How to Set Up a Camper at Your Campsite

When you pull into a campground, especially as a new RVer, you may not be certain of how to set up your RV.

In this article we will discuss everything you need to know to choose the perfect campground, set up camp, and even break camp at the end of your trip. We’ll provide step-by-step instructions, checklists, and a wealth of information so you can head into your first RV camping trip with complete confidence. 

This post contains affiliate links. RVshare may receive compensation if you make a purchase after clicking on a product link.

Setting Up Camp: Steps for Optimal RV Setup

So, you’ve arrived at a campground for the very first time—now what? Below is a step-by-step numbered list of what exactly you need to do to set up camp. Give yourself plenty of time and take things slowly to avoid making mistakes. 

Arriving at the Campground

1. Disconnect any towed cars after arriving at the campground registration parking lot. Check in and ask if any discounts are available.
2. Get a map of the campground and locate your campsite.
3. Survey the site assigned to you. If you have a large vehicle, it is best to do this using an alternative vehicle or walk to the site. Does it have sufficient space for your rig? Do you know where all the connections are? Is there room for your awning? Figure out whether you will drive through or have to back up into your site.

How To Set Up Your RV 

1. Pull the RV onto the site. 
2. Check that the RV is level. If not, use leveling blocks to make the rig as level as possible. 
3. Park the RV. Don’t forget to set the parking brake if you are driving a motorhome and chock the wheels.
4. If towing a trailer, disconnect the tow vehicle. Put down the stabilizer jacks.
5. If the battery for your chassis has a disconnect switch, disconnect it.
6. Test the voltage of the campground electric hookup with a voltmeter before hooking up your rig.
7. Plug an RV surge protector into the receptacle that matches your amperage requirements and plug the RV power cord into that. 
8. Flip the circuit breaker on for electricity to flow into your RV.
9. Check to ensure your electricity is working.
10. Turn on the fridge and air conditioner or furnace if necessary. 
11. Hook up your water regulator to the water supply. Use a water filter at the inlet of your freshwater tank. Now you can attach your white water hose to the camp supply and your RV. Turn the water on.
12. Check to ensure water is flowing into your RV. Do not use the water pump. The pump is only used to draw water from the freshwater tank when no other water source is available.
13. Wear gloves and attach the sewer hose to the drain outlet. Ensure the locking tabs are secured by turning them. Ensure your connection is sealed securely.
14. If you have a sewer support system, set it up now allowing a slight slope from the RV to the sewer connection.
15. Turn the supply of LPG on at the valve of the tank or bottle.
16. Ensure that your water heater bypass is not on bypass mode and that the heater tank is full of water. Turn the water heater on. 
17. If your campground and RV have cable TV, hook it up using the TV coax cable. If no cable connection is available, raise your antennae
18. Put out the RV mat.
19. Set up your chairs.
20. Fire up the BBQ.

Dumping Your Tanks

Once your waste tanks fill up, you will need to dump them. If you’ve already connected to the sewer dump, this is a fairly easy process: 

1. To drain the black water tank, open the valve completely and let it drain. Back spray the tank if a tool is available to do so. Close the valve when this is done.
2. Open the gray water tank valve and dump it. This will flush the sewer hose of whatever gunk is left after dumping the black water tank. Close the valve when this is done. 
3. Treat your black water tank after every dump.

Types of RV Sites

There are two basic types of RV campsites: pull-through sites and back-in sites. Knowing the differences will help you decide which is right for you. 

Pull-Through Sites

As you might have guessed, pull-through sites simply require you to pull through and park, meaning you won’t have to back an RV up. This can be extremely helpful to beginner RVers. These sites are also nice because having one means you won’t have neighbors directly to the front or back of your rig, meaning more room to spread out. 

That said, pull-through sites are not always available, and when they are, they tend to be more expensive than their counterpart. 

Back-In Sites

Obviously, back-in sites require you to back into them. This can be intimidating to new RVers. Fortunately, it is totally doable, so if you find that back-in sites are the only thing available (or the only thing in your price range), don’t fret. 

Here are some tips for backing up an RV into a campsite: 

• Take it slow. There is no rush. 
• Get a backup camera so you can see everything behind you. 
• Have someone spot you. Roll your windows down or use two-way radios to communicate. 
• If you’re backing a trailer, remember that you will need to turn your wheel left to go right and vice versa. (Some people think of it as steering from the bottom of the wheel rather than the top. Use whatever mental trick works for you.)

Choosing the Right Campsite for Your RV

The next thing you should learn about as a beginner RVer? Choosing a nice campsite. Some campgrounds will do this for you, assigning a site based on rig length and any other criteria you provide. Some will allow you to request sites before arrival; others will not. 

If the campground you’re visiting doesn’t assign sites, you’ll want to consider a few basic things when picking one: 

• Size of site — Make sure your RV will fit into the spot easily. 
• How level the site is — Nobody wants to hang out in a tilted rig. 
• Proximity to bathrooms and entrance/exit — Some like to be near bathrooms and/or the campground exit for easy access. Others don’t like the traffic that comes along with these locations. 
• Proximity to the dumpster — You probably will not want to park near the dumpster, as it can be pretty stinky. 
• Shade — If the weather is hot, shade can be extremely helpful for keeping cool. However, it might come with reduced cellular/satellite signal, so be aware of that.

Campsite Setup Ideas

When you’re traveling in an RV, it’s all about getting outside. Sure, it’s nice to have a cozy bed and couch to retire to after a long day of hiking and exploring… but wouldn’t you rather enjoy the fresh air and cool breeze?

That’s why one of our top tips for creating an extra-special campsite is to take advantage of your outdoor space by providing comfortable camping furniture and amenities.

Make sure you have all of the following on your campsite: 

• Cozy seating 
• Cooler
• Outdoor ground cover or mat 
• Awning lights

Practicing Good Campground Etiquette

One of the best things about RVing is meeting new people. If you’re lucky, your campground neighbors may become your lifelong friends. That said, in order to make friends, you will want to make sure to observe basic campground etiquette. 

Some of the most basic etiquette rules include: 

• Know where your site begins and ends — Generally speaking, your site begins at the back of your neighbor’s power pole and ends at the front of your own power pole. 
• Don’t walk across others’ sites — It might be tempting to cut across someone’s site to get to the bathhouse quicker, but it is also incredibly rude.
• Observe quiet hours — Quiet hours may vary slightly from one campground to the next, but generally you will want to keep the volume down between 10pm and 7am.
• Keep dogs on a leash — Dogs should never be allowed to roam free, and you should always, always clean up after them. 
• Keep an eye on your kids — Kids should be supervised by an adult at all times. 

Campsite Tear Down

Eventually, your RV adventure will have to come to an end. Here is what you need to do to break camp when this time comes:

1. Close cabinets and drawers.
2. Clear the counters and tables.
3. Pack away outdoor gear.
4. Lock the fridge.
5. Pull down the antenna and take down Starlink if applicable. 
6. Close the awning.
7. Dump tanks. 
8. Disconnect all hookups. 
9. Pull in the slides.
10. If towing a trailer, hitch up your trailer. 
11. Pull jacks up.
12. Pull in stairs
13. Remove wheel chocks.
14. Pull up directions to your destination.
15. Pull off the leveling blocks.
16. Retrieve and store the leveling blocks, then double-check the site for any other items. 
17. Pull out of the site slowly and carefully. Have a spotter watch for trees and other obstacles. 
18. If necessary, pull over in a flat, open location to hitch up a tow car behind your motorhome. 

Note: It’s also important that you clean up your campsite before you head out. As you’re putting away your outdoor gear, make sure to pick up any trash or pet waste that may be on your site. Throw this away in the dumpster, not in the fire pit. 

As you can see, how to set up your RV and tear it down afterward does involve a lot of steps, but it does not have to be a stressful or overwhelming process. Just take things slow and steady, going step by step. After doing this a few times, you’ll be a campsite setup and teardown pro, able to do the whole thing efficiently and without any stress. 

Of course, you’ll need an RV to put any of these tips to use. Here’s what you need to know about renting an RV!