Eurovan Camping Checklist
I used to fly light airplanes. During training, I learned the value
of a checklist as a memory aid. My van doesn't have as many things to
remember as an airplane, and the consequences of forgetting them are
generally not as serious, but nevertheless I've made up a camping
checklist to help compensate for my mind's growing feebleness.
I divided the list up into four parts: Day before departure, Before
leaving driveway, Make camp, Break camp, and Post-trip.
I used the laser printer to print a nice pretty copy of the list
on two sides of a 4x6 card, which I then took to a copy shop to
have laminated. The result is a sturdy checklist that looks better
than the ones I used for flying planes.
My criteria for what to include/omit were somewhat arbitrary,
but I tried to stick to the following ideas:
-
It's my own brief memory aid, not a comprehensive list of things
to do or instructions for how to do them.
-
If I can't forget it, or the consequences of forgetting aren't
important, I omit it. Raising the roof
when setting up camp falls under both of those categories, so it's
not on the list. If it's vital and I could
easily forget it, it definitely goes on. There's a sliding
scale in-between.
-
If it doesn't apply to most trips, I omit it.
-
I included as many of the other things as would easily fit on
a 4x6 card.
Things are in no particular order on my list. I usually do what needs
to be done for a given situation, and then after I think it's done,
I glance through the checklist to verify that I indeed accomplished all
I needed to.
Day Before Departure:
-
Tank levels
- Propane
- Fresh water (close drain before filling!)
- Grey water empty
- Gasoline
-
Mechanical
- Coach Battery (charge & water level)
- Tire Pressure
- Engine oil, fluids
- Headlights, Running lights, Turn signals
-
Household
- Flashlights
- Dishes, detergent, cleanser
- Check operation of stove, furnace, sink
- Refrigerator on to pre-cool
- Safety Equipment:
- Propane alarm on (fuse in) and working
- CO alarm working
- Fire extinguisher charge "in green"
Before leaving driveway:
- Bedding packed
- Toothbrush, etc. packed
- Refrigerator on, working, door latched
- Walk-around
Make camp:
- Level campsite (use blocks if needed)
- Refrigerator not on 12V setting
Break camp:
- Furnace off
- Refrigerator door latched
- Upper bed out prior to closing top
- Top down, canvas not pinched
- Grey water empty
- Walk-around
Post-trip:
- Propane shut off at tank
- Refrigerator off and door open
- Freshwater drain open
- Grey water empty
- Furnace off
- Courtesy lights in "door switch" position
Since I almost never camp where I could use the electric hookup, I
don't have a specific checklist item for disconnecting it, even though
driving off with it plugged in would be nasty. The "walk-around" item
will catch it if necessary.
Back to Rich's Eurovan
©1999
Richard Cochran
