One of the first things we learned from all of our reading is as a new (and first time) owner you need a list.
All the horror stories... people pulling off with out their stabilizers up. They guy that took the unwanted bath, and then needed one because he didn't make sure his black tank valve was closed before he took the cover off.. it goes on and on. We stared at each other. "What the hell are we getting into" I thought.
We found several sites that had bits and pieces of we wanted or thought we needed in a list, but nothing that really matched up to our Tiny Camper, so we made one. Because our trips may include Hook-ups, or may be Boondocking and we wanted an all inclusive list that covered all that we needed. So we made the little list below to get us on our way. Obviously this isn't everything, but for those starting out it is a start. You can move this to a different file format that you can print each time then just check the boxes!
We hope you find it useful.
Here's a Downloadable version:
You can visit us on Instagram: @OurTiny.Camper
Mount - Dismount Checklist [ ] Stabilizers Up
[ ] Shore Connections Disconnected
[ ] Gas Off
[ ] Mount to Tow Vehicle with Sway Bar connected
[ ] 7pin connected
[ ] Wheels Chocked (Dismount) or unchocked (Mount)
PRE-TRIP [ ] Day before [ ] -- Move cooler in house
[ ] -- Load cooler with ice bricks [ ] -- Turn on fridge - 12v (120 if on Home Shore Power) [ ] -- Charge cordless drill
[ ] -- Connect Bluetooth to MPPT Controller and check battery status [ ] -- Connect shore power to house and turn on battery switch
[ ] Lower stabilizers [ ] Connect backup camera [ ] Load clothes/other items in camper (See Packing List)
[ ] Check Propane Tanks and refill if needed
DAY OF TRIP [ ] Load cooler and fridge [ ] Load all camping items (Chairs, tables, etc.)
[ ] Load solar panels if boondocking
[ ] Load 1 gallon of water to black tank and drop in tank pod
[ ] Disconnect shore, Mount camper to Tow Vehicle
SETUP: WITH HOOK UPS [ ] Disconnect Tow Vehicle Power [ ] Chock wheels
[ ] Tow Vehicle unmounted
[ ] Level trailer [ ] Lower stabilizers [ ] Lower steps [ ] Hook up shore power (If Available) [ ] Switch fridge from 12v to 120v (shore) [ ] Hook up water (If Available) [ ] Turn on gas [ ] Setup Camp SETUP: NO HOOK UPS [ ] Stop and fill up fresh tank [ ] Make sure waste tank valves are closed [ ] Disconnect Tow Vehicle Power
[ ] Chock wheels [ ] Tow Vehicle unmounted
[ ] Level trailer [ ] Lower stabilizers [ ] Lower steps [ ] Turn on gas [ ] Switch fridge from 12v to Gas
[ ] Set up Solar [ ] Setup Outside Camp
BREAK CAMP: NO HOOKUPS [ ] Break down outside Camp [ ] Stow away inside items [ ] Raise stabilizers [ ] Connect Tow Vehicle [ ] Connect Tow Vehicle Power [ ] Remove chocks [ ] Stow steps [ ] Switch fridge from Gas to 12v
[ ] Turn off gas [ ] Camp walk through before leaving [ ] Empty black and gray [ ] Empty trash BREAK CAMP: HOOKUPS [ ] Break down outside Camp [ ] Stow away inside items
[ ] Raise stabilizers [ ] Hitch Tow Vehicle
[ ] Connect Tow Vehicle Power [ ] Switch fridge from Shore to 12v [ ] Disconnect shore power [ ] Disconnect shore water [ ] Turn off gas [ ] Remove chocks [ ] Stow steps [ ] Camp walk through before leaving [ ] Empty black and gray [ ] Empty trash POST TRIP: HOME [ ] Chock wheels [ ] Disconnect Tow Vehicle Power
[ ] Drop Stabilizers [ ] Connect to shore power [ ] Remove items to house
[ ] Turn off fridge [ ] Clean camper Storage [ ] Chock wheels [ ] Disconnect Tow Vehicle
[ ] Set Level front jack
[ ] Lower stabilizers
[ ] Turn Off Power Disconnect [ ] Hitch lock [ ] Tank lock [ ] Lock Trailer Door, storage area all panels