Check Sheet

[Tarfu]

Call me obsessive, or worry wart....but having watched my dad tow boats and trailers and how he obsessed over the load up process....has anyone come up with a "pre-flight" checklist?

I'm thinking along the lines of:
1) Ensure pin is in hitch
2) Ensure hitch lever is locked
3) Connect safety/breakaway chain
4) Connect and check trailer lights.....


I'm sure after a long day loading and prepping somethings get missed....sometimes with catastrophic results.

Bill

[Hoojs12840]

I developed a check "habit" when I drove tractor trailers. It's repetition, which when your doing it for a living is second nature. When one of my drivers has an accident or incident 9/10 they were distracted, mentally, or by someone talking to them, either in person or on the phone. We ban them anytime they are driving or performing any activity outside the truck.

Most of us don't drop/hook often enough so a checklist is a great idea.

[BirchyBoy]

I've been thinking about creating a small binder with some laminated sheets of instructions. It would be good for me to reference, but I'm also thinking of my wife should something happen during a trip. She may need to be able to do stuff without me.

[JRTJH]

There are a number of threads on the forum regarding checklists for preparing the camper, hitching and inspection before departure, setting up in the campground and breaking down to prepare for towing home. Do a search and maybe some of those threads will make it easier to compile your checklists.

[bsmith0404]

Google it. There are several sites that have checklists that you can download.

[allmi01]

I foubd a free android app for RV's / camping that is broken down by pre-trip / packing, hook-up and setup, and breaking camp. It is customizable with Excel (basically a spread sheet) or if you have a spread sheet app on your tablet / phone.

Nice thing is you can check off things ar they are done and reset them when totally completed.

Mike

[Festus2]

Originally Posted by allmi01

I foubd a free android app for RV's / camping that is broken down by pre-trip / packing, hook-up and setup, and breaking camp.

Mike

Mike -
Perhaps some of our members would be interested in the name of the free app - especially if it is free!.

[BirchyBoy]

Originally Posted by Festus2

Mike -
Perhaps some of our members would be interested in the name of the free app - especially if it is free!.

+1. I use an Android for my Torque Pro app in my TV. This app would be an awesome addition.

[Tarfu]

Thanks all.....I'll try to update you when I get mine set and open it up for comment...

[Tinbender]

Bought the wife one of the new Good Sam GPS units for Christmas and it has the programmable checklists built in and you can add any other checklists you want. Works rather well.
Tinbender

[Tarfu]

Did a search and found this website that had a departure and arrival checklist...both free.....I like it.

http://changingears.com/rv-checklist...?sec-checklist

[JRTJH]

Something to consider if you're planning to use an electronic device to employ a checklist. The purpose of a checklist is to build a routine and to use it all the time so nothing is forgotten and it enhances a routine so things are done the same way all the time....


The "one time" you can't use it or don't want to get it wet or damage it, or when you are in adverse conditions and in a hurry is when you "need it most" and if you're not willing to use it then, statistically, that's when you're going to rush yourself to finish and when things are most likely to be forgotten or overlooked.....

Think about what may happen if it's raining, things are wet and you use a smartphone or a tablet as your "device"... Are you willing to get it wet, set it down in the rain when you need both hands to do a task while you're rushing to get hitched and on the road?

Sometimes there's something good about using "old technology" that doesn't get damaged by adverse conditions...

Not being critical of the process, just thinking of things that could make it difficult to use.

[allmi01]

The free app I found was Adventure Treks RV Checklist.

You'll find in the Google app store if you search for RV checklists.

I customized mine to remove things not need and added a few of my own but it fits the bill pretty close.

If anyone is interested, I uploaded mt custom lists for those that are interested. They are readable by Excel or anything that can read Excel files.

Mike

[allmi01]

On review, actually, they didn't.

I'll work on it.

[allmi01]

Let's try these.

If you use these, rename them to .CSV

Mike