Jay Feather Checklist

[holstein13]

I just purchased my first trailer and will be taking it on my first trip in 10 days. I don't want to make any mistakes so I've compiled a checklist to follow for my departure and arrival. Please note, that I have an equalizer hitch so some of the steps relate to that.

Please review this list and let me know if you can suggest any modifications. You are all free to use the list and repost it as long as you link back to this post and agree to post any modifications on this thread.


Pre-Departure Checklist

* Prepare clothes for trip - check weather
* Check flashlight batteries
* Check propane bottle levels
* Check fire extinguisher pressure
* Check RV battery Charge
* Check battery water level
* Soak roof and windows and look for leaks
* Check A/C and heating filters
* Test propane, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
* Sanitize fresh water system, flush out hot water tank
* Fill fresh water tank and hot water tank to desired level
* Open all windows and doors and start the furnace until oder is dissipated
* Close Gray tank valves to collect water for flushing sewer hose after dumping.
* Check and correct tire pressure on vehicle and trailer
* Examine tires for excessive wear or uneven wear patterns
* Check tires for stones, nails, glass or other objects and cuts or cracks.
* Check wheel lug nuts and tighten to correct torque
* Fuel up tow vehicle
* Make sure wheels are chocked

Departure Procedures

1. Secure all loose items inside trailer including shower
2. Latch shower, cabinet, refrigerator, oven and closet doors
3. Position booth dinette in the bed position for travel
4. Close roof vent in bathroom and all windows
5. Align then wind down TV antenna
6. Turn off air conditioner and all electrical items and lights.
7. Turn off water pump (located at front door)
8. Confirm that refrigerator is running on propane or is turned off.
9. Turn off furnace at thermostat switch
10. Turn off water heater from the outside gas panel
11. Shut off all propane bottle valves unless refrigerator is running
12. If sewer is hooked up put on disposable gloves and drain black water, then gray water.
13. Disconnect sewer hookups, cap the outlet and disinfect everything before stowing.
14. If tanks were emptied, add back a couple gallons of water to both tanks.
15. Consider dumping two or three bags of ice into toilet to clean it during trip. Add holding tank additives.
16. Unplug water and electric; Check TV antenna is down
17. Remove items from awning and properly store the awning.
18. Raise and clear stabilizer bars at all four corners of the trailer
19. Raise tongue and coupler
20. Install Head assembly into receiver and secure with pin
21. Back the ball under the coupler
22. Lower the coupler onto the ball
23. Lock coupler onto ball and pin it closed
24. Slide spring arms into sockets and secure with pins and clips
25. Use tongue jack to raise locked coupler and hitch head until it's easy to swing spring arms onto L brackets
26. Set L pins into place and install L pin clips
27. Retract tongue jack to maximum stowed position
28. Install safety chains
29. Install brake light and power cords
30. Install breakaway cable
31. Attach Mirrors to Tow Vehicle
32. Remove wheel chocks
33. Make sure all running lights, brake lights and turn signals are working.
34. Check load distribution to make sure tow vehicle and trailer are balanced and level
35. Make sure everything is picked up and stowed
36. Retract entry step
37. Make sure all doors are properly closed and locked
38. Pull forward and test brakes.
39. Pickup and stow leveling blocks

Arrival Procedures

1. Before driving in, determine if trailer will fit into its slot.
2. Check for high obstructions such as tree limbs.
3. Plan trailer approach path and angle.
4. Make sure trailer will reach utilities before leveling
5. Roughly level left or right tires using ramps
6. Secure Wheel Chocks on high side
7. Disconnect Breakaway cable, brake light and power cords
8. Disconnect Chains
9. Raise Trailer jack to remove weight from spring arms
10. Remove L pins from spring arms
11. Slide off Spring arms
12. Lower Trailer jack and tongue so that everything is balanced
13. Unlock coupler from ball
14. Raise unlocked coupler off ball using trailer jack
15. Drive forward
16. Remove spring arms and head assembly from receiver. Stow in trailer
17. Lower all four stabilizers
18. Check Shore power polarity. Connect surge protector. Turn off breaker at box.
19. Connect electricity and make sure breaker is turned on
20. Sanitize water spigot before touching it or connecting water hose
21. Connect water hose and pressure regulator
22. If sewer hookup is available, connect sewage and open gray tank valve only
23. Turn on all propane bottle valves and check for leaks
24. Deploy door step
25. Remove items from RV which are kept outside
26. Fill water heater tank by opening hot water faucet valve until water comes out.
27. Turn on propane water heater, if needed
28. Turn on water pump, if no external water source is available
29. Confirm that refrigerator is turned on and running on AC
30. Turn on A/C or furnace and set thermostat
31. Deploy awning
32. Detach Mirrors
33. Stow all pieces

[Spike99]

Love your checklists...

As a suggestion, do a setup beside your house / driveway and do an over night stay in your TT. From sun down to sun up - including 2 x meals (like dinner and breakfast). Thus, allowing your to double/triple check your appliances and if other items are needed as well. For example, if you must go into the house for an item (like pillow or can opener), they these items remain in your TT. Buy replacement items for your house.

And, this allows you to learn your different procedures at your own pace (re: NOT being rushed or no access to simple tools).

Also... For checklist items, don't forget 110/120V "outlet" tester (to test CG's electrical outlets at their Service Post before plugging your TT in) and if needed, close TT windows before towing. Might want to purchase / use a water regulator at CG sites as well. Just in case water pressure is too strong at some CG sites. Might want to double check locks on all storage compartments and door as well. I fogot to lock the one storage door on my TT and seen it "flapping in my mirror". One needs to double check all locks before towing...

Hope this helps as well...

.

[Crabman]

Your list looks pretty good to me. One thing I do not do is #3 on the departure list. I have always traveled with the dinette in the table position as I believe most do. But you follow that list and I think you`ll be good to go, unless I missed something, which is possible! After a few trips you will get a feel for what is really necessary and what is overkill.

[Seann45]

Put hangers on the rods BACKWARDS... keeps them from falling off