Annual and monthly RV checklist
Monthly
- Check electrolyte level in batteries. If necessary, add only distilled
water.
- Wash batteries with baking soda and water to neutralise acidic residue
and reduce skin discharge.
- Thoroughly clean battery terminals and be sure they are tight.
- Test all GFI (Ground Fault Interrupter) circuits. Replace if not working
properly.
- Inspect all sewer connections and hoses for damage or leakage.
- Flush water heater with fresh water to remove excess buildup of
minerals.
Annually
Remove wheels and check the following.
- Brake drums/discs, linings/pads, and hydraulic cylinders.
- Electric connections to brakes (trailers).
- Worn-out mechanism(s) and hardware. Repair if required.
- Wheel bearings. Repack with fresh grease.
- Tires for checking or damage, especially around the bead.
- Check bolts which hold 'house' to the frame (Motor-homes). Tighten if
required.
Propane system, check the following.
- Inspect propane tanks for damage.
- Have propane system tested for leaks/damage.
- Inspect all hoses. Replace if cracked or damaged.
- Inspect ALL burners for proper operation. Clean/repair/replace if
required.
Check the rest of the vehicle.
- Inspect roof for seams which may need re-sealing.
- Check all skylight openings; vents, windows, etc. Re-seal if needed.
- Lubricate TV antenna mechanism with silicone grease.
- Sanitize water system with chlorine bleach. Flush/rinse system several
times to remove bleach.
- Inspect fresh water hoses. Replace if necessary.
- Inspect undercarriage for loose fittings, lines, wires. Repair if
necessary.
- Check axles for broken shackles, springs, shocks, etc. Replace.
- While under theRV, check frame for bends, cracks, other damage. Repair
immediately.
- Don't forget to check the batteries in CO2 and fire detectors. Test them
before trips.
Keep on Board
Health Supplies
-
Adhesive bandages
-
Antiseptic
-
Aspirin & medications
-
First Aid kit
-
Calamine Lotion
-
Prescription medications
-
Vitamins
Toilet Articles
- Cosmetics
- Toothpastes & toothbrushes
- Cotton swabs
- Shaving supplies
- Sunscreen
- Shampoo & rinse
- Soap
Food & Meal Planning
- Recipe books
- Breakfast foods
- Lunch foods
- Dinner foods
- Spices
- Cooking oil
- Driving snacks
Cooking Equipment
- Barbecue fuel (charcoal/propane)
- Stove
- Ice chest
- Pots & pans
- Broiler pan
- Tupperware
- Silverware & dishes
- Glasses & cups
- Towels & sponges
- Microwave cookware
Entertainment
Tools
- Eyeglass repair kit
- Shovel & axe
- Hammer, screwdriver, pliers
- Misc. other tools
- Duct tape
- Flashlights
- Batteries
- Leveling Blocks
Clothing
- Clothes brush/hangers
- Jackets
- Bathing suit
- Pajamas
- Shoes/boots/socks
- Underwear
- Jeans/shirts/blouses
- Rain gear
- Hats
Miscellaneous
- Travel Clock
- Travelers checks/Credit cards
- Stationery/stamps
- Address book
- Campground
- Insect repellent
- Laundry supplies
- Sleeping bags/bedding
- Firewood/matches
- Travel brochures/maps
Emergency Kit Check List
- 12-volt compressor
- Bailing wire
- Brake fluid
- Bungee straps
- CB radio (hand-held)
- Drill and bits
- Duct tape
- Electrical repair stuff (wire, crimp connectors, crimping tool, tape, etc.)
- Engine oil (3 quarts) (1qt)
- Fan belt(s) (spare for each belt)
- Flares and reflectors
- Flashlight
- Fuel filter
- Fuel line and clamps
- Fuses
- Hammer
- Hand cleaner
- Hand tools (varied assortment)
- Hose repair kit (for both radiator and heater hoses)
- Ignition parts (plugs, cap, rotor, cables etc.)
- Jack and handle (for truck & trailer)
- Jumper cables
- Nuts and bolts (varied assortment)
- Permatex (non-hardening) and RTV silicone sealant
- Plastic tarp (6 x 8-foot)
- Power steering fluid
- Rags or shop towels
- Rope
- Spare light bulbs (turn signal, brake, etc.)
- Transmission fluid
- WD-40
- Wheel chocks
- Windex (cleans anything)
Buying a Used Travco
- Surfaces -
Dents, dings, scratches or stains - can we live with them?
- Leaks - Warped or stained walls, especially in the corners. "Soft"
spots around windows, vents and along the floor
- Generator - Does it start smoothly? Voltage produces should be 110-125 volts
- Lighting - Working? Fluorescent ones should come on at full brightness
- Fans - Working? Do they need lubrication?
- Door Hinges - Check for wear
- Side Mirrors - Do they allow for good visibility?
- Engine - Did it start on the first try? Unacceptable if not
- Road Test -
Drive: Listen for bumping, grinding, creaking or clanging, any unusual
sounds. Did it have enough power to get up a steep hill easily?
Did it hesitate when the engine was hot?
Check the braking power
Check the spot where it was parked. Is anything leaking?
- A/C - Run the air conditioner for at least 15 minutes and make sure it stays
cool
- Radio - Check all the radio controls and make sure all speakers, front and
back, work
- Cruise Control - Working?
- Locks/Controls - Are all the door locks and interior controls working?
- Steering - Check the play in the steering. Is it too loose?
- Tires - Check the tires for wear and cracking
- Belts/Hoses - Check for cracks - anything with a crack will have to be replaced
- Exhaust - In sunlight, the exhaust should be clear. If there is bluish smoke,
the engine is in trouble. It should also be odorless from a few feet
away.
- Refrigerator - Takes about 3 hours, but should stay cold and freezer to be icy cold
using both propane and electric.
- Stove/Oven - Light the oven and stove top burners.
- Water - Try all the water faucets and check for leaks around the pump, water
heater and tanks. Does the water inlet have a filter before the water
gets to the pump? Is there a pressure regulator?
Check under sinks for signs of previous leaks.
- Holding Tanks - Run water into them and check for leaks
- Bathroom - Is it big enough?
- Interior Colors - Can you live with the colors?
- Flooring - Check the condition of all carpet and flooring.
- Windows - Do they all work properly?
- Seating - Condition of seating and/or foam cushions.
- Phone - Is it wired for a phone line?
- Cable - Is it wired for cable TV?
- Microwave - Does it work?
- TV/Stereo - Do they work?
- Front Dash - Is it in good condition?
Is there room on the passenger side to build in a computer workstation?
- Cigarette Lighter - Does it work?
- Sleeping - Is the sleeping area large enough?
- Exterior Compartments - Are they dry and clean, with no rusty areas?
- Siding - Check the screws for rust and streaking. Are there rusted areas in the
body?
- Roof - Check for cracking on rubber roof, rust and loose screws on metal.
Is there a roof rack?
- Solar - Are there solar panels? How many house batteries?
- Converter/Inverter -
- Furnace - Start the furnace and be sure that it is working smoothly. Flame
should not be too blue.
- Awning - Pull out the awning and check condition and ease of use.
- Interior Storage - Is there enough? Check in cupboards for signs of previous leaks.
- Rear Ladder - Check the condition of the ladder.
- Previous Owner - Can you contact the previous owner?
- Vehicle Battery - Check the condition.
- House Batteries - How many? Condition?
- Manuals - Do they have the manuals for all appliances and equipment?
Items to Store Permanently in your
Travco
- Extension Cords
- 30/15 Amp adapter
- Electric/ceramic heater
- Awning lights
- Outdoor carpet
- Wheel chocks
- Sewer hose & fittings
- Table cloth & holders
- Awning tie-downs
- Water pressure regulator
- Fresh water hose
- Garden hose
- Water filter
- Leveling blocks
- Bubble level
- Non-slip cabinet linings
- Water elbow
- Can & bottle opener
- Folding chairs
- Kitchen gear
- Outdoor grill
- Tools
- Coffee maker & filters
- Toaster
- Blankets
- Bathroom items
- Waste basket
- Hand-held vacuum
- Folding broom & dust pan
- Whisk broom
- Bedspread
- Pillows & cases
- Sleeping bags
- Sheets
- Pens/pencils/paper
- Umbrellas
- Disposable rubber gloves
- Hangers
- Citronella candles
- Clothespins
- Hair Dryer
Kitchen gear should include:
- Dishes & plates
- Cups & glasses
- Pots/pans/bowls/lids
- Dish pan & drainer
- Cutting board
- Silverware
- Spatula
- Knives
- Tongs
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Pot holders
- Peeler
- Towels
- Sponges
- Pitcher
- Cooking skewers
- Scrub pad
- Tupperware
- Corkscrew
Bathroom items should include:
- Toothbrushes
- Soap holder
- Combs & brushes
- Bath towels
- Wash cloths
- Toilet paper
Personals and Perishables
- Campground directory
- Money
- Credit cards
- ATM card
- Personal ID
- Travelers checks
- Reservation information
- Membership cards
- Eyeglasses
- Pet stuff
- Batteries
- Food
- Drinks
- Matches or butane wand
- Paper goods
- Toiletries
- Trash bags
- Toilet chemicals
- Nontoxic antifreeze
- Paper towels
- Napkins
- Ziplock bags
- Aluminum foil
- Plastic wrap
- Dishwashing detergent
- Cleaning supplies
- Salt/pepper/sugar
- Coffee
- Tea bags
- Kleenex
- Laundry soap
- Fabric softener
- Cooking oil
- Spices
- Bleach
Toiletry items should include:
- Toothpaste
- Dental floss
- Shampoo
- Bar soap
- Liquid soap
- Deodorant
- Skin lotion
- Feminine hygiene products
- Wet wipes
- Shaving cream
- Razors
- Make-up
- Lip Balm
Safety Items
- First aid kit
- Maps
- Road flares
- Battery-powered clock
- Battery-powered radio
- GFCI/surge protector
- Flashlights & bulbs
- Telephone & cable
- Cell phone
- Ant spray
- Bug spray
- Fire extinguisher
- Insect repellent
- Spare hitch-pin lock
- Compass
- Two-way radios
- Whistles
- Eyeglass repair kit
A first aid kit should include:
- Tylenol/Advil/ibuprofen
- Medications & prescriptions
- Bug spray
- Sunscreen
- Band-Aids/bandages/ace bandages
- Antiseptic
- Snake bite kit
- Antibiotic cream
- Antacid
- Tweezers
- Benadryl
- Eye drops
- Campho-phenique
- Wet wipes
- Safety pins
- Medical cards
- Diarrhea medicine
- Laxative
- Motion sickness medicine
- Vitamins
- Adhesive tape
- Alcohol swabs
- Antihistamine
- Heat & cold packs
- Gauze pads
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Cotton swabs
- Scissors
- Doctor's phone number
- Dentist's phone number
- Neosporin
- Finger splints
- Thermometers
- Betadine
- Burn ointment
- Medicine dropper
Tools
- Pliers
- Screwdrivers
- Channel locks
- Allen wrenches
- Socket set
- Wrenches
- Volt ohm meter
- Circuit tester
- Hydrometer
- Tire gauge
- Fuses & bulbs
- Fuse puller
- Electrical tape
- Polarity/ground fault tester
- Hammer
- Oil filter wrench
- Rags & towels
- Toilet wand
- Folding shovel
- Camp axe
- Duct tape
- Bungee cords
- WD-40
- Swiss army knife
- Rope & string
- Battery charger
- Expandable brush
- Bucket
Travco Camping Checklist
- Bottled water
- Cooking utensils (none more
important than a good can opener), pots and pans, dishes and
silverware
- Tablecloth, napkins, pot
holders and kitchen towels
- Kitchen clean-up materials
(soaps, scrubbers, rags, paper towels, dish drainer)
- A cutting board and at least
one great knife (with a sharpener)
- Coffee paraphernalia (pot,
filters, cups) and/or a tea kettle
- Aluminum foil, plastic bags,
wide-mouthed plastic jars
- Small portable grill,
charcoal and lighter fluid
- Butane lighter
- Fuel for lanterns, stoves,
grills, and other outdoor appliances
- Folding or inflatable
furniture, camp stools, extra beds, stands for coolers and
stoves
- Comfortable chairs for
lounging outdoors
- A good lantern and several
flashlights
- Radio
- Supply of batteries sized to
the needs of your on-board gadgets
- Air mattresses and sleeping
bags
- Ground cloth
- Fire extinguisher
- First aid kit
- Prescription medicines
- Bungie cords, rope, and a
variety of tapes (duct, electrical, masking, Teflon,
transparent)
- Brooms, including a small
whisk broom
- Cameras and film
- Maps and a compass
- Flares and a small signaling
mirror
- Toilet paper and facial
tissue in abundance
- A set of tools that would
enable you to complete any small or usual home repair, plus a
hand ax
- Some blocks of 2x lumber to
assist you in the leveling process
- At least two pairs of old
shoes and an old but still warm coat for the hard going
- Books (particularly
reference books relevant to the geographical areas in which
you’re traveling), games, jigsaw puzzles, writing materials
- Portable generator
- Radiant heaters
Travco
Campsite Departure Checklist
-
Check tire pressure of truck & trailer
- Check oil and fluid levels in truck
Roll up awning
-
Fold up & stow the patio rug
Stow chairs, grill, etc.
- Dump black holding tank
- Rinse black holding tank (if necessary)
- Dump gray holding tank
- Disconnect, rinse & stow sewer hose & coupler
- Unplug trailer & stow power cord, adapters & surge
protector
- Unplug telephone & stow cord
- Disconnect fresh water hose
- Fill fresh water tank (if necessary)
- Drain & stow fresh water hose
- Drain & stow water filters
- Disconnect, drain & stow utility water hose
- Stow leveling/stabilizing gear
- Remove & stow wheel chocks
- Walk around site to check for forgotten items
- Pick up and stow the door mat
- Lock outside compartments
- Stow entry steps
- Walk around site one last time

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