This is the checklist you print, laminate, and stick to the inside of a cupboard door. It covers everything from the week before your trip to the final walk-around before driving away. Use it every time, even after your twentieth trip. The experienced caravanners who never have problems? They still use a checklist. The ones who don’t are the ones with the best breakdown stories.

One Week Before

Task Details ✓
Book accommodation Confirm caravan park booking; request drive-through site if new to caravanning
Check tyre pressures All caravan tyres including spare, plus tow vehicle. Check for cracks, bulges, uneven wear.
Check lights Indicators, brake lights, tail lights, reversing lights, number plate light. Replace any blown globes.
Check gas bottles Enough gas for the trip? Expiry date current on bottles? (Gas suppliers won’t fill expired bottles.)
Test water system Fill tank, run all taps, check for leaks. Test water pump on 12V. Check hot water works.
Test battery Fully charge the house battery. Check voltage (12.6-12.8V for a full lead-acid; 13.2-13.6V for lithium).
Test brakes Check brake controller is set correctly. If electric brakes, test magnets and wiring.
Check insurance & rego Caravan registration current? Insurance up to date? Roadside assist membership active?
Meal plan Plan meals for the trip. Make a shopping list.

The Night Before

Task Details ✓
Turn fridge on Switch to 240V or gas the night before so it’s cold by departure. Load perishables in the morning.
Fill water tank Fill to capacity (or your preferred travel level if rear-mounted).
Pack food & drinks Non-perishables and pantry items in cupboards. Perishables into fridge in the morning.
Pack bedding Sheets, pillows, doonas/sleeping bags on the beds ready to go.
Pack clothing & toiletries In designated spots. Don’t overpack.
Charge devices Phones, tablets, cameras, torches, portable batteries all fully charged.
Load gear Power cable, water hose, levelling blocks, wheel chocks, tools, chairs, table, ground mat.
Secure cupboard contents Check every door and drawer is latched. Heavy items low, light items high.

Morning of Departure

Task Details ✓
Load perishables Into the cold fridge. Pack tightly to minimise shifting.
Lock fridge for travel Engage the travel latch/lock on the fridge door.
Close & lock everything All windows, roof vents, external hatches, and the main door.
Bathroom Toilet seat down, cassette valve closed, shower door latched, nothing loose on vanity.
Retract step Fold up or retract the entry step. Check it’s fully secured.
Retract TV antenna Wind it down fully. Driving with it up will snap it off.
Retract awning Ensure it’s fully wound in and the travel locks are engaged.
Stabiliser legs up All four corner legs fully wound up and secured.

Hitching Up

Task Details ✓
Position tow vehicle Reverse under the hitch coupling. Get a guide to help with alignment.
Lower coupling onto tow ball Use the jockey wheel to lower the coupling. Ensure it’s fully seated and locked.
Safety chains Attach both safety chains to the tow vehicle. Crossed under the hitch, with enough slack for turns but not enough to drag on the ground.
Breakaway cable/chain Attach to the tow vehicle at a separate point from the safety chains.
Electrical plug Connect the 7-pin or 12-pin trailer plug. Check it clicks in securely.
Jockey wheel up Wind fully up, lock, and secure the handle so it doesn’t swing.
Remove wheel chocks Remove all chocks and levelling ramps. Stow them.
Test lights Have someone stand behind the van. Test indicators (left, right), brake lights, tail lights.
Test brakes Pull forward slowly and apply the trailer brake controller manually. Confirm brakes engage.
Check mirrors Adjust towing mirrors. Can you see down both sides of the van?

Final Walk-Around (Before Driving Away)

Do a complete lap of the caravan and tow vehicle. Check every item below. This takes 60 seconds and prevents the majority of departure disasters.

Check ✓
Hitch coupling locked (visual check)
Safety chains attached and crossed
Breakaway cable attached
Electrical plug connected
Jockey wheel fully up and locked
Stabiliser legs fully up
Entry step retracted
TV antenna down
Awning fully retracted and locked
All external hatches and doors closed and locked
All windows and roof vents closed
Power cable disconnected and stowed
Water hose disconnected and stowed
Grey water hose disconnected and stowed
Wheel chocks and levelling ramps stowed
Nothing left on the ground around the site
Tyre pressures correct (visual check for obviously flat tyres)

First Stop Check (After 15-20 Minutes of Driving)

Pull over safely at the first opportunity after 15-20 minutes and do a quick check:

Check ✓
Hitch still locked and secure
Safety chains still attached
Electrical plug still connected
Wheel nuts tight (hand-check; they shouldn’t move)
Tyres: no obvious loss of pressure, no heat or smell from brakes
Van tracking straight (not pulling to one side)
Open van door: anything shifted or fallen?
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Important

The first-stop check is especially critical with new wheels, after a tyre change, or after any work on the brakes or bearings. Wheel nuts can loosen during the first 50-100km after being refitted. Check them again after 100km.

On Arrival at Camp

Task Details ✓
Check in Get site number, park map, and any park-specific instructions.
Position van on site Drive-through or reverse in. Get guide to help.
Chock wheels Before unhitching. Both sides of at least one wheel.
Level side-to-side Drive onto levelling ramps if needed. Check with spirit level.
Unhitch Disconnect electrical, breakaway, safety chains. Raise coupling off ball. Drive vehicle clear.
Level front-to-back Use jockey wheel to adjust.
Stabiliser legs down Firm contact with pads on ground. Don’t lift the van.
Connect power Fully uncoil cable. Van inlet first, then pedestal. Test RCD.
Connect water Hose with pressure regulator to city water inlet. Turn on slowly, check for leaks.
Set up grey water Connect to site drain or position portable container.
Awning out If staying 2+ nights and wind is calm. Peg the legs.
Switch fridge to 240V If connected to mains power.
Open windows & vents For airflow.
Set up outdoor area Chairs, table, mat.
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Tip

Print this checklist, laminate it (or slip it in a plastic sleeve), and keep it in the van. After a few trips, you’ll know most of it by heart, but having the physical list means you never skip a step when you’re tired, rushed, or distracted.

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Key Takeaway

A checklist isn’t a sign of inexperience; it’s a sign of competence. Pilots, surgeons, and astronauts use checklists because the stakes of forgetting something are too high. Your caravan isn’t the space shuttle, but a blown tyre, a disconnected safety chain, or a forgotten step dragging on the road can ruin a trip or worse. Use the checklist. Every time.

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Read More
Everything You Need To Know About Your First Trip In Your Caravan
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