Hi There,
We are getting ready to leave for our first trip in our new (to us:) coach! We purchased the beginning of May and it's been stored on our property ever since. We have been running the gen and coach periodically. Just wanted to see if there was a checklist out there for what to inspect before we move it.
Any help would be appreciated!
Kath & Mike
Not sure if you are aware of Barry's pre purchase survey but there are some good items on it that would apply as pre departure as well. Go to Beamalarm.com and peruse the files. It is the single most informative site outside of this one on our coaches. As another recent purchaser, I have spent hours on it just learning new systems.
Enjoy!
Have you had the tires checked for wear & tear/ pressure? ^.^d
Welcome to the fun!
There are all sorts of checklists available online, but the best one is the one you develop for your own situation. For example, one item on our list isn't on any other list that I've seen - put away the stained glass window. Basically, you want to get everything inside secured or stowed so that it can't become a lethal weapon aimed at your heads should you have to make a panic stop. Outside, you want to make sure that everything is put away (awnings, tire covers, chairs, etc.), the engine is ready (check oil, etc.), and the towed is properly hooked up.
Big suggestion: if you are interrupted at any point START OVER. Don't assume that you will remember what you were doing.
Second big suggestion: One of you should do the inside while the other does the outside. Before starting out, each of you should check the other one's work.
I do the outside my wife does the inside. A couple things on my list that happen before the coach moves every time check under the hood, check tire pressure. And lastly I don't Ever move the coach even a little bit with awnings bay doors open or any utilities hooked up. Sooner or later bad things will happen don't ask how I know.
A friend of mine (drives a SOB) had a rope tied from his ladder to a tree to hang swim suits, towels, etc. Pulled the ladder right off...
Same guy forgot he drained his inboard/outboard tranny before storage, locked up going full bore across the lake....
Haven't seen him in a few years...
My wife developed a series of multi colored "slap bands" with labels covering everything we do from tire pressure check to closing the trap door in the service bay to switching off the antenna booster to ???? People always look curiously at the multicolored rings on our steering wheel and ask about them. She says it's our memory-ha!
Like Bruce and Linda, I'm the outside guy and she is the inside gal. Works for us and minimizes arguments and then we quick check each other as we remove the slap bands from the steering wheel while the engine warms up.
Crazy but it works!
We both do a walk-around before pulling out of the campground. We both check the toad and tow bar to make sure it is right. The interior gets a check, as well ... but inevitably there is something that hits the floor when we take that first turn onto the highway! I don't fasten my seatbelt for the first 5 miles!!