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 trip you forget because it was smooth and a trip you remember for the wrong reasons.
Why Pre-Trip Checks Matter More in Summer
Heat accelerates almost every type of mechanical failure. Rubber dries and cracks faster. Capacitors weaken more quickly under thermal stress. Tires that were marginal in April become a blowout risk on a hot Missouri highway in July. And campgrounds in the Ozarks, Shawnee National Forest, or anywhere else you’re headed are not close to a repair shop.
The St. Louis area has specific summer conditions worth accounting for: high humidity accelerates corrosion on electrical connections, cottonwood and pollen clog AC coils, and rapid temperature swings stress seals and roofing materials more than in more temperate climates.
30 minutes before you leave the driveway is worth hours of hassle at a campground 90 miles away.
The 7-Item Pre-Trip Checklist
1. Air Conditioning — Run It the Day Before
Don’t test your AC the morning you leave. Run it the day before, for at least 30 minutes, and confirm it’s actually cooling — not just blowing air.
An AC that won’t cool in your driveway on a Wednesday won’t magically cool at a campsite on Saturday. A capacitor that’s been borderline all spring is most likely to fail on the hottest day of your trip, when the compressor is working hardest. What you’re checking: does it start cleanly, and does it drop interior temperature noticeably within 15–20 minutes?
2. Tire Pressure and Visual Inspection
RV tires are the most underinspected safety item on most rigs. Underinflated tires on a loaded RV in 95-degree heat on a Missouri highway are a blowout risk. Check pressure when the tires are cold using the rating on the placard inside your RV door.
Also inspect the sidewalls for:
- Cracking or crazing (spiderweb-like cracks)
- Bulging or irregular surfaces
- Any damage or exposed cords
If your tires are more than 6–7 years old, check the DOT manufacture date code. Many RV tire manufacturers recommend replacement at 5–7 years regardless of tread depth — the internal structure degrades with age and heat cycling even when the tread looks fine.
3. Hitch, Coupler, and Safety Chains (for Towables)
Walk through this before every trip:
- Ball fully seated in coupler, latch locked and safety pin in place
- Weight distribution bars engaged and even (if applicable)
- Safety chains crossed under the coupler with enough slack for turns
- Breakaway cable attached to the tow vehicle (not the hitch)
- Brake controller showing a reading when you step on the brakes
- Fifth wheel kingpin fully locked and jaws closed (if applicable)
This takes 3 minutes. There’s no scenario where skipping it makes sense.
4. Running Lights and Brakes
Do a walk-around light check before every trip. Check: running lights, brake lights, left and right turn signals, reverse lights, and emergency flashers.
Also test the trailer brakes in a low-speed controlled stop before getting on the highway. Confirm the brake controller gain is set appropriately and trailer brakes are engaging — you should feel a slight pull from the rear when they engage.
5. Fresh Water and Holding Tanks
Start every trip with a sanitized, filled fresh water tank and empty gray and black tanks. Don’t start the trip with any waste tank above 25% capacity.
For fresh water: if the tank has been sitting more than a week since your last trip, do a quick sanitization (1/4 cup bleach per 15 gallons, fill, run water through all faucets until you smell bleach, let sit 4 hours, drain and flush). Bacteria grow quickly in stagnant water in summer heat.
Add tank treatment to the black tank before you leave — this controls odor and starts breaking down waste.
6. Propane — Level and Leak Check
Check your propane level and confirm you have enough for the trip. Do a soapy water check on all propane connections — spray and watch for bubbles. No bubbles means no leak. This takes 2 minutes and is a genuine safety check.
Most states require propane tanks be in the closed position while driving. Know your refrigerator type and plan accordingly for transit.
7. Interior — Secure Everything That Can Move
Walk through the interior before closing up and confirm:
- Slide retracted (it happens)
- All interior doors latched (cabinets, bathroom, bedroom — these become battering rams at highway speed)
- Drawers locked
- Refrigerator travel latch engaged
- Loose items stowed — anything on a counter or shelf that can move should be in a cabinet. An unsecured item in a moving RV becomes a projectile during sudden braking.
- Awning retracted and locked
- Jacks fully retracted
- TV antenna lowered
What to Do If You Find Something Wrong
Finding an issue on this list before you leave is a good outcome. The same issue found at a campground — or on the highway — is a much worse day.
Some issues are a no-go until fixed: any brake problem, a slide that won’t retract, a propane leak, or tires with visible structural damage. These aren’t “we’ll deal with it when we get there” situations.
Some issues are manageable but should be addressed soon: a slow slide, an AC that’s not cooling as well as it should, a fridge that’s struggling. You may be able to make the trip, but get it looked at before the next one.
We’re 30 Minutes Away (Mobile RV Repair in St. Louis)
Pull Through Sites serves the St. Louis area with mobile RV repair — 60-mile radius, we come to you. If something on this list comes up before your trip and you need a technician, give us a call or text at 314-907-0937.
We handle everything on this list: AC service, tire assessment, brake and bearing inspection, slide-out service, propane system checks, water system work, and more. We’ll come to your driveway and get it handled so you can leave on time.
Have a great trip. The Ozarks are waiting.
