RV Set Up At The Campsite

by Laura Weaver

Traveling in a motorhome is agreeably a very affordable and comfortable mode of travel.  Staying in a campground or RV Resort is enjoyable and relaxing.  Following are suggestions on how to set up your coach at the campsite.

1)  Parking.  First of all, you need to carefully check out the campsite, locating the hook-ups, the patio, the picnic table and fire ring before parking, either by backing into the site or pulling through. It’s a good idea to do a “walk around” after parking to double check these things, as well as investigating the ground conditions: hard surface, sand, mud, gravel, grass.

2)  Leveling.  After parking your motorhome, the leveling jacks can be lowered to level and stabilize the coach as well as taking pressure and weight off the tires.  Extra boards may need to be placed under the jacks, depending on the ground conditions.  Wheel chocks are also recommended in order to prevent the wheels from shifting.

3)  Slide-outs.  During your “walk-around”, also pay attention to make certain tree limbs or other structures are not in the way of extending your slide-outs.  It’s a good idea to re-check whether you’re still level once the slide-outs are extended.  One way to do this is to use a level with a center bubble, along several hard surfaces throughout the motorhome.  A quick, yet simple test is using a marble on the floor…if it rolls to one side or the other, that side is low.


Now it’s time to hook up:

1)  Electric.  Our motorhome uses a heavy 50-amp electric cord.  Most campgrounds have 50-amp service, but some only have 30-amp.  Not to worry.  Simply connect the “dog bone”…a 30-amp adapter. Once the electric power source is on, plug an electric meter into an outlet inside the coach to check to see if the ampage is within the “safe range”.   If it is not, do not use the electricity in order to prevent permanent damage to your appliances.  (You can use your generator for power, if needed.)

2)  Water.  Attach your white drinking water hose to the water supply.  A water pressure valve is highly recommended in order to not risk blowing out your water lines because of forceful fluctuations.  Inside the motorhome, turn on the faucets until you have a strong, steady stream to allow the air to escape.

3)  Cable/Satellite TV.  For entertainment purposes, many campgrounds offer television services.  After attaching the cable/satellite wire, the televisions need to be reprogrammed to use this service to the full extent.

4)  Sewer.  I highly recommend attaching the sewer hose last, using rubber gloves, because of sanitary conditions.  Unless your black tank is full, you only need to open the gray water valve for it to dispose down into the sewer.

Setting up your motorhome at a campsite is easy if you follow a few simple steps.  It gets easier the more times you do it.  The best way to set up requires you to take your time, think it through, check and re-check.  After setting up, it’s time to enjoy.