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First-Time RV Setup Checklist

Jun. 26 2019 Camping By ___

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Setting up your fifth wheel or travel trailer for the first time can be intimidating. You might have an awesome adventure planned this summer with your new recreation vehicle, but you are nervous about setting up. Don’t worry! We have a checklist for you so you can get set up as efficiently as possible.


Check-in

Depending on where you decide to stay for the first RV trip will determine the specific steps you must take to get signed-in and assisted to your reserved spot.



Arrive at your site

Okay, okay! You are probably thinking I am actually writing a blogpost on RVing for dummies. In all seriousness, this is an important part of the process because you’ll need to determine if you will need to pull through or back in. After parking your RV on the slip, make sure to locate all of the RV’s hookups. Before you start running to get everything unpacked and situated, make sure your water, electrical and sewer hookups can reach the hookups provided at the slip.



Once positioned correctly

Carefully disconnect the RV or fifth wheel from your vehicle and stabilize the trailer hitch. Beware! Your slip might not be flat so using blocks and stabilizing jacks is key for leveling your RV. Now that your RV is leveled, you can now remove the travel locks and brace bars.



Power

First things first, its time to make a connection! Unlike love, we do not want sparks to fly in this situation. Carefully plug your RV’s systems into the hookups provided. This is where 30 & 50 amps come into play. Fifth wheels and bigger travel trailers will always use the 50 amp plug while the smaller travel trailers only need the 30 amp plug. Most RV parks offer 30 & 50 amp, but it would be a good idea for owners of fifth wheels and bigger RVs to purchase an adapter, just in case 50 amps is not available.

While you might be tempted to start unpacking and tending to the kiddos, you’ll need to focus on the slide outs. When operating slideouts, someone should be outside the RV making sure the slide out has plenty of room and will not smash into any obstacles. Once this task is completed, make sure to turn on your fridge so it can start cooling off.



Water

You are doing fabulous, but there are still a couple more things to do before you can kick back and enjoy the new scenery. Plumbing setups include potable water and black water. The white potable water hose needs to be attached to your RV and the campground’s water supply. Before you graduate to your next step, make sure to check for leaks and run the water in the trailer to make sure everything is running properly. Since you have a water source, do not use the water pump. Now on to black water. Attach the black water hose to the drain outlet. Make sure to seal the locking tabs to make sure it is secure.



The last step

Congratulations! You have successfully made it to the finishing touches of setting your RV up for the first time. Make sure to turn the main LP (liquefied petroleum) gas supply valve on. Now it’s time to make this new camping spot, Home Sweet Home! Feel free to set up lawn chairs, the awning and the cute outdoor carpet mat that says, “Home is where you park it.



And just like that you have set up your RV for the very first time. You have officially graduated from being a newbie in the RV world! Enjoy your summer vacations and don’t be afraid to ask for help, when it comes to properly setting up or breaking down your RV. Has the idea of setting up an RV kept you away from purchasing the recreational vehicle of your dreams? Come on down to Howdy Ranch RV and we will get you set up with the travel trailer or fifth wheel you need! Howdy Ranch RV is only a short driving distance from Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Rockport, Laredo and Victoria.