subject: RV Expert Bruce Bernhart with the Definitive RV Departure Checklist [print this page] The amount of enjoyment you have with your RV will be directly proportional to how well you prepare for your trips. Here is a terrific list of "must-have's and must do's" from rv-camping-lifestyle.com:
Water Regulator - Very Important
Don't leave home without it ..... very important to add to your RV Camping Checklist! Most campgrounds and RV parks don't tell you, but their water pressure can go up to very high pressures at different times of the day and night. This high pressure can severely damage the plumbing and even burst the water lines in your RV causing a flooded RV. You can pick up a water regulator at most RV stores and at some RV park stores. They attach to the water faucet on the outside of your RV screws on to your water hose. Make sure to get the high volume one so your water pressure will still be good for taking showers. They are rated at 40 lbs.
Tire Check
There is a date code on the sidewall of your tires, which shows you the age of your tires. Most used RVs have very low mileage and the tread usually looks good until you check the date code and find they are 10 years old and might be ready to blow out. RV tire manufacturers recommend replacing the tires after seven years. A blow out on an RV can do some expensive damage to the RV and/or cause loss of control. Also, it is very important on an RV to maintain the proper air pressure of the tires. RVs are always loaded to the gills and low pressure tires will get hot and can blow out if they do not have enough air in them to carry the load that is on them. One final thought is to look for dry rot or cracks on the tires. This can be caused from the tires cooking in the sun too long without being covered. To keep you and your family safe on the road, be sure to add this to your RV Camping Checklist.
Fire Starters
You may or may not want to add this to your RV Camping Checklist, but we love to end the day RVing with a cozy campfire. We like to use fire sticks so we don't have the hassle of starting the fire. Just light it and it gets the wood burning.
Fly Paper
We can't tell you how many times we have come back to the RV after a hiking trip only to find 50 zillion flies, bugs, etc. flying all around inside the RV. They always seem to find their way into the RV from a door or screen that was left open, or has a small gap. Hanging a strip or two of fly paper on a single light and turning all the other lights off will catch them all in just few minutes. It's an item most people don't think about adding to their RV Camping Checklist until their RV is invaded by these little insects.
Ant Powder
We put ant powder around the tires when we park to keep the ants from infesting your rig. Some campgrounds do not allow it. It's another 'must' on our RV Camping Checklist.
Trailer Life Book
This book is a great resource to find campgrounds and RV resorts. The best thing about it is that it shows the length of the campsite so you know whether or not your RV will fit into their sites. The other benefit of this book is they rate the campsites and list all the amenities their park offers.
Batteries
RVs use a lot of electricity. If you have batteries that run the lights make sure to check the water in them and check that they are fully charged. I would recommend using a battery mender so your batteries will last a long time (unless you have a battery maintainer built in your RV). Batteries will deteriorate quickly if not kept at the proper voltage.
Propane is Full
In the winter the propane heaters can use a lot of propane. Make sure to check that you have plenty of propane for the trip.
Truckers Road Atlas
These are available at most truck stops and will give you easy to read maps of where you are going and will tell you of any low clearance bridges, etc.
GPS
We would not go RVing without one. You've got to add this one to your RV Camping Checklist even if you're a pro at reading maps. They just make the trip so much more enjoyable .... especially when you arrive in a new city where you don't know anyone or anyplace. The GPS can tell you what restaurants are in the area, give locations of post offices, grocery stores, banks, and just about any place that you are looking for. Makes a new town almost feel like home. We use a Garmin, but there are many others to choose from. We have one word of caution. Unfortunately, our GPS is about 90% accurate it's not a 100 % accurate. It has sent us down some really bad roads (not RV friendly roads) because we didn't double-check the map and confirm it was the best route to take. This can be really dangerous in a large RV, while towing a car.
Personal Defense
You might not be interested in adding this to your personal RV Camping Checklist, but you never know what predators might be lurking nearby (whether it be 2-legged or 4-legged) when you're in a strange place. Whatever you choose for personal defense be sure to bring it along and know how to use it safely.
RV Expert Bruce Bernhart with the Definitive RV Departure Checklist
