Pre-Departure Checklist for Your Zone RV

Essential Internal, External, and Safety Checks to Make Before Hitting the Road

Before setting off on an RV adventure, it is crucial to ensure that your vehicle is ready for the road. Taking the time to check your RV's internal, external, and safety features can help prevent accidents, damage to your RV, and ensure a stress-free journey.

Internal Check:

Turning off your RV's water heater, diesel heater, and pumps can help prevent leaks and conserve energy while on the road. Locking all drawers can prevent them from opening during travel, ensuring that all windows are locked in a closed position can prevent them from opening during travel. Open all window blinds to the "Travel" position to prevent them from flapping during travel.

Removing the TV from the wall mount and securing it, lowering the main table into the "Travel" position, and closing all roof hatches can prevent damage to your RV while traveling. Latching the fridge doors and the ensuite door in the "Travel" position can prevent them from opening during travel. Finally, stowing the showerhead on the floor wrapped in a towel or in the bathmat can prevent it from moving.

External Check:

To ensure external safety, it is essential to turn off gas bottle valves and disconnect the gas bayonet at the external kitchen to prevent gas leaks. Storing the external kitchen and securing catches firmly, closing and clipping all hatches and doors, including the glass entry door, can prevent them from opening during travel.

Securing awning latches/catches, tightening black thumb wheels, setting the stabilizer legs and entry step to the "Travel" position, disconnecting water, grey water, and grey water hoses, and disconnecting the mains electricity cord if connected can prevent electrical and water issues while on the road.

Safety Check:

Checking that safety chains and brake-safe lanyards are connected, ensuring that trailer and Anderson plugs are connected correctly, and checking lights and indicators to ensure they are functioning correctly can help prevent accidents while on the road. Checking that the coupling is secured and the cap is on, the jack is set in the "Travel" position, and the handbrake is released can also ensure a safe and smooth journey.

Wheel nuts/lugs & bearings:

Checking the torque of wheel nuts before departure can ensure they are tightened properly, and it is recommended to check and re-grease the wheel bearings after immersing the axles in water. If you have done a large trip that includes traversing water crossings, a wheel bearing service is required.

VIN/Compliance Plate, Tare & ATM:

Knowing your RV's ATM or maximum load capacity, TARE weight, tyre size, and recommended road pressure can help ensure that your vehicle is not overloaded, which can cause damage and compromise your safety. It is essential to note that exceeding the caravan's ATM and ball weight is illegal and doing so will void your warranty and most likely insurance.

Taking the time to check your RV's internal, external, and safety features before hitting the road can help prevent accidents, damage to your RV, and ensure a stress-free journey. Remember to always follow your RV's owner's manual and conduct regular maintenance checks to ensure your vehicle remains safe and roadworthy.