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Setting Up and Connecting at the Campground

Dave Solberg

Class Preview

59:38

In-depth Instruction; over 60 mins
On-demand video access anytime
Bonus downloadable PDF resources
Access to class Q&A
Available for purchase: $39.99

Session 1: Entering the Campground

2:52

It is a good idea to stop at the main office to learn about what restrictions are there on pets, generators, campfires, and bringing your own firewood. Getting the “lay of the land” beforehand makes the journey inside much easier.

Session 2: Choosing the Proper Site For You

2:34

Knowing your rig's unique requirements will help choosing the right site! Do you have a satellite dish and need a clear line of sight to the South, or need additional room for an awning and a slide out on the other side? All these and more are covered helping choose a site that fits your needs.

Session 3: Pull Into The Pad

15:11

Most first time RVers struggle with maneuvering in the tight confines of a campground. Using a technique known as the “S” maneuver as you pull up puts the trailer at a slight angle to the pad making the turn less tight. Knowing how your trailer and tow vehicle turn is important as well as the turning radius.

Session 4: Extending the Slide Rooms

3:35

Before extending any slide room, it’s important to check inside and out for items that may be in the way of the slide. Lawn chairs stored inside the rig or trees, garbage cans, and electrical posts can cause quite a bit of damage.

Session 5: Connecting Water

6:44

All campgrounds must certify their water source and post an MSDS sheet in the office. However, bacteria or arsenic can infiltrate a well system between certifications and it’s important to check the quality and hardness of the water before connecting to your rig.

Session 6: Connecting Sewer Hose

9:21

A sewer cap with a smaller garden hose fitting allows owners to slowly open the small cap to make sure no sewage leaked by the valve rather than opening the large cap and risking a disaster! A clear elbow provides a visual to make sure the tank is completely empty.

Session 7: Connecting To Electrical Source

10:40

Checking “Shoreline Power” for the proper voltage and correct wiring is a must before hooking up your rig. You will want to verify at least 115-volts otherwise you can do damage to motors and other electronic equipment. Understanding your power usage is important when plugged into a 30 amp campground source.

Session 8: Final Steps

2:59

Finishing touches includes setting the antenna up and finding the local signals and towers, satellite dish set up with permanent mount and portable units. It’s important to secure or “chock” the wheels of a travel trailer and fifth wheel before disconnecting the tow vehicle.

Meet the Instructor

2:03

Learn more about your instructor, Dave Solberg.

Bonus Insights

1:07

Get more insights from your instructor.

Bonus Propane Advice

2:32

Learn more about propane.

11 Lessons

1 hrs

Overview
Instructor
Bonus Materials
FAQs

For the novice RV owner, setting up at the campground can be somewhat overwhelming. It can take quite a long time and can be frustrating if things don’t go smoothly.

However, it doesn’t have to be that difficult if you develop a checklist and know a few handy tips to make the procedure go faster and more enjoyable.

The first step is preparation and surveying the area for the best site for your rig. Looking for low hanging branches, line of site for satellite systems, and room for awnings and slide rooms is important before even pulling into a site.

You should also know about campground restrictions such as traveling with pets and firewood issues. Most campgrounds have a manager or host that can either spot for you while pulling into a site, or even back the rig in if you are a beginner and have a difficult site to back into.

Extending the slide room seems to be an easy task until you smash a set of lawn chairs tucked away inside the rig, or try pushing over a tree!

Connecting to the campground water source is a relatively easy task, however the campground source is not always the most sanitary and the water is usually hard water. By using a pressure regulator, you will eliminate leaks inside the rig and costly repairs. A common household filter will provide cleaner, better-tasting water, with less lime and calcium buildup in the lines and water pump. Using a quick disconnect and easy access elbow makes connecting a simple task.

Most owners take the electrical system for granted as we plug into the shoreline power and everything works automatically. Not always! You should always check the campground source for proper voltage and wiring and what to do if there is an issue with the power.

There are several things you can do to help yourself get set-up properly, and this class will help you do just that – and ensure a safe and trouble-free stay!

In addition to the detailed video instruction you’ll receive, this online class provides you with some downloadable resources and helpful information including: A detailed Class Guide you can follow and use as a reminder for the key points of the class instruction; resource documents that will help you in testing the water source and hooking up the waste water system; PLUS a bonus video that gives you some advice when using propane with your rig.

Dave Solberg

Dave Solberg is the Managing Editor of the RV Repair Club. For over 25 years, Dave has conducted a wide range of RV maintenance and safety seminars, developed dealer and owner training programs, written RV safety and handyman articles, authored an RV handbook reference guide and logged over 100,000 miles on the road in an RV.

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