Preflight & Setup Checklist
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3690
Printed Date: 07 Jun 2025 at 8:14am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Preflight & Setup Checklist
Posted By: THEDragonTJH
Subject: Preflight & Setup Checklist
Date Posted: 02 Jul 2013 at 11:25pm
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Ok, so I'm a bit of a nerd when it comes to my hobbies, I read and study and share what I come up with. I'm also a bit spacey and might forget something so I started preparing a set of checklists that my wife decided would be great to print off and laminate so you can use it every time.
I'd love to get the input of the more seasoned haulers so that I can improve on the list. Also feel free to print it off and use it yourself. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AvGuH71zN7s3dDVGRlR5dnpBY1piTi1NeVR4clhBcXc&usp=sharing - Jared's Checklist |
Replies:
Posted By: Seanl
Date Posted: 03 Jul 2013 at 7:25am
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Good list you should a chalk and unchalk the tires. I missed that once and the trailer twisted when I took it off the TV. ------------- Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition 
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Posted By: THEDragonTJH
Date Posted: 03 Jul 2013 at 8:23am
Great catch, I knew there is at least a few things I'm missing. I've added that to the list. |
Posted By: P&M
Date Posted: 03 Jul 2013 at 8:46am
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Just a thought ... For your site setup you may want to add leveling the Pod side-to-side as necessary before disconnecting the TV ... if you are using risers or boards to drive up on for one side there can be some back'n'forth to get it set right. ------------- P & M ... and Comet too! 2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod 2018 Ram 2500 |
Posted By: P&M
Date Posted: 03 Jul 2013 at 8:54am
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http://www.rpod-owners.com/uploads/1442/Camping_Checklist.doc - uploads/1442/Camping_Checklist.doc
To go along with your Pod list, here is our packing checklist of items, clothing and food that we use (pg 1) and a place to plan out meals for several days (pg 2). This is customized for our use, but may be of benefit to anyone else who may be just starting out ... or is just getting old and forgetful like me!  ------------- P & M ... and Comet too! 2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod 2018 Ram 2500 |
Posted By: DavidW
Date Posted: 03 Jul 2013 at 11:44am
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I guess that each of our lists will be a little different depending upon our particular campsites.
In our case, many of our Provincial Park sites won't have electricity so I would amend the entry to "Connect to power (if available)". I will also be reminding myself to fill my fresh water tank either at our RV storage location or on entry into the Park.
And, as we use an RV storage location, I can't plug in the fridge overnight to cool it down before a trip so I will have a "Night Before" note for me to cool the fridge with propane and then change to battery once I am ready to hit the road.
For the return trip, I will also have to add an extra entry to remind myself to retract the slide-out and put the step back.
Too much to do, or forget to do. ------------- David & Liz 2014 R-Pod 178 2019 Chevy Traverse And Lily (our 8 yr old Golden) 
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Posted By: Rugby8
Date Posted: 03 Jul 2013 at 12:12pm
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I always turn propane off before I drive ------------- 2013 grand caravan 2010 176t pod Wife, 2 boys, and golden retriever. Can life get any better |
Posted By: Sleepless
Date Posted: 03 Jul 2013 at 1:35pm
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Under Departure, add: Check fresh water level. Add, as necessary. If this is the first outing for the season, add: Sanitize fresh water system. Under Setup, add: Turn on LP tank The fresh water system, including the hot water heater, should be at least partially filled before departing. Delete the reference to filling the water heater. Under Return, delete: Empty fresh water tank. Correct spelling of the words preflight and chock. ------------- 2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD) 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche |
Posted By: THEDragonTJH
Date Posted: 03 Jul 2013 at 7:40pm
Thanks for the edits, is there a particular reason to keep water in the system? Will hauling her empty cause damage? My intention is to do one of two things (most of the time), fill up closer to our final destination or be camping in a place that has potable water or running water. I want to keep the weight down as much as possible since my TV isn't rated to tow a lot more than the Pod and family. The extra 400 (or so) pounds will make a pretty good difference in my load out. |
Posted By: THEDragonTJH
Date Posted: 03 Jul 2013 at 7:46pm
That's a great list! Thanks for sharing. |
Posted By: Sleepless
Date Posted: 03 Jul 2013 at 9:08pm
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[/QUOTE] Thanks for the edits, is there a particular reason to keep water in the system? Will hauling her empty cause damage? [/QUOTE] I always keep some water in the fresh water tank. It allows us to use the bathroom and other facilities while we are traveling, keeps a supply of water available for our dogs, wash our hands when necessary, etc. Another good reason is that you are assured that the hot water tank is never empty should it accidentally be turned on. We also turn on the electric to our water heater several hours before we leave home. The water will stay hot during that day without using electricity or LP. Pretty handy. I normally just leave the electric heater in the tank on all the time and never have to worry about burning out the element. Please note that we don't stay at only one campground on our outings. During our last trip, we were gone 21 days and stayed at over a dozen different campgrounds. When you are driving all day, the use of the bathroom is a great convenience, and being able to use the kitchen sink is often necessary. We sanitize our fresh water system at the beginning of the season (although in Florida the season never ends) and always travel with the water heater full and probably 5 to10 gallons in the fresh water tank. ------------- 2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD) 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 03 Jul 2013 at 9:30pm
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I agree with leaving water in the hot water tank. If you drain it and then accidentally turn on the electric element it will instantly blow (the element, not the whole water heater). I leave mine full all camping season. It takes a while to drain and then time to refill, just not worth the effort to save 50 pounds. Even if you run out of water in the fresh water tank you can't drain the water heater by turning on the sink, so no worries there. But like Sleepless we leave a few gallons in the fresh tank for the toilet and sink while traveling. Not worth losing the functionality to save another 30-40 pounds. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: TrinityTurret
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2013 at 11:00pm
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We just purchased our 171...camped in it all the way home from Ohio. I finished sanitizing today, and will winterize in a few days. Question...after I purge the sanitized water/bleach, do I need to rinse system prior to adding the antifreeze?
------------- There's only one way... |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2013 at 9:03am
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I would flush it a few times. I don't know what chemical reaction there may be between the bleach and antifreeze, but no reason to take a chance. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: TrinityTurret
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2013 at 9:42am
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Thanks!
------------- There's only one way... |