Use Checklists to Prevent Problems

There are enough details in taking out your small travel trailer that, unless you use checklists, you will inevitably have problems.  The veteran campers we’ve talked with invariably insist on using checklists.  Checklists help you avoid major issues such as driving off with underinflated tires, stabilizer bars still on ground, the hitch coupler not properly attached to the ball, etc. ……..  Pilots use checklists all the time because of the high number of critical systems.  In addition to a prelaunch checklist, maintaining separate checklists for other things [such as trip supplies and how to operate various utilities on your trailer] provide additional benefits.  We created a supply checklist after our last trip to Mammoth Lakes, where we really needed our solar panel, but it was inadvertently left in our garage!

You can create a checklist using just a pencil and paper if you want or on your computer using a word processing program.  We use a free app called Color Checklist which is on the Google Play store.  It’s nice in that you can keep it on your phone and it actually has check boxes and check marks!  It’s important that you can have the checklist in hand wherever you are.  Here’s our main checklist which we use whenever we are going to depart from home or the campground:

Scamp check list for Leaving site (opposite when arriving)

• Fuel SUV to FULL TANK
• Add Fresh water if going to non-hookup site or 50% if just wanting to use water on drive
• Dump Black & Grey tanks
• Remove tire boot lock, coupler lock, hitch lock, and tire leveler wedge
• Raise stabilizer bars.
• Trailer tires psi 48  / Volvo SUV @ 40 psi
• Attach X cross safety chains
• Attach wiring harness
• Raise center Jack to Clear ball and lower on ball
• Lower and lock coupler on ball
• Close LP (liquid propane) tanks
• All switches off
• Close / latch windows
• Secure power cord outside outlet cover
• If you have 54″ bed,  put additional table support on floor
• Close fan
• Turn off water heater breaker, 110v Water Heater switch.  Make sure switches are off – Gas Water heater water switch and demand pump for Fresh Tank.
• Check laundry line is inside trailer.
• Check trailer lights
• Refrigerator on 12V for driving (120V or LP at campsite with no hookups).
• Lock Scamp door
• Disconnect wiring harness from SUV when not driving to prevent car battery drain.
• Check Scamp voltage when SUV hooked up and running – should be over 12.5V.
• [When storing after trip, drain Fresh tank by opening valve under dinette seat – water will drain under trailer, drain Hot Water Heater tank (plug on outside of trailer under metal cover), and dump Black and Grey tanks.]

Here is our Scamp Supply Checklist  (note:  we leave many items in the Scamp such as plates, cups, and utensils so we don’t need to pack them every trip):

• Food & water
• Empty Water Jug / Dolly
• Down jackets
• Hiking Boots
• Hats & Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Umbrella
• Foam mattress topper
• Outdoor floor mat
• Solar panel (when applicable)
• Shower & kitchen towels
• TP & paper towels
• Pots & pans with lids
• Measuring cup and strainer
• Pancake mix and maple syrup
• Chocolate
• Jackery 500 generator (for powering battery devices)
• Camera and drone
• Broom
• Lawn chairs
• Rain gear
• Wet vac
• Kayak (when applicable)
• Campground surge protector
• Scamp water supplies (e.g. hose, pressure regulator, water filter, 90 degree brass fitting)
• Rubber gloves (for dump)
• Toilet sanitizers
• Hand sanitizers

Our additional checklists for operating the Scamp water pump, water heater, furnace, and refrigerator.  The procedures on these lists could vary since various model utilities are used in Scamp production.

Scamp On Demand Water Pump Checklist (used when not attached to City Water to pressurize system)

• Make sure Fresh water tank is full before turning on
• Only use when not attached to City water
• Turn switch off when not in Scamp or Fresh tank is near empty (then fill tank before using water)

Scamp Water Heater Checklist (auto start)

• Runs on 120V or LP
• Hook up to City Water (or Fresh water see below)
• Turn on hot water at faucet
• When water comes out at sink, hot water heater is full with water (important to fill so water heater tank doesn’t burn)
• If City water is not available, fill Fresh water tank, turn on demand pump, turn on hot water at sink until water comes out
• For electric operation, turn on 120V breaker and then turn on 120V Water heater switch
• For LP operation, open LP tank and then turn ON small rocker switch (down on our model) and light will momentarily come on.  No temperature controls.  (Uses electricity to start automatically)
• Water heater can be left on until leaving camp (although we shut ours off at night after showers)

Scamp Furnace Checklist (auto start)

• Uses both electric to start and run fan and LP to operate
• Turn LP tank on, Turn on Furnace switch
• Set thermostat to desired temp
• Fan will start, Igniter will click
• Furnace will light
• Turn off LP tank if there is a sulfur smell
• Turn on stove using lighter and run several minutes to bleed lines if Furnace doesn’t start

Scamp Refrigerator Checklist

• 3 Way model — 120V, 12V, LP
• Open outside vent to select power source (lower front panel on our Scamp 13′)
• Three switches (Green 120V, Red 12V, Knob is LP) — ONLY ONE POWER SOURCE AT ONE TIME!
• For driving — use the 12V Red switch
• For hookup camping — use the 120V Green switch
• For dry camping with no hookups — use the Knob for LP
  • Open LP tank valve first
  • Set gas thermostat to high on wheel>depress wheel knob>push red igniter button repeatedly and quickly multiple times while holding down wheel knob.  Keep knob depressed for 15 seconds.  Check to see pilot flame.  High setting is coolest.  If having trouble lighting, turn off knob and run stove burners in kitchen for a couple minutes to bleed gas line and then try again.
  • Set thermostat to 4 or 5 or higher if opening door frequently.

    Disclaimer:  You will get the same great Amazon price by clicking on the links here compared to buying directly on Amazon, but by buying here you will also be supporting the continuation of this website as we get a small commission from each sale.  These are products and procedures we use for our own Scamp that we selected and developed from our own research and experiences.  However, we do not endorse any specific product and cannot guarantee that the products we use are exemplary and the procedures we use are complete, accurate, detail the correct recommended procedures, or apply to your model small travel trailer.  It’s always best to double check with your manufacturer or operation manuals to ensure you are doing everything correctly.