Lists

"People who want to appear clever rely on memory, People who want to get things done make lists." - Peter McWilliams

I live by lists.  I have apps for lists, spreadsheets for lists, shopping lists, to-do lists, reading lists, project list and many more.  Trips and camping are one thing where lists definitely save time, headache and money.

Karen and I use a shared google spreadsheet with tabs for different lists of stuff we need to make sure we have before we leave with the RV.  We have a list for clothes, a list for food, a list for thing to bring/buy for the camper and truck, a list for the dog(s) and a to-do list of things leading up to our departure.

We add things and cross them off as we go and inevitably we still usually manage to forget at least one thing.  But if we didn't make the lists and follow them, it could be much, much worse.

I also have an app for my RV checklists.  It contains 4 lists:

1. Departure checklist
2. Arrival and setup
3. Preparation
4. Inspection

The main ones are #1 and #2.  The Departure checklist has all of the steps, in order, that we need to follow before we put the truck in drive and leave.  It contains things like:

1. Check the fluids in the truck (oil, washer, coolant etc)
2. Grease the hitch
3. Check tire pressure and lug nuts
4. latch the doors
5. Close the stove
6. Lower the tailgate
7. Hitch the RV

That is just a taste.  There are almost 100 items on it and I check off every single one before we leave.  If I were to not turn off the propane, or lower the tailgate it could be costly and even catastrophic so I like to make sure that I won't forget.

Even so, I've still found myself in a hurry and skipping through the list and almost made a bad mistake.  so My advice.  Create at least a departure/arrival list, and make sure to follow it!