‘I’ve got junk, that jingle, jingle, jangles,
As I go drivin’ merrily a long
But that junk don’t really make me happy
It’s my sewerhose a stretchin’ out too long’
Add to the sewer hose, the shore power cable, water line, telephone . . . Yes, I’ve just pulled out in a big yank, and the “yank,” on all those utility hookups can get frightfully expensive. Forgetting to disconnect hoses is just one way to start your RV trip off in a memorable way. How many times we’ve driven off down the road, fretting what may have been left behind.
I finally did something about it: Checklists. Nothing complicated, but just helpful little reminder sheets that help “jog the old noggin’” so that hopefully, I won’t wind up making a spectacle of myself at the RV park, and I won’t be hunting up Walmart in search of a pair of socks.
In the Cab
The cab of my tow rig provides me a great magnet board--the roof has no headliner, so I simply stick refrigerator magnets up above my head, with my precious “preflight” list. I’ve divided it up into sections, one for the RV, the other for the tow rig. My tow rig lists helps me remember to check on:
Oil level
Coolant level
Transmission fluid level
Brake fluid level
Belt tension
Tire pressure, include spare
I try and verify my tow vehicle checklist each morning I pull out. If we’ve spent the night hitched up, I won’t need to check every item on my next list--which is on the same page, but divided off for easy verification--the list for the fifth wheel:
Running Lights Operational
Stablizer Jacks Retracted
LP Gas Off
Power, water, sewer, telephone disconnected and stored
Hitch double checked
Breakaway switch secured
Pigtail connected
TV Antenna Down
Door Closed and Locked
Another list that’s handy to have is a list of “spares” like--
Engine oil
Pre-mixed coolant
Brake fluid
Drive belts
Jack
Jumper cables
Stop and running light bulbs
Fuses
A “one time look-see” checklist, used before pulling out on a trip is this one:
Sewer hose
Fresh water hose
Water pressure regulator
Shore power cord
On the road, a daily rig checklist keeps me out of hot water with the wife. For some reason she takes a dim view of running out of holding tank space, etc.
Gray water level
Black water level
Fresh water level
LP level
I also like to keep on hand a variety of tools and other “spare parts.” I compare notes with other RVers to find out what they keep on hand, and my list is constantly in flux. Here’s a few things to consider in the line of tools.
Full set of hand tools
Battery operated drill with charger
Drill bits and drill tools
Hand saw
Small tarp
Caulking gun
Small ladder
Technical manuals and diagrams for tow vehicle and RV
Electrical multimeter
My “parts” box (which is actually several smaller divided boxes) list also evolves, depending on what kind of fix I found myself in last time.
Sheet metal and machine screws, nuts and washers (assorted)
Sealant (for use in caulking gun)
Putty tape
Electrical tape
Duct tape
Assorted electrical wire and crimp connectors
Holding tank repair patch kit
“JB Weld” or similar material
Finally, both of us keep a “personals” list that we use each time we pack to leave. Those lists include clothing, itemized from inside to out, toiletries, prescription and over the counter drugs, etc. Hubby’s list includes information on setting household systems on hold, for example, turning off the hot water heater when gone for a longer duration.
All
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