Summer in St. Louis means heat, humidity, and road trips that start at 6am to beat traffic on I-44 toward the Ozarks. It also means you’re putting your RV through some of its most demanding conditions of the year — 95-degree days, highway miles, and campgrounds that might not have hookups. Whether you’re heading out for a long weekend or a two-week run, these seven checks take less than 30 minutes and could be the difference between a smooth trip and one you remember for the wrong reasons.
Why Pre-Trip Checks Matter More in Summer
Heat accelerates component failure. Tires that were marginal in the spring blow out on a hot highway. Capacitors that barely started the AC in May give up entirely on a 95-degree Friday. Missouri summer also means longer trips with more distance from home — to the Ozarks, Table Rock Lake, Meramec State Park, or further. The further you get from St. Louis, the harder it is to get mobile service quickly. A 30-minute check before every departure is cheap insurance.
The 7-Item Pre-Trip Checklist
1. Air Conditioning — Run It the Day Before
Don’t wait until you’re at the campground to discover your AC isn’t working. The day before your trip, run the AC for 30+ minutes and verify it’s actually cooling. If the compressor isn’t engaging, you have time to address it. If you discover it at the campground on a Saturday afternoon in July, your options are much more limited.
2. Tire Pressure and Visual Inspection
Check tire pressure cold (before driving) against the placard on your RV’s door jamb — not the max pressure stamped on the tire sidewall. Heat + underinflated tires + highway speed is a formula for a blowout. While you’re at it, inspect the sidewalls for cracking or bulging. RV tires older than 7 years should be replaced regardless of how the tread looks.
3. Hitch, Coupler, and Safety Chains (Towables)
For travel trailers and fifth wheels, do a visual inspection of your hitch before every departure. Ball seated properly and coupler locked. Safety chains crossed under the tongue in an X pattern. Breakaway battery cable attached and pulling freely. This takes 60 seconds and it’s the one check you don’t want to skip.
4. Running Lights and Trailer Brakes
Have someone stand behind the trailer while you test brake lights, turn signals, and running lights. Check your brake controller’s output reading — it should show trailer brake response when you apply the brakes. Missing lights or non-responsive trailer brakes are both safety and legal issues on Missouri highways.
5. Fresh Water and Holding Tanks
Fill your fresh water tank if you’re camping without hookups. More importantly: empty and treat your gray and black tanks before leaving. Starting a trip with a half-full or full black tank is a miserable equation in summer heat. Add holding tank treatment to your black tank after dumping — it breaks down waste and controls odor in hot conditions.
6. Propane — Level and Connections
Check your propane tank level so you know what you’re working with. Quickly inspect the regulator and connections for any corrosion or signs of wear. If you have a two-tank system, verify the regulator valve is set to the fuller tank. Check your owner’s manual regarding traveling with the main valve open — requirements vary by rig.
7. Interior — Secure Everything That Moves
Before rolling out:
- Confirm all slides are fully retracted and seated
- Latch all cabinet doors and drawers
- Secure the refrigerator door latch
- Clear the stovetop of anything that can slide
- Remove anything from countertops that could fall and break
An unsecured cast iron skillet becomes a 5-pound projectile at highway speed. We’ve seen the inside of RVs after owners forgot to latch the overhead cabinet. It’s a mess that’s entirely preventable.
What to Do If You Find Something Wrong
Most issues caught during a pre-trip check are go/no-go decisions based on severity. A slightly slow slide? You can probably make the trip and schedule service when you return. A brake light not working? Fix it before you hit the highway. AC not cooling? A mobile tech can often get to you same-day.
The key is: don’t ignore it and hope it holds. Small issues addressed before a trip are almost always cheaper and less stressful than the same issues discovered 200 miles from home.
We’re 30 Minutes Away (Mobile RV Repair in St. Louis)
Pull Through Sites is St. Louis’s mobile RV repair service. We come to your driveway — no hauling your rig across town before a trip. We handle AC, brakes, slides, awnings, refrigerators, water systems, and more across the full St. Louis metro and surrounding areas within 60 miles.
Found something on this list that needs attention? Call or text us — we respond quickly.
📞 314-907-0937 | pullthroughsites.com
