Inspect the entire outer portion of the vehicle. Remove the wheels and inspect the brake pads and brake drums. Look for worn brake pads or grooved brake rotor surfaces. Check the lug nuts on the tires and make sure they are not stripped. Look at the tires' date of manufacture to see if they need to be replaced. Check the grooves on the tires to make sure there is enough tread for the road. Inspect the wheel rims for any dents or cracks that could lead to tire failure. Place the trailer on a lift and look at the undercarriage. Inspect the transmission, rear-end housing and drive shaft. Check the wheel axles, electrical wiring, stabilizing jacks and holding tanks.
Open the hood and inspect the engine. Look for signs of oil leakage, battery corrosion and excessive exhaust when you start the engine. Check the fluid levels. This includes water, oil, transmission, power steering and brake. Check for leaks in all of the fluid lines. Double check the air and oil filters. The filters will need to look clean and not clogged up with dirt. Look at the radiator and check the water hose, fuel pump and fan belts. Check the seals under the engine headers so there is no evidence of leaks. This could lead to engine trouble later on. make sure all of the engine fluids are at maximum levels. Make a note for any item that looks worn and needs to be replaced.
Walk around the trailer and look at the siding. Look for any gaps or tears. This can lead to loss of energy and increase of rust during rainy weather. Inspect the roof condition for any signs of leaks. Check the areas where caulking has been laid down. Re-caulk any areas that are loose or have become worn over time. Look at the connecting joints for satellite dish attachments, skylights, air conditioning and solar panels if installed. Make sure each nut and bolt are secured tightly so equipment does not come loose or fall off during transportation.
Check the condition of the electrical wiring. Look for frayed wires or blackening at the connections. This could be a sign of a short in the wire. Check for any wires that may have come loose. Inspect the batteries, battery switches, power cable and connectors for signs of corrosion. These can be cleaned off by rubbing some cola over the terminals and wiping clean.
Check the faucets, showers, sinks, water holding tanks and waste treatment tanks. Look for rusting, leaks and cracks in the pipelines. You may want to check for clogs or drainage issues. Check all the hoses connected to the sewer lines. Make sure these are fastened securely and that there are no tears or rips in the hoses. View the generator fluid levels, noise level and exhaust system. Check the electrical panel for any shorts or blown fuses.
Open the cabinets and look for any loose hardware, worn shelving or damaged wood. Check the windows, screens, doors, countertops, sink, stove and refrigerator. Check for cramped space, sleeping quarters and interior power sources. Inspect the wiring connectors for telephone, satellite or other home entertainment equipment. Make sure you have plenty of emergency supplies to assist you should an accident occur. You should have at least two or three fire extinguishers on board. Check the propane, gas and carbon monoxide detectors and ensure they each have fresh batteries installed.
