Shake down cruises probably apply mostly to RVs and OHVs and boats, but even tent campers can benefit from them, especially when you are just starting out or have purchased new equipment you need to try out. The purpose of shake down cruise is to familiarize yourself with use and operation and to try out all systems and equipment and see if there are any problems that need to be addressed.
A shakedown cruise should be fairly close to home, in case you find any major issues you need to deal with. If you need to test a motorhome or tow vehicle you'll want to make the trip long enough to properly exercise the mechanical components and capabilities but you probably shouldn't take off on a major trip (inter-state or cross-country) until you're sure you have the bugs out. Sometimes you can check out a lot of things by "camping" right at home, although you will need to do at least some driving to exercise and prove vehicle mechanical systems. A shakedown cruise for your boat should be on a familiar waterway with access to any emergency services you might require.
Hopefully weather will allow you opportunities to check out both heating and air conditioning systems in your RV an/or other vehicle. We found a recent shakedown cruise in April in Utah was ideal. Days were warm enough to test the A/C and nights cool enough to use the furnace. Be sure to exercise all the major systems and watch for any signs of failure or poor performance. A good way to check out your generator and microwave oven at the same time is to fire up the generator then hat up a cup of water in the microwave for 1 minute. You should have hot water for a nice cup of your favorite hot beverage. Plumbing leaks on RVs, even new ones, are fairly common. Look for wet spots or drips beneath your RV or on the walls, floor, or ceiling. If the 12-volt water pump cycles when you don't have an fixture in use you probably have a leak in a pipe or connection that you should track down before your next trip. Until then, turn the pump off when you are not actively using water to minimize leakage and resulting water damage until you can fix the leak. If you have an older camper with a pressurized water system it will lose pressure even when you aren't using any water if there is a leak. If you are camping in a campground with hookups, watch for wet spots and listen for hissing sounds that might indicate a plumbing leak. Sometimes you can hear water flowing at the supply faucet. If you do when no water is being used in your RV you probably have a leak. It could be a leaky hose instead of a problem inside the RV so check hose and connections first. They are the most likely to fail.
If your RV refrigerator uses more than one power source (gas, 120 volts, 12 volts) be sure to try all the options. Electrical connections can corrode or vibrate loose and insects may build nests in the propane gas lines and burner. A build up of dust and debris on the cooling coils may seriously reduce performance or you may discover you need an auxiliary fan on the coils.
A shake down cruise for a boat may include practice transporting and launching the boat as well as seeing how it does out on the water. Shake down cruises should be designed to exercise the primary functions of the boat. They will be different for power boats and sailboats, fishing boats and ski boats. In each case you should plan activities that will let you test all the relevant features and functions of the boat and any onboard equipment -- and your knowledge and skills and the knowledge and skills of your crew.
A shake down cruise for an OHV should be designed to give a chance to check it out thoroughly in a controlled environment before you take it far out on a trail system. You might take advantage of some familiar trails near your home or primary staging area. They shouldn't be excessively difficult or technical but they should provide enough challenging terrain to thoroughly exercise you and your vehicle. Things to watch out for include poor accelerator response, bad braking, wheel wobble, rough ride, leaks, and unusual noises. You want to deal with any problems you encounter during your shake down cruise you should be able to get them resolved before you head out on a "real" outing where you may find yourself in a far more difficult situation if the are problems.
Tent camping shakedowns can be done in your own back yard unless you need to test out your vehicle. It is especially helpful to learn how to setup a new tent before you have to do it under the stress of doing it in camp, possible with adverse winds and weather, and in front of other campers. It is also a good idea to make sure all the components are there and in good condition while you are where you can get replacements or make repairs before you head out camping. Checkout your camp stove and lanterns. Test your sleeping bags and sleeping pads so you can make adjustments before you are totally dependent on them. I once discovered my favorite 10° bag was useless even at 40° because it had been too tightly rolled in storage for too long and had lost virtually all of the insulating properties of loft. In most places all there was were two thin pieces of nylon cloth; all the padding had been compressed or squeezed out to nearly nothing. Unfortunately that happened on an actual outing and I had to make do. Had I taken the time the check things out beforehand, I would have been able to replace the bag (which I did at the first opportunity) or at least bring along some extra blankets instead of freezing at night.
Make a list of any findings. Your list might include provisions you need to restock and any additional items or equipment as well as any required repairs and desired updates.
Shakedown cruises are not only a good way to check out your equipment but an important way to make sure you are also ready for using the equipment. Exercise your skills and test your tools too. Make sure you have the tools you need for field repairs and know how to use them. See if your body is physically up to the demands of the activities you want to participate in. All too often we get soft during the off season and it may take a little time to regain our skills when we start up again. Pushing things too far too fast is a sure recipe for failure. Take time to warm up both you and your equipment before going full out.
Shake it up (er, uh, down) baby!
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