Pre-Trip Checklist
Run through this checklist every time before you drive. It takes 5 minutes and prevents costly mistakes.
Inside the camper
Section titled “Inside the camper”- All cabinet doors latched (use child locks or bungees if needed)
- Refrigerator door latched
- Oven and stovetop off
- Water heater off
- Furnace / A/C off
- All windows closed and latched
- Roof vents closed
- Toilet blade valve closed
- Water pump off
- TV / electronics secured or stowed
- Loose items secured (things will shift and fall)
- Awning retracted and latched
Outside the camper
Section titled “Outside the camper”- Shore power cord disconnected and stored
- Water hose disconnected and stored
- Sewer hose disconnected and stored in bumper
- Sewer outlet cap on
- All exterior compartments closed and latched
- Stabilizer jacks fully raised and pinned
- Tongue jack fully raised
- Wheel chocks removed
- Leveling blocks removed and stored
- Propane tanks closed (turn clockwise)
- Antenna lowered (if raised)
Hitch and towing
Section titled “Hitch and towing”- Coupler latched and locked on ball
- Safety chains crossed and attached
- 7-pin connector plugged in
- Breakaway cable clipped
- Brake controller active in tow vehicle
- Trailer brakes tested (pull forward, apply manually)
- All lights working — brake, turn, running
Final walk-around
Section titled “Final walk-around”Do a slow walk around the entire camper before pulling out:
- Front — tongue jack up, propane tanks closed, coupler locked
- Driver’s side — compartments closed, water/power inlets capped
- Rear — sewer outlet capped, bumper closed, lights working
- Passenger side — compartments closed
- Roof — nothing left on roof, vents closed, A/C cover on
On the road
Section titled “On the road”- Drive slower than you think you need to — 55–60 mph max is recommended
- Allow 3x more stopping distance than normal
- Make wide turns — the trailer tracks inside your tow vehicle
- Check mirrors every few minutes for trailer sway or tire issues
- Stop every 2 hours to check lug nuts, tires, and hitch