Travel trailer and motorhome setups may seem intimidating at first. If you're not used to the RV lifestyle, everything you need to learn can sound harder than it is, but once you get in the habit, it's easy to remember! However, even if you're an expert, there's never any harm in taking a moment to double-check your motorhome or travel trailer setup checklist to prevent mistakes.
Travel Trailer Setup for Beginners
- Upon arrival at the campground, survey your surroundings to make sure that the area is safe for your camper. Look out for low-hanging branches and potholes, and check for adequate clearance so any slide-outs and awnings can be safely extended without being damaged.
- If you have hook-ups available at your campsite, locate them and position your RV for easy access.
- Once your vehicle is in place, you'll need to level it with a bubble level, an app on your phone, or your unit's auto-leveling system.
- Make sure the breaker on your trailer is off, then plug your surge protector into the power supply and plug in your RV's connection cord. Then, turn on the breaker.
- Turn the propane on.
- Hook up your water line to the main campground water connection. Let the water run to test it, but make sure the valves in your unit are closed first.
- Bleed out any air in the hot water tank, and then turn it on.
- If you have a full hook-up campground, the last thing you need to connect is your sewer hose. Leave the valves closed for black and gray water. If you have a tank monitoring system, check it.
- Now, you can focus on making your campground more comfortable any way you see fit.
Motorhome Setup Checklist
Whether you're a beginner or an expert in RV living, mistakes are common while setting up your motorhome, but using a checklist can help reduce the number of mistakes so you can keep your family and your vehicle safe.
Exterior
- Turn the emergency brake on.
- Level the vehicle.
- Connect the power.
- Turn the propane on.
- Hook up your water line.
- Bleed air out of the hot water tank and turn it on.
- Hook up the sewer hose.
- Put out your outdoor items (awning, tables, chairs, etc.).
- Raise your antennae.
- Lower the outside step.
- Unlock exterior compartments.
Interior
- Inspect any slide-out areas to make sure there are no obstructions.
- Once it's safe, extend your slide-outs.
- Air out the unit by opening the windows or turning on the AC or heating system.
- Bleed any air from the gas line to the stove, then light the oven pilot light.
- Fill the toilet with water and flush a few times, then add the tank treatment.
- Test the water line by running the shower.
- Unpack whatever you need for camping.
- Verify that everybody you're traveling with knows where the first aid kit is, just in case.
Lazydays Can Help You Find the Perfect RV
Whether you want to buy an RV to take camping or you plan to live out of your new motorhome, Lazydays can help you find the perfect fit for your RV lifestyle. Shop online or at one of our nationwide dealership locations and take advantage of our decades of experience as well as our stellar service. You'll soon see why we're the foremost authority in RVs!
