1.
Fill potable water tank to overflowing. When my fresh
water tank indicates full I keep the
water on as it holds an extra 10 gallons over the electronic full indicator; those extra 10 gallons are an
additional ½ to 1 day of dry camping. As soon as the coach is parked I fill the water tank (not the first of several times when the rv park water system failed).
2.
I empty the sewer tank (our rv has one tank for both
black and grey water) and then tip the rv to lower the sewer discharge side and
end up emptying an additional 10 gallons of waste water since the now tipped rv
sends the waste water sitting below the discharge connection on the tank into
the discharge hose. This provides an additional day of dry camping.
3.
Check all fluid levels: radiators (both engine and
generator), oil (both engine and generator), and hydraulics (usually two reservoirs,
one for engine&power steering and one for hydraulic slide systems).
4.
Check tire pressure and adjust as necessary. Check tire
pressure when ambient air temperature is at its lowest, usually early morning.
Make sure sun has not been shining on the tires as it contributes to erroneous
tire pressure readings.
5.
Make sure tow vehicle has full tank of gas because a
breakdown in a remote location will necessitate driving to locate assistance;
or if dry camping, which is usually in remote locations, will ensure that you
can explore the area without fear of running out of gas.
6.
Check amount of fuel in my rv and estimate range (i.e.
220 gallons remain in fuel tank less 75 gallons as safety factor and using the
most conservative 6 mpg the range is 924 miles) against the travel itinerary
and look for the least expensive fuel using TSD Open Roads fuel map
Why do this one may ask; this covers the contingency of a breakdown
on the road. We have experienced this twice and both times these 6 tasks made
an unfortunate circumstance less stressful. One instance in particular occurred
on a Thursday and the Detroit Diesel shop manager was optimistic that he could
have the parts the next day, Friday. Later that afternoon after the shop closed
we were unexpectedly hit by a derecho;
so powerful that it severely rocked and shook the coach. Saturday morning the
manager came in and said they could not work as electricity had been knocked out
in the entire county and trees were snapped as if toothpicks. Aside from the
breakdown, the derecho, and no electricity we knew we had enough water, sewer,
and fuel (to power our generator) for several days.
©RJJ2021
