Motorhome and Caravan Maintenance Checklist
Cover the habitation side properly, which is where the expensive problems — damp above all — actually start.
VE-04 2 pages
Vehicles · VE-05
Trailer Pre-Tow Inspection Checklist
A free printable trailer inspection checklist — coupling, running gear, lights and load security, in walk-around order, with signature.
Download Free · no sign-up
2 pages. Choose your paper size — both versions are laid out identically, so neither one gets shrunk to fit.
Print it and write on it
Fill it in type and save
The fillable versions have real form fields — open them in any PDF reader, type into them and save. Printing help.
What this sheet is for
Run the same walk-around every time, in the same order, so nothing gets skipped because you were in a hurry.
Who it is for
Anyone towing — plant trailers, horseboxes, box trailers, caravans, boat trailers.
How to use it
- Work in the printed order: coupling, running gear, lights, body and load.
- Have someone check the lights while you operate them.
- Check nose weight as well as total weight.
- Sign and date it — this becomes your record that the check happened.
What is on the sheet
2 pages, in this order:
Page 1
Printed under the title: A pre-tow inspection for a trailer, horsebox, plant trailer or caravan. Runs top to bottom in the order you would walk around it.
Know your own limits. Load security and towing limits are legal duties in most countries, and the limits depend on your vehicle, your licence and the trailer's plated weights. Check what applies to you — this sheet records the walk-around, it does not set the rules.
Write-on lines: Trailer / unit · Registration or ID · Date · Towing vehicle · Checked by
Coupling
- Coupling head fully seated and locked on the ball
- Safety chain or breakaway cable connected correctly
- Jockey wheel raised, clamped and secure
- Handbrake released; damper and linkage sound
Running gear
- Tyre pressures correct, including the spare
- Tyre tread, sidewalls and age
- Wheel nuts tight to torque
- Hubs not running hot after a short run
- Suspension and axle visually sound
Lights and electrics
- Side and tail lights
- Brake lights
- Indicators both sides
- Number plate light
- Fog light
- Reversing light where fitted
- Plug and socket clean, undamaged and clipped
Page 2
Body and load
- Floor, ramps and side panels sound
- Load evenly distributed and within plated weight
- Nose weight within the towing vehicle's limit
- Load secured with rated straps in good condition
- Doors, tailgate and ramp latched
- Number plate present, clean and matching
Signature strip: Signed · Print name · Date
Ruled lines: Notes and anything specific to yours
Questions
Do I legally need to do this?
Duties on towing weights, load security and trailer condition exist in most countries, and for commercial towing they are usually explicit. What applies depends on your licence, your vehicle and your jurisdiction — check the rules where you are. This sheet records the check; it does not define the duty.
Related sheets
Tyre and Brake Record
See wear as a trend, so you can plan replacement instead of being told at a test that it is already too late.
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Also in the resources library
The same subject, with a version you can fill in on screen.
Caravan Payload and Tow Weight Calculator
Your van's plate weights and your car's figures in one place.
BT-831 Form PDF Excel Online
Caravan Pitch Set-Up and Pack-Down Checklist
Levelling, steadies and chocks done before anything is connected.
BT-829 Checklist PDF Online
