Preparing for an RV adventure can be both exciting and overwhelming. To help you get ready for your trip, we’ve put together this comprehensive pre-travel RV checklist, divided into five key segments: before leaving home, stocking up the pantry, arriving at your destination, packing away to go to your next stop, and finally, coming home.
Before Leaving Home
- Vehicle Inspection: Conduct a thorough inspection of your RV’s exterior and interior. Check the tire pressure and tread, ensure all doors and storage compartments are securely locked, and retract steps and antennas.
- Route Planning: Plan your route carefully, considering your RV’s size and weight limitations.
- Essential Documents: Gather all necessary documents, including copies of reservations, tickets, and itineraries.
Stocking Up the Pantry
- Meal Planning: Plan meals for the first few days of your trip. This helps create a precise shopping list, reducing waste and saving space.
- Grocery Shopping: Based on your meal plan, do your grocery shopping. Consider storage limitations and choose items with a longer shelf life.
- Packing Essentials: Pack cooking utensils, cleaning supplies, and other kitchen essentials.
Arriving at Your Destination
- RV Leveling: Once you’ve reached your campsite, level your RV. This is important for the optimal operation of appliances and systems.
- Utilities Connection: Connect to any available utilities at the camp, such as electricity and water.
- Campsite Setup: Set up your outdoor camping area if you have one. This might include chairs, tables, grills, or awnings.
Packing Away to Go to Your Next Stop
- Clean Up: Before leaving, clean your campsite and RV.
- Disconnect Utilities: Ensure you’re not still connected to any utilities at the campsite.
- Vehicle Check: Quickly check, ensuring all storage compartments are closed, steps and antennas are retracted, and nothing is left behind.
Arriving Home
- Unpacking: Unload your RV as soon as possible. This helps avoid lingering smells or attracting pests.
- Deep Cleaning: Give your RV a thorough cleaning. This will prepare it for your next adventure and help identify any wear and tear that may have occurred during your trip.
- Maintenance Check: Schedule a maintenance check-up for your RV to ensure it’s in top shape for your next journey.
Remember, this checklist is a guide to help you prepare for your RV trip. However, every RV and every journey is unique, so feel free to adapt this list to suit your specific circumstances. Safe travels!
