First Time on the Road

[McDonalds]

Well, it's been a year of restoration and we are going on our first trip this weekend. Even though I brought the trailer from Oregon on a two hundred mile trip to get it home, we haven't 'camped' yet. This is a new experience for us. Can anyone tell me some specific 'do's' and 'don'ts' about traveling for the first time. This will be a first for me and I'm getting a little anxious, but also with great expectation! Thanks for all your help. This forum is AWESOME!!

[Silverhobby]

Campers’ and Trailerists’
Pre-flight
Check List
__________________________________________________ ___
OUTSIDE ADDITIONAL ITEMS
Coupler Latch down and secure __________________________
Hitch Ball tight and lubricated __________________________
Spring Bars in place and adjusted __________________________
Sway Control hooked up __________________________
Safety Chains secured __________________________
Break-away Cable hooked up __________________________
Tongue Jack retracted __________________________
Jack Pad stored __________________________
Hitch Bolts tight __________________________
Connector plugged in 12volt and brakes __________________________
Gas Bottles off __________________________
Bottle Hold down tight __________________________
Front Awning down and tight __________________________
Patio Awning closed or stored
Appliance Vents closed and secured __________________________
Chocks and Ramps picked up and stored __________________________
Stabilizing Jacks picked up and secured __________________________
Water Hose disconnected and stored __________________________
Drain Sewage Hose disconnected and stored
Trunk closed and locked __________________________
Power Cord disconnected and stored __________________________
Wheels lugs tight __________________________
Tires condition and proper inflation __________________________
Inside
All Gas Appliances lines closed and pilots off
Toilet water drained from bowl, lid closed __________________________
Water Pump switch off __________________________
Windows closed and locked __________________________
Vents closed tightly __________________________
Cupboards and Closets closed tightly __________________________
Refrigerator Door latched __________________________
Entrance Door locked __________________________



Drive Carefully and Enjoy Yourself
!!!!!!HAPPY CAMPING!!!!!!

[Boondocker]

I am a big advocate of the walk around inspection at every stop. It just takes a minute and might save you untold grief.

[eubank]

Greetings, McDonalds, and welcome to the forums! It sounds like you've got yourself a neat adventure! DOn't worry: Your heart will slow down a little after the first couple-dozen miles.

Take corners wide! On our maiden voyage years ago and just a couple of miles from the beginning, I nearly towed our rig right into a ditch on a corner. Not something I've forgotten since then!


Lynn

[Wayne&Sam]

Originally Posted by Boondocker

I am a big advocate of the walk around inspection at every stop. It just takes a minute and might save you untold grief.

As long as I've been pulling trailers - horse, boat or AS- I always stop within the first few hundred yards and do another walk around, just to make sure.

[Silver Otter]

We join you in this being our first camping weekend since we brought her home on March 14th. Can't wait - and will enjoy the tips from the Vets right here along with you.

[Chasmorgan]

Great list! Make sure you tv antenna is down too! Someone told me to "look up....look down and all around before you move"!

[au_ee]

Remember to observe overhead obstructions. Awnings, low tree limbs, etc. Your trailer height should be impressed in the drivers memory and driver should have basic ability to judge heights of overhead clearances.

[moosetags]

First off, welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us.

As to your question, test all of your RV systems before you head out. Double check your connections to the tow vehicle. Check the lights and trailer brakes. Make sure that you have good tow mirrors so that you can see whats going on.

If you are not experienced at trailer towing, find a big parking lot and do a little practice backing of the trailer.

There is a learning curve to all this stuff, but it's not launching rockets.

Go out there and have fun.

Brian

[McDonalds]

Thanks for all your posts! It has been a big help. Silverhobby, your list was great. I'll print it out and check and double check it with my co-pilot!

[polarlyse]

I don't think it was mentioned yet but I always, always and frequently after that put a hand on my wheels. I want to make sure I find the overheated one BEFORE it finds me. Outside that I think just about everything has been covered.

Now tell me, is there really a town in Maine called Bogustown ????

Happy Traveling, see ya on the road

[McDonalds]

Somehow a typo--Bowdoinham, southeast corner of state! My typing ain't what it used to be.

[mimiandrews]

Something I read somewhere a while back...
When you leave a campsite, pull forward 40 feet or so, and send someone in your party back to look over the site to make sure nothing of yours is left there by mistake.

[polarlyse]

Mimi, I like that idea. Good thought. I'd only ammend it to say drive forward no longer than your electric cable. Gives you a second chance to disconnect without tearing it out.

Thanks Mac for the spelling correction. I thought that name was bogus

[DougZ]

When I was a kid, I thought my dad was nuts making me read his preflight list when we went up in his airplane. Now I see the wisdom in having a list for everything. You get lazy and think everything is covered. Thanks dad for many safe flights.

[pgr32e]

Pre flights on airplanes yes, when was the last time you got a tow truck at 20,000 feet. All the above applies as well as make your first trip a short one for a weekend to make a list of all the things you forgot or didn't think of. You'll be surprised how long it can get. Also, I like to go for twenty minutes to half an hour and then pull over and check tires and wheel hubs for heat and the whole rig for stuff not right........cheers and have a blast..........Phil.

[DougZ]

Harbor Freight has those infrared thermometers for a very reasonable price. I think I'm going to get one just for the bearings and tires. Can't hurt!

[pattimarty]

We made extensive lists and are happy to share. I posted them somewhere on airforums. They are also on www.rv4thecause.org. here's the link to all the lists: lists of checklists; checklists before you leave, when you get there, when you leave there and when you get back home.....lists of stupid things we did our first year (some winners there!), menus, the works. Tax Guy Goes RVing

Perhaps the most sage advice was given somewhere in the forums: Take duct tape for anything that moves and shouldn't, WD-40 for anything that should move but doesn't, and a couple of bottles of red wine for the rest. ENJOY!!

PS We did take Robin Williams movie RV along to watch that first night out in case we missed anything. Its a great documentary for that first trip out.