RV Trip Checklist Items to Never Skip!

RV Trip Checklist Items to Never Skip!
Maintain safety and comfort while RVing with these pre-trip checks.

Do you have an RV checklist that you refer to during your pre-trip prep? If not, it is a good idea to create one to make sure you don’t miss any important checks that could affect your safety or comfort during your trip. However, compiling a list of all the possible checks you may need to do on your RV can be a bit overwhelming. 

So, which of the many RV checks are the most critical to do before each trip? 

In this video, long-time RVer James Adinaro shares his RV checklist items he NEVER skips. This list is what James believes are the bare minimum checks you should be doing each time you hit the road—although there will be more tasks you should add depending on your RV, type of travel, manufacturer safety guidelines, and other factors.

This is a great starting point for making your own checklist for RV travel days! And always remember to consult your RV manual for a full list of recommended maintenance, safety, and general use checks. Winnebago manuals are available here.

Bare Minimum RV Checks to Do Before Every RV Trip

As James explains in the video, these are the RV checks you should never skip regardless of how tight you are on time:

Tire and Wheel Checks

• Check tire pressure on all tires 
  • Best practice is checking while they are cold 
  • Refer to tire load inflation tables from the manufacturer and the actual RV weight to make sure they are set to the proper pressure
• Check lug-nut torque
• Feel over the tires to check for bulges or cracks

Learn more about RV tire care here.

Detectors and Emergency Equipment Checks

• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to confirm they are working
  • Also confirm they have not expired 
• Check your fire extinguisher is in good working order
  • Confirm the expiration date and check for any recalls on the brand
• If your RV uses propane, check the propane leak detector and propane system
  • Check the propane tank, regulators, connections, and hoses for damage or leaks

Other RV Checks for a Comfortable Trip

• Do a water filter check (especially if drinking the water from your RV’s tank)
• Check the battery state of charge and verify they are working properly
• Confirm all charging sources are working properly (such as alternator, solar, generator, and shore power)
• Check that the water pump, air conditioner, heater, and other key appliances are working

Remember that there are many other RV checks you should be doing regularly, but this is a short list of items to make sure you never miss, even if you are in a hurry to hit the road!

For more RV safety and maintenance checks to keep in mind, read these articles:

• 10 RV Safety Checks to Do Regularly
• RV Maintenance Checklists
• Road Ready Checklist for Travel Trailers