Snowbird Arrival Checklist for a Las Vegas Winter

When you arrive in Las Vegas for the winter, inspect your tires, test the propane system and appliances, sanitize and check the water system, verify your electrical connection and surge protection, and test the furnace or heat pump. A one-hour arrival check catches the damage a long road trip leaves behind, while you are still in one place with time to fix it.

Each fall, RV owners from colder states head to Southern Nevada. Parks around Henderson, Boulder City and the east side of Las Vegas fill up from roughly October through April. Winters here are mild compared with the north, but a long drive is hard on any RV, and a rig that has been stored through the summer has its own problems.

This checklist is designed for arrival day and the first week. It will help you catch the most common issues early, and it highlights a few things that are specific to Las Vegas.

Why do an arrival check at all?

Three reasons.

1. Travel shakes things loose. Hundreds or thousands of miles of vibration loosen fittings, strain seals and expose weak parts.
2. Storage is hard on systems. If the RV sat for months, rubber dries out, batteries discharge and pests can move in.
3. You are settled and can fix things. A problem found at your site is far easier to repair than one found at 65 miles per hour.

What should I check in the first hour?

Tires and running gear

• Check tire pressure and look for bulges, cracks and uneven wear after the drive.
• Check lug nut torque.
• Look at the date codes on the tires. Age matters as much as tread.
• If you tow, test every trailer light with a helper before your first drive. See our guide to trailer lights and wiring.

Leveling and stability

• Level the rig, chock the wheels and confirm the jacks hold. Slow drift can mean a hydraulic leak.
• Cycle each slide fully in and out and check the seals for tears.

Exterior and roof

• Walk around the RV and look for damage from the trip: scrapes, loose trim, cracked vents.
• Look at roof sealant if you can do it safely. Even though winter is milder, sun and sealant damage are year-round in the desert. See RV roof maintenance in the desert.

How do I check the electrical connection?

Power problems are among the most common issues in crowded parks.

• Use a surge protector, preferably one that displays voltage and shows wiring faults.
• Before plugging in, check the pedestal outlet with a tester or the surge protector. Report a faulty pedestal to the park instead of using it.
• Make sure the shore power cord and plug are clean, undamaged and not warm after a while under load.
• Know your amperage. A 30-amp rig can easily trip the breaker if you run several large appliances together.
• Test the converter and the batteries. Check voltage and look for corrosion on terminals.

If you use a generator, run it under load for a while to confirm it starts and carries power. See our generator repair service if it does not.

What should I check on the propane system?

• Check the tank level and the regulator.
• Inspect hoses and connections, and apply a leak-test solution if you suspect a leak.
• If you smell propane, shut it off, leave the RV and do not operate switches. Call for help.
• Light the stove, water heater and furnace and confirm they ignite and burn cleanly.
• Test the carbon monoxide and propane detectors, and replace batteries.

How do I get the water system ready?

A rig that has traveled or sat needs a water check.

1. Inspect for leaks under sinks, around the water heater and around the pump.
2. Run the pump and check pressure at each fixture.
3. Flush and sanitize the fresh water system if it has been sitting, following your manufacturer’s directions.
4. Check the water heater and its relief valve.
5. Use a water pressure regulator and a filter at the hookup.
6. Test the tank sensors and look for any odor from the black tank.

What is different about Las Vegas water?

The Las Vegas area’s water supply is known to be very hard, meaning it carries a lot of dissolved minerals. Over time those minerals leave scale on heating elements, in water heaters and on fixtures. Flushing the water heater regularly and using a filter can help. If you stay all winter, plan to flush it once during your stay. See our plumbing repair service if you find leaks or low pressure.

Will I need the heat?

Winter days are usually mild, but nights can be cold, and temperatures can drop to freezing at times, especially in Boulder City and at higher elevations.

• Test the furnace or heat pump early, before the first cold night.
• Check that the thermostat works and that vents are open.
• If you use space heaters, use them only as the manufacturer directs, never as a substitute for a safe heating system, and never an unvented fuel heater inside the RV.
• Know how to protect water lines on a freezing night: heated hoses, insulation and keeping the heat on.

See appliance repair if your furnace or water heater fails to light.

What about the refrigerator?

Absorption refrigerators need to be level to work well, and a fridge that was jostled on the road can take hours to cool. Check it on both electric and propane if your model supports both. If it does not cool after a full day, have it looked at.

What should I check inside?

• Test smoke, CO and propane alarms.
• Check the fire extinguisher’s gauge and expiration.
• Look for signs of pests, such as droppings, chewed wiring or nests in vents and under the RV.
• Open cabinets and look for water stains.
• Check the seals on windows and doors.

What should I do in the first week?

How do I choose a repair provider before something breaks?

Winter is peak season for RV parks, which means local technicians are busier. Save a mobile technician’s number in your phone when you arrive, and find out how to book. If something does fail, you can call or text with the park name, site number and a photo of the problem. Our RV parks page lists the parks where we work, and we also serve Henderson, Boulder City and the rest of the valley.

The short version

• Do an arrival check on tires, power, propane, water and heat in your first hours and days.
• Use a surge protector and test the pedestal before connecting.
• Expect hard water, and flush the water heater.
• Test the furnace before the first cold night, and watch for freezing nights.
• Save a mobile technician’s number before you need it.

If something failed on the drive in, book a repair or schedule an inspection and we will come to your site.