Owning a new trailer can be a very anxiety-inducing experience. First-timers face a simple 46 step process to get in and out of a campsite. Skip a step or do something wrong, and you may be facing costly damage to your new investment. Don’t worry, someone from the dealer will walk you through the process once before sending you out on your own.

And if you are able to get through it the first time by yourself, you still have to remember all the steps in reverse to get back home. And then do it again in a couple weeks.

A year into camper ownership, much of this has become relatively second nature, but I never would have made it through without some good checklists. I found great lists online and adapted them to my specific needs. So now it is time to pass it on.

Of course this is our process for my set up. Everyone has a slightly different procedure, so I have included the check lists for arrival and departure in excel spread sheet form. Feel free to customize, print and take with you on your next adventure!

Day Before Departure

	Turn on propane
	Check propane levels
	Close refrigerator door
	Turn on refrigerator
	Relock Trailer

Before Leaving

	Turn battery disconnect to ON position
	Turn on propane and refrigerator if not done before
	Dump out DampRid
	Check battery water levels
	Replace water heater anode
	Check for tire inflation and check lug nuts
	Check that ball is securely attached
	Check that cross pin and lock on hitch are in place and secure
	Check the electrical connector for loose or frayed wires at the plug and where it is connected to the tow vehicles wiring
	Attach ball mount to truck
	Insert hitch pin and secure with alligator clip
	Remove bolt from coupler
	Raise coupler release
	Grease ball if necessary
	Back up TV, aligning coupler and ball
	Lower coupler onto ball until ball is securely in coupler
	If couple won’t seat, gently roll truck forward a half inch
	Press coupler release down and attach coupler bolt
	Raise trailer and truck to neutral position by raising jack
	Insert weight distribution hitch bars
	Hook current link of chain on hook of bracket
	Use bar lever on arm of bracket to raise hook and lock in place
	Insert alligator clips
	Attach sway bar
	Turn sway bar handle to increase tension
	Raise jack to stop line
	Remove pin and remove trailer foot
	Attach safety chains
	Attach breakaway switch cable
	Connect 7-way electrical from trailer to truck
	Store levelers and chocks
	Return all tools to bin
	Lock storage bins
	Lock trailer
	Put away steps
	Store hand bar
	Check: headlights, turn signals, brakes, flashers
	Final walk around trailer
	Pull out

Arriving at site

Before getting to site if water is needed:

	Connect water to site spigot
	Connect water to fresh water tank
	Turn on water
	Turn on faucets (especially hot water heater)

When first at site:

	Check to make sure room for slide out (2ft), awning (8ft)
	Pull trailer into place
	Line up power source
	Complete side-to-side level check – use levelers
	Chock Wheels

If site has electric:

	Check pedestal power
	* Turn the onshore breaker to OFF
	* Plug in yellow surge protector
	* Turn onshore breaker to ON
	* Read surge protector
	* Turn OFF onshore breaker
	Plug power cord into trailer then pedestal
	Turn the breaker ON

Unhooking from tow vehicle:

	Disconnect 7-way electrical cable
	Attach tongue foot and pin
	Move tongue foot down, raise trailer to neutral posistion
	Remove sway bar
	Remove alligator clips from hook bars
	Use bar lever on hook bar arm to lower chain hook
	Remove weight distribution bars
	Remove coupler latch bolt
	Lower trailer with jack
	Release coupler latch
	Raise tongue with jack until tongue clears ball
	Disconnect tow chains and breakaway switch cable to tow vehicle
	Reattach coupler pin
	Move tow vehicle forward
	Put ball cover on ball
	Raise or lower tongue jack to level trailer front to rear
	Lower trailer stabilizer jacks
	Recheck level

Other outside setup:

	Install X-chocks
	Set up rug, chairs, etc.
	Open hot eater outside panel cover and flip outside switch IF WATER IS FILLED

If stie has water:

	Connect hose to spigot
	Connect hose to trailer
	Turn water on

If site has sewer:

	Connect sewer hose and make sure both ends are secure
	Open gray water if staying a few days, DO NOT OPEN BLACK WATER

Arrival inside:

	Check top of slide for slide lock
	Check outside for room for slide
	Deploy slide
	Open bathroom fan and turn on
	Start heater or AC if needed
	Raise TV antenna
	Turn on TV booster
	Open exhaust vent
	Deploy awning
	Put out rugs, trash can, etc.

Departure

Inside:

	Unplug mattress
	Refrigerator items into cooler
	Turn refrigerator off
	Close and lock bathroom fan
	Close vent over bed
	Retract TV antenna
	Turn off TV booster
	Secure TV
	Turn off radio
	Clean toilet and bathroom
	If black water less than 3/4 full, add water
	Stow loose items
	Check all cabinet doors
	Check all windows
	Secure blind over kitchen sink
	Turn off thermostat
	Turn off all lights
	Water pump off
	Water heater off inside
	Drain water heater
	Check slide tops for debris
	Retract slide
	Add slide lock if needed
	Check awning locks
	Retract awning
	Lock shower
	Discard trash

Outside:

	Fold up and stow carpet, chairs, outside items
	Turn pedestal power OFF
	Disconnect shore power and stow cord
	Sewer Dump – see attached
	Disconnect and stow water hose
	Open fresh water valve to drain tank
	Water heater off outside
	Turn off propane tank
	Raise stabilizer jacks
	Remove bolt from coupler
	Raise coupler release
	Lift trailer via jack, if necessary
	Back up TV, aligning coupler and ball
	Lower coupler onto ball until ball is securely in coupler
	If couple won’t seat, gently roll truck forward a half inch
	Press coupler release down and attach coupler bolt
	Raise trailer and truck to neutral position by raising jack
	Insert weight distribution hitch bars
	Hook current link of chain on hook of bracket
	Use bar lever on arm of bracket to raise hook and lock in place
	Insert alligator clips
	Attach sway bar
	Turn sway bar handle to increase tension
	Raise jack to stop line
	Remove pin and remove trailer foot
	Attach safety chains
	Attach breakaway switch cable
	Connect 7-way electrical from trailer to truck
	Store levelers and chocks
	Return all tools to bin
	Lock storage bins
	Lock trailer
	Put away steps
	Store hand bar
	Check: headlights, turn signals, brakes, flashers
	Final walk around trailer
	Pull out

Sewer Dump:

	Make sure black water is 3/4 full
	Put on plastic gloves
	Connect black tank flush hose to flush connector (if available)
	Connect clear swivel to hose
	Connect hose to trailer
	Connect adapter to to swivel
	Place adapter in ground
	Double check all connections-quickly pull then close gray water to test
	Pull valve to open black tank
	After black tank mostly empty turn on water connected to black tank flush (if available)
	Turn off black tank flush and allow to drain
	Close black tank valve
	Open gray tank valve – allow to drain
	Close gray tank valve
	Recheck both black water and gray water slides
	Disconnect sewer hose
	Replace cap
	Use fresh water to spray out hose
	Replace end caps
	Put all caps in sewer hose container
	Put deodorizer in trailer toilet with 1 gallon water

Putting in storage:

	Park trailer
	Chock wheels
	Disconnect 7-way electrical cable
	Attach tongue foot and pin
	Move tongue foot down, raise trailer to neutral position
	Remove sway bar
	Remove alligator clips from hook bars
	Use bar lever on hook bar arm to lower chain hook
	Remove weight distribution bars
	Remove coupler latch bolt
	Lower trailer with jack
	Release coupler latch
	Raise tongue with jack until tongue clears ball
	Disconnect tow chains and breakaway switch cable to tow vehicle
	Reattach coupler pin
	Move tow vehicle forward
	Remove ball mount
	Raise or lower tongue jack to level trailer front to rear
	Turn battery disconnect to OFF
	Set out Damprid, dehumidifier
	Open fridge and freezer doors – prop open
	Look storage and trailer door
	Close gate and padlock

We now do most of this by memory, but like to check back in every now and then. What other processes and systems do you use?