My Checklist - Let's See Yours

[mwdilday]

Here is a little checklist I have been working on. It seems to be coming along and working pretty good. This one is for a Cedar Creek 5th wheel. I added some comments in square brackets [] for items that might not be clear. It can be adapted for most any RV. If you have one you can share let's see it.

Planning

Have house checked
Mail arrangements
Make reservations
Map route
Set up lawn service
Pay bills

Preparation

Check propane
Check hot tub
Inventory Batteries
Wash truck and trailer
Test Run Generator [on rv]
Check Arlo Batteries [my home security cameras]
Buy Groceries
Check Air in Tires
Torque Wheels
Take Flag Down [at home in case of a storm]
Check TPMS Operation
Update GPS
Sync MyPassport [the drive I have my movies on]
Fill FW Tank (Sterilize?)
Check DEF [diesel exhaust fluid]

Packing

Groceries
Bikes and locks
Coleman fuel
Charcoal
Cooler
Flashlight
Pipes and cigars
Pets
Coats and raincoats
Dentastix
Food
Medicine and vitamins
Leashes
Dog Rabies Papers
Firewood
Busch Gardens tickets
Gray Dump Tank
Electronics
My passport drive [movie drive]
Camera
Verizon MIFI
Metal Detector
Shopping Cart
Fishing Stuff
Camping Journal
DEF [diesel exhaust fluid]
Blender

Packing-Beach

Umbrellas & Sand Stakes
Sunscreen
Beach Bag
Clamming Stuff

Packing-Grilling

PK Grill
Smoking Chips

Packing-Personal

Reading Glasses & Sunglasses
Clothes
Hats
Shoes
Coats, Gloves & Raincoats
Medicine & Vitamins
Camera
Mouth Guards
Camcorder
Blood Pressure Monitor
Guns (9 mm) and Lockboxes

Packing-Last Minute

Refrigerated Groceries
Cell Phone & Charger
Fitbit & Charge Cable
Handguns & Lockbox
Ipad & Charger
Laptop & Charger
Britta Pitcher

Depart Home

Set A/C and Heat [at home]
Empty Humidifier
Empty Trash
Empty Dishwasher
Flush Toilets
Shower Faucets Off
Ice Maker Off
Air Compressor Off
Set alarm
Get/Check Trash

Departure Inside

Store and secure computers
Secure loose items
Secure refrigerator
Refrigerator power selector
Secure cabinets and doors
Blinds up
Sink tops on
Secure television
Dining Chairs secure
Appliances secure
Windows and vents closed
Hot water heater off
Water pump off
Take trash out
Check Awnings/Slides Clear
Retract awnings
Shower Doors Secore
Bedroom Closet Doors Secure
Lights Off
TV Secure
Velcro Cabinet Doors
A/C and heat off
Retract slides
Slide Rooms Off

Departure Outside

Dump and flush holding tanks
Fill Fresh Water Tank
Stow items
Disconnect water
Disconnect cable
Awnings and toppers clear
Propane off
Storage bays secure
Awnings retracted
Check fresh water
Disconnect power
Disconnect sewer
Close holding tank valves
Slides in and secure
Load PK Grill
Tire Pressures

Hitching

Set GPS
Chock wheels
Check slides in
Back in
Press hitch height
Lower tailgate
Open hitch locking jaws
Extend mirrors
Approach kingpin
Check trailer height
Back into/under kingpin
Put truck in park & set brake
Check locking jaws
Connect breakaway cable
Put pin in hitch release arm
Connect 7 pin power cord
Raise landing gear slightly
Perform brake pull test
Raise tailgate
Press retract all
Remove wheel chocks and levelers pads
Verify levelers retracted
Verify tailgate closed
Check lights
Inspect hitch
Walk Around-Util, steps, chocks
Check mirrors
Select Trailer
Set Engine Brake
Tow Haul On
Load Garmin Smartlink

Arrival

Check-in
Gate Access Code
WiFi Password
Position trailer
Check slide clearance
Check Awning Clearance
Chock wheels
Unhitch
Level Trailer
Entry steps set
Open Slides
Connect Electric
Breakers Off
Connect EMS
Connect Elec Cord
Turn Breakers On
Connect water
Confirm Water Heater Full
Water Heater On
Connect cable
Connect sewer
Propane On

Unhitching

Chock Wheels
Lower Landing Gear
Lower Tailgate
Disconnect 7 Pin
Disconnect Breakaway Cable
Disengage Fifth Wheel
Check 7 Pin Clear of Obstructions
Pull Away From Trailer

Winterize

Bypass hot water heater
Blow out lines
Antifreeze
Kitchen faucet & p-trap
Bathroom faucet & p-trap
Shower
Toilet
Splendide washer
Drain hot water heater
Open low point drains
Open All Faucets
Drain fresh water tank
Drain gray water tank

[grumpy0374]

My checklist...
Planning...buy beer.
Packing...load beer.
Arrival.....drink a beer.
Departure...throw beer cans away.

Seriously, very comprehensive list, but by the time you go thru everything and check it off, it will be time to leave.
Grumpy

[Kimber45]

"Honey do we have everything?"

[grumpy0374]

Originally Posted by Kimber45

"Honey do we have everything?"

Dang!!! Forgot the checklist!!!

Grumpy

[BdavidS84]

I like the way grumpy camps! Lol!

[Scrapper]

As long as grumpy has his beer he doesn't seem to care if he forgets the RV and chairs.

[Reverse_snowbird]

Originally Posted by mwdilday

Here is a little checklist I have been working on.

Winterize

Bypass hot water heater
Blow out lines
Antifreeze
Kitchen faucet & p-trap
Bathroom faucet & p-trap
Shower
Toilet
Splendide washer
Drain hot water heater
Open low point drains
Open All Faucets
Drain fresh water tank
Drain gray water tank

A little list? It's definitely detailed.

You might want to consider reordering your winterize list. Opening your low point drains after you've filled the lines with antifreeze might defeat the purpose.

We aren't that organized for travel which probably explains our trips to stores on the road.

[mwdilday]

Originally Posted by Reverse_snowbird

A little list? It's definitely detailed.

You might want to consider reordering your winterize list. Opening your low point drains after you've filled the lines with antifreeze might defeat the purpose.

We aren't that organized for travel which probably explains our trips to stores on the road.

Well my login on that is the low point drain tubes stick down probably a foot or more from the pipe above it. I am concerned if I don't open them after the antifreeze goes in will those drain pipes still have fresh water in them? And if the entire system is filled with antifreeze draining it shouldn't be an issue. All that should be left is any antifreeze that doesn't drain.

[mwdilday]

It does look like a long list but you would be surprised how quickly it goes. On the critical lists where order is important I check as I go. On lists where order is not important like departure inside I check everything after I am complete to make sure I didn't miss anything. We are on a 6 week cross country trip and a little extra time checking things can save a lot of aggravation like forgetting something or damaging something like a truck tailgate or worse.

[Kimber45]

all that time making the list could of went camping two more times.

[Reverse_snowbird]

Originally Posted by mwdilday

Well my login on that is the low point drain tubes stick down probably a foot or more from the pipe above it. I am concerned if I don't open them after the antifreeze goes in will those drain pipes still have fresh water in them? And if the entire system is filled with antifreeze draining it shouldn't be an issue. All that should be left is any antifreeze that doesn't drain.

As long as you fill the system after you drain the lowpoint, you should be fine.

[Reverse_snowbird]

Originally Posted by mwdilday

And if the entire system is filled with antifreeze draining it shouldn't be an issue. All that should be left is any antifreeze that doesn't drain.

As long as you fill the system completely after you open the low point drains you should be fine.

Your list is fine. Sounds like you've thought of everything.

Have fun on your 6 week trip and hope you'll check back in here to share your experiences.

[tonyz1]

Originally Posted by mwdilday

Well my login on that is the low point drain tubes stick down probably a foot or more from the pipe above it. I am concerned if I don't open them after the antifreeze goes in will those drain pipes still have fresh water in them? And if the entire system is filled with antifreeze draining it shouldn't be an issue. All that should be left is any antifreeze that doesn't drain.

I agree. I always open low point drains after adding antifreeze till I see the pink running out. Glad it's just not me That does it!

[mwdilday]

Originally Posted by tonyz1

I agree. I always open low point drains after adding antifreeze till I see the pink running out. Glad it's just not me That does it!

I am thinking isolate/bypass hot water heater and drain it, blow out system if you do that, add antifreeze entire system then open all faucets and low point drains.

[grumpy0374]

Originally Posted by Scrapper

As long as grumpy has his beer he doesn't seem to care if he forgets the RV and chairs.

Never ever have one till we get to our destination. And chairs are already stored.
To OP...we do alot of the items on your list, but don't use a list. Our rig, with the exception of food/water/meds, is ready to go. Don't have to load up as we keep it stocked as far as clothes, bathroom stuff, day to day items.
As for food, load it up 2 days before leaving. Hitch toad up night before.
Wife had her "duties" inside, and I take care of the outside, both the rig and our home.
32 years of camping with my better half, it becomes a routine of doing things, setting up and breaking down. We know whats needed and whats needs to be done. And, I bought my first camper in 1971. Have never used a list. Tried it once but it bacame more of a bother than a help.
So far everything has been smooth without problems.
And, I have never driven off forgetting my wife!!!
Grumpy

[BeckyMax]

Originally Posted by grumpy0374

My checklist...
Planning...buy beer.
Packing...load beer.
Arrival.....drink a beer.
Departure...throw beer cans away.

Seems legit!

[ForestWalker]

I built for DW and myself pink and blue pre-takeoff and landing lists last year. Placed them in the glove box for easy access and haven't used them since.

[bob213]

Just one note on your very good list. My neighbor takes down his flag whenever they leave for more than a few days. Every neighbor I talk to after that the first question they ask is where did "John" go? That makes me think it's a sure sign to anyone checking out the neighborhood that they have left and are ripe for burglary. I know you have fresh batteries in your Arlo cameras but you may find them gone as well. Maybe replace the flag with some type of flag you don't care about if it storms just to give the impression that not much has changed. We even use a fake TV simulator to make it look like we are home and nothing is different. I'm paranoid though

[Blaster 84]

Unless there is a reason not to, I recommend that you turn off the water to the house.
In my line of work I go into homes where a small pipe leak has occurred and since not one was home to see it, major damage was the result.
Or I have seen cases where the last thing they did before leaving was flush the toilet and it overflowed, and overflowed, and overflowed. Get the picture.

[Wandering]

Originally Posted by bob213

Just one note on your very good list. My neighbor takes down his flag whenever they leave for more than a few days. Every neighbor I talk to after that the first question they ask is where did "John" go? That makes me think it's a sure sign to anyone checking out the neighborhood that they have left and are ripe for burglary. I know you have fresh batteries in your Arlo cameras but you may find them gone as well. Maybe replace the flag with some type of flag you don't care about if it storms just to give the impression that not much has changed. We even use a fake TV simulator to make it look like we are home and nothing is different. I'm paranoid though

I’m a little paranoid too and have motion lights, lights on timer etc but still everyone knows when we are gone because the big visible motorhome is not in the driveway. Soon as we leave I hear from neighbors “where ya going now?” [emoji2]