Slides, jacks, hookups, tires, towing, and your final walk-around — 20 steps before you pull away. No sign-up. No app. Just run the list.
All 20 items follow a logical walk-around sequence — interior first, then hookups, then exterior, then towing.
Interior
Slides, jacks, vents, doors, fridge
Hookups
Shore power, water, sewer, propane
Exterior
Awning, bays, step, walk-around
Towing
Hitch, chains, breakaway, lights
RV Departure Checklist
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Checklist done — now plan the trip
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Reservation Alerts
Get notified before check-in so you can run your checklist, confirm weight compliance, and hit the road on time.
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Find and join RV meetups at campgrounds near you. Coordinate with your travel group, share stops, and arrive together.
Campground Reviews
Community-sourced real talk on sites, hookups, and amenities — not the sanitized marketing copy.
These six account for the majority of campground incidents and expensive repairs. Don't skip the list.
Driving with slides out
The single most expensive mistake in RVing. Even a short pull-forward with a slide deployed can total your RV. This is #1 on the list for a reason.
Forgetting the leveling jacks
Electric and hydraulic jacks dragging on pavement causes severe frame damage. Always verify all four corners are retracted before moving the rig.
Leaving the sewer hose connected
It happens more often than anyone admits. A drag-away sewer hose is a biohazard and a campground incident report. Physically walk to the connection.
Shore power still plugged in
Pulling out with the power cord still connected can damage the cord, the pedestal, and the RV's power inlet. Always physically unplug and stow.
Open vents at highway speed
Fan-Tastic vents and similar roof vents can be ripped off at highway speeds if left open. Check all roof hatches and vents before departure.
Trailer lights not checked
A non-working brake light or turn signal is both a safety hazard and a traffic stop. Always verify trailer lights before hitching up or departing.
Before departing, verify that all slides are retracted, leveling jacks are fully up, awning is stowed, shore power and water/sewer hookups are disconnected, all windows and vents are closed, the refrigerator door is latched, and you've completed a final walk-around. This checklist covers all 20 essential steps.
Driving away with slides still deployed or leveling jacks still down. Both can cause catastrophic, often unrepairable frame and sidewall damage within seconds of moving the rig.
Yes, always — even on short stays where you didn't set up much. A 60-second visual check catches dragging wires, an un-stowed step, an open bay door, or something left behind at the site.
Back the trailer up to a reflective surface (a garage door, another RV) and activate each circuit. Alternatively, a $15 trailer light tester plugs into the 7-pin connector and shows every circuit status without needing to move the rig.
Yes. Hit the '+ Add item' button at the bottom of the list to add custom steps — diesel generator check, slide toppers, manual transfer switch, satellite dish, etc. Your additions are saved in this browser.
Create a free account and your customized checklist is saved to your profile. Check off items on any device — phone, tablet, or desktop.