Packing up at camp site

[vort]

So there are a lot of threads, youtube videos, etc detailing how to set up your RV when you get to a camp site.

As a brand new Surveyor Sport owner, my question is, what steps do you take when leaving the site. At first, I would think you just do your setup steps in reverse, but I imagine that it can be a little more nuanced.

What do you do when you disconnect city water, for example? Do you turn on all the faucets and drain the lines? Do you empty your hot water tank at the campground? What is your typical process?

Thank you!

[BamaBob]

We pretty much do go in reverse

It also depends on your rig and what "extras" you have installed

Find what works for you and turn it into a checklist (do this for your setup routine as well)
Keep the checklist handy (we keep ours in a checklist app on our iPhones)
Use the checklist every time - even when you think you have it down pat!

Can't count the number of times I have flagged down a camper leaving the CG with their batwing up or caps dangling from the sewer

Oh and YES there's an app for that (at least on iPhone) called RV Checklists - think it is $1.99 and has a slew of pre-loaded checklists not just arrive/depart, but PDI, Winterization, trip/Maintenance and the ability to create your own lists. We use that feature to keep track of supplies we store inside our rig and develop packing checklists for RV trips

[greymedic]

In time everyone develops their own take-down system or routine. In an attempt to not forget anything we USUALLY try to follow our set-up routine in reverse I.e., CATV, black, grey, galley sewer hoses, water, stabilizing jacks, hitch-up, electric, locks, wheel chocks. Then DW does a walk around to see if we (that is, I) missed.


2015 Silverado gas ext cab 2500
2014 Flagstaff 8528IKWS

[greymedic]

The only time we drain the trailer lines is when we winterize. A "Y" fitting on you hose at the CG bib is great to relieve pressure when draining your hose.


2015 Silverado gas ext cab 2500
2014 Flagstaff 8528IKWS

[trbomax]

Ah, the beauty of a TH,just disconect and pick up everything and throw it in the back.Deal with it when you get home,maybe.

[Canonman]

Originally Posted by vort

So there are a lot of threads, youtube videos, etc detailing how to set up your RV when you get to a camp site.

As a brand new Surveyor Sport owner, my question is, what steps do you take when leaving the site. At first, I would think you just do your setup steps in reverse, but I imagine that it can be a little more nuanced.

What do you do when you disconnect city water, for example? Do you turn on all the faucets and drain the lines? Do you empty your hot water tank at the campground? What is your typical process?

Thank you!

I think the best advice is to get into some good basic routine habits. Use the checklist to reinforce good habits but good habits make it simple and easy to both set up and tear down. Here are some general thoughts when camping with hook-ups.
We start with a good policing up of the camp area. Once all the camp items are stored away, garbage out etc we thoroughly dump/clean our black water tank and flush the grey. Again disconnect and store all the hoses etc. We drain the fresh tank down to about 10 gal. but don't drain the lines or h/w tank for traveling. At that point we store all the inside items, lower/check the antenna, check the water pump and water heater are off. Bring in the awning and slide and check all lights are off. We do a thorough walk around inside and out to be sure all is ready to hitch up. We disconnect the power as a last item, secure all doors and then go through the hitch up process. Whole thing is about 20 minutes. We find ourselves camping w/o hook-ups as often as with, so obviously some things change with regard to black water dumping etc but you get the point. Oh, and don't forget to pick up your gloves you had on and left on the picnic table

[forthefunofit]

The best thing we have done is that BOTH of us do a final walk around and I get on the picknick table and look on the roof. Then, after we do the dump, we do one final check for stairs, etc.

[BamaBob]

Speaking of raised Batwings...this is our solution.

A souvenir from my Air Force Days...we hang this on the BatWing crank when we raise the mast at camp & remove if from the crank when the BatWing is down

[ColoradoRick]

We have a "bug out" checklist so we don't forget anything.

Basically, Nana is in charge of the inside (packing up, cleaning, storage, shutting windows and blinds) while I'm the outside guy. (Getting on roof for cleaning off the junk and checking the slideout before it goes in, sewage, water, power, truck hitch, etc.)

If you have a TT, I can share my bug out checklist with you.

[Arefbee]

Do a checklist ahead of time and edit it to your liking after a trip. I like to do electric last so I have shore power for he slide, stabilizers, and fridge. I keep water close to last for washing up.
I do outside, she does inside, we each help out if the other gets done first.
We pack dirty laundry after doing all the cleaning in case we need a t-shirt to protect breakables.
(Absolute last step on the checklist is read the checklist again, by the way.)

[Archicamper]

Originally Posted by forthefunofit

The best thing we have done is that BOTH of us do a final walk around and I get on the picknick table and look on the roof. Then, after we do the dump, we do one final check for stairs, etc.

X2 on the final check! It's amazing what you can forget to do if your in a hurry or distracted.

[ColoradoRick]

I found my Bug Out Checklist. (I printed it and laminated it and just use a erasable pen on it.)

Let's see if it can paste here:

RV Bug-Out Checklist (After Camping)

Clean campsite/get trash ready


Check roof for objects (esp over slide out)


Hitch reconnected


Check truck (tires, oil) wash mirrors/windshield - empty trash from truck


Chocks removed and stowed


Awning retracted


Wheels torqued


Stow folding chairs and all outside items


Shut off all gas pilot lights


Final sweep-out of floors


Furnace and A/C off


Hitch locked and secured


Levelers up


Lights and brakes checked


Lower TV antenna


Prepare refrigerator for traveling


Stow recliners/clamp down – stow lampstand


Tow Mirrors/Windshield Cleaned


Stow TV’s, ensure clamped.


Secure all loose items


Secure all windows and ceiling vents


Cabinets closed and locked


Stow shower and bathroom supplies


Shower/Fridge/Bedroom doors secured


Turn off propane


Water bottle for truck (pets drink)


Water heater off/110v switched off


Water pump off


Empty and stow trashcans


Prep truck (pillows/drinks/sunglasses etc)


Retract slide


All lights and fans off


Final bathroom call!!


Dump lone gray, then black/gray then clean black


All hoses stowed, caps on


Electric disconnected and cords stowed


Clean hands and final inside walk-around check


Stow entry steps


Final outside walk-around check, lock outside doors and stow door handles to the left


Lights and brakes checked

[gfarmcafe]

Everyone has spoke of getting the camper ready for travel which is great, but I always check the fluids in our tow vehicle and remove the trash out of it before we leave. If I can, I clean the windshield, rear window and check air pressures in the tires of both it and the trailer. I carry a 3 gal. air compressor for this, which has been one of the best investments we've made to take with us.

[bob caldwell]

Wow......Sarge Do you start early?

[King Yankee]

IGOST Trip Planner is an excellent app for smart phones. You can create your own folders (medicine, electronics, camp setup, fishing) than you can add under each what you need to check. You just check or uncheck it. I use this every time and has worked great.

[itat]

I always use the RV Checklist app on my iPad for both arrival and departure. I've modified the checklists to suit us and our TT. We tend to do half the checklist the night before we leave which makes for a faster getaway in the morning particular if we have a long day of driving ahead.

[tenttotrailer]

As part of the routine, everything has a spot and it always goes back to the spot. We do basically the same as already reported. Awning and electricty is last. Never dump the hot water tank, water will burn you as it is upwards of 140 degrees or so so not a safe practise. That can always be done in the driveway during winterization. Develop a flow and timing to get it done, nothing worse than the incoming camper sitting there waiting.

Kevin

[pennypoppins]

Originally Posted by HSVBamaBob

Speaking of raised Batwings...this is our solution.

A souvenir from my Air Force Days...we hang this on the BatWing crank when we raise the mast at camp & remove if from the crank when the BatWing is down

We have the same thing on our crank too. It works to help the old grey cells!

[wbdavey]

Originally Posted by HSVBamaBob

Speaking of raised Batwings...this is our solution.

A souvenir from my Air Force Days...we hang this on the BatWing crank when we raise the mast at camp & remove if from the crank when the BatWing is down

Similar trick, but hang the truck keys on the bat wing crank. You can't screw that up (well, it's possible but difficult).

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by wbdavey

Similar trick, but hang the truck keys on the bat wing crank. You can't screw that up (well, it's possible but difficult).

Would make it difficult to go get groceries.