Start outside
Walk around the RV before turning the key. Check tires visually, lights, mirrors, storage doors, awnings, steps, and anything the manufacturer’s departure checklist calls for.
Then check inside
Close drawers and cabinets, secure loose objects, confirm refrigerator or cooking arrangements, and make sure nothing can fall during the first hard turn.
Verify utilities
Disconnect shore power, water, and other campsite connections correctly. Stow hoses and cables so they cannot drag or become trapped.
Look at the route
Know the first fuel stop and any obvious height, weight, or road restrictions that matter to your vehicle. If towing, account for the trailer’s requirements too.
Do a brake-and-light check
For trailers, confirm the required connection and lights before departure. If anything seems wrong, stop and resolve it before joining high-speed traffic.
Finish with one slow walk
Walk the site once more after everything is packed. The final inspection is where forgotten chocks, cables, and exterior equipment are often found.
One trip scenario to keep in mind
A useful RV departure check should happen slowly enough that you can notice what your routine normally skips. Walk the outside, look at the tires and lights, check storage doors, and confirm that campsite connections are properly disconnected and stowed. Inside, close cabinets and secure loose items. The inspection is not about predicting every failure; it is about catching the ordinary mistakes that happen when people are eager to leave.
A practical way to use the advice
The best pre-departure routine is one you can repeat without thinking. Keep the order consistent: exterior inspection, interior security, utility disconnection, route check, then final walk. Repetition makes omissions easier to spot because a missing step becomes noticeable instead of being hidden inside a different routine every weekend.
