Checklist for camping beginners: these steps are important before setting off

Before setting off on a long journey with a caravan or motorhome, less experienced campers have to think about many things: Are all loose items safely stowed away, are all doors, windows and roof hatches closed, are the supports retracted? Is the tire pressure correct? Is there enough engine oil? And, and, and ... We have created a practical checklist for this before setting off.

Checklists as PDF

In this article you will find two checklists. One for departure from the campsite and one for departure from home. These differ slightly.

Click on the following link to download the checklist for departure from the campsite as a PDF file. And here you will find the checklist for the start of the season or after a longer stay.

Checklist for departure from the campsite

You should definitely check these points when setting off from the campsite:

Exterior

• Disconnect the power cable

• Do not forget the wheel chocks

• Stowing furniture, carpet and awning

• Retracting and securing the awning

• Close all storage compartments

• Retract or pack stairs

• Close the gas cylinder

• Check everything again to make sure you haven't forgotten anything

Inside

• Close and lock drawers, cupboard doors, skylights and windows

• Secure roller blinds

• Stowing heavy and loose items

• Locking/securing the table

• If available: Pull in antennas

• Fastening room dividers

• Close storage compartments and secure additionally if necessary

• Cupboard contents: Close and stow away containers with liquids tightly

• Close the toilet slide (!)

• Convert refrigerator to car battery

• Locking the refrigerator

• Switch off the light in the camper

• Switch off the water pump

Caravan

• Apply the handbrake (if not already done)

• Cranking up the supports

• Coupling the caravan

• Attaching the breakaway cable

• Raise and secure the tiller wheel

• Connect the 13-pin plug to the towing vehicle

• Check caravan lighting (indicators, reverse gear, brake lights, hazard warning lights)

• Remove the wheel chocks / wheel chocks

• And last but not least: Release the handbrake

On the square

• Empty waste water

• Fill up with fresh water if necessary (the less, the lower the fuel consumption)

• Empty toilet

• Dispose of waste

• Are all mirrors adjusted correctly?

Departure generally for a camping vacation after the vehicle has been parked

Especially if you are going on tour again for the first time after a long time, please take a look at the TÜV sticker in good time before you leave. Your camper's gas test should also still be valid.

Towing vehicle & motorhome: Technology

• Check tire pressure / visual inspection of tires for damage

• Check engine oil

• Check headlights, indicators and rear lights

• For towing vehicle: Attach additional mirror

• Engage the detachable trailer coupling securely

Interior and permanently installed parts

• Close and lock drawers, cupboard doors, skylights and windows

• Secure roller blinds

• Stowing heavy and loose items

• If available: Pull in antennas

• Fastening room dividers

• Close storage compartments and secure additionally if necessary

• Cupboard contents: Close and stow away containers with liquids tightly

• Close the toilet slide (!)

• Fill up with fresh water as required

• Convert refrigerator to car battery

• Turn off the gas (at the gas cylinder and in the camper) and allow it to escape from the pipes!

• Switch off the light in the camper

Exterior

• Retract awning

• Empty the waste water tank and stow away safely (if loose)

• Locking the caravan/camper doors and loading flaps/ drawbar box

• Check the pitch (has something been forgotten/left behind?)

• Remove chocks

Caravan

• Apply the handbrake (if not already done)

• Cranking up the supports

• Coupling the caravan

• Attaching the breakaway cable

• Raise and secure the tiller wheel

• Connect the 13-pin plug to the towing vehicle

• Check caravan lighting (indicators, reverse gear, brake lights, hazard warning lights)

• Remove the wheel chocks / wheel chocks

• And last but not least: Release the handbrake

Experts in the podcast on the topic of "Getting campers ready to go"

In our podcast, Nele and Sebastian talk about"Getting your motorhome and caravan ready to go" and provide information and tips. Have a listen: