A setup and tear-down checklist can help keep you organized and ready for adventure at a moment’s notice. A checklist will also help you to keep your rig in good shape, because you are not forgetting to secure a hose, lower the tv antenna, or leaving the water pump on.
Remember to review the validity of your checklist from time to time. It’s a living document. As an example, my checklist below needs to be modified to include the connect and disconnect process for the Toad.
Grizz is a 40 foot diesel pusher, so not all items on this list may apply in your situation. Conversely, you may need to add items to this list for your rig. For example, if you have a travel trailer, you won’t be needing to air up your suspension prior to departure, but you might need to ensure your scissor jacks are up, or your leveling blocks are stowed.
Safe travels!
Arrival
- Check position in site for accessibility of water/power/sewer connections, as well as room for extension of slides.
- Engage auto-levelling.
- Extend Slides
- Connect electrical
- Test Power
- Turn off pedestal
- Insert tester
- Turn on pedestal, observe results
- Turn off pedestal, remove tester
- Connect surge protector
- Connect motorhome to surge protector
- Turn on pedestal
- Test Power
- Connect Water
- Run shore water for 30-60 seconds, until clear
- Connect pressure regulator
- Connect water filter
- Connect fresh water connection from motorhome to filter
- Turn on water, observing and adjusting pressure as needed (no more than 40 psi)
- Open taps inside (hot and cold) until air is removed from lines
- Connect Sewage
- Attach sewer hose to motorhome and shore sewer dump hole
- Turn on propane
- Turn on water heater
- Observe interior power panel, ensuring proper connections.
- Extend awnings, wind permitting
Departure
- Retract awnings
- Turn off:
- Water heater
- Water Pump
- Ensure a small amount of water is in the toilet to maintain seal
- HVAC
- Roof vent fans
- Propane
- TVs, Radios, lights, etc.
- Ensure windows and roof vents are closed and secured
- Lower TV antenna
- Secure all loose objects
- Ensure refrigerator doors are secured
- Stow outside equipment in bays
- Disconnect fresh water, stow hose, filter, and pressure regulator
- Perform dump
- Dump black tank, close handle
- Dump gray tank, close handle
- Flush black tank
- Attach black tank flush hose (orange, only used for black flush)
- Run flush
- Open black tank dump after 30-60 seconds
- Repeat as needed until output runs clear
- Turn off water when output is clear, disconnect orange hose.
- Ensure black tank dump valve is closed
- Stow all dump hoses after capping
- Disconnect shore power
- Turn off pedestal
- Unplug surge protector from pedestal and motorhome cord, stow
- Retract motorhome cord
- Stow dog bones, if used
- Disconnect cable TV and stow cord, if used
- Retract slides
- Retract jacks
- Perform final walk around
- Ensure all bays are closed and locked
- Ensure Toad is secure
- 7-pin, air, breakaway cable
- Light test
- Tug test
- Start engine to air up
- Ensure wife is in co-pilot chair
- Drive away