Checklists
Getting By with a Little Help from “Mr. Check-Off”
by
Russ and Tiña De Maris
‘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:
ÿ Oil level
ÿ Coolant level
ÿ Transmission fluid level
ÿ Brake fluid level
ÿ Belt tension
ÿ 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:
ÿ Running Lights Operational
ÿ Stablizer Jacks Retracted
ÿ LP Gas Off
ÿ Power, water, sewer, telephone disconnected and stored
ÿ Hitch double checked
ÿ Breakaway switch secured
ÿ Pigtail connected
ÿ TV Antenna Down
ÿ Door Closed and Locked
Another list that’s handy to have is a list of “spares” like--
ÿ Engine oil
ÿ Pre-mixed coolant
ÿ Brake fluid
ÿ Drive belts
ÿ Jack
ÿ Jumper cables
ÿ Stop and running light bulbs
ÿ Fuses
A “one time look-see” checklist, used before pulling out on a trip is this one:
ÿ Sewer hose
ÿ Fresh water hose
ÿ Water pressure regulator
ÿ 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.
ÿ Gray water level
ÿ Black water level
ÿ Fresh water level
ÿ 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.
ÿ Full set of hand tools
ÿ Battery operated drill with charger
ÿ Drill bits and drill tools
ÿ Hand saw
ÿ Small tarp
ÿ Caulking gun
ÿ Small ladder
ÿ Technical manuals and diagrams for tow vehicle and RV
ÿ 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.
ÿ Sheet metal and machine screws, nuts and washers (assorted)
ÿ Sealant (for use in caulking gun)
ÿ Putty tape
ÿ Electrical tape
ÿ Duct tape
ÿ Assorted electrical wire and crimp connectors
ÿ Holding tank repair patch kit
ÿ “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.
List Making--The Brass Tacks
Having a computer with a word processor has been a boon for our list making. We keep a separate “list” file on the laptop, and revise the lists as needed. We can then print up new lists as needed. A typewriter will work too, or even “long hand” lists for those who haven’t joined the rest of us frustrated techies.
When making a list, I separate mine into “areas,” and leave blank lines for add-ins. When you reach a stable, permanent list, consider having it laminated in plastic, and using a “dry erase” marker for checking it off.
All in all, checklists can keep you out of hot water, or maybe, if you verify that you have plenty of LP gas, they can keep you in it! Check it out!