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Buying, driving off the lot, and setting up an RV can be an overwhelming process with all the things needed to do before moving your humble abode on wheels. One step missed or forgotten could lead to expensive mistakes. These RV checklists have helped the stress of moving day and ensures we don’t miss any actions. The checklists will help you set up and take down campsites in a jiffy!

I can’t take all the credit for these checklists as we borrowed these lists from Changing Lanes RV couple Chad and Tara. We watched them while getting prepared for a full-timing adventure. We adapted these lists for our bunkhouse rig and for having multiple toddlers and the dog.

Pre-Strike Checklist – getting ready to leave camp

This can be done casually the afternoon before departure:

Responsibility: John

• Fuel Truck and DEF (so much easier than doing with an RV trailer attached)
• Inspect HITCH bolts and connectors, including hitch head retaining pins
• Inspect RV wheels and suspension (torque lug nuts once a month)
• Check RV tires (inflation, general inspection) (always make sure the tires are +/- 3psi of the target of 110psi) We use this portable compressor to air up all tires.
• Check Truck tires (inflation, general inspection) (truck TPMS also greatly simplifies this)
• Secure outside items as we go to bed. (rug, chairs, dog bed, etc.)

Responsibility: Sherryl

• Sweep slide toppers and inspect the roof.
• Plan route and fuel (get a feel on gas station locations, rest stops, etc.)
• Add next destination to GPS Navigation
• Verify Kids Kindles are charged and have content
• Get girls toy bags ready for the car
• Pack travel day lunch and snacks

Strike Checklist – the morning of departure

Responsibility: Inside – Sherryl, Outside – John

INSIDE:

Usually, Sherryl starts at the two ends, does bunkhouse and bedroom first, then main living area last.

• Sweep all floors – this ensures dirt and grime won’t catch or trapped by the slides.
• Bedroom secure and knickknacks stowed (closet door latched; laundry door closed)
• Bedroom windows closed, blinds up.
• Bedroom A/C and lights off
• Stow Office Equipment (computers, monitors and printers, desk chair stowed)
• Bathroom shower secure (everything off shelves, shower door locked open)
• Bathroom secure (vent closed, counter items stowed, bathroom door strapped) 
• Bathroom Lights Off
• Bunkhouse Door Latched back in place.
• Back bathroom accessible for pitstops (move dog food bin, trash can)
• Back bathroom secured, vent closed, and the door closed.
• Bunkhouse window shades up.
• Bunkhouse lights off
• Bunkhouse AC off
• Bunkhouse secured (all toys put away, doors/drawers latched)
• Bunkhouse ladder stored on full bed
• All Main Living Lights off
• Kitchen Coffee Maker, Utensil Vessels Stored in Pantry
• Kitchen refrigerator doors shut and locked (make sure you have access to any fridge items on the side accessible when slides are in)
• Pantry door closed and things inside secured
• Central Living room/Kitchen secure (Knickknacks secured, carpets stowed, booth secured, all drawers and cabinets closed)
• Dog food and water bowls put away
• Living Room windows closed/blinds up
• Main Middle A/C off
• Verify Main Vent over the stove is closed and off
• One-Control Items off (water pump, water heater, ALL Lights)
• Inverter ON
• Refrigerator – Turn Off-Ice Maker
• Slides: one last check for obstacles inside and out
• Slides: First Bunkhouse, then the bedroom, then the kitchen, previous living room. (Retract with the front door open for airflow)
• Verify all awnings are in
• Verify RV spare key is in the Truck
• Sweep Main stair steps (otherwise all the dirt get’s dumped inside)
• Secure main entrance (stow steps, lock door, secure handhold)
• Stow Children and Dog in Car seats
• Make sure sack lunch is upfront or easy to get to in the trailer for Rest Area picnics. (remember, you won’t have access to things like the pantry or cabinets when slides are in and only one door to the fridge.)

OUTSIDE:

Usually, John does this while Sherryl works inside. If all of the pre-strike lists are complete from the day before, the outside person will finish with the task list before the inside worker is complete. Make sure to communicate with each other as water and power shut off needs to be synchronized with inside jobs.

• Run generator (exercise) while prepping to leave (if etiquette allows) (when we can, we switch over to genny power to run the A/C, etc. for the last 30 mins to an hour to exercise it)
• Secure Outside Kitchen -verify nothing in the fridge will spoil because the inverter doesn’t power the fridge while traveling. Secure grill, close drawers/doors. We added this lock for the outside fridge.
• Dump / Flush REAR black tank – manual says to flush blank tanks every time you dump to make sure sprayers don’t get clogged with TP.
• Treat REAR Black Tank
• Dump / Flush FRONT black tank
• Treat FRONT black tank – we use Happy Camper
• Dump grey tanks and geo-treat (AFTER showers, dishes, etc.) – can use hot water and liquid dishwasher detergent to break up grease to slosh around while driving.)
• Fill fresh tank (% based on next location, usually just 1/3 of the tank)
• Nautilus in dry camp mode (relieve system pressure before switching)
• Generator off
• Propane – shut off both valves
• Secure Electrical and plumbing (water hose, power cord, poop hose or cable TV cords)
• Takedown hitch stabilizer tripod and store
• Pack family yard flag

HITCHING-UP – time to roll!

Responsibility: Team Sport. Need a Driver (John) and Spotter (Sherryl)

• Note: some duplicates as a just-in-case precaution.
• Pre-Strike and Strike Checklists Complete
• RIG – Slides and awnings IN
• RIG – Stairs and handrail STOWED.
• RIG – Forward Bay Closed and Latched
• RIG – King Pin Lock Removed and/or Tripod stowed
• RIG – Jacks / Stabilizers to TOW HEIGHT (Middle and Rear Retracted)
• RIG – Remove X-Chocks
• TRUCK – TPMS ON
• TRUCK – Tailgate DOWN
• TRUCK – OPEN Hitch Latch
• TRUCK – Back ALMOST to pin-box
• RIG – Adjust Kingpin height to proper hitch height of the truck.
• TRUCK – Back truck into Kingpin
• TRUCK – Visually check KINGPIN LOCK BAR IS LOCKED
• TRUCK – Connect 7-pin Electrical cord and Breakaway cable.
• RIG – Lower Rig with Front landing gear to pull test height (front jacks 1″ off the ground)
• Check airbag on the hitch to proper fill height. (Optional depending on hitch)
• TRUCK – Tow/Haul Mode
• TRUCK – Mirrors EXTENDED
• TRUCK – PULL TEST (manually engage trailer brakes and try to pull away SLOW)
• TRUCK – Check that trailer brakes are adjusted, and trailer is connected in the Ford system.
• TRUCK – Set parking brake.
• RIG – Retract ALL on the landing gear
• TRUCK – CLOSE TAILGATE
• RIG – Remove and stow wheel chocks and landing gear blocks.
• RIG – Check and close all storage doors and lock.
• TRUCK – Lights on / Rear Camera working
• TRUCK – Validate TPMS reads all six tires and validate pressure/temperature
• TRUCK / RIG – Verify all lights are operable (signals, brake, reverse)
• TRUCK / RIG – Full Walkaround
• TRUCK – Reset Trip Meter
• TRUCK – pull up the destination on GPS
• Check Potty Status on twins and dog
• GO!

Campsite Setup – Setting up your home!

Responsibility: Team Sport. Need a Driver (John) and Spotter (Sherryl)

• Keep Dogs and Kids in Car or situate in a safe, secure area.
• Position RV on Camp Site (consider slides!) – look for obstacles like the vehicle in turning radius why turning into the site to park RV)
• Truck Brake SET
• All Slides Clear to open – make sure you have a good gauge to check quickly to check clearance like the length of your arm before you finalize park position)
• Room for Awnings if possible
• Jacks clear to solid ground (no roots, etc.) use leveling blocks to even side-to-side if needed.
• Look for hookups to make sure you have enough length for hooking up utilities.
• Chock RV tires on both sides
• Put Front Jacks down and raise RV pin till pressure is off the hitch.
• Release Brake on Truck
• Cycle Truck to Neutral with foot off brake, then to Park (releases tension on the pin)
• Lower Truck Tailgate
• Disconnect Trailer – make sure people, pets, etc. are all clear as the truck does roll slightly
• Remove 7-Pin Connector and emergency breakaway cable
• Hitch Retaining Pin and release hitch
• Pull Truck STRAIGHT ahead off the pin
• Close tailgate and park Truck
• Stow 7-Pin Connector Cable into Pin Box
• Put King Pin-Lock on Pin
• Run RV Auto-Level, keeping an eye on anything close to the RV (trees, etc.)
• Put out “front-porch” Outdoor Rug.
• Lower main steps and set height for location (set out doormat and shoe scrubber)
• Release dog and kiddos

At this point, we split up Inside and outside

Inside (Sherryl)

• Extend Kitchen Slide (check for obstructions like Pantry Door Open)
• Extend Living Room Slide (half-way, check for obstacles, then remainder)
• Extend Bedroom Slide (check for obstructions!)
• Extend Bunkhouse Slide (check for obstacles – this is the one toys can wiggle free and get trapped)
• Soon as bunkhouse is open – release kiddos
• Water Heater ON – don’t forget or you will have cold showers.
• AC / Heat on (synchronized to happen after the power is plugged in from below list)
• Turn battery inverter off
• Check Inside Fire Extinguishers are in place.
• Vacuum, put rugs in place (Slides have a tendency to dump more dirt, so will need to sweep while setting up)
• Reset counter items like decor or soap dispensers, etc.
• Put Bunkhouse Ladder down
• Configure Internet
• Start ice maker
• Put out the family flag outside in the patio area
• Clean out Truck from travel day and put away lunch items
• Start dinner for hungry campers

Outside (John)

• X-chocks put in place on the trailer wheels
• Put on Hitch Tripod for stability and lock.
• Connect Power (line run mindfully of sewer run)
• Pole Breaker OFF
• Connect Power Line to Pole then RV
• Pole Breaker ON (notify Sherryl so she can set ACs after SurgeGuard timeout)
• Connect Water:
  • Set Nautilus to Shore Water
  • Run Water Line, pressurize line and release Air from the hose (line run mindfully of sewer run)
  • Connect Line and Open Water valve very slowly
  • Listen to make sure water stops running (constant running might mean a tap is on the inside)
• Turn on Propane
• Connect Sewer
  • Lay Out Sidewinder hose supports
  • Glove up and connect sewer hose(s)
  • Open Grey 1 and check for leaks

We hope these lists help you set up and take down your own campsites. Please borrow and share with your RV friends so we may all have Bright Dais Ahead!

We want to hear from you!

Did we miss anything on our checklist? Let us know if you have any questions?