Checklist for preparing and setting up before a Motorhome trip

[Gavin and Bigi]

We are doing our first little trip in our 2008 Auto Sleeper on Friday night. Are there any checklists out there that I can be referred to for things to check and setup before we go and when we arrive?

 

[PP Bear]

I’ll start…

Beer
Dog
Wife

In that order. If you think you might be overloaded, leave wife behind

 

[faraway]

This might help

DRIVING A MOTORHOME FOR THE FIRST TIME

That first motorhome drive might be a little scary. It's probably the most expensive vehicle you own and you don't want to crash it!

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[faraway]

And this

Motorhome Checklists

Motorhome Checklists for every occasion Every Motorhomer can benefit from a checklist. Some of the most experienced among us use them all the time. A good checklist will ensure you do not forget to pack an important item or remind you about an...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[Bailey58]

These are my old lists, probably changed and added to depending on destination and if dog is coming.

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[Riverbankannie]

We are doing our first little trip in our 2008 Auto Sleeper on Friday night. Are there any checklists out there that I can be referred to for things to check and setup before we go and when we arrive?

Take extra blankets, the nights are cold and we have had a spate of people unsure how to work the MHs heating, or there has been a failure. Kettle, tea milk and biscuits will always keep you going. Make sure you have a good torch.

 

[Zigisla]

 

[Verteuil Man]

Bottle spanner, cork screw, tin opener, glasses large and small, plates, mugs, cutlery, salt & pepper tec, bedding and pillows, towels, soap shampoo etc, food, snacks, change of clothes, jumpers, pots and pans, box of matches, EHU lead, gas cylinders, hosepipe, selection of tools, toilet fluid and paper, chairs and table, sense of humour, maps/sat nav, money, windscreen cover, TV. There will be much more.

 

[two]

I'm not sure you'll get a list that suits you. Instead, you'll need to build your own.
I'm sure you'll think of most of the essentials yourself. Some of these will depend on what you intend to do while you're out (hobbies).
The important thing is not to get too carried away and take things "just in case". Your payload (the weight you're allowed to carry) will limit what you can take, so choose wisely. Different people have different priorities.
I suggest a 'dry run' somewhere not too far away (- your drive, possibly ?-). Then you can find out what you were missing or wasn't needed.
Be prepared to forget something (take a credit card). In time you'll build up a set of regular things, so that you don't need to transfer from home.
I have my own lists for checks before leaving or returning and what to take. They are very specific to my own circumstances and may not include something specific to you.
Take the right frame of mind and enjoy yourself.

 

[xsparks]

Helpful apps.

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[nicholsong]

We have found the easiest way not to forget things like kitchen/dining equipment is to have duplicates in the MH. Same with toiletries, bedding, towels. Even things like nail clippers are duplicated.

That way all we have to pack is the items we have brought indoors to wash from last trip, plus fresh food(condiments/spices and dry foods stay in situ) and wine/beer.

 

[Jammi]

We keep everything we need permanently in the van, apart from clothes and food.
Then it just depends where we’re going as to any extras.
I keep a check list on the phone to refer to each time and to keep an eye on whatever might need topping up. Toothpaste, toilet roll, tinfoil, herbs and spices etc.

 

[Brains]

Like others we keep duplicates of everything in the MoHo. Right down to the toothbrushes.

It means we only pack (some) clothing, (some) shoes, documents (if needed), laptops and the contents of the home fridge to the MoHo fridge.
Packing (we know from experience) can be done in 15 mins if we really need to.

We keep a collapsible plastic box at home that we gradually fill up with 'stuff for the van' between trips.
At the moment is being filled up with Xmas presents!

 

[two]

One advantage of transferring from van to home etc is that you might tend to take less.
When you come to sell and remove everything you may be surprised how many unnecessary duplicates you have accumulated on the van!

 

[TheBig1]

View attachment 841497

A friend drove off with the double step still out recently. It caught a low wall and got rather bent and damaged the side skirt. Took me a few hours to unbolt, hammer the bars straight and refit and resecure the loose skirt. Doesn't bear thinking about if it had hit a person

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[nicholsong]

One advantage of transferring from van to home etc is that you might tend to take less.
When you come to sell and remove everything you may be surprised how many unnecessary duplicates you have accumulated on the van!

Have had the MH for 14 years and do not forsee a change, but if we did would just pile the duplicates into a box in the house until re-loaded into the replacement.

 

[Ingwe]

Like others we keep duplicates of everything in the MoHo. Right down to the toothbrushes.

It means we only pack (some) clothing, (some) shoes, documents (if needed), laptops and the contents of the home fridge to the MoHo fridge.
Packing (we know from experience) can be done in 15 mins if we really need to.

We keep a collapsible plastic box at home that we gradually fill up with 'stuff for the van' between trips.
At the moment is being filled up with Xmas presents!

We do the same.

 

[Gina M]

I have two checklists one for the kitchen to remind me what food needs taking with us out of the fridge and a reminder to unplug plugs, check timers on lights etc. and one for the bedroom so I can tick off all of my clothes as I pack them into my bag.

 

[CAB96]

Bit late for you, but notepad and pen, or a note app on phone, to record what else you think of when you are away.

 

[BigPaul]

We are doing our first little trip in our 2008 Auto Sleeper on Friday night. Are there any checklists out there that I can be referred to for things to check and setup before we go and when we arrive?

Go to wandering bird on line. You can download and print excellent checklists for free.

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[Petroleumblownapart]

We are doing our first little trip in our 2008 Auto Sleeper on Friday night. Are there any checklists out there that I can be referred to for things to check and setup before we go and when we arrive?

Over the last few years my wife and I share a check list on our phones. Either of us can tick an item or job off and the other knows not to waste time doing it again. We add and adjust every trip. We use 'Google Keep' on Android phones set up in tick box mode.

It is also our go-to point for any jobs that cropped up to be done when we return

 

[varaizian]

A friend drove off with the double step still out recently. It caught a low wall and got rather bent and damaged the side skirt. Took me a few hours to unbolt, hammer the bars straight and refit and resecure the loose skirt. Doesn't bear thinking about if it had hit a person

Earlier this year I had to stop an older couple leaving an aire with their large side window in the fully open position. He was apparently unconcerned; didn't seem to realise how bad it could have ended-up!

 

[Suenliam]

We have everything we need in the campervan with the exception of food. On arriving home we off load clothes, towels, bedding for washing but make sure the cleaned items are put back in a specific box so we just load it up when ready to go away again. If I put things away seperately I would surely forget something!
I have a list in the kitchen for food items e.g. mild, butter, fresh fruit and other items which would go off if left in the van or fridge if we were away for more than a couple of days.
The main thing to remember is the credit card
Sue

 

[Nanniemate]

Tea bags milk water sleeping bedding, pjs and a credit card

The last one covers everything you have not got with you

 

[Nanniemate]

We have everything we need in the campervan with the exception of food. On arriving home we off load clothes, towels, bedding for washing but make sure the cleaned items are put back in a specific box so we just load it up when ready to go away again. If I put things away seperately I would surely forget something!
I have a list in the kitchen for food items e.g. mild, butter, fresh fruit and other items which would go off if left in the van or fridge if we were away for more than a couple of days.
The main thing to remember is the credit card
Sue

I should really read the whole thread.
I just empty the house fridge contents into the van

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[Apacheman]

Keys, wallet, phone and if leaving UK a passport. Anything else can be picked up en route.

 

[sarumsteve]

I’ll start…

Beer
Dog
Wife

In that order. If you think you might be overloaded, leave wife behind

You forgot crisps!

 

[Ian Bosman]

And this

Motorhome Checklists

Motorhome Checklists for every occasion Every Motorhomer can benefit from a checklist. Some of the most experienced among us use them all the time. A good checklist will ensure you do not forget to pack an important item or remind you about an...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

I have for years used s checklist home made for holfidayswhich is modified over the years and i include the GPS for stopping points and distances between stops.

 

[Kirsten]

We have a master list of all the lists we need ! and sadly we also have a stack of duplicates of most things in the moho all year round [crocs spare undies basic tinned food bedding towels etc etc] This thread has been aired in previous years and someone had a dog that had its own moho list. In my own defence we once went away for a short trip middle of nowhere rain sleet with no shops and only had one bottle of wine no Stella ... still scarred xx
But on a happier OCD note I today took all the condiments/spices and tins out of the moho to start anew next year . The tin of mustard powder was best before 2018...new list on the way

 

[TheBig1]

My van stays packed through they year and has been a safe haven many times over the years