Checklist – Departure – Motorhomes

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)