How to Set Up a Travel Trailer Correctly ➕ Downloadable RV Setup Checklist for Beginners 

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Been RVing for 25 years and even I learned something from this video. Keep chains connected while raising coupler! So simple it’s genius.

Excellent video! Honorable mention on the checklist should include shedding or buffering stress upon arrival. I've seen so many rv'ers throw every bit of knowledge they have out the window when they arrive stressed. From leaving late, to bad drives, or even impatient rv'ers waiting for them to back in. It really causes havoc on the most seasoned rv'ers. So if I have to modify my checklist to include giving myself a moment, I do that first.

Great video...methodical and very well explained! I really like your presentation style! Your videos never feel as though they are just a product commercial like other channels, and I really appreciate that! I can't wait to get the '24 season started...but here in central Alberta, we've got about 6 weeks to go yet! Keep doing what you do Ross!!

I watched a video from a dealership the other day that said to put xchockss on after wheel chocks but before leveling. It’s sad that dealerships are telling people this. Great video and thanks for clearing this up for us!

Two weeks ago I bought my first travel trailer. I learned more from this video than what I have learned in the last two weeks including the dealer training. So thank you!!

My first step is to crack open a beer.

One step I’d make note of - I always connect my clear elbow and campground side of the sewer hose FIRST- that way if -worst case scenario- the waste tank gate valve failed and I remove the cap to any residual sewage leaking, I can shove the sewer hose in place and only have a minor incident versus a huge problem.

Yes, it’s a good idea to fill your fresh water tank up to about a third or half full even if you are at a campsite with full hookups. I can’t remember how many times that a campsite has had water main failures or unscheduled maintenance upgrades where you can be left high and dry

Thank you for the comprehensive checklist. I'm an army vet so I love checklists and learning from vets in their realm of experience. This will be my first time as an RV'er and I'm launching into the full-time RV-life without reservation. I've never been "glamping" before and this won't exactly be the austere living I've been accustomed to in my time...certainly looking forward to the adventure. Cheers!

Love your videos; very informative, concise & helpful. Thanks for the time & effort you put in.

Nice video, The only thing I would add would be to flush out the water hose before you connect it to the RV.

Great video and some excellent tips that I will definitely make sure that I do. Filling the fresh tank and adjusting the stabs were good suggestions that I never thought about.

the Check list and order seems really acurate. Mine is a little different in order for easy access, my waste valve is hard to get to with my side slide out so I do all my hookups before slides. I do like how you mention turning off the circut breaker when plugging and unplugging the rv! I do that also. Great tips! Keep them coming!

I Love your Tips. I'm a Newbie, and your videos have helped me a lot, Thank You. You are my "Go To Guy", as finding out stuff about RV's.

Wow, you told me stuff I haven't heard from ANY other RV channel bit make certain safety sense. Thank you!!!!

Brand new travel trailer owner here this was the best video I have seen yet!! THANK YOU ❤

Great video. And offering a checklist is a real bonus. My wife and I have been using a checklist since we started. We feel we know what we are doing but still run down it just to make sure we are doing everything and at the right time. Tear down and set up is no time for a senior moment. One part I see you use is the 90* elbow at the service bay for your hose hookup. On my Imagine that is right on top of the outdoor shower hookup so I have a 45* elbow. Still saves the trailer connection and still get access to the shower knobs. Keep the videos coming and thanks.

Man! Wow Ross ! Absolutely great video! I have always can't wait for your next video, I've sence downloaded this check list so now I have it, I can definitely tell you have done this a few times, And the fact that I also have a GD, thank you sir for your knowledge and can't wait to see more of your videos.

recently found your channel. I always use a check list, but even found a few items to add from watching you. Thanks for being so thorough and thoughtful! New subscriber! Happy camping!

New RVer here. So glad I found this! Great video, thanks so much!

Thanks for the comprehensive video, much appreciated. I also like to use my tank water even with a fresh hook-up as sometimes there isn't enough pressure or, because of the number of campers, the pressure varies. Having my pump doing the work means a constant pressure shower which is a great way to start the day. An add on item for me is setting up solar panels when boondocking. The quicker that's taken care of, the quicker the battery can get topped off. You can't always rely on decent sunshine.

Great video! You always do a nice job of explaining things. One thing I think you need to use is a Valterra Gate Valve on your trailer dump connection.

WOW - so very organized - makes for happy campers and you can relax once you are set up. You have done all that is possible for a good camping trip.

Great video spot on ! The only thing I do different is I level off the trailer put the stabilizers down then do electrical ,water & sewer.

This is a big help! Picking up our first travel trailer In a few days.

100% agree on the safety chains too. I almost forgot to chock the wheels once and I know people who've had their camper slide a bit. I leave the trailer brake rip cord connected too in the hopes that either it would pull and activate the brakes, stopping the trailer, or that I could grab it and yank. I'd rather trigger it and risk having to repair/replace the brakes than have the camper roll down a hill and have to replace the whole thing.

One little tip I’d like to share is that we carry a small wooden step with us. Sometimes the grade can be such that the last step down to the ground can be a doosey and my Wife’s knees aren’t what they used to be. It’s just two pieces of 2” x4” connected with heavy plywood and the extra 4+ inches it provides makes a big difference. We’re currently on an extended trip with many different stops and it’s been used a few times.

Great video! I will be using your checklist in 2 weeks when I use my RV for the 1st time....👍

Thank you Ross! Well done. I wish I had found you a year ago when we started our travel trailer journey!

Thanks for the video. My husband and I are new to travel trailers and I have watched so many of your videos. They all are very helpful and have relevant content. Thanks Again.

I have always removed my load bars and stabilizer before backing into the camp spot. Sometimes the ground is wonky and that adds stress on everything. Also, if you are off substantially side to side, raising the camper adds a lot of stress on the bars if not removed.

7:38 Always glad to hear people point this out. I've seen far too many people just using them as chocks, and I've seen a horror story from someone who's rig ended up rolling and hitting something because the x-chock broke. They do a great job helping stabilize the trailer though, haha. And as the engineer from Lippert said, it also makes them a pain to remove if the trailer tries to roll (or you adjust the level) and they bind.

As always, another extremely helpful and very well paced video. 😊

Everything in this video is extremely helpful and very in depth while still very easy to follow. Great job and thank you

Oh wow! Your checklist (and everyone’s additions in the comments) is a prayer answered … I’m a new to this (I have the camper,, the vehicle, the rally campsite reserved, BUT I don’t even have the hitch yet … yowza!). I know I’m capable of being successful at RV’ing by either: #1) learning from The School of Hard Knocks or #2) having the information I need explained in an orderly (step-by-step / lists) … such as your WONDERFUL VIDEO! I’ve realized so much of RV’ing is doing necessary successive steps before getting to the fun stuff of travel. Now I feel like there’s a ‘start here and stop there’ and how there’s actually room for fun … that I don’t have to ‘reinvent the wheel’ by creating my own system from scratch while attending the School of Hard Knocks. (What I’m about to say is in jest … There’s a lot of assumptions of seasoned RV’ers, and life for that matter, that assume every knows what a ‘whatchamacallit’ is and when to use it. Thanks again and again, really thanks, you have no idea of how helpful this is to me. Within the first minute of watching, I hit Subscribe and thumbed up. From all the ‘I know I can do it if someone just explains!’ … bless you!

Nicely done setup list. I heard from someone who recommended not hooking up sewer connections until it is first needed. Then there is one less handling of those hoses, etc.

As a long time camper I can say nice job. I've had bed campers, tongue pulls, and 5vrs over the last 30 years. Those who have done this for long time know what your telling to the viewer now. I will say this though. Like us who have never had black tank issues. Put about 40lbs of ice in the tank before you start driving. When you get to camp site. Hook up a flush the tank. Run till clear and shut it off. You would be amazed just how much gets clears.

Thanks Ross. I never thought about anyone messing with the electric tongue jack. I will be pulling the fuse from now on. Also, I have always leveled front to back using the refrigerator as the reference point.

We are in the process of buying a 5th wheel. I love your videos. Can you please come with us on our first trip. I love that you talk fast. Keeps me interested

Looking at getting a travel trailer soon and found your channel, busy watching all your videos, great content and thanks for the effort you put in.

I use leveling ramps and recently pick up the Beech Lane leveler and boy does it make things easier. I usually put the truck in 4-low so I can just ease off the brake and creep forward so with the leveler I just inch forward until it says I'm good. I also found that my camper tilts about 1/4" when I extend the slide, so I go 1/4" past so it ends up dead level.

Ross, have you ever done a video on breaking down your campsite? I didn’t see one in your portfolio. Thank you.

Great video with practical, complete and clear instructions - thank you !

I also inspect the trailer after a trip. I have aluminum siding which can pop out of the seams and create gaps so I look for any place that is going to allow water in.

I also use a 5 gallon bucket on the jack, with the safety chains hanging on the handle. I keep my rig like that all the time, except when traveling. I find that over time hoses tend to make the water taste funny, so I actually connect my filter directly to the my city water connection, using a 45 degree pressure regulator. This keeps excess strain off the port because everything is vertical from very close to the inlet.

The one thing for me is I would not turn on my propane till I checked the burners on the stove to make sure they’re turned off. But I know it’s probably not necessary. Thanks for all the great information and videos you do I really appreciate your channel.

I realize this isn’t about Toy Haulers specifically, but I unload the cargo area of our hauler before leveling & stabilizing. Otherwise you usually end up un level and have to repeat that process. Sometimes on a newly paved and level site it works out ok, but most times the sites aren’t perfect to begin with. Also, if I’m putting the yellow plastic stackable leveling blocks under the tires, and on soft ground like grass or sand, I put them down upside down so the first block doesn’t sink in and get filled with dirt in the open bottom of the block. And many off road type campsites are very unlevel and having cut up pieces of 4x4 blocks/ fence posts are handy to take up all the extra unlevel space. Thanks

Excellent info, we're seasoned campers and agree with all the info. Thanks for sharing

Levelling , I use peel and stick 4”long levellers and attach it to the drivers side camper window on the window frame which should already be level from the factory.and a 4” wide peel and stick to the front of the camper, and everything is always level.That’s what I do and I am sticking to it!

Before you extend the tongue jack it’s a good idea to put your tow vehicle in neutral to let the trailer “settle” into the wheel chocks. That way, there will be no lateral stress on the tongue jack. If you don’t do this and there is any incline, you likely hear a “ka-chunck” when the coupler is raised off the tow ball which means the tongue jack is probably doing most of the work that the wheel chocks are supposed to do.

Great content and presentation; I thank you for the logical steps and reasons. learned something, believe me. Am printing the ck-list. Y'all Be Safe!

Nice run down!! I bought a nylon jack cover bag and it works great. It keeps the water and sun off the jack. Bucket works good but I really like the cover. It was cheap. Take care.

13:40 If you're using X-Chocks they'll usually also need to be tightened after the tires have cooled. Unless you're really cranking them down tight the tires will shrink enough to make them loose. I've had them go from good and tight to being able to just slide the X-Chock out.

An excellent detailed of setting up camp. I boondock 99% of the time, but these were still great tips.

Another great video! I’m really interested in trying the leveling system. I still use the “old school” method of blocks and stick level. Works every time but does take time.

Thank You for your very direct, concise and informative insight! Very Much appreciated! Please continue sharing! Just subscribed!

I’ve been full-time RVing for about nine years now. I always put 10 gallons of freshwater in my black tank. I do not use any sort of drop in or chemicals in the tank. I like to keep my poop to stay solid, not turned to mush.

I have a tongue jack cover with a zippered flap to cover the raise/lower switch. Not quite as foolproof as removing a fuse but sufficient to prevent accidental activation and deter curious little fingers.

Way to go brother. Video was spot on! Thank you.

This is a great list. I will make the appropriate changes.

There's plenty of debate about this, but I always have to put my slides out before lowing the stabilizers. If I do it after the opposite side stabilizers are off the ground an inch or so. Which means now the trailer is not level side to side. I use the LevelMate Pro, which is similar to your Beech Lane unit. On my app I can set a level. So what I did was leveled my trailer perfectly with the slides out, no stabilizers. Then brought the slides in which causes the trailer to become unlevel. But that's the key. I set that as my level. So when I'm leveling it with the app before the slides are out I know it will be level when I put the slides out. Then I drop the stabilizers. Some people do it differently, that's just how I do it. Since I have two massive rack and pinion slides on one side of my travel trailer.

I use the old 2-ft level for leveling with 1/4 shims. The math works out to each thin shim is a 1-inch Lego block under the tire. Works every time the first time

I found myself nodding in ageeement every step of if the way. One thing I learned just last week: I too put a bucket over the electric jack control, with chains attached to the handle. I choose this instead of a fitted cover because I'm worried about condensation forming inside of the cover. It was a windy day, and the bucket shifted in the wind, and actually pressed the "up" button on the jack. The weight of the chain was actually enough to activate the switch. Fortunately I was right there, but if I hadn't been, I'm certain it would have caused serious damage. I just took the chains off the the bucket to prevent it from happening again, but now I'll remove the fuse. Thanks for the tip!

Excellent presentation, thank you .

Outstanding video Ross! As usual, thanks for sharing your knowledge! Is it safe to assume your next video will be “before driving home“?

This was thorough as hell! Thanks!

I had two more questions. I had not seen the Sediment Pre-Filter before watching this video, and I noticed it in the video; it was not included in the items that were pointed out with arrows in your connections, but I was glad to see it included in your product list. I pulled up the information for both the filter and pre-filter and it seems they both target the same sized particle, 20 microns, with the pre-filter adding about $16 to the filter cost; so about the same price as the filter (at the often discounted price). I also notice you do not use the flexible hose protector - which I have always wondered about; it is often added to the packages but if purchased separately is $12. THANKS AGAIN FOR A GREAT VIDEO!

great video man, very thorough, thumbs up headed your way

Great video. Thank you. And just in time. Taking our first ever TT maiden voyage in 3 weeks. John W

I always put blocks under my tongue jack, and stabilizers, because the less they're extended the more stable the camper is. But I have had to to use a bunch under the front on a very unlevel site. It was steep enough that my back bumper was almost on the ground. The campsite listed the site grade as "mostly level" when I booked it, but it was literally on a hill.

Good Stuff as always!. Love my Beach Lane Leveler.

Great video Ross all in good order 👍

Hey, it’s me, Steve from eBay…EXCELLENT video here, very informative…Thank you!

This is a very good video even if you are a long time RVer.

That’s why I travel with a Airstream Interstate, everything is soooooo much convenient.

Will say this- be very careful stacking blocks for your jack. We experienced where the camper shifted forward slightly, and caused the stacked (roughly 6) blocks to topple over. Thankfully no damage to the trailer but gave us a hell of a scare. Since then- no more than a 3-4 with a jack pad for added traction.

Thanks Ross, I really enjoy your videos!

My wife and I are about to be living out of an OLD camper full time, how do I tell if it's a 30amp or 50amp? Someday we plan to buy a newer one but for now this is all we can afford. Neither of us have used a camper before so I'm glad I just stumbled upon your channel! Thank you!

Spot on!! Great vid! I love my snap pads!!

Nice video. Not much more to add other than enjoy once set up. What type of cable lock do you use to secure the Watch Dog surge protector? I'm trying to find one for mine.

Fill the fresh water tank because it helps stabilize the camper in storms and high winds.

I saw somewhere that you place the water filter as close to the rv so that you also filter the hose itself.

Hello Ross, This probably nothing to do with setting up but it is something that happens while camping out. We have a simular RV like yours with blackout shades and if we pull the shades down all the way or part way with the windows opened and we have a breeze outside the pulldown handle makes a clanging sound on the frame when the curtain moves. Especially during the nights while sleeping. I tried to put a close cell sponge like with sticky on one side to help buffer the sound but they keep falling off. Any suggestions?

Best I’ve seen. I’ve also seen much worse from industry “professionals”

Great video, do you have a tear down list too? That would be helpful.

Can you please send me a link to the setup checklist to print. Thanks for the teardown list. I just found your channel and it is great. This is my first rv.

We travel in a 30 year old tent trailer and I really want new scissor lifts with that wrench feature! We're using an old crank style that's HARD to level!

I use a multimeter to test the power at the pedestal before backing into the spot.

Thank you so much for the excellent video!

Thanks for the excellent video !👍

Great walk through

I would add that after you chock, get in the vehicle and put it in neutral and let it roll into the chock, then put it in park and put the brake on. This ensures the trailer will not move when you unhitch it.

FYI, for Propane. You do not need to Open the valves any more than 1 full turn! The propane in the the bottles is a pretty higher pressure, 100+ psi, after the regulator the pressure in the RV is less than 1 PSI ! If you ever need to turn off the Propane just one turn.

Getting an rv soon so I made a purchase list off of your recommendations. This is probably a dumb question but what about the “pack up” procedure? Just follow the directions in reverse?

Need to add about setting up at night. Seems like the last couple times we made it to our spot, it was dusk/night. I have a rechargeable flashlight in the truck and in the RV for those inconvenient times.

Thanks for video! Great info!

We’re rookies in travel trailering. My husband and I always have an ordeal leveling, an old timer told us last weekend that the camper doesn’t need to be exactly zeroed out on the level side to side. The only one that needs to be EXACTLY level is front to back. What’re your thoughts on this?

When you stop at a rest area or overnight in a parking lot...do you level while connected we haven't been on our first trip yet but i don't know if we always have to take the time to unhitch to use the auto level or if leaving it hitched is ok afraid of potential damage to the truck. Thanks

Do these Snap Jacks REALLY help a lot or somewhat better? We have the same jack set up as what you had. Not cheap.