Detailed Checklist for Before, After and Storage

Compiled by Greg Snedden & Lee Pitchford. Tips collected from members, Trailblazer and Tech Talk notes.

After Storage Checklist

Check the exterior of your Chinook for any damage. This includes checking your propane tanks, 12-volt battery/batteries, the roof area and running any necessary tests of your gauges and systems.

With the power cord unplugged, check your shore power outlet and cord to make sure it’s not frayed and there are no metal wires exposed on the cord itself.

Check your tires to make sure they’re ready to tow. If you’re not sure if you need to inflate them, you can find the recommended PSI information on the sidewall of the tire, or if it has not worn off, the driver’s side door jamb.

Check inside your Chinook for any unwelcome winter guests, like rodents or pests, and clean all appliances. Clorox and similar commercial wipes are great for this. You may also want to let the refrigerator run for a day or two before traveling.

Check the unit’s safety systems, detectors and batteries. And definitely note that battery-powered detectors must get new batteries every six months. Note that the CO2 and LP gas detectors are only good for 5-7 years and must be replaced. The date of manufacture is stamped on the back side of the detectors.

Check interior lights, gadgets and water lines. It’s always good to test everything after your Chinook has been sitting all winter.

Check your propane lines and make sure you can fire up the furnace and other propane appliances. Since your propane has been off over winter, you may need to give it some time for the gas to refill the lines. (When storing the unit for an extended time, turn off the valve on the tank, and purge the LP gas lines by igniting the stove top burner and allowing the flame to extinguish. The Propane Tank valve should be completely closed or completely open; do not turn part way as it may cause leaks.

Don’t overlook the small stuff. Keep in mind that Mother Nature and furry friends may all introduce some natural wear and tear. By touching up a ding here or tightening a screw there or replacing a light bulb at the beginning of the season, you’ll help prevent disruptive issues down the road.

The grill below the front windshield should be removed and cleaned underneath yearly.

RV START-UP ROUTINE

Inspect and work all interior and exterior latches and locks (lube if necessary).

Make sure the batteries are fully charged.

Inspect the power cord and carefully clean the contacts if necessary. Use dielectric grease, such as “Permatex Dielectric Tune-Up Grease” to clean. Plug in the power cord to an appropriate power source.

Turn on the interior lights and check outlets for polarity. If needed, replace any blown fuses.

Check the circuit breakers and test the GFCI. Most hardware stores sell an AC circuit tester which will show that the AC polarity is correct and test the GFCI breaker. This can be used every time you hook the unit up to shore power. Most campgrounds are correct, but It is worthwhile checking to avoid getting electrocuted. Surge protector recommended. This protects your unit against faulty campground pedestals and power surges.

Inspect and test all safety detectors. If needed, replace any drained or discharged batteries. If you have a defective or damaged safety detector, replace it immediately.

Inspect and turn on the propane system. If you have any questions, contact a qualified propane service representative for assistance.

If the propane system is functioning properly, test propane appliances for operation.

Inspect the leveling jacks (if so equipped) for operation. If needed, perform maintenance as specified by the leveling jack manufacturer. Most Chinook OEM would be by HWH.

Test all exterior and interior lights. Replace any bulbs if needed..

Inspect the tires for wear, cracks and inflation pressure. Check the tires for the stamped manufacture date. Recommendation is to replace tires at 5 year intervals.

Wash the exterior of the RV. Do a sealant inspection and repair as necessary.

De-winterize and sanitize the fresh water system.

PRE-TRIP PREP

Check your batteries before each trip. Make sure they’re charged and there is no build-up on the connections.

Check your power cord to make sure it’s sound. Keep these connections consistently clean, too.

Make sure motorhome fluids are filled to proper levels. Some important fluids to check before heading out include engine oil, transmission fluid, engine coolant, windshield washer fluid and power steering fluid. While under the hood, check the serpentine belt and hoses for integrity.

In the driver’s seat, check the operation of the parking brake, horn, mirror operation, and seat belts. Start the engine and operate the steering wheel from one side to the other and listen for any unusual noises.

Verify that all 7 tires (that includes the spare) are filled to the appropriate pressure. This can help extend the life of your tires. Since hot air expands, check and adjust tires when they’re cool for the most accurate readings. Lug nuts should be checked and properly torqued. Info may be found in your owner’s manual.

Before hitting the road, take a walk around your unit to make sure all cords, antennas, awnings, slideouts, baggage doors, hatches, steps and the like are properly secured or locked.

Check all signal lights, headlamps, parking lights, and the yellow and red marker lights.

Check to see that the roof vent covers are in good condition as well as the TV antenna. Look for possible caulk cracking and repair as necessary.

On the interior, test the CO2, LP gas and smoke detector. Check all inside lights and vent fans for proper operation.

Turn on the water pump and check for leaks. Check under the sofa, sink, and rear storage hatch for water leaks. Check around windows, vents, air conditioners, awnings and the underbelly will help your Chinook go the distance.

Propane tank: check fittings and regulator for leaks. An easy way to do this is to spray the joints with soapy water. You’ll see bubbles form if there’s a leak. If you suspect a propane leak, turn off your propane and call a qualified propane service facility. A local RV Service Department may be qualified. There are stringent guidelines/license requirements for facilities that can do repairs.

Make sure drawers, windows, furniture–any loose items inside your RV–are secured before taking off.

POST TRIP

Remove food and drinks from your refrigerator, freezer and cabinets..

If you leave traces of food crumbs, uninvited critters may find their way inside your Chinook!

Sanitize countertops, sinks, the bathroom and anything else that may need wiped down. This will allow for a fresh clean smell when you return to your Chinook for your next big adventure! The use of a product such as “DampRid” moisture absorber will help to reduce mold and mildew while stored.

Clean floors, carpets and upholstery so you are ready to roll next time.

If storing your Chinook connected to AC power, Coach Battery Switch should be in the “ON” position; if no AC power connection during storage, the Coach Battery Switch should be in the “OFF” position.

Washing your Chinook before storing helps maintain the finish.

INTERIOR

Keeping your Chinook clean will help keep the value and extend the life of your unit. First, it’s important to use the proper cleaning supplies and techniques to avoid damages that may happen to the surfaces of your RV. It’s always important to check with your Owner’s Manual for the recommended cleaning agents. Clean only as recommended. If you’re ever in doubt about a cleaning product and what it might do to your RV, be sure to first test a small area out of sight. And please, don’t ever use flammable liquids or sprays to clean your Chinook..

Occasionally use a vacuum with a soft brush attachment to dust things such as window treatments. To help prevent mildew or mold on the shower curtain, clean it frequently. If you have a roof vent cover over your bathroom exhaust vent, leave it open to allow air circulation.

Countertops: For laminate countertops stubborn stains can be removed with a general-purpose spray cleaner. For solid surface countertops soapy water, ammonia based cleaners or commercially available solid surface cleaners will remove most dirt and residue from all types of finishes. A damp cloth followed by a dry towel will remove watermarks.

Flooring: For carpet, be sure to vacuum regularly. Shampoo or Steam Clean as needed. For vinyl flooring, sweep and mop often to reduce wear. Use a damp mop with water and a mild cleaner. Do not soak the flooring. Use care to avoid wetting the carpet edges. Also, don’t use cleaners that contain oil based solvents to avoid yellowing linoleum.

MONTHLY CHECKS

Perform these simple inspections or maintenance tasks every four weeks or so:

Generator: Since gasoline does go bad after about a month, especially if sitting stagnant, it’s important to keep it moving through the generator. It’s recommended to run your generator for at least two hours at about 50 percent load each month. Let it run for about 2 minutes before you put a load on it (run rooftop air conditioner or heat pump). When done, turn off A/C or Heat Pump and let the generator run for a few minutes before shutting off. You can also use a fuel stabilizer for longer periods of storage.

Making sure your batteries’ water levels are in order is important. Use only distilled water if you plan to top off your levels. The minerals in tap water can diminish the life of the battery.

Clean air conditioner filters and ductwork vents. Dust accumulates and reduces air flow.

Inspect under the hood to check hoses and clamps ensuring they are secure and signs of leaks.

Look under the rig for anything abrading, working loose, cracked insulation or rodent access points - they only need about ¼” to squeeze through.

Test Carbon Monoxide, Propane Detector and Smoke Alarm. Also inspect the Fire Extinguisher for expiration.

If you’re traveling in a unit with slideouts, lightly re-lubricate the mechanism to make sure it continues to move in and out smoothly. Follow manufacturer maintenance recommendations.

It may not be necessary every month, but every 6-8 weeks pour a half cup of bleach into the fresh water tank, fill with water, let sit a day and run it through the lines. Run a couple of tanks of water through after to rinse lines. You can also put a cap of bleach in your fresh water hose prior to procedure and it will sanitize your water hose. Run clear water through it too for a rinse.

Check exterior sealants for voids, cracks, and separation. Re-seal as necessary.

TWICE A SEASON

While not necessary before each trip, these maintenance measures—suggested just once or twice a season will not only keep critical features and systems in working order, but they can also help protect trade-in or resale value and extend the life of your Chinook.

While it’s recommended to visually check exterior seals regularly, a more thorough examination should be done every two or three months depending on use. Moisture is an RV’s nemesis and seals play a critical role in keeping water out. Roof seals are especially important to inspect since they can take a beating throughout a season.

Even while stored, it helps to give your Chinook some TLC. Periodically inspect for damage during storage. You’ll want to pay especially close attention to any potential entry points for rodents, birds or insects and ensure they are sealed. Small issues not discovered during long-term storage can become bigger ones.

If you winterize or store long term, a deep interior clean is likely already on your to-do list. It’s smart to perform a thorough cleaning once or twice a season. A little moisture here or there can turn into bigger issues when not addressed. Use gentle cleaners and never anything flammable. During your cleaning, keep a keen eye out for even the most minor water damage and address it quickly.

Wax the exterior. If you plan to do it yourself, clean the surfaces first and use a soft cloth to apply a non-abrasive wax. Don’t wax in direct sunlight and do it when surfaces are cool. You may find it easier to start on the roof and work your way down the sides of your Chinook.

Apply a gentle lubricant to areas where metal rubs on metal. Areas like the hitch, leveling jacks and entry steps will work better and be more resistant to rust.

If your unit is equipped with a Kwikee Electric step, clean and dry the step, then lubricate all 7 pivot points on each side of the step. Then, on the underneath side, lubricate the 4 bar bearings, the motor arm and the link from the motor to the step bar. Do this with an assistant to operate the step as you lubricate the underside points. Use Kwikee Kwik Lube Spray or a white lithium grease.

As the season goes on, your load inevitably changes and shifts. To ensure you’re not overloading your running gear, it’s helpful to occasionally weigh your trip-ready Chinook.. Each wheel should be weighed independently to more easily identify potential problem areas in your load. A simple internet search will help you find Weigh Stations..

OTHER TIPS

HOSE: When your fresh water hose is not in use, connect the ends of the hose together to keep the dirt, debris and insects out.

GENERATOR: Adjust the valves every 450 hours. Change the primary fuel filter at 450-500 hours, and oil every 150 hours. Recommend Cummins-Onan Service Center if you are not a “DIY” owner.

SERPENTINE BELT: Carry a Serpentine belt for a Ford V10. When the serpentine belt breaks, your RV stops. They are not rare, but can be hard to get a hold of on short notice. Carrying your own can save you a day or two of waiting for a garage to get the part.

ELECTRIC PEDESTAL: Turn off the pedestal breaker before you plug in, and make sure your appliances are turned off. Plug in your SURGE PROTECTOR to check if electric service is operating correctly, then turn breaker off before connecting Coach power cord to Surge Protector. Now you can turn on the Pedestal breaker and use your appliances.

LUG NUTS: Check lug nuts after having new tires installed. They should be hand torqued. Check about 200 miles after changing and at 500 miles then about every 2000 miles or when getting out of storage. Good Tech Topic!

TIRES: Check the DOT date on your tires; i.e., a DOT date of 2905 would indicate the 29th week of 2005. METAL VALVE STEMS are recommended; rubber valve stems prone to leaks.

WHEEL BEARINGS: Make sure wheel bearings are serviced when brakes are done.

REFRIGERATOR: Don’t overload refrigerator; the best temperature is 40 degrees. Allow 12-24 hours for the refrigerator to cool. Freezer holds temperature better and longer than the refrigerator.

REAR DIFFERENTIAL: Rear differential fluid needs to be changed. Symptoms would include noise when turning. It is now best to have the mechanic add the new synthetic friction modifier.on the Ford.

FUEL FILTER: Ford E-350 recommendation is every 30,000 miles

Chevrolet Express 3500 recommendation is every 30,000 miles