RV Trip Non Negotiables

[kevinB24]

I don't know if anyone is like me but when I am getting ready to leave for a trip or come home for a trip there are some "non- negotiable" things for me, that I have to do before I head out. These are things that may not be on MY RV checklist. (In no particular order)

- Clean all windows in the truck (better visibility never hurts)
- Check tires pressures truck and trailer
- Full tank of gas in the truck
- Printed directions to aid GPS directions
- Cash on hand (just in case, and for snack stops)
- have all bed sheets put on before we head out
- Have enough food for at least the first 3 days of longer trips, and all the food for weekend trips.
- Clean the truck and RV( not non negotiable, but certainly preferred.)

I am sure there are some I can't think of. How about you? Who else has "Non- negotiables" before they leave on a trip.

[CHICKDOE]

printed copy of all reservations
full propane tanks in trailer
fully charged batteries in trailer
mail hold for house
paper hold for house
a couple of books to read from the library. (the first stop of every rv trip is the library).

[moose074]

Truck, trailer and destination ( even if not known when I leave) optional family and dogs. If need be I can adapt and overcome the rest

[Reverse_snowbird]

We have a small motorhome so our list is slightly different.

- clean windows of driving compartment
- fill propane and gas tank
- check tire pressure and visually inspect tires
- GPS directions saved and major turns written down (as well as a backup map)
- reservation information
- check that flashlights and emergency radio and portable power banks are
charged up and working (including charging and usb cables
and backup batteries)
- prechill refrigerator and pack backup cooler, pack food
- put enough water in fwt for flushing on the road
- make certain linens and towels are clean - although they are usually in
sealed plastic
- put several books on Kindle

-make certain spouse is in rig.

[flyflotrtim]

Fill the freshwater tank and check batteries. Recharge the puck lites in the trailer. Make sure my fishing tackle is packed.

[kevinB24]

Originally Posted by Reverse_snowbird

We have a small motorhome so our list is slightly different.

- clean windows of driving compartment
- fill propane and gas tank
- check tire pressure and visually inspect tires
- GPS directions saved and major turns written down (as well as a backup map)
- reservation information
- check that flashlights and emergency radio and portable power banks are
charged up and working (including charging and usb cables
and backup batteries)
- prechill refrigerator and pack backup cooler, pack food
- put enough water in fwt for flushing on the road
- make certain linens and towels are clean - although they are usually in
sealed plastic
- put several books on Kindle

-make certain spouse is in rig.

The last one is essential to make the trip go smooth

[Touch racing]

Camper
Dogs
Wife

In that order

[TowPro]

Pickup truck camper was always setup with refreg turned on with staples and maybe a box of hamburgers in it and all we had to throw some cloths in a bag and leave. We could always stop and buy food along the way.
This thing sat unplugged, battery's charged by solar and refreg running on propane from April - October ready to go.


But we moved to Florida, sold truck camper and bought an MBS. We discovered it was very hard to just "take off for a campground" at the last minute in Florida without reservations as everything is always booked up, so the refrigerator got turned off in storage but we could still turn it on and leave which was OK if you put cold stuff in the refrigerator. But the MBS was still stocked with everything we needed and just throw some cloths and food and it could be ready to leave in a minutes notice.
Tire pressures? both rigs had TPMS on the dash

[Chuck_S]

We treat our trailer as we would a cottage. Everything other than fresh food and seasonal clothing is there including my shaving gear in the bathroom and an old bathrobe in the closet.

We're just back from almost 3 weeks "camping" at four (4) campsites towing our trailer. As soon as we returned we cleaned and repacked the trailer for its next mission even though we have no clue when that may be. Clean bedding and towels are in the cupboard, etc. We can literally go camping tomorrow. Just grab the clothing I want and swing by the grocery store on the way out.

-- Chuck

[sherman12]

My first rule is "the camper never leaves the driveway dirty". I've washed it in the rain the day before if the forecast is for sun on the departure day.

Like Chuck S mentioned we keep our rig stocked and ready to go all season long. After every outing the bed is stripped, linens washed and line dried, and re-made before our next adventure. My wife will do a grocery inventory needs a week or so before heading out and we'll make a list together of what we'll want to cook, grill, crock pot, and so on.

At one time I used to check the tire air pressure before heading out on every trip. Now, retired and using the rig much more often I check a few times within the season.

I have a set routine the day before leaving to load our road bicycles on the rear ladder, load firewood in my wife's car/toad, hook up the dolly, and check lights, then load the car onto the dolly. Depending on where we are headed I may load our kayaks on the toad roof racks too (before loading on onto the dolly), and load the toad with the needed paddles, life vests, and water shoes for both of us.

On the day of departure, I'll get up early and do a walk around the outside to double-check that all the bike and dolly straps are tight, check the lights connection and safety chains again, walk all around the RV and make sure all of the basement doors are shut tight and locked.

Again, depending on our destination and available diesel fuel I may fill up before we leave home a day or two before, or if there is a truck stop to use the TSD discount card en route I'll make that the first stop of the travels.

The best part is having almost everything we need already in the rig which was one of the main reasons when we started the lifestyle 15 years ago we opted right out of the box to go with a motor home.

[NMWildcat]

We use ours so often now (retired 7 years) that we no longer spend much time 'getting ready to go'. Might throw some clothes/food in, or use what is already in there.
I do check tire pressures (no TPMS). Everything else we can handle as it comes up, or do without.
We clean and restock when needed, sometimes at home, usually elsewhere.
I found I really despised spending much time packing/unpacking/planning/cleaning as we used to do before retirement.
While I prefer that the truck/trailer is cleanish, I could care less if they are spotless and shiny when leaving. in a few miles they will both be bug covered anyway

[kevinB24]

We are the same way. The only variable is the amount of food and clothing we pack up and if we take bikes or not. It depends on the season and duration of the trip. I usually remake the beds after I clean the sheets from the last trip

[5picker]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

We use ours so often now (retired 7 years) that we no longer spend much time 'getting ready to go'. Might throw some clothes/food in, or use what is already in there.
I do check tire pressures (no TPMS). Everything else we can handle as it comes up, or do without.
We clean and restock when needed, sometimes at home, usually elsewhere.
I found I really despised spending much time packing/unpacking/planning/cleaning as we used to do before retirement.

X2 on most all of Scott's suggestions and especially the last.
I always hated having a checklist of items that were "must do."
I'm much more enjoying R/Ving now that I don't obsess about what "must" be done before we leave/return. We have a rig that has the important stuff and is plugged in along side the garage and we stock/replenish as we go. We know when it's time for whatever maintenance and take care of those things as they come along.

[Iwritecode]

My camper never moves and we keep it stocked with food and clothes all summer long.

So my list when leaving to spend time in it is: phone, wallet, keys.

[D W]

Good info in all the posts. I have to ask this question, though. If these items are "non-negotiable" it's apparent then that you have to be in the process of negotiations. Who are you negotiating with?

Asking for a friend.

[Moho81]

We have a packing list that we use for every trip. Most of the items stay in the camper but they are still on the list to check off just to be sure. Then the rest is trip related food items and fresh clothes. In the theme of the thread though....

- tire pressure on all 8 tires
- full tank of gas
-cash
-beer
-whisky
-wine

[sherman12]

Standard equipment on my rig is a bottle of bourbon on the counter behind the stove (covered with an old sock in case it falls over during travel), and at least two bottles of chardonnay chilling in the fridge. Like a Mastercard, we don't leave home without them.

[jlh1958]

Originally Posted by kevinB24

I don't know if anyone is like me but when I am getting ready to leave for a trip or come home for a trip there are some "non- negotiable" things for me, that I have to do before I head out. These are things that may not be on MY RV checklist. (In no particular order)

- Clean all windows in the truck (better visibility never hurts)
- Check tires pressures truck and trailer
- Full tank of gas in the truck
- Printed directions to aid GPS directions
- Cash on hand (just in case, and for snack stops)
- have all bed sheets put on before we head out
- Have enough food for at least the first 3 days of longer trips, and all the food for weekend trips.
- Clean the truck and RV( not non negotiable, but certainly preferred.)

I am sure there are some I can't think of. How about you? Who else has "Non- negotiables" before they leave on a trip.

One more non-negotiable for me is checking the lug nut torque on our TT. It is rare that I find one that isn't tight, but it has happened just enough and the consequences are bad enough to have that on my non-negotiable list right up there with checking tire pressure.

Happy trails!

Jeff

[jdkbrooks]

Wine
Food
Wife
Beer

[Justify]

Who gets the paper any more?