Pre-Trip Checklist

RV Trip-Preparation Check List

By George A Mullen, Compuserve RV Forum

D-x ________________________ (Departure minus x days)

• Plan itinerary.
• Make campground reservations (List on last page.)
• Get General Delivery ZIP codes for mail-forwarding destinations.
• Get DISH azimuth/elevation/ skew settings.
• Contact gardener, if needed.
• 
  

 D-10 ________________________ (Departure minus 10 days, etc.)

• Check medication for needed refills.
• Temp. change of address to USPS Start __________ Stop_________
• Check AAA maps and Tour Guides
• Oil cabinet doors with Old English
• 
  

D-9 ________________________

• Check/top-off fuel and propane levels.
• Check engine oil, transmission fluid, etc
• Check battery water levels & charge as needed.
• Check/clean/treat battery terminals.
• Check interior/exterior lights.

D-8 ________________________

• Check generator.
• Oil level. Change oil?
• Air filter.
• Lube linkages
• 
  

D-7 ________________________

• Wash air conditioner filters (4)
• Wash small ceramic heater filter.
• Check topside units for cleanliness and security.
• Check air conditioner shrouds for security.
• 
  

D-6 ________________________

• Check water heater sacrificial anode rod; replace as needed.
• Check lawn sprinkler control setting
• DeLorme road construction info update
• D-5 ________________________
• Check printer ink; obtain spare ink cartridges as needed
• Check paper supply
• Draft paper
• Bright white paper
• Photo paper
• Apply for CVSVP security checks. (Police department Senior Volunteer Patrol)
• Dust & vacuum/shampoo rug as needed.
• Check video tape inventory.
• Check office/mailing supplies, labels, stamps, etc.
• Change cell phone calling plan? Y N
• Bug "bomb" inside RV? Y N
• 
  

D-4 ________________________

• Wash RV.
• Check distilled water supply.
• Get a haircut.
• Start RV refrigerator cooling.
• Refrigerator exhaust fan switch ON.
• Drain and refill water tank as needed.
• Check Saturn transaxle fluid level
• Check tire pressures.
• RV 
• Auto
• Tow dolly

D-3 ________________________

• Call SDU-T or use Internet (Local newspaper delivery stop/start) Stop __________ Resume __________
• Recharge water softener.
• Check garage for transfer items.
• Load ShopVac & accessories? Y N
• Transfer clothing to RV
• Load desired computer disks & CD-ROMs
• Mow lawns.
• Wash automobile.
• Check CO alarm
• Check smoke alarm
• Home telephone "Call Forwarding" service? Y N

D-2 ________________________

• Keep/dispose/move to RV, as needed:
• Refrigerator and freezer � Kitchen pantry
• Bakery goods, etc.
• Garage pantry
• Load kitchen pots/pans/utensils, etc.
• Withdraw cash as needed from credit union.
• Commissary trip. (Grocery shopping)
• E-mail to ALCON. (Itinerary to "all concerned")

D-1 ________________________

• Wash RV windows.
• Load satellite system
• Antennae
• Receivers
• Remote controls
• Check/set LR and den light timers
• Check/fill humming bird feeders
• Load laundry supplies.
• Load plants.
• Mail forwarding instructions to MBE
• Pick up mail at MBE.
• "No mail" sign in mailbox (after last mail delivery).
• Dust motion detectors in house.
• Install Saturn front covers
• Install main braces and QD base on Saturn
• Install tow bar on motorhome.
• In c:ozwin230 rename RVexclist.dat to Exclist.dat
• 
  

D ________________________

• Wash RV windshield & mirrors
• Call ADT (Home security system)
• Confirm P.O.C. (Point of contact if alarm activates)
• Garage back door locked.
• Home Water OFF
• Home Water heater pilot OFF
• Home Furnace pilot OFF
• Home Phantom loads OFF
• Home Butler: OFF ON (Telephone answering machine)
• Load toilet articles.
• Load pillows, etc.
• Load medical equipment/supplies.
• Load laptop and accessories (phone cord).
• Load husband & wife medication.
• Garage door opener LOCKED.
• Cuckoo clock STOPPED
• Windows locked and blinds set.
• Final refrigerator check!
• Security alarm set Y N
• Bug bombs Yes No
• Buy donuts Yes No
• 
  

 DON'T FORGET:

• Quarters/Dimes/Nickels
• Walkman radio & earphones
• Bills to be paid
• Receipt storage folder
• Camera/film
• Books/magazines/RV parts catalogs
• VCR loaded/set to tape programs
• Stamps
• Extra blank checks
• Extra address labels/blank label sheets for printer
• Rock salt supply (for water softener)
• Spare batteries (9V, 6V lantern, D, C, AA, AAA)
• Laptop board
• Electric screwdriver/charger/bit set
• Cardex address/phone list
• Power inverter
• Audio CD's
• Laptop manuals
• Stepladder Y N
• Paper/plastic bags for trash collection
• Plants
• Fire extinguisher
• Sphygmomanometer
• Blood glucose tester & consumables
• Large Stir-fry skillet
• Wife's insulated water bottle & ice pack
• Cell phone, charger, instructions, accessories
• Distilled water
• Butler instructions & code number
• Hearing aid batteries
• Battery jumper cables
• Cover, security cable and lock for Saturn.
• Hand-held Cobra CB and charger
• Automobile CB and window-clip antenna
• FRS radios and base-charger
• Camera tripod
• Bath scales Y N
• Kitchen TV  Y N
• DISH manuals
• Therabands & snaphook
• NiMH / NiCad battery charger
• 
  

EXTENDED-ABSENCE CHECK LIST

• Store outside furniture in garage.
• Remove all trash and garbage.
• Cover furniture, etc., as desired.
• Check refrigerator/freezer temperature settings.
• Place buckets of water in rooms.
• Car in garage; disconnect battery
• Dolly in garage?
• Lawn watering? (Modify other water-related checks as needed)  
• 
  

RETURN CHECK LIST

• Call ADT
• Call CVSVP
• Call SDU-T
• Garage door opener UNLOCKED.
• Water ON.
• Light water heater pilot. Turn ON.
• Light furnace pilot. Turn ON.
• Start cuckoo clock.
• Pick up mail at MBE
• Notify USPO to resume normal mail
• Unload RV refrigerator. Defrost/clean.
• Install DISH antenna, receiver & remote
• Wash RV.
• Rinse out BWT.
• Review cell phone plan; change as/when needed. (Allow for any O/T charges to catch up, if needed)
• In c:ozwin230 rename Exclist.dat to RVExclist.dat
• E-mail to kids
• 
  

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