How to Set Up an RV for Camping

By Richard Thomas

RVs are supposed to take the "roughing it" out of the camping experience, but ultimately they require just as much setup work once you drive them to the campsite as most tents. Prior to arrival, the campsite itself requires inspection and perhaps preparation, just as all camp sites do. After arrival, the water, electrical and perhaps sewage hook-ups that make RVs so useful need to be connected.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You'll Need:

Tire blocks
Water, electrical and sewage hoses
Crescent wrench

Step 1

Examine your camping space before you pull in to make sure it is level. Surprising as it is, this is sometimes a problem even at RV parks. If it is not level, set out lumber boards as necessary so you can park the RV's tires on them and even the RV out.

Step 2

Put tire blocks under your tires after you park. If you don't have any, bricks or similarly-sized rocks will do.

Step 3

Take the water hose and connect it to the water nozzle on the hook-up's box or stand. Open the water cabinet (usually in the back of the RV) and connect it to the nozzle there. Tighten both connections, using a crescent wrench, if necessary. Turn on your water pump and water heater. Electricity and water are the two typical RV hook-ups. If you are camping where there are no hook-ups, skip to Step 6.

Step 4

Connect your electrical cable to the outlet at the hook-up box and the receptacle on the outside of your RV.

Step 5

Get out your sewer hose, if the campground has sewage hook-ups. Connect this to the nozzle on the hook-up box and then to the nozzle on the underside of your RV. There should be a clip underneath or on the side of your RV for supporting this hose, so it will have a proper incline to the sewage nozzle. Set the hose into that clip.

Step 6

Check the faucets, power and toilet to see that all the hook-ups are up and running. If they are not, unless there is a known problem with your RV, check with the campground first (to make sure everything is on at their end) and your connections second.

Step 7

Deploy your awning, if you have one, as well as any camp furniture you have brought along.

About The Author

Richard Thomas has been writing since 1997. A travel blogger, editor and writer, he has traveled from Argentina to Vietnam. He specializes in boxing, hiking, scuba diving, food and wine. Thomas holds a Master of Arts in international affairs.

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