From maintenance and paperwork to packing and test drives - your complete pre-departure guide for a trouble-free RV adventure.
Planning
We're all different. Some people like to have a fairly loose schedule, others like to plan and book well ahead. However you travel, doing some pre-trip research is always a good idea, especially if you are travelling in peak times. Caravan park users will sadly know that booking ahead is essential in many destinations these days, especially during school holidays and seasonal peaks, such as Broome in the dry season.
Although many travellers use a GPS and apps like CMCA Traveller for navigation, some RVers are old school and prefer paper maps like those from Camps Australia Wide or Hema Maps. Choose what suits your needs best.
Think in advance about how you will while away the long hours on the road before you set off. Music, podcasts and audio books are a great way to pass the time and keep the driver alert. These days, smartphones loaded with your favourite playlists, books and podcasts can be plugged into the in-car audio or remotely connected via Bluetooth.
Paperwork
Before you set off, double check that your vehicle (and caravan) registration, insurance and roadside assistance are up to date. If the renewal is due while you're away, and normally comes in the mail, make sure you put the due date in your diary and have the capability to pay remotely. Back home, ensure your other bills – like house insurance, council rates and utilities are also paid up and/or scheduled for payment. You don't want any back-home worries while travelling.
Maintenance
For any vehicle, be it a motorhome, caravan or tow car, it's imperative that maintenance and servicing are up to date. While long-term travellers will have to routinely tend to these tasks on the road, intermittent RVers should check their maintenance schedule before each trip.
A motorhome does have some advantages here, because there's only one vehicle to consider, but for a caravan or fifth wheeler, the tow vehicle must be maintained as well. In addition to the engine and drive mechanicals, items to check include batteries, electrical systems (including running lights), gas appliances, suspension and tyres. For towed RVs, make sure all electrical connections to the tow vehicle are functioning correctly.
For tyres, the air pressure should be checked before departure and regularly while on the road. Owning a quality tyre pressure gauge saves visiting a service station before a morning departure, and knowing the correct tyre pressure for your caravan or motorhome (it can vary) is mandatory for good tyre life.
While quite a few service items require professional attention, things like the fridge, air-conditioning, water heater and lighting can be DIY checked to make sure they are functioning correctly. With an appliance like a fridge, particularly with a three-way unit, test it on all energy supplies – 240V, 12V and gas. Regularly replace the batteries on emergency devices like smoke and CO2 detectors.
Power leads can have a tough life on the road, so get a 'tag and test' safety check for peace of mind. The next best thing is a thorough visual inspection of the lead's insulation, which can be done by slowly rolling or unrolling the power cord and inspecting for any cuts, fraying, kinks or melted sections.
Cleaning
Any RV that has been in storage for a while will get grubby, even when it's been standing still. It's advisable to give everything a clean, inside and out, before you depart. Cleaning doubles as an opportunity to inspect the RV and uncover any problems. After washing, leave the windows open for a while to ventilate the interior. This makes the RV fresh and ready to drive away.
Test Drive
If your RV has been parked for a few months, a short test drive is recommended to ensure everything, including the lights, brakes and tow hitch, is functioning correctly. It's far better to discover a problem before you hit the road, than on day one of your trip. The brake function is particularly important.
Packing
We all travel differently. However, to keep your RV weight down, it's a good idea to do a thorough audit of your gear to assess and offload what isn't needed for your upcoming trip. To avoid overpacking, get in the habit of unloading everything but the necessities after each journey. That way you won't be carrying unneeded items like winter jackets on a summer holiday or firewood during seasonal fire restrictions.
One Last Thing
If you haven't weighed your fully loaded rig in a while, it's important to get it weighed. Either locate a public weigh bridge or use a mobile weigh service. There are two good reasons for this. One, road authorities are cracking down on overweight RVs. And two, driving an overweight vehicle/towing combination is unsafe and may void your insurance.
Safe travels!
