Your consignment RV center, PPL Motorhomes was wondering if you have a checklist for checking out of your RV park? We all know that RVers are consummate list makers. There’s checklists for everything. From pre-trip and bathroom inventory checklists, to cockpit supplies, gadgets, food and basic travel checklists, you can bet an RVer has made one.
But what about a departure checklist? Here is a great one I found at changinggears.com.
Departure Lower roof-mounted TV antenna Lower roof-mounted satellite dish (TV & Internet) Collect and store all items from outside the RV (chairs, mats, satellite dishes on tripods, grills, etc.) Secure items inside cabinets and storage compartments Secure items on kitchen sink and counter Secure items on bathroom sink Secure items in shower Secure all other loose items Latch shower and closet doors Latch all cabinet doors (use heavy Velcro strips, rope, or elastic cords for doors likely to open during adverse driving conditions) Latch refrigerator doors Close and latch stove top and oven door Lock tabs on external range hood vent Secure TV’s and sliding TV trays Secure other entertainment electronics (stereo, DVD, VCR, etc.) Secure computer and accessories (laptop, monitor, printer) Secure all other items in and near driving compartment which may fall on or otherwise injure passengers during an emergency Close roof vents and windows (except those left open for ventilation) Remove decorative and other items from awnings and store (lights, bird feeders, etc.) Stowe and secure awnings Check slide tops for debris and water Move items out of the slides’ way inside the RV Move in slides and lock slide mechanism, if available Lay down and pad large items which may fall or shift (chairs, tables, cabinets, etc.) Confirm that all sliding trays are latched and secure (external storage compartment trays, propane bottle trays, battery trays) Empty black tanks (do this first so sewer hose gets flushed with contents of gray tanks) Close black tank valves Empty gray tanks Close gray tank valves Add treatment chemicals and a small amount of water to black tanks If traveling with pets, make arrangements for their needs (put food, water, bed, leash, etc. into accessible area of motor home) Disconnect cable TV and telephone line, and store cables Disconnect electricity, and store cable and adapters Disconnect sewer hose, and store hose and relating accessories Disconnect water hose, and store hose and relating accessories Confirm that refrigerator is running on 12 volt DC or is turned off (if 120 volt AC is available in the motor home, then it may stay on AC) Turn off all other propane appliances (water heater, furnace) Shut off all propane bottle valves (unless propane is necessary for the operation of motor home) Discard all trash Stowe all remaining external RV features such as hand rails, steps, decks, etc. Secure all items carried on outside or roof of RV (chairs, bicycles, coolers, etc.) Raise or remove all stabilizing jacks Raise leveling jacks Collect and store leveling blocks from under jacks Remove wheel chocks Confirm that all is clear under the RV (all jacks are raised or removed) Confirm that all slides are moved in completely and check overall exterior of RV for protruding items If RV wheels are resting on leveling blocks, move RV off blocks, collect and store blocks If carrying items on hitch platform, load and secure (bicycles, motorcycles, etc.) If towing, hitch trailer or toad to motor home Close all internal doors (bathroom, bedroom, living room) Lock all external RV doors and panels Check motor home lights (including signal and brake lights) If towing, check trailer or toad brakes If towing, double check that trailer or toad is hitched securely to motor home. Confirm that all safety devices have been correctly applied. Perform a final walk around. Look under and around RV. Confirm all jacks are up and nothing is protruding from sides or roof. Check motor home mirrors, and adjust if necessary Leave marker in RV slot, if returning (common markers are tables, chairs, or a vehicle) Fuel up the motor home If you are not certain how much your RV weighs, drive to a truck scale and confirm that all weights are within motor home ratings
Now that’s a pretty detailed list! For the most part is should look just like your pre-trip list. Keep in mind that there are lots of things you can forget before you hit the road again, so go over them twice and preferably with your travel companion. Two sets of eyes will really help you see that you left your black water lines dropped, or something equally as bad. A misstep in your packing and departure really can ruin a trip.
Have any other lists you’d like to share? Feel free to leave some of your tips in the comments section below! Your consignment RV center, PPL Motorhomes and all of our customers may find them useful!
I would insure that the step that includes bringing slides in is before the step of bringing leveling jacks up so as to insure that slides aren’t in a bind.
Also, if towing after toad is connected insure that the toad is in the proper gear for towing and that the emergency brake is disengaged.