Advice

RV CAMPING CHECKLIST

You should always perform routine service on your RV to make sure a safe trip without problems.

These checklists should be seen as an aid to your trip and can help you avoid unpleasant surprises. They are not anchored in the rock and can be modified as needed. This is at least one start. Good caravanning!

Before leaving
  • Equipment and more
  • Inside
  • Outside
On the camping site
  • At the arrival
  • At the beginning
Back home
  • It is not finished…

Before leaving – Equipment and more

Stop worrying. EVERYONE forgetting something in camping and it has always been. That said, you should have these basic elements in your RV before you go:

A few days before leaving
  • Submit your itinerary with friends or family
  • Emergency contact person in the portfolios of all members
  • Cash, traveler’s checks and credit cards
Camping items in general
  • Cell phone with charger and spare battery
  • Map
  • Whistle for each person in an emergency
  • Medications and prescriptions
  • First aid kit
  • Extinguisher
  • Sunscreen Lotion
  • strong enough rope to hold a person
  • Folding chairs
  • Sunglasses
  • Camp Knife
  • Camera and Accessories
  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • Bedding (pillows, blankets and covers)
  • Sleeping bag
  • Electrical extension cord
  • Ax and / or saw
  • Paper and Pencil
  • Small chest of database tools
Clothing
  • Clothing for hot weather
  • Cold weather clothing
  • Underwear
  • Pyjamas
  • Hat or cap
  • Gloves
  • Rainsuit
  • Shoes and stockings
  • Hiking shoes and thick stockings
Hygiene products
  • Brush and tooth paste
  • Savo
  • Towel
  • Shaving equipment
  • Hair products (comb, brush, dryer, etc.)
  • Toilet paper
  • Prescription glasses, contact lenses
  • Laundry bag
  • Small mirror
Cuisine
  • Grocery
  • Spices and seasonings
  • Drinking water and containers
  • Utensils, cups and dishes
  • Can opener
  • Bowls
  • Oven mitts
  • Sealed food containers (to keep pets away)
  • Lighter or matches
  • Ziploc bags
  • Aluminium foil
  • Garbage bags
Before you go – Interior

Before you go, always go around inside your vehicle and make sure that everything is tidy and secure. Here among other things you should look at:

  • Stored items
  • Closed cabinet doors
  • Closed air dampers
  • Windows closed
  • Down antennas
  • Select the right power for the fridge
  • Closed water pump
  • Although inflows Extensions
  • Interior doors closed
  • Furnace, water heater and air conditioning closed
Before you go – Exterior

After checking the vehicle, you should do the same on the outside. Here among other things you should look at:

  • Hatches of gray and black water tanks closed
  • Check the level of drinking water if necessary
  • All connections must be removed (electricity, cable, pipe, etc.)
  • Closed and secure propane tanks
  • Door closed and locked storage compartments
  • Raise the supports
  • Remove the blocks for wheels
  • Check Tire Pressure
  • Fold the stairs
  • Do a quick inspection of the signaling lights, brakes and lights
  • Walk around your vehicle pulls, the towing system, etc.
On the camping site – Upon arrival

The arrival to the site is exciting, but there are some other things to do before you enjoy your holiday. Here among other things you should look at:

  • Use the stabilizers to upgrade your vehicle
  • Connect electricity, sewer and water connections
  • Open propane tanks
  • Open extensions
  • Change diet of the refrigerator if necessary
  • Open the water pump if necessary
  • Open the water heater
  • Raise the antennas
  • Open cabinets carefully because some items may have moved during transport
  • Inspect the campground to know the locations like the garbage, toilets, etc.
  • Read the regulations of the camp because they can be different from one to another. Avoid bad surprises
  • Have fun!
On the campsite – From

Try to keep the site as clean as upon arrival. Here among other things you should look at:

  • Inspect the site for the forgotten effects and waste from destroyed homes
  • Bring your recycling waste from destroyed homes and in places designated for this purpose
  • Make sure the campfire is off
  • Empty your gray and black water tanks
  • Make the interior tower
    • Stored items
    • Closed cabinet doors
    • Closed air dampers
    • Windows closed
    • Down antennas
    • Select the right power for the fridge
    • Closed water pump
    • Although inflows Extensions
    • Interior doors closed
    • Furnace, water heater and air conditioning closed
  • Make the outside of turn
    • Trappes gray and black closed tanks Deaux
    • Check the drinking water level if necessary
    • All connections must be removed (electricity, cable, pipe, etc.)
    • Closed and secure propane tanks
    • Door closed and locked storage compartments
    • Raise the supports
    • Remove the blocks for wheels
    • Check Tire Pressure
    • Fold the stairs
    • Do a quick inspection of the signaling lights, brakes and lights
    • Walk around your vehicle pulls, the towing system, etc.
  • Empty your VR (especially food)
  • Empty the water reservoir and clean it
  • Open your doors or window air for circulating air
  • Clean your RV to be ready for the next trip
  • When you have a tent trailer or a hybrid, open the canvas and make sure they are dry and clean before closing
  • Make a list of things you have forgotten and who were not on our checklist
WINTERIZE YOUR RV
  1. Interest rates fluctuate with the prime rate resulting in variable payments – interest and unknown term.
  2. The credit lines were created for emergencies and investment opportunities – do not get caught without a contingency plan.
  3. Several lines of credit are secured by your home; lenders consider this a second mortgage – a default for some reason allows the bank to repossess your home.
  4. Lines of credit are considered as loans at interest only – resulting in long-term debt without assets.
  5. Your credit line is a demand note – your bank has the right to require payment in full, at their discretion, at any time, with or without reason. If you do not have the money to pay, they can use their right to compensation.
  6. Our Team of comprehensive financial services is the largest financial institutions and can negotiate on your behalf, the best terms and conditions – ultimately open loans can save you money and allow you to exchange more quickly.

The camping season is winding down. The summer slowly gives way to autumn. But remember that the camping season is not over until you winterized your trailer.

If you are an experienced RV camper, you know why winterizing your RV is so important. If you are new in this area, then consider that recommendation. Do not wait to have costly surprises during the next season. The coldness of winter can crack the pipes of your water system pretty easily because most of the pipes are made of PVC or a form of plastic. So to avoid costly repairs to your water system, structure your RV that could have been affected by water leaks, and of course in some cases, affect your warranty. I highly recommend that you follow these simple steps to spend a winter without hassle.

These steps can be done by yourself if you have handyman skills, but you can always bring your RV in a store near you that can perform this task with professional technicians. Again, these guidelines are intended to help with winterizing your trailer or fifth wheel. You should always consult your RV owner’s manual to ensure you do not forget anything.

You will need to gather a few items before starting. These items are available at Leisure Days Gatineau our parts department.

  • Two to three liters of antifreeze VR (quantities vary depending on your VR)
  • A set of bypass for water heater if it is not installed on your RV
  • An entire water pump conversion if it is not installed on your RV
  • Pliers and screwdrivers

Once you have gathered the necessary equipment, you can start winterizing your RV by following these simple steps:

  • If your RV is equipped with a water filter, remove or bypass it with a bypass set (different from the one mentioned above).
  • Empty the water container.
  • Drain, rinse and clean the gray and black water tanks.
  • Make sure the heater is turned off and the water is cold.
  • Remove the drain plug of the hot water tank (from the outer panel) and drain the tank.
  • Open all faucets (including outdoor shower if equipped) and valve toilet.
  • Open drainage lines for hot and cold water and let drain the system.
  • Once the system is drained of water, close all faucets and valves.
  • Open the panel of the heater, check and install a bypass all if it is not equipped. This will avoid filling your hot water tank with a few gallons of antifreeze useless.
  • Check if a set of conversion water pump is installed. Otherwise, install the conversion kit or disconnect the water inlet pipe to the water pump and if necessary, add a piece of pipe to be able to pump from the gallon of antifreeze.
  • Make sure the pipe is in the gallon of antifreeze and activate the water pump.
  • One by one, open each faucet (hot and cold).
  • Once you see the frost out of the tap, close it. Repeat for the other valves.
  • Remember flush until you see the frost.
  • Do not forget the outdoor shower.
  • Replace gallon of antifreeze when empty.
  • When all the lines are filled with antifreeze, close the water pump.
  • Open a faucet to release the pressure and close it.
  • If your water heater is equipped with a heater, turn it off.

I hope this guide will help you appreciate even more the wonderful world of caravanning and will ensure that you start your next season without surprises.

I invite you to watch the video on winterizing: