The Off-Road Camper Trailer Shakedown Trip: What You Need to Know

If you want to have the best possible grand maiden voyage in your new off-road camper trailer, you’re going to want to plan a shakedown trip first. Consider the shakedown a pre-trip test run, as inevitably something will go wrong or something will happen that could have been prevented.

Use the shakedown trip to ensure you have everything you’ll need for a comfortable, fun, and safe camping adventure with your trailer. It will also give you time to discover how to work all your camper’s systems and ensure that they’re working properly. Also, use this trip to build the confidence with your towing setup that you can lean into to enjoy a low stress, big adventure with friends and family.

Tips For Shake Down Trip Success

Before you even leave home, be sure to top off the trailer’s batteries, water, and propane. It will also be helpful to read your camper trailer’s manual. Make a checklist for systems to check and gear to bring. Ensure you have all your paperwork for insurance and registration up to date and in your vehicle.

For your shakedown you’ll want to stay local, so if you do run into any issues, help is an easy phone call away. A full-service campground near your home is a great first shakedown location, but it can even be performed in your driveway.

All you need is a night or two for a proper shakedown, which is enough to literally shake things down. You’ll figure out what you need to pack, what to plan when it comes to cooking, how comfortable the bed is, how to set up, and turn everything on and off.  

Learn, Test, Experience

You’ll want to test, well, everything, but more specifically be sure to check all the trailer systems used for towing and use every camper system on board, both hooked up to shore power and through your camper’s battery system.

Camper Trailer Towing

If you’re new to towing, head to a local empty parking lot and practice backing up and making tight maneuvers. Make sure your mirrors are adequate to see around your camper, all your trailer lights work properly, the safety chains are adjusted properly, and you have the right ball and hitch setup for a smooth, safe towing experience. Also, be sure that your brake controller works and that you adjust it properly for your loaded trailer.

Additionally, ensure that you’re comfortable hooking up and detaching your trailer, even on steep, soft, and/or uneven surfaces. Ensure you have a good set of wheel chocks and appropriate leveling blocks for your trailer setup as well.

Besides making sure you have the right tire pressure in your trailer tires, you’ll also want to ensure the lug nuts are torqued properly. A quick once-over all-around and under your camper to ensure there is nothing loose or missing is also worth the time before taking off on your shakedown and each time you head off with your camper.

Test Camper Systems

On your shakedown trip, you’ll want to figure out what every switch in your camper does and use every one to ensure every onboard system works as it should. Things like making sure the fridge stays at your desired temperature settings, your water system operates without leaks, and your propane appliances -stove and furnace systems- work as they should.

You’ll also want to learn how to read all the gauges in your camper. An important one is your battery levels, and along with that, the charge you're getting from your solar array, if you have one.

You’ll also want to go through all the configurations available with your camper. If the dinette turns into a bed, make sure you know how that works, and physically do it so you know it works. If the roof pops up or folds open, ensure you know how to safely open, close, and secure it for the possible bumpy road ahead.

It might sound trivial, but be sure to sleep on the bed, as a good night’s sleep is critical to enjoyable adventures. Is the mattress comfortable? If not, maybe you’ll want to add a memory foam topper. Do you have the right size bedding that is comfortable and appropriate for the climate you’ll be camping in? And, where will you store the bedding during the day and in transport mode?

All of these things are key to figure out on your shakedown trip, before you get out into the boonies with friends and family on your next big adventure.

Off-Road Trailer Packing and Prep

Got a family and everyone packs themselves? Good luck! Plan to trim it down, go simple, and think about layers. You’ll be amazed at how fast a camper fills up with clothes and gear that never gets used. Use small, soft storage bags versus bulky hard luggage for personal items. They will be easier to pack, and less likely to cause damage to your camper when bouncing down a back road.

Plan your meals and only bring what’s really needed. Don’t try to be a world class chef your first trip out. Cook enough to know what supplies, utensils, and equipment you want to pack for longer trips, but don’t try to get it all in now.

Also, be sure to pack and plan out your outdoor living area. You’ll probably want camp chairs and possibly a table, shower mat, and even a portable grill or fire pit.

Go Forth and Adventure

By taking your off-road adventure camper out for it’s first shakedown trip, you’ll not only learn a lot about how it works, but you’ll gain the confidence and experience you’ll want to make your first real adventure with family and friends enjoyable. You’ll figure out the things you really need and the things you can leave at home.

Make the shakedown fun and go with the mindset that when you’re camping off-grid, you learn to love what you have, how to adapt, and enjoy the outdoors no matter what.

Besides your first trip ever with your camper trailer, it’s also a good idea to do a shakedown trip every year if your camper has been stored for any length of time. This way you can catch any issues that could have developed without them catching you off-guard when you’re off-grid.

If you need help choosing the best off road or overlanding camper for your family, the team at XGRiD Campers can help. Whether it’s renting or buying, call us today to help find your next adventure basecamp.

Q: Are shakedown trips recommended for everyone?

A: Shakedown trips are recommended for new and experienced off-road camper trailer owners alike. You are very unlikely to regret putting in the time to shakedown your rig.

Q: How do you plan a shakedown trip?

A: Stay local, bring tools, plan ahead on route and camping location, and create a checklist of both gear you need to bring and systems checks you need to perform.

Q: What comes after a shakedown trip?

A: Adventure comes after your shakedown trip! You should have a good idea of what works and what doesn’t, so address any issues and hit the road less traveled.

Q: How can XGRiD help with your shakedown trip?

A: XGRID’s service technicians can help you before and after your shakedown trip with diagnosing any issues and correcting them. We have the parts and service to ensure your off-road camper trailer is ready for your next adventure, and the many after that.