Checklist – Departure – Motorhomes

Table of Contents

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Download This Checklist!

Please use this checklist as a guide and customize to your specific motor home 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 departure.

Days Before Departure

  • Print this checklist
  • Print the RV Arrival & Setup Checklist: Motor Homes
  • Confirm reservations at destination
  • Change postal mail forwarding instructions (hold or start sending to new location)
  • Pay RV bills for current location (ask about deposit refund)
  • Prepare maps and directions
  • Wash laundry (if facilities will not be available during trip)
  • Buy groceries and supplies for trip
  • Check propane bottle levels, fill if needed
  • Check generator fuel levels, fill if needed (keep in mind fuel weight)
  • Check two-way radio batteries (for communicating with spotter)
  • Check flashlight battery
  • Check motor home fluid levels (oil, transmission, brake, coolant, power steering)
  • If towing behind the motor home or carrying a hitch platform, inspect hitch to make sure it is attached securely to the motor home (nuts, bolts, welding, etc.)
  • Close  valves to collect water for flushing sewer hose after dumping
  • Fill freshwater tank to desired level (keep in mind water weight)

Day of Departure

  • Check motor home tire pressure
  • Check motor home wheel lug nut torque
  • If towing, check trailer tire pressure
  • If towing, check trailer wheel lug nut torque
  • Clean motor home windows and mirrors
  • Pick up postal mail
  • Arrange breakable items in fridge to prevent breakage
  • Fill drinking water containers

Departure

  • Lower roof-mounted TV antenna
  • Lower roof-mounted satellite dish (TV & Internet)
  • Collect and store all items from outside the RV (chairs, mats, satellite dishes on tripods, grills, etc.)
  • Secure items inside cabinets and storage compartments
  • Secure items on kitchen sink and counter
  • Secure items on bathroom sink
  • Secure items in shower
  • Secure all other loose items
  • Latch shower and closet doors
  • Latch all cabinet doors (use heavy Velcro strips, rope, or elastic cords for doors likely to open during adverse driving conditions)
  • Latch refrigerator doors
  • Close and latch stove top and oven door
  • Lock tabs on external range hood vent
  • Secure TV’s and sliding TV trays
  • Secure other entertainment electronics (stereo, DVD, VCR, etc.)
  • Secure computer and accessories (laptop, monitor, printer)
  • Secure all other items in and near driving compartment which may fall on or otherwise injure passengers during an emergency
  • Close roof vents and windows (except those left open for ventilation)
  • Remove decorative and other items and store (lights, bird feeders, etc.)
  • Stow and secure awnings
  • Check slide tops for debris and water
  • Move items out of the way inside the RV
  • Move in slides and lock slide mechanism, if available
  • Lay down and pad large items which may fall or shift (chairs, tables, cabinets, etc.)
  • Confirm that all sliding trays are latched and secure (external storage compartment trays, propane bottle trays, battery trays)
  • Empty black tanks (do this first so sewer hose gets flushed with contents of gray tanks)
  • Close black tank valves
  • Empty gray tanks
  • Close gray tank valves
  • Add treatment chemicals and a small amount of water to black tanks
  • If traveling with pets, make arrangements for their needs (put food, water, bed, leash, etc. into accessible area of motor home)
  • Disconnect cable TV and telephone line, and store cables
  • Disconnect electricity, and store cable and adapters
  • Disconnect sewer hose, and store hose and relating accessories
  • Disconnect water hose, and store hose and relating accessories
  • Confirm that refrigerator is running on 12 volt DC or is turned off (if 120 volt AC is available in the motor home, then it may stay on AC)
  • Turn off all other propane appliances (water heater, furnace)
  • Shut off all propane bottle valves (unless propane is necessary for the operation of motor home)
  • Discard all trash
  • Stowe all remaining external RV features such as hand rails, steps, decks, etc.
  • Secure all items carried on outside or roof of RV (chairs, bicycles, coolers, etc.)
  • Raise or remove all leveling jacks
  • Collect and store leveling blocks from under jacks
  • Remove wheel chocks
  • Confirm that all is clear under the RV (all jacks are raised or removed)
  • Confirm that all slides are moved in completely and check overall exterior of RV for protruding items
  • If RV wheels are resting on leveling blocks, move RV off blocks, collect and store blocks
  • If carrying items on hitch platform, load and secure (bicycles, motorcycles, etc.)
  • If towing, hitch trailer or toad to motor home
  • Close all internal doors (bathroom, bedroom, living room)
  • Lock all external RV doors and panels
  • Check motor home lights (including signal and brake lights)
  • If towing, check trailer or toad brakes
  • If towing, double check that trailer or toad is hitched securely to motor home. Confirm that all safety devices have been correctly applied.
  • Perform a final walk around. Look under and around RV. Confirm all jacks are up and nothing is protruding from sides or roof.
  • Check motor home mirrors, and adjust if necessary
  • Leave marker in RV slot, if returning (common markers are tables, chairs, or a vehicle)
  • Fuel up the motor home
  • If you are not certain how much your RV weighs, drive to a truck scale and confirm that all weights are within motor home ratings (see Understanding RV Weights)
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Andy Herrick is a blogging nerd, #8 Enneagram, wannabe bread baker, INTJ, RV industry professional, and small business entrepreneur. He can be found hanging out with his lovely wife and family, skiing, cycling, climbing, hiking, and convincing anyone who will listen why dogs aren’t really that great of pets. Also, he runs this website.

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