Before, during and after. Daily checks.

Helena · Guru

RE: Before, during and after. Daily checks.

Zoomtopz · Guru

Even if you have left th tug hook up , check th hitch .

Why , used to happen occasionally to a particular express transport co .

Driver in roadhouse having tea or late night snack/cuppa . Come out start

driving off , ooops trailer left on th ground . Some mongrel had pulled th pin

on him .

This happened to me th other week , took son's boat trailer in to get some

work on it , electrical pins(could not get l/blink&brakelight) unhooked . Mate &

I fixedit , hooking back up , I am doing safety chains& elect pin , he was winding

down leg , told me to get out of way , pushing me away . Had to go & get son

from school , got back looked at hitch & it was sitting on top of ball!!!!!!

Yes shock horror , two blokes with 84yrs of semi driving between us , when he

wound th leg down & folded it up he thought I locked th hitch , but you pushed

me out of th way . Won't get caught again . Oh back to pulling th pin trick .

Most of us walk around the truck checking everything as we pull up . When I

got back to truck to go , espec at night , I would get torch & go round again ,

checking Pin First , to make sure nobody had pulled it out .

Richo

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Caravan Check List - HOOK UP & DEPARTURE
Close and lock all windows
Close and secure front window protector
Awning mechanisms locked and secured for travel
Turn off gas bottle taps
Switch fridge to 12 volt (DC)
Check contents of fridge are safe & secure for travel
Remove TV and secure for travel
Remove Microwave plate and secure for travel
Check all cupboards locked and ensure items inside are safe to travel
POP TOPS
Lower roof and Secure all 4 Roof locking latches
Disconnect 240 Volt lead and pack in front boot
Disconnect Co-axial cable Coil evenly & secure twist wire
Raise stabilisers and lock in position for travel
Fit mirrors to vehicle
Hook up van & fit chains (cross chains) (ensure ball latch is engaged)
Attach electrical plug to vehicle (check lights for operation)
Fit level riders
(TIP - use jockey wheel to raise hitch enabling an easier attachment of level riders)
Remove jockey wheel and store in front boot
Release Brake controller (flip locking latch away from teeth)
Close and lock front boot
Close and lock caravan door
Return Keys, co-axial cable to Caravan Park office and advise staff member
you are leaving.
Ensure hand brake is off on towing vehicle, fasten seat belts travel safe

Nicholstones · Guru

_wombat_ wrote:
Caravan Check List - HOOK UP & DEPARTURE
Close and lock all windows
Close and secure front window protector
Awning mechanisms locked and secured for travel
Turn off gas bottle taps
Switch fridge to 12 volt (DC)
Check contents of fridge are safe & secure for travel
Remove TV and secure for travel
Remove Microwave plate and secure for travel
Check all cupboards locked and ensure items inside are safe to travel
POP TOPS
Lower roof and Secure all 4 Roof locking latches
Disconnect 240 Volt lead and pack in front boot
Disconnect Co-axial cable Coil evenly & secure twist wire
Raise stabilisers and lock in position for travel
Fit mirrors to vehicle
Hook up van & fit chains (cross chains) (ensure ball latch is engaged)
Attach electrical plug to vehicle (check lights for operation)
Fit level riders
(TIP - use jockey wheel to raise hitch enabling an easier attachment of level riders)
Remove jockey wheel and store in front boot
Release Brake controller (flip locking latch away from teeth)
Close and lock front boot
Close and lock caravan door
Return Keys, co-axial cable to Caravan Park office and advise staff member
you are leaving.
Ensure hand brake is off on towing vehicle, fasten seat belts travel safe

We have a few extras on our checklist, such as

Rooftop vents closed

Toilet closed

Water bottles in car

Matting lifted, folded and stored

Step inside (before locking door)

TV aerial down

Tap fitting retrieved

and a few other things that are probably specific to our particular setup.

Although we don't actually have allocated jobs, we tend to usually do the same jobs. No matter who's done what, we both check all inside checklist items together, usually I (Wendy) check all outside items, even if I actually did them I still go back and check them.

jack biggles · Senior Member

Wow, some comprehensive lists there, way to go.

As Im STILL WAITING for my van, perhaps I should start working on my check list. I intend to get it laminated and hang it from my overhead roof console, so I can't see through the windscreen when I get in to drive off. I can program my onboard computer to screech commands at me when I get in the car, this is obviously the way to slip into retirement easily & not feel as if Im missing anything.

Alternatively I could just drive around with stuff falling off the van & the awning out or something like that - which sounds expensive.

Esmeralda · Guru

Thanks guys for the chcklists - I was just about to write one as I head off on my first solo trip on Tuesday, and now there is no need. Thanks again.

Es

NandK · Senior Member

We lost the knob on the awning on our first trip with our new van,wife after putting the awning leg in place forgot to tighten black knob,i forgot to check it.
Now we double check everything and glad to say we haven't lost anything since.

Happywanderer · The Master

After travelling at least 40 ks on my 2nd or 3rd day with the gas still on, I have written in marker pen on my sun visor., Turn gas off --- Put fridge on 12 vlt ---- Pull down poptop. Couple of time the 10 litle water bottle fell over and leaked so now have an occy strap set up to keep it in place. Also have another occy strap that goes across the cupboards so they don't come open
After all my disasters If you have an older vehicle add to the list, Check Oil and water.
The morning I left Kumbia a chap in a 4 wheel drive backed out of his space straight into the only tree in the area. Bent in the back wheel a bit and made a heck of a loud bang that attracted everyones attention and go running.

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Thank you for the list! We havent had a formal list, although we both check each others preparations, and always walk around the campsite... so far havent left behind a doormat but have seen it done!
Am going to write a formal check list now.

daretodream · Newbie

Occasionally, because I'm female, a kind gent will help to get me on the road. Sometimes one of my sons or son-in-laws will assist, because again 'I'm a girl', and that is the times when something will go wrong. People who don't tow, don't know.

So now, I don't assume that just because they are men, they will know what to check or what to do. I check and I re-do everything, just in case and I thank my helper with much gratitude, because, you know, I'm only a girl. wink and I hate changing tyres.