What this checklist is for
This is a service record for your motorhome or travel trailer. It’s a form you fill out on the screen and can save as either a CSV or a PDF. The record has the name of the coach and the date it was due for service. It will show marks for each station (OK, Defect, N/A). You would document any defects discoverd and who signs off.
These are the tasks they request for you to complete on their own official pages: Battery check, LP lines, tire, roof membrane and lap seal, generator placement, alarm, trailer brake, and water heater anode.
RVIA has adopted NFPA 1192 as the construction standard. That standard dictate how new coaches should be constructed. It is not a federal roadside inspection sticker, and this page does not invent one.
What it is not
- It is not an RV winterizing checklist. That unpublished form covers antifreeze, bypass valves, and tank drain-down. Name it in plain text. This sheet only asks whether the water heater and plumbing are leak-free and whether a Suburban-style anode is still serviceable.
- It is not an RV campsite setup checklist. That unpublished form covers leveling, hookups, and site layout. Name it in plain text. Generator placement on this sheet is a carbon monoxide clearance check, not a campsite pad plan.
- It is not the published vehicle maintenance log for a car or light truck. Use that log for chassis oil, filters, and shop visits. Link a tire-only walk to the published tire inspection checklist if you want a per-wheel psi sheet. A departure packing list belongs on the published road trip checklist.
- It is not a state inspection sticker, a title, or a licensed LP-gas qualification. USFA tells owners to have a trained technician inspect the RV at least once a year. NFPA tells you to have the propane system inspected so it still works. Those visits are not this PDF.
How to fill each block
Enter the date and select a service interval.
Record the vehicle info, such as the make, model, year, type, and VIN. Record chassis or tow-vehicle miles and generator hours if the set has an hour meter. Check that you have the OEM manuals
Check the box if the annual tech visit is scheduled or current.
Inspect the roof twice a year. Check membrane damage plus lap sealant at all terminations. At least four times per year clean the roof. Do not use harsh abrasive or petroleum-solvent cleaners. Identify leaks, open laps, and cuts. Membrane is slippery when wet. Sealant does not have a required thickness…don’t make one up.
Tire pressure: Check at least monthly, and after the vehicle has sat for at least three hours. Include the spare. Look on the coach maker’s table, or the RV placard, for correct inflation figures. A TPMS is no substitute for a gauge.
Replace a tire at 2/32 inch of tread or sooner if there is damage like cuts, cracks, or bulges. NHTSA says aging tires is a hazard for RVs. Many coach manufacturers suggests six to 10 years of service. The form doesn’t select any single age from federal. Wheel nuts should be torqued to either coach or axle spec. Don’t guess a foot-pound figure.
Inspect propane lines for any damage or kink. Use a gas leak detection device to test connections for leaks. Keep a gas-leak detector on board and check appliances for leaks. Do not use an open flame to detect leaks.
Verify tanks/cylinders is secure. Make sure shutoffs are accessible and vents is clear of obstructions. Mark N/A if tank/appliance is not on this coach.
Check the batteries by inspecting the cables, terminals, and battery case regularly. Tighten connections to terminal spec. Flooded batteries needs water after a full charge. Add water to 1/8 inch from vent well. Test periodically until familiar with interval, about monthly.
Don't attempt to water AGM, gel, or lithium batteries. On most motorhomes, the house battery bank is a separate job from the chassis battery bank.
Place the portable generator outdoors, at least 20′ from any opening. Do not operate in closed spaces. Allow to cool before refueling. Exhaust should point out from RV.
Check CO detectors before starting the portable set. For built-in gensets, follow the OEM instructions for exhaust hardware. Mark rows where a portable is placed as N/A if it is built-in. Mark the entire station N/A if the coach lacks a generator.
Anode in water heater? Check every 6-12 months. If over 75 percent gone, replace. Sulfate water and high iron will eat up the rod faster. Many tanks are made of aluminum, and tankless units don't have one. If so, mark N/A on this row. Look for leaky fittings by walking around what you can see. It is not part of winterization.
Before every trip, test the brake operation and test the breakaway battery.
At 3 months/3,000 miles: Manual drum adjustment
What varies
At 6 months or 6,000 miles: Examine controllers and magnets
Examine bearings, cylinders, and linings at 12 months or 12,000 miles.
Dexter notes that using E-Z Lube or oil fill doesn't substitute for periodic bearing inspections. The motorhome marked the trailer schedule N/A; it follows the chassis maker’s schedule.
All RVs should have smoke and CO alarms. Test monthly. CO alarms should be installed outside sleeping areas. Use RV rated alarms. Have a portable extinguisher onboard. Plan two ways out.
After you finish
The recommended replacement age for alarms is provided. If CO alarm sounds, get to fresh air immediately and call 911. Don't try to find the source first. List what failed, where, and what you will do about it. Decide whether to travel based on whether there were defects, if they were repaired before travel, if they were scheduled but still safe, or if you should of not travel. Sign when record is filled out.
For instance, campgrounds and states may add fire-extinguisher, smoke-alarm, or LP rules. This is not stamped by a tech who inspected it according to NFPA 1192. It’s different for motorhomes different than it is for travel trailers.
For towables, the breakaway interval goes here. For motorhomes, chassis service goes here. For portable generators, 20-foot clearance applies. For built-in sets, apply the OEM spec from the coach.
Not a substitute for the OEM or a licensed inspection
There is no single national Pass/Fail standard. If your book differs from this sheet, follow your book. Make no guesses on replacement year, torque, or psi. Use the filled PDF or CSV to download a copy. The answers live here in this browser. Save a copy with the OEM manuals. This is not legal advice. This is a recordkeeping template.