Pretrip is the first thing that needs to be done before you start driving your motorhome.

Think of the not so obvious this way. If one of those four systems fail you will be put in an unsafe position. Stopped along side the road. Maybe in downtown rush hour traffic. Or maybe on a narrow two lane road in the middle of the night.

By checking those fluid levels every day before you start driving. Will give you an indication that one of those systems might be ready to fail.

For example; if yesterday the oil in the engine was right on the full mark, but today it is down a couple quarts. That is an indication that something is going wrong with that engine.

If you continue driving you will have a problem.

The same is true for the transmission, cooling system and power steering. Anytime one of those systems fluid levels are low that is an indication that something is wrong. These systems, generally, do not fail without any warning.

Those fluid levels are that systems, settle, way of telling you, "I’m about ready to fail".

That’s why a proper pretrip is so very important to the safe operation of your motorhome.

As a professional driver I have to perform a pre-trip inspection before I ever start opperating that vehicle. At least once a day and for every vehicle I drive that day. There is a form I must sign that states that I did perform a pre-trip inspection on that vehicle.

That form must be kept with that vehicle and be signed. That form also has a place for me to explain what I have found wrong with that vehicle. If I find something wrong with that vehicle that is safety related I must get it fixed before I go out on the road.

The form also has a place for either the mechanic or me to explain what was fixed and how that defect was corrected. That form is called a "DVIR", Driver Vehicle Inspection Report. That report must be kept with that vehicle for at least one day previous.

Click on the PDF link below to see the exact "DVIR" I must fill out. You will need Adobe Reader (the latest version is recommended) installed on your computer in order to open and read this PDF FILE. You can get Adobe Reader here (a new window will open so you can download without leaving this page).

COPY OF A DVIR

This form is a federal law that is enforced by "The US Department of Transportation". Any police officer can enforce that law on profesional drivers.

The reason I told you about the DVIR is that the Federal Government feels that a pre-trip inspection is important to vehicle safety on the highways.

They can only regulate professional drivers. Any police officer can write you a ticket for operating an unsafe vehicle.

If that officer feels that defect could cause an accident they can make you get that safety defect fixed before you continue. That officer might just tell you where you can go buy a stoplight bulb and allow you to drive your vehicle to that location to replace that bulb.

The first chapter in my e-book I show you how to perform a proper pretrip on your motorhome. I go into great detail.

This pretrip will give you the confidence that your vehicle is safe.

It will also give you peace-of-mind that you are prepared for the journey ahead.

Here is a list of the chapters in my e-book;

1-How and what to check before you start your motorhome (PRETRIP)

2-Judging height and width

3-Weight distribution

4-Proper use of mirrors in relation to driving and backing

5-Turning and cornering both left and right

6-Proper use of engine, transmission, and brakes

7-Driving in bad weather conditions