Basic RV Camping

Motorhome, travel trailer, camper, or simple tent trailer.  It doesn't matter what kind of rig you have, the most basic steps will be the same.

Trip preparation is one of the keys to a successful trip.  Make sure you have prepared your rig properly.  Cool the refrigerator or ice box a day or so ahead of time.  Make sure your fresh water supply is clean and full.  Make sure your holding tanks or porta-potty is empty.  Load your provisions, clothing, and things you need for your recreational activities.   Fill up your propane and motor fuel.  If you're planning to have a campfire, load your firewood.  One of the best ways to make sure you don't forget something is to use pre-trip checklist.  See my previous post Pre-trip Procedures for more details.  Remember, failing to plan equals planning to fail!

When you arrive in camp, locate your camp site and park your rig within the designated area if you're in a developed campground or pick your spot when boondocking.  Try to get it as level as you can to minimize the task of leveling and stabilizing your unit.  Take care to say off the landscaping. For a motorhome, about all that's left once you've parked is to level and stabilize your rig and connect hook ups (if any).  For a travel trailer, you may need to disconnect it from the tow vehicle to level and stabilize it.  For a tent trailer, you'll want to disconnect it, level and stabilize it, then expand it so you have full access to all the extended living areas.  The beds in most tent trailers usually pop out from the main living space.  Take advantage of any available hookups when using any RV but don't take over public facilities for your private use.  Sometimes there may be a public water faucet close to your space, but if it is not part of the facilities that belong specifically to the space you're paying for, you should make no permanent connections.  You can probably use it to fill water jugs and, during low usage, fill your RV fresh water tank, but don't leave it connected to your RV.   Turn on your hot water heater.  If you didn't have your refrigerator on while traveling, turn it on now.  On cold days, start your furnace.  On hot days, you might want to fire up the generator and turn on the A/C.

Extend your awnings, if you have them, and roll out your patio mat or welcome mat.   You should always use some kind of mat in front of your RV steps to reduce tracking dirt, sand, and mud into your rig.  One approximately the size of your awning gives you a nice patio area, but a small welcome mat may be sufficient to help keep your rig clean.  A burlap bag makes a good welcome mat and they are cheap and can be tossed into the washing machine or hosed off when they need to be cleaned.

Organize your camp site.  Often when we go camping we take recreational equipment with us and you need to unload it and prepare it so its ready to use when you are ready to begin your activities.  If you are riding OHVs, unload them and prepare them for riding (check oil, fuel and tires, organize your riding gear, etc).  If you have brought along sports equipment or games, get them and out set up any necessary goals etc.  Find a relatively safe place to store equipment when not in use.  Underneath your RV or other vehicle is often a good place as it keeps your gear out of the sun and rain and, to some extent, out of sight so it doesn't disappear when you are not looking.  I am a big fan of security by obscurity!

Prepare your campfire.   Even if you won't need it for a few hours, it is a good idea to get things ready so when the sun goes down and the chill comes out, all you have to do is light it.  Its a lot easier to set it up before it gets dark and if the temperature drops it will be nice to be able to just drop a match into the tinder and have your fire up and going.  Be sure to put it out before you go to bed.  Also fold up your chairs and put them away.  An errant breeze might blow them into the fire pit.  I've seen many chairs destroyed that way.  The residual heat even after the fire has been (supposedly) put out is enough to destroy camp chairs rather quickly. Obviously the fires had NOT been properly put out.  You should always soak the fire and stir the ashes to make sure they are cool all the way the underlying dirt before leaving them unattended.

Set your thermostat to a comfortable temperature, so you will be able to snuggle into your comfy bed for a good night's rest after dinner.

From here you should be ready to enjoy your planned activities.