Once you get into a rhythm….everyone has their own checklist of what to do when it’s time to pack up and head home. If your RV is new-to-you or you are new-to-RVing, it’s nice to have some kind of template to serve as a reminder. The previous owners on my last two rigs were kind enough to leave me a huge notebook with all kinds of manuals, receipts, and goodies including their set up and tear down checklists. (A quick Google search and Pinterest search came up with oodles of them for all kinds of RVs.)
Just don’t get too comfortable…..
When Mr. Queen Bee and I traveled together in our Travel Trailer, we divvied things up between outside tasks and inside tasks. Even when we thought we had it all memorized, inevitably we would overlook something. Early on, we pulled the ole: left the power cord plugged into the receptacle and started to drive away. Yep, embarrassing but true. I looked in the rear view mirror and saw the long black cord trailing us down the street. Thank goodness it didn’t ruin the plug and I figured it out within about 50 feet from the house! And, don’t get me started about all of the things on the interior that I thought were secure and were not–like the full bag of vine-ripe tomatoes that I had just bought at the roadside stand. This photo of the La Tomatina in Spain closely reflects my findings upon arriving home!
One super important piece of advice I have heard on countless podcasts and videos: stick with the same system and do it all yourself. Or, if you travel as a couple, assign each task to one of you and stick to that system, no variances. Even when well-intended friends or fellow campers offer to help, politely decline. Why? When there are items on your checklist that include personal safety and also costly or irreplaceable things, you just have to know that it was done correctly and nobody can ensure that besides you!
Here is my short and sweet list for packing up my Class C Fleetwood Jamboree (motorhome):
- Turn on some fun music on the bluetooth speaker or your wireless headphones. Why? From the moment I started camping again as an adult, I have developed this overwhelming reaction the minute I start packing for home and spend the next hour or so choking back tears. I love RVing so much and don’t want to leave! I have learned that I need to distract myself with some upbeat music and maybe even a cold beverage. My recent packing up fave is Jazzy Brunch on Pandora.
- Strip the beds
- Clean kitchen and bathroom while still connected to water and electric
- Pull in the slide
- Pull up the stabilizer jacks
- Crank down TV and satellite antennas
- Close vent fans
- Move glass microwave plate from carousel and store in soft place
- Secure: Cabinet doors, items in refrigerator and freezer, pantry doors
- Clear countertops in kitchen and bathroom
- Move showerhead to the floor of shower and latch shower door
- All shades open so I can see back there while driving
- Power down: TV, VCR, Satellite receiver, Hot water heater, AC or Furnace
- Turn off propane
- Disconnect water, electric, sewer (if applicable)
- Prep two jugs of water for pouring down toilet after waste water dumped
- Check tire pressure
- Double check all cargo doors
- Remove chocks
- Final walk around before leaving campsite
- Power on: Inverter, water pump, generator if going to use while driving
- Move chargers, sunglasses, purse, phone to cab area
NOTE: Keep in mind that a Travel Trailer, 5th Wheel, and other types of rigs will have different checklists containing all kinds of extra or fewer gadgets.
When I get home, all I have left to do is:
- unload the frig, all food, clothes/laundry, and the toiletries/meds tub
- vacuum (I don’t do this until I get home because I inevitably mess it up when unloading)
- clean frig
- close all of the shades
- OH, and put out the mouse repellent!! We live in the country, so there’s that.
What else do you have on your teardown list? Let me know in the comments below and help out a fellow RVer!
