Welcome to RV UNIVERSITY, Anonymous Thursday, April 25 2024 @ 06:37 am UTC
Travel Trailer and Motorhome Campground Set-up 101 by RV Education 101 founder Mark Polk
Somebody recently asked me what I enjoyed most about RVing. It didn't take long for me to respond, it was the people you meet at the campground. I don't know anywhere else you can meet complete strangers and within a couple of hours feel as if you've known them forever. People at campgrounds are some of the friendliest most helpful people you will ever meet. I saw it time and again, a camper pulls in the campground and is having problems with something, and their next-door neighbor, whom they never met, is right there to assist them. I also observed and assisted several campers who were new to RVing and not sure how to set their unit up, when they arrive at the campground.
Owning and operating an RV can be confusing at times. Checklists help us remember and keep things in the proper order. It is like to going to the grocery store, if we don’t write down what we need inevitably we forget something and need to make another trip. With RVs, there is too much to try and remember. Years ago, I wrote an ebook titled Checklists for RVers ebook. One of the checklists in the ebook, is a campground set-up checklist.
Below is an excerpt from my best selling ebook, RV 101® - The Original Checklists for RVers E-Book:
It would be impossible to cover everything involved with this checklist because of the vast differences between RVs. However, most RVs do have many things in common and that is what we will concentrate on. The purpose of this checklist is to provide a basic list of what to do when you arrive at your campsite. Only use the items that apply to your RV, and tailor the list to your needs.
If you are in a motorhome towing a vehicle, you may want to disconnect the vehicle in the campground registration parking lot. It's helpful to have someone drive the vehicle in front of you to assist in locating your site.
Conduct a site survey. Identify where all campground connections are and where you want the RV located to access to all utility connections. Take into consideration where slide-outs will be, and if there is room to put the awning out. Make sure there are no low hanging branches or other obstacles that will interfere with the RV.
Determine if you need to back in, or if it is a pull-through site. Position the RV on the site and double-check all clearances and access to connections.
If you have a motor home set the parking brake.
Level the RV as required. Watch Video for leveling a trailer
Chock the wheels (if it is a towable RV).
Disconnect from the tow vehicle if applicable (see unhitching checklist).
Lower stabilizer jacks down if applicable.
If you have a motorhome, and there is a battery disconnect switch for the chassis battery, turn it off to prevent any drain on the starting battery.
If you have an auxiliary battery disconnect switch for the coach battery(s) it should stay on.
Put the entry steps out. If there is a switch for the steps, turn it off so the steps stay out when the entry door is closed.
Remove any slide-out travel locks and extend the slide-out(s), if they won’t interfere with making basic campground connections. Have someone watch for clearance and obstacles in the slide-out path. Make sure the driver’s seat is not in the way of the slide-out if it is a motorhome.
Test the campground voltage and polarity using a voltmeter or digital line monitor.
Pull enough power cord from the compartment to reach the campground electrical connection. Turn the circuit breaker off at the power pedestal and plug into the receptacle that matches the amperage requirements of your RV. Use electrical adapters as required. If at all possible, try to avoid using an extension cord. Turn the breaker on.
I recommend using a quality surge protector to protect the RV’s electrical system. Watch video HERE
Check the RV to make sure the electricity is working. If you have a plug-in digital line monitor plug it into a wall outlet so you can monitor campground voltage during your stay. Any readings below 105-volts or above 130-volts can be dangerous to your appliances and electronic equipment.
Turn the refrigerator on in the electric mode.
If you have an exterior water filter, connect it to the city water supply at the campground.
If you don’t use a water filter, connect a water pressure regulator to the campground water supply.Watch Video HERE
Attach one end of your potable RV drinking hose (white or blue hose) to the regulator or water filter at the campground water supply, and the other end to the city water inlet on the RV.
Turn the water on and check for any leaks at the connections. Make sure you have water coming into the RV.
When you are connected to a city water supply do not use the 12-volt water pump. Only use the water pump when you don’t have an external water supply and need to draw water from the freshwater tank.
Wearing gloves, remove the cap from the sewer drain outlet and attach the sewer hose to the bayonet fittings at the outlet. Turn the hose connector clockwise so the locking tabs securely lock in place. Place the sewer hose donut or seal in the campground sewer connection. Attach the opposite end of the sewer hose in the donut. Make sure there is a good connection.
If you have a sewer hose support set it up now to allow for a slope from the RV to the sewer connection to assist in emptying the holding tanks. RV 101 Tip: Never leave the black tank valve open (the larger valve). You only open the black tank valve when emptying the holding tank. When the black tank is ¾ full or full, it's time to empty it. You need plenty of water in the gray tank to help flush the sewer hose after you empty the black tank. After both tanks are empty make sure the valves are closed and treat the black tank with a holding tank treatment. Watch RV Holding Tanks Use, Care & Maintenance Video HERE
Turn the main LP gas supply valve on at the tank or cylinders.
If you want hot water at this time, make sure the water heater tank is full of water before you light it. If your water heater has a bypass kit, make sure it is not in the bypass mode. Open a hot water faucet and when you get a steady flow of water (no air) the water heater tank is full, and you can light the water heater. Follow the instructions for the type of water heater you have.
There may also be an electric mode on the water heater. It will take a little longer to heat the water, but it will conserve your LP gas.
If the campground has a cable TV hook-up, connect your TV coax cable from the RV to the cable connection. If they don’t offer cable, you can use the TV antenna on the RV.
Put the outdoor carpet mat down.
Set up the lawn chairs.
Put the awning out (see awning checklist).
Start the BBQ and have fun.
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