In 2021 and 2022, Elizabeth and I towed our Keystone Hideout 253RL travel trailer across the country and up into Atlantic Canada. Over those two years, we hauled the RV 17,400 miles behind our F-150 pickup truck. We unhitched and re-hitched the RV at nearly 100 campgrounds. We could not have done it without the master checklist below.
At every stop, we would pull up the checklist on our phones and follow it religiously. Granted, pulling an RV is not rocket science, but as normal Baby Boomers, we didn’t want to rely on perfect recall every time. We sold the RV earlier this year, but I wanted to post our checklist with the thought that it could be useful to other RVers.
![](https://danielgriswold.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/rv-1.jpeg?w=768)
The checklist begins with our three phases of breaking camp–closing up the RV, disconnecting it from the campground hook-ups, and hitching it to the truck. We then go through a short list of items before pulling out for the next destination. Once we arrive at the next camp, the checklist covers pulling into the camp site, unhitching the RV, and connecting the utility hookups. Our checklist ends with leaving the RV behind for a day or two, winterizing it, and then de-winterizing it the next spring.
This list evolved from experience–some of it hard-won. We hope this list will help other RVers avoid any miscues and cover all their bases. Feel free to copy it and modify it for your own use.
Breaking camp & hitting the road
- Full tank of gas before hitching!
- Install side mirror extenders on truck (make sure they aren’t too cold and brittle before fastening to truck)
Interior checklist before travel (Phase 1)
- Close all vents and windows
- Make sure all doors are secured and cabinets closed
- Secure the two easy chairs
- Secure loose items in storage compartments
- Make sure refrigerator doors are closed and latched
- Latch bedroom door, and close bathroom door.
- Turn off main heat/AC.
- Turn off water heater
- Empty gray and black holding tanks
- Disconnect and store sewer hoses
- Check that slide out roof is free of debris
- Retract slide out after clearing path of any floor debris
- Turn all circuit breakers to off
- Keep code handy for RV park bathrooms
- Retract both sets of stairs
- Check that both outside doors are shut tight and locked
External checklist (Phase 2)
- Close propane tank valve
- Disconnect cable TV
- Disconnect water hose
- Disconnect electrical cable
- Raise both stabilizers
Hitching up! Once RV is closed and stabilizers retracted (Phase 3):
- Connect receiver ball to truck
- Raise RV hitch to level above ball (may be there already)
- Back truck ball under hitch
- Lower RV so hitch fits on ball, ball snug to front, full weight on truck— enough so pin hitch goes all the way forward
- Fasten hitch ball latch and pin (pull truck slightly forward if needed)
- Raise RV to attach support bars—only get it high enough as needed—to middle of bar code on crow bar
- Attach left support bar, fasten bar with pin
- Repeat for support bar on other side
- Retract tongue jack to be level with bars; full weight of RV falls on ball hitch
- Remove and store leveler blocks that were under jack
- Attach one chain to opposite side
- Attach other chain
- Attach emergency brake wire
- Plug in signal cord
- Remove chocks from tires
- Make sure pass through doors are locked before departing
- Check turn signals and break lights for proper operation
- Pull forward slightly and manually check trailer brakes
- Remove level adjuster blocks from under tires (if used) when free
Before pulling out and while driving
- Adjust mirror extension
- Pray!
- Cue up Google maps for next destination— Identify potential stopping points along the way if needed
- Engage tow haul button!
Along the way
- Check vehicle hitching set at every rest stop
When arriving at campground
- Pull RV forward or back it to most level spot
- Leave at least four feet clearing for slide-out
- If backing in, back in looking over left shoulder for best driver view
- Get out and look (or GOAL, for short)!
- Before unhitching RV, check level of interior
- Adjust left to right with leveler blocks if needed
- Once RV is level, place wheel chocks
Unhitching RV from truck
- Disconnect signal cord
- Disconnect right and left chains
- Disconnect emergency brake wire
- Place two or more levelers underneath tongue jack
- Raise RV to ease removal of support bars—no higher!
- Detach left support bar
- Detach right support bar
- Stow support bars and hitches in pass through
- Lower RV enough that weight of RV rests fully on the ball
- Disconnect hitch and pin from receiver
- Reattach pin
- Raise RV until hitch clears ball to allow truck to drive away
- Drive truck away from RV
- Recheck the interior level gauge front and back—adjust tongue jack as needed
- Lower stabilizers to engage the ground
Connecting hookups at campground
- Make sure circuit breaker is turned off at campsite electrical hookup
- Connect surge protector and RV power cord to campsite 120 V/30 amp outlet
- Turn campsite circuit breaker on
- Check that the two green lights in surge protector are glowing
- Open valve on propane gas tank
- Connect water surge regulator at source of water supply, then hose to unit
- Turn on camp water valve
- Open the main door to RV and lower step
- Turn on circuit breakers—listen for beep of microwave
- Check if refrigerator light is on
- Open slide out
- Remove receiver from truck and store
Before leaving RV behind at campsite for extended period:
- Turn off lights
- Turn off heat
- Turn off fireplace
- Close curtains
- Turn off propane tank
- Retract awning
- Lock pass thru
- Lock doors
Winterizing/storage
Make sure to have on hand:
- 2 gallons pink non-toxic RV antifreeze
- Tube for feeding water pump
Steps to winterize RV
- Drain the water heater. Remove rod and open release valve. Be sure water is not hot!
- Open red and blue low-point drains outside near the waste water drain.
- Open all hot and cold faucets, including outside shower.
- Open the fresh water drain on the undercarriage and let water fully drain.
- Turn off all faucets that you opened in Step 3, including low-point drains outside.
- Turn the water heater bypass valve to “on.” This is the white T switch at the front of the heater.
- Remove the access panel to the water pump.
- Connect the anti-freeze to the intake valve of the pump via pick-up tube.
- Turn on the water pump.
- Open each faucet and flush the toilet until pink anti-freeze is flowing through the line.
- Turn off the water pump.
- Pour a quart of the antifreeze into the toilet to preserve seal.
- Turn off and clean out refrigerator and leave doors ajar.
- Remove all perishables and stuff we want.
- Check for leaks under sink.
- Close all blinds.
- Open awning to dry and then retract.
- Fit wheel covers.
- Place chalks on tires.
- Disconnect battery.
- Double check that doors and pass through are locked.
When removing RV from storage:
- Reconnect battery.
- Connect to electricity to charge battery.
- Screw rod back into water heater.
- Turn off water heater bypass.
- Connect to city water or add to water tank.
- Turn on water heater.
- Run all taps until pink antifreeze is flushed out.
- Turn on refrigerator.