RV Checklist for First Trip

Whether it’s you very first trip, or the first trip since your RV has been stored for awhile, here’s the ultimate RV Checklist.

Winterizing our RVs never applied to us because we lived in South Florida. But if you live in a cold climate your would have needed to store your RV for the winter months, unless you used it to travel to warm weather in the winter. This valuable check list applies to those of you taking your RV out of storage and preparing it for your first trip of the season, just as much as to those of you preparing for your very first RV journey.

RV Checklist for First Trip

Print this page to use each time!!!

To get ready for that first excursion, make sure to check each of these items on my RV checklist for your first trip before you leave:

⎕  If you have any storage covers, remove them from the RV.

⎕  Inspect the entire exterior of the unit.

⎕  Check carefully for any signs of damage.

⎕  Walk all the way around each sidewall of your RV and inspect every seam, joint, storage door and window.

⎕  Check the sealant and gasket condition looking for cracks, peeling or missing pieces.

⎕  Do you see any noticeable bubbles in the sidewall or any other signs of delamination?

⎕   Are your windows discolored or foggy?

⎕  Carefully check for any cracks in the fiberglass, especially around your slide outs.

⎕  Inspect the tires!!!

     ⎕  Is there any uneven or unusual wear on the tires?

     ⎕  Is the tire pressure set correctly?

     ⎕  How old are the tires? If your tires are 6 years old the NTSB recommends that you replace your tires no matter what their condition!!!

     ⎕  Is there any obvious debris, screws, nails, etc. in any of the tires?

     ⎕  Are there any signs of the rubber cracking on the tire sidewalls?

     ⎕  Do the sidewalls of the tires have any bubbles, scuffs or other bruises?

⎕  Make sure to check both the coach and chassis batteries, if you have them.

     ⎕  What is the battery’s voltage?

     ⎕  If you have a lead acid battery, is there enough water to cover the plates?

     ⎕  Do the battery terminals have any corrosion on them?

     ⎕  Are the battery terminals tight?

     ⎕  Is the battery box or tray secure and vented properly?

 ⎕  Check your propane tanks and lines.

     ⎕  Do you see any evidence of chewing (from rodents) on the rubber lines?

     ⎕  Inspect for cracks or splits in the propane lines. This is especially important on older RVs!

     ⎕  Check the propane level and get the tank(s) refilled before your journey.

     ⎕  Be sure the propane tank gauge, if you have one, matches the reading on the inside monitor panel.

     ⎕  If you have a travel trailer or 5th wheel, check the date stamped on the collar of your DOT tanks to see if the tank(s) need to be recertified – required at

        10 years.

     ⎕  Is there a lot of rust on the tank?

     ⎕  Does the shutoff valve on the propane tank operate easily by hand?

 ⎕  Level the coach and open the slides.

     ⎕  Inspect the slide outs.

     ⎕  Did they open smoothly?

     ⎕  Check for any wall damage or blemishes.

     ⎕  Inspect all of the slide wall sealants for openings or peeling.

     ⎕  Inspect the slide wall seals and sweeps to be sure they are making good contact.

     ⎕  Make sure that your slide wall seals and sweeps are not UV damaged or torn.

     ⎕  Inspect the slide gears and mechanisms if they are visible.

     ⎕  Inspect the slide roof for tears or open sealants.

     ⎕  If you have slide out toppers and awnings, inspect them to see if they deployed properly when the slide was extended.

     ⎕  Do the slide toppers and awnings retract properly when the slide goes in?

     ⎕  Inspect for fraying at the ends of the slide topper awning as well as for other separations or holes.

⎕  Inspect the roof. PLEASE USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN CLIMBING UP TO AND WALKING ON THE ROOF!!!

     ⎕  Check all of the sealants around every roof joint, seam and penetration on the roof.

     ⎕  Inspect every item installed on the roof for damage, cracking or looseness.

     ⎕  Inspect the roof membrane for any tears or holes.

     ⎕  Does the roof need a good cleaning?

⎕  Inspect your power cord and inlet for signs of damage, melting or charring.

     ⎕  Is there any corrosion of the plug end of the power cord?

     ⎕  Plug the RV into power and make sure that all devices and receptacles work.

     ⎕  Is the converter charging the battery with the RV plugged in?

⎕  Inspect the interior.

     ⎕  Inspect the interior for any signs of water intrusion or moisture damage.

     ⎕  Carefully look for any signs of rodents or other pest.

     ⎕  Inspect and clean all of the appliances to be sure they operate properly. If you have an absorption refrigerator, let it run for at least 12 hours to make

         sure that it’s cooling properly before filling it with groceries.

     ⎕  Test all of the GFCI outlets to make sure that they trip when the test button is pressed.

     ⎕  Test the smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector and LP detector. Replace batteries in these devices according to the manufacturer

         recommendations. Replace the detectors at their recommended replacement intervals, whether they work or not!

     ⎕  Check the fire extinguisher for charge and date. Replace if it’s older that 10 years. Be sure to turn the bottle upside down several times to move the

         contents around.

     ⎕  Check that all interior lights operate.

⎕  De-winterize the water system (if you winterized it), flush the water heater and sanitize the water system and tank.

     ⎕  Pressurize the water system and inspect all of the visible lines for leaks.

⎕  Operate all of the LP appliances including the furnace. Before turning on the LP appliances, be sure that there are no pests in the burners, the

    refrigerator, water heater or furnace. You can check this through the access panels on the outside of the RV.

⎕  Perform your yearly maintenance.

      ⎕  Change the oil and filters as necessary on the engine and generator as per manufacturer recommendations.

      ⎕  Inspect and repack or replace the wheel bearings on a travel trailer or 5th wheel.

      ⎕  Inspect the trailer brakes and adjust if needed.

      ⎕  On motorized units, inspect and replace the air filter as necessary.

      ⎕  Inspect and replace the wiper blades as needed.

      ⎕  Wash and wax the RV.

      ⎕  Check all of the DOT lights: Headlights, Fog Lamps, Turn Signals, Brake Lights, Clearance Lights, Reverse Lights.

You now have your RV ready to pack with your personal items, groceries and favorite camping paraphernalia so you can set out exploring and camping.

Some items should be checked before, during and after your trips. In my next post, I will share what should be part of your regular maintenance and inspection schedules.