The Ultimate RV Departure Checklist: A Step‑By‑Step Guide From T‑24 Hours to Roll‑Out
Preparing an RV for travel isn’t just about hitching up and hitting the road. A smooth, stress‑free departure starts long before the engine turns over. After years of most of the time traveling and learning plenty of lessons the hard way, I built a structured T-24 / T-12 / T-0 RV Departure Checklist to ensure nothing gets overlooked, both inside and out. We use this for our Grand Design Solitude 310 fifth wheel.
This checklist walks you through everything you need to do 24 hours before departure, 12 hours before departure, and right at go‑time. It’s designed to reduce last‑minute scrambling, prevent costly mistakes, and give you the confidence that your rig is truly ready for the road.
Whether you’re a new RVer or a seasoned traveler refining your routine, this guide will help you streamline your departure process and protect your home on wheels.
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Why Use a Timed RV Departure Checklist?
RVs are complex systems with plumbing, electrical, slides, appliances, suspension, hitching, and dozens of moving parts. Trying to remember everything in your head is a recipe for missed steps.
Breaking the process into timed phases helps you:
- Spread out the workload so departure day isn’t chaotic
- Catch issues early (like tire pressure, leaks, or awning problems)
- Avoid rushing, which is when most mistakes happen
- Build a consistent routine that becomes second nature
- Travel with peace of mind, knowing your rig is secure and road‑ready
This checklist is the exact system I use before every move day.
T‑24 Hours: The Day‑Before Prep
The day before departure is all about maintenance, inspections, and outdoor tasks. These are the items that take time, may require daylight, or could reveal issues you want to address before morning.
This phase includes:
- Roof and awning inspections
- Tire pressure checks
- Treating tanks and managing water
- Hitch and suspension inspections
- Loading exterior gear
- Fueling the truck
- Ensuring radios and communication tools are charged
By handling these tasks early, you eliminate the biggest potential delays on departure day.
T‑12 Hours: Morning of Organization
This phase focuses on water systems, interior prep, and securing outdoor items. It’s the perfect window to tidy up, stow loose items, and get the rig into “travel mode.”
Typical tasks include:
- Draining and storing hoses
- Setting the Nautilus system to dry camping
- Securing dining chairs and interior items
- Stowing the Berkey
- Locking down outdoor gear
- Reviewing your route and fuel stops
This step bridges the gap between maintenance and final departure, ensuring the inside of your RV is just as ready as the outside.
T‑0: Final Departure Walkthrough
This is the last sweep before you pull out of the campsite. It’s all about safety, systems, and securing the interior.
The T‑0 checklist covers:
- Locking the refrigerator and freezer
- Securing all cabinets, drawers, plants, and countertop items
- Bringing in slides
- Turning off the water pump, water heater, and lights
- Ensuring the inverter is on
- Final bedroom and bathroom checks
- Stowing remotes, USBs, the step stool, and loose items
- Confirming windows and blinds are up and locked
- Securing pet items and travel‑day essentials
This is the moment where everything comes together. When you finish the T‑0 walkthrough, you know your rig is safe, tight, and ready for the road.
A Checklist Built From Real‑World RV Life
This isn’t a generic list—it’s a refined, field‑tested system built from full‑time travel, troubleshooting, and the desire to make every departure smooth and predictable. If you’d like to download the formatted, print‑ready version of the checklist, click the link below for a WordPress document. It’s designed for RV binders, laminating, or keeping in your truck for quick reference.
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