The List of Lists: Every Checklist a TAB Owner Needs

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If you caught the latest livestream, you know it was a bit more high-energy than usual — that’s usually what happens when Dawn Harris stops by. We took a deep dive into what I’m calling “List Love,” breaking down the must-have checklists for the 2026 camping season. From walkthrough tips for new owners to the packing hacks I use to get out the door faster, we covered the meat-and-potatoes of RV life while having a little fun in the process.

I’m going to break all the rules of good blog writing here and just give you everything. Not all of these lists have links, because some of them are really things you need to shape on your own based on how you camp, what you bring, and what your rig needs. But for the ones where I’ve got a resource ready to go? It’s all here.

Bookmark this page. You’ll come back to it.

Essential New Owner Lists

These are the lists that matter most when you’re brand new. If you’re still in the “I don’t know what I don’t know” phase, start here.

Before You Buy List. Questions to ask your dealer before making a purchase. If you haven’t pulled the trigger yet — or even if you already have and want to make sure you covered your bases — I’ve got a full breakdown of what to think about before you sign anything: 10 Essential Tips for Buying Your New TAB Camper. I also walk through the buying process in this video.

Walkthrough & Inspection Checklist. This is the list that ensures your dealer actually teaches you how to use everything — and gives you a chance to catch issues before you drive off the lot. I cover this in detail in this livestream, and I also wrote a full companion blog post: What I Wish Every New TAB Owner Knew Before Driving Off the Lot.

Shakedown Trip List. Your first outing should be a practice run, not an epic cross-country adventure. This list covers what to test and verify on that first trip — things like checking lug nuts at specific mileage intervals, verifying your 7-pin connection is actually charging the battery, and making sure your tow setup is dialed in. Think of it as the dress rehearsal before the real show.

10 Essential Must-Haves. The gear you need before your first trip — items like a water pressure regulator, leveling blocks, wheel chocks, a sewer hose, and a surge protector. These aren’t luxuries; they’re the basics that keep your camping experience safe and functional. I walk through all ten in this video and this blog post.

Operational Checklists

Once you’ve got the basics down, these are the lists that keep you from making the kind of mistakes that cost you time, money, or a good night’s sleep.

Setup Checklist. Steps for setting up at a campground — from leveling to hooking up utilities to getting the inside of your TAB ready for a comfortable stay. I’ve got a full walkthrough with a downloadable checklist here: Setting Up the Campsite.

Tear Down Checklist. The reverse of setup, but with its own set of gotchas. Steps for packing up and leaving a site safely — because forgetting to retract the tongue jack before pulling away is the kind of thing that only happens once (and it’s expensive). I’ve got a companion checklist for this one too: Campsite Departure Checklist.

Fuses List. A list of all the fuses in your unit and a kit of spares. This is one of those things that seems like overkill until you’re sitting in the dark at 9pm trying to figure out why your outlets stopped working. Know where your fuses are, know what size they are, and carry extras.

Winterization & De-winterization Checklists. Specific steps for protecting the plumbing in winter and preparing it for spring. If you’re in a climate where things freeze, these lists are non-negotiable. 

Trip Departure Checklist. This one is separate from the campsite tear-down — it’s the routine checks you do before every single drive. Testing lug nuts, checking tire pressure on the trailer and the tow vehicle, inspecting tires for wear or damage. It takes five minutes and it’s worth every second.

Packing Lists

Here’s where I get a little obsessive, and I’m not ashamed of it. I break my packing down into several smaller lists because trying to manage one giant master list is a recipe for forgetting something important. Smaller, category-specific lists are easier to run through and harder to mess up.

Before You Leave List. This isn’t about what goes in the trailer — it’s about what you need to handle at home before you pull out of the driveway. Tasks like holding the mail, turning down the house heat, setting light timers, that kind of thing.

Food & Grocery Lists. I keep separate mental buckets for frozen foods, refrigerated items, pantry staples, and condiments. If you’ve ever arrived at a campsite and realized you forgot cooking oil or coffee filters, you know why this matters.

Vehicle-Specific Lists. I have a separate list for what goes in the Jeep and what goes in the TAB. They’re two different packing jobs with different priorities, and treating them that way keeps things from getting lost or left behind.

Activity Lists. Photo gear, hiking gear, and what I call “outside living” — chairs, hammocks, the stuff that makes the campsite feel like home. This one changes depending on the trip, but having a base list to start from saves a lot of time.

Personal/Pet Lists. Toiletries, clothes, medicines, and a specific list for Rocky. Dogs have their own packing needs — food, bowls, leash, medications, bed, toys — and they can’t exactly remind you that you forgot something.

Emergency Contact List. A written list of friends, family, nearby hospitals, and vets. I keep a physical copy because if your phone dies or you’re somewhere without signal, you want this information accessible. This is one of those things you hope you never need, but if you do, you’ll be glad you have it.

Other Lists Worth Keeping

These are the ones that round out the collection — some practical, some aspirational, all useful.

Bucket List. Places you want to travel to. I keep a running list and add to it every time someone in the community shares a great campground or I stumble across a spot that looks worth the drive. It’s also just fun to have.

Storage Hacks List. Ideas for organizing the camper. Every TAB owner I know has a running list of “I should try that” storage solutions. The TAB is a small space, and creative storage can make it feel a lot bigger.

Campground Wishlist. A list of specific campgrounds to visit. Different from the bucket list — this is the detailed version with campground names, reservation windows, and notes about hookups and availability.

10 Common Mistakes List. Things to avoid, like improper leveling, ignoring tire maintenance, or forgetting to secure those soft-close drawers before driving. I’ve made several videos on this topic because it comes up so often in the community — you can find them here: Common Mistakes Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4.

Facebook Groups List. Communities to join for support and socializing. The TAB community is one of the best parts of owning one of these trailers, and being plugged into the right groups can save you hours of troubleshooting and connect you with people who genuinely want to help. Here’s my full list of recommended Facebook groups.

One Last Thing

I know this is a lot. That’s kind of the point. You don’t need all of these lists on day one — but having them available when you’re ready for them is what keeps camping fun instead of stressful. Start with the new owner essentials, build from there, and customize everything to fit the way you camp.

And if you want to watch the full conversation where Dawn and I go through all of this (with a fair amount of laughing), you can catch the livestream replay here.

Happy listing. Happy camping. 🏕️