Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Keystone RV Forums > Keystone Community Forums > Odds 'n Ends
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 12-22-2016, 06:26 PM   #1
Bat51
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Dayton
Posts: 3
Checklist

I have never owned a truck or a TT. I just bought my Passport 2920BH but is too cold to take out and will have to wait for the warmer weather. However, I did the walk-around and that just seemed like an overwhelming amount of information to take in, much less remember, and to remember a few months from now. My concern is when I go on a trip for the first time. Are there any checklists that cover pre-trip, set-up, and post set-up...a step-by-step for fledglings? Any recommendations>
Bat51 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2016, 06:48 PM   #2
chuckster57
Site Team
 
chuckster57's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,235
Welcome to the forum

If your new to the RV world, the walk through can easily send a person into sensory overload. There are on-line check lists for pre trip, and breaking down camp if you search. These lists will be somewhat generic because not all RV's have the same equipment (slides) and hook ups/ drains in the same place.

If you don't have any success, look to YouTube for videos on towing, set up, use of appliances and pretty much everything else RV related. Again the video might not be specific to your unit, but it will give you the general idea.

If you can get past the hitching and towing, once you get to the campground, there will be plenty of people eager to help and give advice (good and bad) on any and every topic related to enjoying your unit.

IF ALL ELSE FAILS, come back and ask here, we will get you back up to speed so,you can relax and enjoy your new house on wheels
__________________

2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.

Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
chuckster57 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2016, 07:40 PM   #3
66joej
Senior Member
 
66joej's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: radium hot springs bc
Posts: 2,007
Welcome to the forum from Radium Hot Springs BC.
The poster (Chuckster) above is a great source for info if I may say so.
66joej is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2016, 07:42 PM   #4
sourdough
Site Team
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,598
As Chuckster said, there are many resources to check as you begin to get your feet wet. Check those out and then come here with questions.....we will help you out!
sourdough is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2016, 07:51 PM   #5
Tbos
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Solomons
Posts: 3,874
Welcome to the forum from Southern MD. You can always look for a local camping group and enlist someone to show you the ropes. Chuckster is right about the videos on You Tube. In the mean time enjoy driving your truck. We will all be here to help when you need it too. Have fun.
__________________
Tom
2019 Alpine 3651RL
2016 F350 CC DRW
Tbos is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2016, 08:04 PM   #6
ctbruce
Site Team | Emeritus
 
ctbruce's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 3,878
Welcome to the forum from Kansas City, MO! Enjoy your new rig. The fun is just beginning. One thing about camping with an RV, is that it's all based on common sense. Whatever comes up, it can be fixed or figured out.

Chip Bruce, RPh
Kansas City, MO
2016 Fuzion Impact 312
2015 Chevrolet Silverado LTZ
WELL....THAT WAS FUN!
__________________

Chip Bruce, RPh
Kansas City, MO
2016 Impact 312
2017 Silverado 3500HD SRW
ctbruce is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2016, 08:04 PM   #7
Mike484
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 380
As mentioned, YouTube is loaded with great videos. We too bought our RV in December and didn't take our first trip until March. In the meantime, I watched YouTube videos over and over and when we made our first trip, I was shocked at just how easy everything was.
__________________

2016 Passport 2890RL
2007 GMC Sierra 1500
Reese 26000 Weight Distribution and Sway Control
Champion 2800/3100 Inverter Generator

American Ranger Auto Gyro
Mike484 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-23-2016, 11:31 AM   #8
Lic0rice
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Husk, NC & Steinhatchee, FL
Posts: 115
The check list I use. Some are specific to my hitch.

Inside
Switch Frig to propane (if needed)
Close roof vents
Lower antenna
Secure TVs
Close windows & lower shades
Empty trash
Latch shower door
Clear all tops
Secure frig contents
Turn off water heater
Turn off furnace or AC
Check all drawers/doors closed and latched

Pre-check
Check truck tire pressure
Check trailer tire pressure
Check trailer wheel nuts for torque
Check oil & fluids
Check brake fluid in trailer's EoH system
Check/grease hitch plate
Add fresh water
Open hitch attachment rod in wheel well
Close hitch rod
Torque hitch bolt
Torque under-bed bolts

Trailer
Turn off water heater breaker
Clear slider pathways
Close sliders
Retract awning & secure
Raise rear jacks
Disconnect shore power
Disconnect TV cable
Disconnect water line
Close sewer discharge
Disconnect sewer hose
Retract steps
Lock door
Lock all compartments
Spare tire loaded and inflated


Truck Hookup
Open tailgate
Double check chocks
Open hitch jaws
Lower trailer
Hitch trailer
Lock pin
Plug-in trailer cable
Connect break-away cable
Short crank front jacks
Tug test
Raise front jacks
Remove trailer chocks
Stow wheel slats & jack plates
Secure truck bed contents
Close tailgate

Final Checks
Verify all cargo bays are closed & locked
Verify trailer lights
360 walk around
Check exit route

Departure
Verify trailer brakes working
Check mirrors
Turn on exhaust brake
Check fuel level
Check all fluid levels
Check with all passengers

STOP....TAKE A DEEP BREATH....RELAX

Disconnecting
Turn off truck
Engage emergency brake
Chock trailer wheels
Lower landing gear
Lower truck tail gate
Disconnect electrical cord
Disconnect pull-out cable
Unpin handle
Disengage jaws
Double check tailgate and chocks
Raise trailer
Pull out
Check trailer for levelness
Secure hitches
__________________
____________________________________________
2006 Keystone Montana 3400RL, Carlisle Radial Trail HD
2016 GMC 3500HD 4x4 LB CC Duramax/Allison
B&W Turnoverball + B&W Companion Hitch
1998 Key West 1720
Lic0rice is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-23-2016, 05:46 PM   #9
Bat51
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Dayton
Posts: 3
Checklist Help

Lic0rice-

That's exactly what I was looking for. I appreciate your input. I wish it were nicer weather.

Thanks so much for the assist
Bat51 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-23-2016, 10:28 PM   #10
busterbrown
Senior Member
 
busterbrown's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: SE Michigan
Posts: 1,659
I purchased my 1st RV last year and scoured the internet for information on setting up / taking down camp. Initially, it can be an overwhelming task. Came up with lots of good information but nothing specific for my travel trailer. So I compiled a pdf of essential steps for my arrival and departure. I printed and laminated it and tacked it to a corkboard next to our main entry door. It helped tremendously for the first few trips. Seeing Passports and Bullets are similar TTs, this PDF may help you and your nerves when you get your RV groove on in a few months.

My biggest offering to you is "GO SLOW" when you first start breaking or setting up camp. Use your checklist as a guide and double (even triple) check items along the way. The "Better Safe Than Sorry" meme definitely applies. After about your 5th trip, you'll have an orderly system in place, rarely glancing back at the checklist.

Good luck as it's going to be a long winter for you! Can't imagine buying an RV before xmas and having to wait till spring to use it. I had 4 weeks of wait time before it saw the inside of a campground. Stir crazy sums it up!
__________________
2017 Keystone Bullet 308BHS in Saddle.
2017 RAM 2500 Laramie Mega Cab 4x4 Hemi 6.4L
2008 GMC Yukon XL Denali (SOLD)
Hensley SwiftArrow Control Hitch with 1000 lb Spring Bars
Me, DW, (3) little DS's, and 1 rambunctious Boston Terrier

busterbrown is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2016, 04:37 AM   #11
14george
Senior Member
 
14george's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 1,271
Welcome to the fourm. I got lucky learned from my father in law but still learned from trial and error like Chuckster said above go to YouTube
__________________
Navy 1980-1984
14george is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2016, 06:55 AM   #12
66joej
Senior Member
 
66joej's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: radium hot springs bc
Posts: 2,007
My biggest problem is when a fellow camper comes and starts talking. In this case I stop what I was doing and start over again when they are gone. Do some stuff twice but don't miss a task.
66joej is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2016, 08:48 AM   #13
Desert185
Senior Member
 
Desert185's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Nevada
Posts: 2,695
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bat51 View Post
Lic0rice-

That's exactly what I was looking for. I appreciate your input. I wish it were nicer weather.

Thanks so much for the assist
You have all winter to figure out what works for you by reading this forum and watching videos. Just make sure to do a walk around when you're hitched and ready to go. Look everything over to ensure its where its supposed to be (like the TV antenna cranked down).

It will all fall into place after a few runs. The first date can be a nervous proposition, but after awhile you'll get into the swing of things...unless you're a hopeless case.

__________________
Desert185 🇺🇸 (Retired Chemtrail vendor)
-Ram 2500 QC, LB, 4x4, Cummins HO/exhaust brake, 6-speed stick.
-Andersen Ultimate 24K 5er Hitch.
-2014 Cougar 326SRX, Maxxis tires w/TPMS, wet bolts, two 6v batts.
-Four Wheel 8' Popup Camper.
Desert185 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2016, 11:06 AM   #14
JRTJH
Site Team
 
JRTJH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,839
Getting your RV "set up in the campground" is only a small part of RVing. Along with a checklist to help with that process, you might also want to do some "searching on the forum" for other "checklists" or more appropriately, "lists of things to buy and pack".... You'll need a fairly substantial amount of "extra inventory" to pack in your trailer, from levelling blocks/chocks to folding chairs and extra fuses. So, put on your "thinking cap" and remember, Christmas is tomorrow, it's not too late to "rush another list of stuff" to the North Pole...... Merry Christmas !!!!!
__________________
John



2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
JRTJH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2016, 11:50 AM   #15
Tbos
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Solomons
Posts: 3,874
The slow deliberant walk around before you drive off and at each stop can't be stressed enough. Particularly if someone distracted you while you were in process. Have fun. It's been a month since we were camping and I'm missing it more each day.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
__________________
Tom
2019 Alpine 3651RL
2016 F350 CC DRW
Tbos is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2016, 12:06 PM   #16
Ken / Claudia
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Fruitland
Posts: 3,357
Now that you have a list. Follow other advice given here. It will help a lot.
For me it is go slow, do not get distracted. If distracted start again. Each time you walk along the truck and RV at this point, LOOK at the truck and RV. If like me you will have checked and rechecked some items 3 or 4 times. At first it may take 25 minutes. After a few trips it maybe a lot less. Now when everything is done, hooked up and ready to go. Walk around the whole truck and RV 1 more time.
__________________
2013 24RKSWE (27ft TT) Cougar 1/2 ton series SOLD 10-2021
2013 Ford F350 4x4 CC 6.7 engine, 8 ft bed, 3.55 rear end, lariat package
Retired from Oregon State Police in 2011 than worked another 9.5 years as a small town traffic cop:
As of 05-2020, I am all done with 39 years total police work. No more uniforms for me.
Ken / Claudia is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2016, 12:07 PM   #17
ctbruce
Site Team | Emeritus
 
ctbruce's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 3,878
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tbos View Post
The slow deliberant walk around before you drive off and at each stop can't be stressed enough. Particularly if someone distracted you while you were in process. Have fun. It's been a month since we were camping and I'm missing it more each day.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Can't stress enough the importance of this single bit of advice. I can't tell you how many times I've thought it was all done to find out my steps were out, my electric was hooked up or my mirrors were not extended. Stuff happens. All the time.

Chip Bruce, RPh
Kansas City, MO
2016 Fuzion Impact 312
2015 Chevrolet Silverado LTZ
WELL....THAT WAS FUN!
__________________

Chip Bruce, RPh
Kansas City, MO
2016 Impact 312
2017 Silverado 3500HD SRW
ctbruce is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2016, 03:16 PM   #18
chuckster57
Site Team
 
chuckster57's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,235
I do a walk around at least 3 times before I buckle the seat belt.
__________________

2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.

Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
chuckster57 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2016, 03:32 PM   #19
66joej
Senior Member
 
66joej's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: radium hot springs bc
Posts: 2,007
Ditto to all suggestions. I've seen people (me) pull into their driveway with the antenna still up. ( I hurredly put it down before anyone saw). They actually think I'm a smart RV guy.
66joej is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
checklist

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates in any way. Keystone RV® is a registered trademark of the Keystone RV Company.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 07:51 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.