mounted TV antenna
check box Raise roof-mounted satellite dishes
check box Lock all external RV panels

Miscellaneous
check box Record tow vehicle's ending miles:
check box Record towing miles in trailer log book (ending miles minus starting miles)
check box If using an engine tuner in the tow vehicle and have returned the engine to "stock" programming before towing, then re-install desired performance programming

See our complete list of RV checklists at http://ChanginGears.com