(Because RV life is 50% freedom and 50% not forgetting the sewer hose.)

Some people travel with spontaneity. They toss a bag in the car, grab a coffee, and just go.

We do not live in that universe.

We travel in a world where forgetting one small thing can turn into:

  • an extra stop

  • an expensive fix

  • or a “how is this happening again” moment in the dark

So yes: our checklists have checklists.
And frankly, it’s the only thing standing between us and chaos.

1) RV Life Has Too Many Moving Parts for “I’ll Remember”

People who don’t RV assume you can wing it.

But RVing involves systems — plural:

  • power

  • water

  • sewer

  • propane

  • slides

  • stabilisers

  • tyres

  • hitch components

  • cabinets that want to explode open at speed

That’s not “just a trip.” That’s a mobile operation.

Checklists aren’t overkill. They’re risk management.

2) The Checklist Started Simple… Then RV Life Happened

It began as a cute little note:

  • keys

  • wallets

  • phone charger

And then reality expanded the scope.

Now the checklist includes things like:

  • water pressure regulator

  • surge protector

  • chocks before unhooking

  • fridge latch

  • vents closed

  • antenna down

  • steps up

  • “did we actually lock the storage bay this time?”

This is what growth looks like. Unhinged, but organised.

3) We Have Categories Because We’ve Been Hurt Before

Our checklists don’t live in one list. They live in departments.

Pre-Drive Checklist

Because travel day has consequences:

  • hitch locked

  • safety chains crossed

  • lights tested

  • tyre pressure checked

  • stabilisers up

  • windows latched

  • awning secured (always)

Arrival Checklist

Because “we’ll handle it later” never ends well:

  • level side-to-side, then front-to-back

  • chock wheels

  • stabilisers

  • power first (or surge protector first, if you respect your appliances)

  • water hookups checked for leaks

  • sewer only when needed (and with dignity)

Night Checklist

Because RVs get dramatic after dark:

  • outside gear secured

  • doors locked

  • steps in

  • vents adjusted

  • “where is the flashlight?” confirmed

4) We Also Have a “Checklist for the Checklist”

This is the elite level.

Because sometimes you have a checklist… but you forget to use the checklist.

So now we have:

  • a laminated sheet by the door

  • a phone note

  • a quick verbal run-through

  • and a habit of saying, “Checklist?” like a safe word

It’s not intense. It’s efficient.

5) Checklists Prevent the Classic RV Betrayals

They save you from:

  • driving off with the antenna up

  • leaving the chocks in place (and wondering why the rig won’t move)

  • forgetting the sewer cap (pure humiliation)

  • opening slides while unlevel (doom)

  • leaving the fridge unlatched (the cabinet apocalypse)

Checklists don’t make you less fun.
They make you less stressed.

6) The True Benefit: Less Arguing, More Camping

Here’s the corporate truth: checklists streamline operations.

Instead of: “Did you do that?”
“I thought you did it.”
“No, you said you did it.”

You get: “We followed the list.”
“Great.”
“Coffee?”

It’s harmony through process.

Final Thoughts

We don’t use checklists because we’re rigid.
We use them because RV life is chaotic, and we’d like our trips to be fun — not an ongoing series of preventable incidents.

So yes:
our checklists have checklists.
And honestly? That’s not over-planning.

That’s experience.

🐟 Want fewer last-minute surprises before you even arrive? Use Campground Views to preview the site layout and conditions so your checklist doesn’t need a “panic addendum.”