Trailer and 5ver Checklist for Breaking Camp First, hitch tow vehicle to rig, then: External Jacks up and locked Chocks removed and stowed Check lights and brakes Pull rig off levelers, then stow Check tires Awning secured Water heater off (gas) Chairs secured Window awnings secured Satellite dish stowed Drain/fill hoses stowed, caps on Electric disconnected and stowed Cable/phone disconnected Water pressure regulator stowed Campsite policed All compartments locked Folding steps stowed Internal Furnace off Fridge off/lock door Water pump off Pilot lights off TV antenna down Water heater off (elec) Close all windows & vents Secure all loose items for road Sliding doors locked open All cabinets closed and locked Secure shower doors Stow shower supplies Empty and stow trashcans All lights and fans off Slides in and locked Lock entry door RV Maintenance -- Monthly -- Check/adjust tire pressure Check pressure in spare tires Check running lights/headlights Check engine/trans. fluid levels Check coolant/brake fluid levels Check battery fluid levels Check toolbox/spare oil, etc. -- Semi-annual -- Visually inspect frame/suspension Check/lubricate jacks and hitch Sanitize & flush fresh-water tank Drain/flush water heater -- Annual -- Inspect brakes and tires Check wheel lug nuts Inspect belts/hoses Clean batteries/connectors Test/replace radiator coolant Repack wheel bearings Check for loose/damaged parts Inspect propane tanks/hoses Inspect/seal roof and vents Lubricate TV antenna mechanism New batteries CO, smoke alarms _______________________________________________________________________ Motorhome Checklist for Breaking Camp External Jacks up and locked Chocks removed and stowed Check lights and brakes Drive rig off levelers, then stow Check tires Awning secured Water heater off (gas) Chairs secured Window awnings secured Satellite dish stowed Drain/fill hoses stowed, caps on Electric disconnected and stowed Cable/phone disconnected Water pressure regulator stowed Campsite policed All compartments locked Folding steps stowed Internal Furnace off Fridge off/lock door Water pump off Pilot lights off TV antenna down Water heater off (elec) Close all windows & vents Secure all loose items for road Sliding doors locked open All cabinets closed and locked Secure shower doors Stow shower supplies Empty and stow trashcans All lights and fans off Slides in and locked Rearview camera on Seats locked/seat belts RV Maintenance -- Monthly -- Check/adjust tire pressure Check pressure in spare tires Check running lights/headlights Check engine/trans. fluid levels Check coolant/brake fluid levels Check battery fluid levels Check toolbox/spare oil, etc. -- Semi-annual -- Visually inspect frame/suspension Check/lubricate jacks and hitch Sanitize & flush fresh-water tank Drain/flush water heater -- Annual -- Inspect brakes and tires Check wheel lug nuts Inspect belts/hoses Clean batteries/connectors Test/replace radiator coolant Repack wheel bearings Check for loose/damaged parts Inspect propane tanks/hoses Inspect/seal roof and vents Lubricate TV antenna mechanism New batteries CO, smoke alarms ------------------------------------- Conventional (Bumper-pull) Trailer Hitch-up Checklist • Back the tow vehicle until the hitch ball is directly below the coupler • Make sure that the coupler latch is open, then, use the tongue jack to lower the coupler onto the ball • Once the coupler fully seats on the ball, close the coupler latch and secure with a safety pin or clip. • Next, hook up the safety chains. It's a good idea to cross the chains under the hitch. This will support the hitch and prevent it from contacting the road should the hitch become uncoupled. The chains should be connected to a solid point on the hitch or the vehicle frame. • Make sure that there is enough slack to keep the chains from binding in turns, but not so much that the chains can drag on the road. • Next, set up the weight distributing hitch. The easiest way to set the spring bars up is to first use the trailer jack to raise the coupler and ball above level. • Now, each spring bar is inserted into the hitch, and the chain is attached to the A frame mountings. Once both spring bars are in place, the chains can be tensioned. • Lower the jack until the wheel or pad comes free of the ground and retract the tongue jack all the way, and if applicable, remove and stow the caster wheel or foot. • Plug the umbilical into the trailer lighting connector on the tow vehicle. Make sure it's seated fully in the receptacle. • Always check all trailer light functions each time you hook up. On most rigs, you can do it in one step, by turning on your running lights and your emergency flashers. The trailer brakes should also be checked manually at the brake controller. Check the owner's manual for your brake controller for proper indications. • Connect the brake system breakaway lanyard to the tow vehicle • Make sure that all safety chains, cords and lanyards have enough slack to accommodate turns without dragging on the ground. • Install and adjust sway control, if applicable • Do a walk-around of the trailer and tow vehicle, making sure everything is ready to travel. • If possible, pull off the road after 25-50 miles and visually check the hitch, trailer, and tow vehicle to ensure that no problems have developed. -------------------------------- 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch-up Checklist • Lower the tailgate if required. • Back up and line up the hitch. Stop backing just before the hitch contacts the pin box, shift to park or neutral, and set the tow vehicle emergency brake • Raise or lower the trailer until the base of the pin box is just slightly higher than the hitch • Back up slowly until the pin is fully seated in the hitch. You should hear a clunk or snap as the hitch jaws lock or the release bar slides in. • Once the pin is seated in the hitch, move the locking arm to it's locked position, and insert the safety pin, if so equipped. • Once the hitch is locked, lower the trailer onto the hitch. At this point, if you want to do a pull test to ensure that the pin is locked, operate the jacks until weight is on the hitch, but do not lift the jacks free of the ground. Then, CAREFULLY put the tow vehicle in gear and GENTLY pull forward against the hitch to ensure that the hitch is actually locked. • Continue to operate the front jacks until they are fully retracted, and then lock the jacks into the travel position • Plug the umbilical into the trailer lighting connector on the tow vehicle and the trailer. Make sure the connectors are seated fully in the receptacles. Always check all trailer light functions each time you hook up. On most rigs, you can do it in one step, by turning on your running lights and your emergency flashers. The trailer brakes should also be checked manually at the brake controller. Check the owner's manual for your brake controller for proper indications. • Connect the brake system breakaway lanyard to the tow vehicle. • Make sure that the umbilical cord and lanyards have enough slack to accommodate turns without hanging up on the hitch • Remember to raise the tailgate if you lowered it to hitch up. • Do a walk-around of the trailer and tow vehicle, making sure everything is ready to travel. • If possible, pull off the road after 25-50 miles and visually check the hitch, trailer, and tow vehicle to ensure that no problems have developed.