If you’re wondering how to prepare an RV for transport, start by making sure it is mechanically roadworthy, securing the interior and exterior for highway travel, reducing unnecessary weight, disconnecting utilities, documenting its condition, and making sure the transporter can safely access it at pickup.
These steps become especially important during long-distance RV transport. A trailer that has spent months sitting at a campground or storage facility may appear perfectly fine but develop problems when subjected to hundreds or thousands of miles of sustained highway travel.
A professional transporter should perform a pre-trip inspection before towing your RV, but that inspection isn’t a substitute for maintenance. The owner should provide an RV that is reasonably roadworthy and ready for transport.
The following RV transport checklist will help you prepare your travel trailer or other towable RV before pickup.
1. Make Sure Your RV Is Roadworthy Before Transport
Start preparing your RV with the components that determine whether it can safely make the trip.
This is particularly important for RVs that have been stationary for extended periods or have only made occasional short trips.
Inspect the Tires — Including Their Age
Don’t judge an RV tire solely by its tread.
Travel trailers often accumulate relatively few miles compared with passenger vehicles. As a result, a tire can have plenty of tread remaining while still being several years old and showing signs of deterioration.
Before a long-distance transport, inspect the tires for:
- Proper inflation
- Cracks in the sidewalls
- Bulges or unusual deformation
- Cuts or punctures
- Uneven wear
- Visible dry rot
- Excessive age
The manufacture date of a tire can be determined from its DOT identification code.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s tire safety guidance recommends regularly inspecting tires for damage and other conditions that can affect safe operation. If you’re unsure about the condition or age of your RV’s tires, have them inspected by a qualified tire professional before the transport date.
A tire that has survived occasional trips to a nearby campground isn’t necessarily a tire you want traveling 1,500 miles at interstate speeds.
Don’t Forget the Spare Tire
If your RV is equipped with a spare tire, inspect it too.
Check its inflation, age, sidewall condition, and accessibility. A spare that’s flat, badly deteriorated, or impossible to access provides little value during a roadside tire problem.
Also make sure any equipment necessary to access the spare is available.
Check the Wheel Bearings and Lug Nuts
Wheel-bearing problems can quickly turn a routine RV transport into a roadside breakdown.
If your RV has been sitting for an extended period, or you don’t know when the bearings were last inspected or serviced, consider having them checked before transport.
The same applies to the wheels and lug nuts. Missing, damaged, loose, or improperly installed wheel hardware should be addressed before the transporter arrives.
Make Sure the Trailer Brakes Work
For trailers equipped with electric brakes, the braking system should be operational before transport.
The tow vehicle’s brakes and brake controller are not substitutes for malfunctioning trailer brakes.
This becomes particularly important with larger travel trailers and destination trailers, where the trailer represents a substantial amount of weight behind the tow vehicle.
If you know your trailer brakes aren’t working correctly, disclose the problem before pickup so it can be addressed.
Check the Breakaway System and Battery
The trailer’s breakaway system is an important safety device designed to activate the trailer brakes if the trailer separates from the tow vehicle.
Before transport, make sure the system is intact and operational, including the breakaway switch, cable, wiring, and battery.
This is also one reason owners shouldn’t automatically disconnect every battery before transport without understanding which safety systems depend on it.
Test the Trailer Lights
Brake lights, turn signals, and running lights should function correctly.
If the RV has been stored outdoors for a long period, wiring connections, plugs, and light assemblies may have deteriorated even if they worked when the trailer was originally parked.
Identifying those problems before pickup can prevent unnecessary delays.
2. Prepare the RV Exterior for Highway Travel
Once the mechanical basics are addressed, walk around the RV and look at it from the perspective of sustained highway travel.
Something that stays in place while an RV is parked may behave very differently after several hours at interstate speeds.
Retract the Slides Completely
All slide-outs should be completely retracted and properly secured for travel.
If a slide isn’t operating correctly, address the problem before the transporter arrives rather than assuming the driver will be able to solve it at pickup.
Retract and Secure the Awning
Make sure the awning is completely retracted and properly secured.
Inspect awning covers and related components for anything loose or damaged that could be affected by highway-speed airflow.
Retract Steps, Stabilizers, and Leveling Equipment
Entry steps, stabilizer jacks, and leveling equipment should be placed completely in their proper travel positions.
Do a visual walk-around after retracting everything rather than relying solely on switches or indicator lights.
Secure Exterior Compartments and Doors
Close and latch all exterior storage compartments.
Check:
- Baggage doors
- Outdoor kitchens
- Access panels
- Exterior shower compartments
- Utility doors
- Spare-tire covers
- Entry doors
If a latch is damaged or questionable, repair it before transport.
Check Roof and Exterior Accessories
Look for accessories that may have been added after the RV left the factory.
Examples include antennas, satellite equipment, solar components, covers, cameras, temporary mounts, bicycle racks, and other accessories.
Anything loose or improperly secured should be addressed before the RV travels at highway speed.
3. Secure the Interior of the RV
Even with conservative driving, acceleration, braking, turns, road construction, potholes, and uneven pavement can cause unsecured objects to move.
Secure Cabinets and Drawers
Make sure cabinet doors and drawers latch properly.
If a latch is weak, use an appropriate temporary method to keep the door closed during transport.
Don’t assume that putting a heavy object inside a cabinet automatically makes it secure. Heavy items can shift and force cabinet doors open.
Secure the Refrigerator and Freezer
Make sure refrigerator and freezer doors are properly latched.
Remove items that could spill, leak, break, or spoil during the trip.
Secure Televisions, Electronics, and Décor
Remove or secure items that aren’t designed to remain in place while the RV is moving.
Pay particular attention to:
- Televisions
- Countertop appliances
- Lamps
- Pictures and wall décor
- Glassware
- Bathroom accessories
- Freestanding furniture
- Shower doors
- Closet doors
When in doubt, imagine the RV making an emergency stop. Anything that could move, become a projectile, or cause damage should be secured.
4. Don’t Use Your RV as an Unlimited Moving Container
Owners relocating an RV sometimes want to leave personal belongings inside it during transport.
Normal RV contents and a reasonable amount of properly secured personal property may be acceptable in many situations, but an RV shouldn’t be treated as an unlimited household moving container simply because it has available storage space.
Every RV has weight limitations, including its cargo carrying capacity.
Adding large amounts of household belongings can increase the trailer’s overall weight and change how that weight is distributed. Heavy items placed in the wrong locations can also significantly affect tongue weight and towing characteristics.
If you’re leaving belongings inside the RV:
- Stay within the RV’s weight limits
- Secure everything against movement
- Avoid concentrating excessive weight in one area
- Be particularly cautious with heavy objects
- Tell the transporter about substantial cargo before pickup
Proper loading and tongue weight matter regardless of whether a particular trailer-and-tow-vehicle combination requires a weight-distribution hitch.
Cargo carrying capacity information can generally be found on the RV’s required weight and loading labels. If you’re uncertain about the amount of cargo you plan to transport inside the RV, discuss it with your transporter beforehand rather than waiting until pickup.
Customers should also confirm how their personal property is insured during transport, since coverage for the RV does not necessarily mean its contents are covered.
5. Prepare the Hitch and Coupling Area
The front of the trailer needs to be accessible and ready for connection.
Before pickup, check:
- Coupler condition and operation
- Correct coupler size
- Safety chains
- Seven-way electrical connector
- Tongue jack
- Breakaway cable
- Battery condition
- Owner-provided hitch components, if applicable
If the trailer has a coupler lock, wheel lock, or other anti-theft device, make sure it can be removed before pickup.
Tell your transporter the correct coupler size in advance. If the trailer has unusual hitch equipment or modifications, providing photographs before the transport date can prevent surprises at pickup.
6. Prepare Tanks, Propane, and Utilities
An RV that’s been occupied at a campground may still be configured for camping rather than transportation.
Before pickup, disconnect campground utilities and place the RV into its proper travel configuration.
Water and Waste Tanks
Unless there’s a specific reason to transport water, carrying unnecessary water adds substantial weight.
Fresh water weighs more than eight pounds per gallon, so even a partially filled large tank can add hundreds of pounds.
Reduce unnecessary fresh water and properly empty gray and black tanks as appropriate before transport.
Propane
Turn off propane appliances and place the propane system into the appropriate travel configuration.
Cylinders should be properly mounted and secured, with valves and related equipment protected and maintained according to manufacturer requirements.
If you’re uncertain about your particular RV’s propane system, consult the manufacturer’s instructions or a qualified RV technician.
Shore Power, Water, and Sewer Connections
Disconnect:
- Electrical shore power
- Fresh-water hoses
- Sewer hoses
- Cable or satellite connections
- External surge protectors
- Adapters and extension cords
Store these items securely rather than leaving them beside or underneath the RV.
7. Document the RV’s Condition Before Pickup
Take clear photographs of your RV shortly before transport.
Photograph:
- The front
- Rear
- Driver side
- Passenger side
- Each corner
- Wheels and tires
- Existing scratches or damage
- Interior condition
- Roof areas when safely accessible
Keep the original photographs with their date and time information.
Orange Gator RV Transport performs a pre-trip inspection as part of the pickup process, but owners should still maintain their own documentation.
Your photographs establish your personal record of the RV’s condition. The transporter’s inspection documents the condition observed when the RV is accepted for transport and helps identify issues that may need attention before departure.
8. Make Sure the Pickup Location Is Accessible
A perfectly prepared RV can still be difficult or impossible to pick up if the transporter can’t safely reach it.
Before pickup, consider:
- Gate codes
- Storage facility operating hours
- HOA or community access restrictions
- Narrow roads or driveways
- Low tree branches
- Steep grades
- Soft ground or mud
- Vehicles parked in front of the RV
- Tight turns
- Locked gates
- Whether staff must provide access
Tell the transporter about potential access problems beforehand. Photos can be especially helpful when the RV is stored in an unusual or confined location.
Have the Keys Available
Make sure all necessary keys are available at pickup, including keys for entry doors, storage compartments, coupler locks, wheel locks, and other secured areas the transporter may need to access.
If you won’t be present, clearly identify who has the keys and who is authorized to release the RV.
9. Tell the Transporter About Known Problems Before Pickup
If you already know something isn’t working correctly, disclose it before the transporter arrives.
That includes:
- A slide that doesn’t operate correctly
- Questionable tires
- Brake issues
- Damaged lights
- A weak battery
- Coupler damage
- Broken exterior latches
- Unusual modifications
- Significant cargo inside the RV
- Difficult pickup access
Advance notice gives the transporter an opportunity to determine whether a repair is necessary or another solution can be arranged.
Discovering the same problem only after the driver reaches the pickup location can result in avoidable delays and expense.
What Happens If the Transporter Finds a Problem at Pickup?
A professional transporter should inspect the RV before beginning the trip, and sometimes that inspection identifies a problem the owner didn’t know existed.
Examples could include:
- Severely cracked or deteriorated tires
- Nonfunctioning trailer brakes
- Failed lighting
- A damaged coupler
- Problems with the breakaway system
- An unsecured awning
- A slide that isn’t completely retracted
- Unsafe loading
- An RV that can’t be safely accessed
Not every minor issue prevents an RV from being transported.
However, when a condition creates a legitimate safety concern, the correct response isn’t to simply hook up and hope for the best. The transport may need to be delayed until the problem is repaired.
That can be inconvenient, but a transporter willing to delay a trip because the equipment isn’t safe is doing exactly what a responsible professional should do.
How to Prepare an RV for Transport: Final Checklist
Knowing how to prepare an RV for transport becomes much easier when you break the process into a final pre-transport checklist. Before your transporter arrives, use the following items for one last walk-around.
Mechanical
- Check tire pressure, condition, and age
- Inspect the spare tire
- Inspect wheels and lug nuts
- Address overdue wheel-bearing maintenance
- Confirm trailer brakes operate correctly
- Check the breakaway system and battery
- Test brake lights, turn signals, and running lights
Exterior
- Fully retract slides
- Retract and secure the awning
- Retract steps
- Retract stabilizers and leveling equipment
- Lock exterior compartments
- Secure doors and windows
- Inspect exterior and roof accessories
- Remove or secure loose equipment
Interior
- Secure cabinets and drawers
- Secure refrigerator and freezer doors
- Remove or secure loose belongings
- Secure electronics and televisions
- Secure freestanding furniture
- Secure shower and closet doors
- Verify cargo isn’t excessive or improperly distributed
Hitch Area
- Verify coupler size
- Check coupler condition
- Check safety chains
- Inspect seven-way connector
- Check tongue jack
- Check breakaway cable
- Remove coupler or wheel locks
Utilities
- Disconnect shore power
- Disconnect water
- Disconnect sewer
- Reduce unnecessary fresh water
- Empty waste tanks as appropriate
- Secure the propane system
- Store hoses, cords, and adapters
Pickup
- Provide gate codes and access instructions
- Confirm facility operating hours
- Move vehicles or obstacles
- Provide necessary keys
- Identify the pickup contact
- Tell the transporter about known access problems
Documentation
- Photograph the exterior
- Photograph the interior
- Document existing damage
- Keep photographs with their original timestamps
- Provide requested RV information to the transporter
Frequently Asked Questions About Preparing an RV for Transport
How far in advance should I prepare my RV for transport?
Ideally, begin checking the RV several days before pickup rather than waiting until the night before.
Interior preparation may only take a few hours, but mechanical problems can require appointments, parts, or repairs. Discovering a questionable tire or brake problem several days before transport gives you time to correct it without delaying pickup.
Can I leave personal belongings inside my RV during transport?
A reasonable amount of normal RV contents and personal belongings may be acceptable when properly secured and kept within the RV’s weight limitations.
However, an RV shouldn’t be treated as an unlimited household moving container. Large amounts of cargo can add significant weight and affect weight distribution and towing characteristics.
Tell your transporter beforehand if you intend to leave substantial personal property inside the RV, and confirm how those belongings are insured during transportation.
Should RV water tanks be empty before transport?
Generally, there is little reason to transport large amounts of unnecessary water.
Because water weighs more than eight pounds per gallon, full tanks can add hundreds of pounds to the RV.
The appropriate tank configuration can depend on the RV and circumstances, but reducing unnecessary water and emptying waste tanks as appropriate before long-distance transport is generally sensible.
Does an RV transporter inspect the trailer before towing it?
A professional transporter should conduct a pre-trip inspection before departure.
That inspection may include the trailer’s visible condition, tires, lighting, coupling equipment, safety equipment, exterior components, and other items relevant to safe transport.
However, a pre-trip inspection isn’t a replacement for proper RV maintenance.
What happens if my RV isn’t safe to tow when the driver arrives?
It depends on the problem.
Some minor issues may be correctable at pickup. More serious problems may require professional repair before the RV can safely be transported.
A responsible transporter should not move an RV when a known condition creates an unreasonable safety risk.
Preparation Makes Long-Distance RV Transport Easier
Understanding how to prepare an RV for transport can help prevent delays and avoidable problems before the truck ever arrives.
Providing a roadworthy RV, securing the interior and exterior, documenting its condition, communicating known issues, and making sure the pickup location is accessible can prevent many common delays.
When the RV is properly prepared, the transporter can focus on the job at hand: completing the pre-trip inspection, safely connecting the trailer, and transporting it to its destination with appropriate care.
If you’re still evaluating transportation options, you can learn more about RV transport services, understand what RV transport typically costs, and review what to check before choosing an RV transport company.
If you’re planning a long-distance move and want to know whether your RV is a good fit for Orange Gator RV Transport, request a personalized transport quote with your pickup location, destination, RV year, make and model, and approximate transport timeframe. We specialize in premium transportation for privately owned travel trailers, destination trailers, and other qualifying towable trailers throughout the United States.