Pre-Trip Checklist for Motorhomes

Here is another vital reference for all RVers – my Pre-Trip Checklist for Motorhomes. Whether you are just starting out as a new RVer or have lots of trips under your belt, you need to make sure that the items are checked or inspected each time you head out.

My Pre-Trip Checklist for Motorhomes, obviously is for all of you who own any of the types of RVs that you can drive. Feel free to print a few copies of this to use regularly.

Pre-Trip Checklist for Motorhomes

 Before getting on the road, It is important to perform a walk around the inside and outside of your rig to make sure everything is disconnected, put away securely, and stowed as it should be. Forgetting mundane  tasks like cranking down the roof antenna, bringing in the entrance steps, or disconnecting water, sewer, or electrical connections can be cause damage to your RV and embarrassment that you want to avoid. This is a checklist for you to refer to each and every time you head out to make sure that doesn’t happen to you. Of course you should be sure to personalize it to your own motorhome. 

INTERIOR 

⎕  Water pump off 

⎕  Water heater off 

⎕  Furnace off, portable heater put away securely 

⎕  TV antenna down, satellite dish down or put away

⎕  TV and electronics secured 

⎕  Furniture secured – recliners, kitchen chairs, etc. 

⎕  Loose items from countertops, cabinets and bathroom stowed or secured*

⎕  Cabinet drawers and doors closed and secure 

⎕  Refrigerator off, interior items secured, door latched 

⎕  Stove top secured and burners off

⎕  Toilet seat down and shower door locked

⎕  Bathroom/bedroom doors closed and secure 

⎕  Windows and vents closed 

⎕  All interior lights turned off 

EXTERIOR 

⎕  Engine fluids 

     ⎕  Oil 

     ⎕  Brake fluid 

     ⎕  Engine coolant 

     ⎕  Transmission fluid 

⎕  Engine compartment 

     ⎕  Leaks underneath 

     ⎕  Hoses, fittings, belts 

     ⎕ Check for leaves, nests, or other debris lodged in compartment 

⎕  Batteries 

⎕  Windshield clean, check for cracks or rock chips 

⎕  Windshield wipers 

⎕  Mirrors adjusted and tight 

⎕  External lights working and clean – brake, turn signals, clearance markers, etc. 

⎕  Tires 

     ⎕  Proper pressure cold 

     ⎕  Sidewall weather checking 

     ⎕  Tread 

     ⎕  Valve stem/extensions 

Towed vehicle 

⎕  Proper hitch connection 

⎕⎕  Braking mechanism 

⎕  Lights 

Towed vehicles recommended procedure: 

     ⎕  Emergency brake off 

     ⎕  Key in proper position 

     ⎕  Shifter in neutral 

Remaining items to check

⎕  Fuses 

⎕  Jacks retracted 

⎕  Slide rooms retracted – check for debris on top 

⎕  Awnings retracted and latched 

⎕  Storage compartments latched/locked if preferred 

⎕  Propane off 

⎕  Operation of step 

PERSONAL INFORMATION TO KEEP ON BOARD 

⎕  Medical information 

⎕  Emergency contact information 

⎕  Driver’s license 

⎕  Proof of insurance 

⎕  Trip routing information 

THINGS TO CHECK WHEN LEAVING A CAMPSITE 

⎕  Put away all loose items around or under the rig – lawn chairs, rugs, grills, etc. 

⎕  Service center – water, electricity, cable, etc. 

⎕  Dump tanks if applicable 

⎕  Check water level 

⎕  Check exit route for obstructions high and low 

⎕  Shut off all pilot lights 

⎕  Properly dump all trash and recycling 

*  I use Museum Putty (Amazon Affiliate Link) from Amazon to secure all of my knick knacks. We have quite a lot of Swarovski crystal and other objects of art display all over the RV. The Museum Putty keeps it all from moving while traveling, even on rough roads! Other items like my cast iron skillet, salt, pepper, cooking oils etc., are placed in a collapsible crate and stowed under our dinette table when we travel. It’s minimal stuff and it takes me about 5 minutes to do. I also place tension bars across my refrigerator and pantry shelves; and I lock my slide out pantry so it won’t move. And I place a bungee cord on the fridge and pantry closet doors. My part takes me about 10 minutes total!

On Thursday I will share my Pre-Trip Checklist for Non-Motorized RVs!

Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through these links. Please note that I’ve linked to these products purely because I recommend them and they are from companies I trust. There is no extra cost to you when you purchase through my links.