Setting up your RV Travel Trailer at a Campsite / Setup Mistakes to Avoid 

Great video and easy to follow. We always plug our surge protector in as a first step before disconnecting or leveling. That way, if there is a problem and we have to move sites the move is much easier. Once the surge protector gives us the "all clear" we go ahead and commence the leveling and disconnecting, etc. It doesn't happen often but we are very grateful for this preliminary step when a site move is necessary. 😊

I’ve watch a few of these videos, none check the utilities first. I check them first because if I have a problem with water or electric and have to move to another site, I don’t have to hook the trailer up again. Here’s my 10 steps to setting up at a campground. 1. Pull up to the site and look it over before pulling in. Look for overhead branches and debris on the ground, anything that would keep from pulling in. 2, Pull/back into site, check that the utilities work and will reach. Check that the water flows and the pedestal is wired correctly. Spray water faucet with Lysol. Look at sewer hook up for anything unusual. Go no Go. If all above checks out proceed, If not contact campground office to correct problem or get new site. 3. Level trailer side to side and see that steps clear. 4. Chock wheels. 5. Unhook trailer from Truck. 6. Level front to back. 7. Stabilizer jacks down. The rest in any order. 8. Connect water, electric, sewer, cable TV, if applicable. 9. Chairs, awning, table. 10. Cold beverage.

Thank you so much, we just got our 1st camper and overwhelmed!! This really helped us. got the checked list and may watch a couple more times before the weekend.

At first I thought ok a retired guy giving very useful but common sense information that was informative. But when your wife came on and the way you workied together to finish setting up it was obvious your knowledge and experience shown through. You have it going on! They say you only live once, that's wrong, you die once and live everyday if you do it right.

Well ya know you’re good when the person watching this will never be able to afford an RV like that but still kept watching 😂 Very nice video. Wish my dad could have seen this decades ago when we went camping. I think he would have stressed a lot less!

Wheel chocks are the best advice. I parked on a slight incline once and as soon as it came off the ball it started to go. Fortunately, the chocks did their job. I’d also not skimp on them. Forget those little yellow ones! Go big or go home when it comes to chocks!

Thanks for posting. We’re in the process of looking for a travel trailer and this has helped with our preparations for ownership.

Nice video guys, I just bought one and let me say yes it is stressful your first time out in your second time can be stressful too, but not quite as much as your first one. And on your water hose, I don’t have the white hose. I have a blue high-quality hose that cost me about $40 for 25 feet. It is a high pressure drinking water hose. And I put the filter at the Fossett side and I also put caps on my water hose when I put it away to keep it clean as possible. And there is something else that I didn’t see you guys do that was shown to me by someone that RVs a lot. You should always spray the Fossett at the campsite with Lysol and the end of your hoses with Lysol before connecting it will kill any bacteria or germs that may be on the fittings. And when I am camping and I kid you not when I say this. I have observed numerous people disconnecting and connecting their sewer line to their RV, and then disconnecting and connecting their waterlines to their RV, using the same gloves, they used to disconnect there sewer hose. So after what was told to me and observing what I observed numerous people doing, I am always out there with a can of Lysol spraying the water fittings before I connect my hose to it.

FYI, before turning on the shore water, have someone inside to check for leaks!

Waiting until after setup before having cold beer leads me to believe that I have 0 self control. I usually crack one as soon as the truck is parked 😂

Congratulations on a comprehensive and easy-to-follow video. From soup to nuts, your lovely assistant and you did an excellent job. Even that helpful level attached to the side of your rig was a unique delight. Thank you for sharing and aafe travels.👍🏾

The number of turns on the water only controls the volume of water. One turn or on completely has the same pressure. I have been RVing for years. Your videos will be very helpful to beginners and experienced campers. Very well done.

My husband, who is now retired, talked about getting an RV and traveling the country. So glad you and your wife are enjoying yourselves. This video is helpful and TFS. 👍 Merri :)

Thank you for this, very useful and helpful information!

Well presented and informitave video, even for a ''know it all'' like me. thank you very much. from North of the MEDICINE LINE, B.C. Canada

Nice video for Noobies, thanks for sharing. Good point about leaving the chains hooked until the Travel Trailer is settled. The binding on the hitch ball occurs when the trailer moves and the truck is in park. When my chocks are set, I put the truck in neutral and ease off the brakes to let it settle. This help take the pressure off the ball. Get another pressure regulator! I have two just in case. The fancy one with a gauge and a cheap one for backup. I have a blue fresh water hose thats a little easier to deal with. Flush the hose befor attaching to the RV, just in case anything crawled in there. I don't like to close it. I hang filter on the faucet because I don't want that extra weight hanging on thise cheap plastic fittings on the RV. When its full it can weigh a couple of pounds. Put a 90⁰ fitting on the RV input connector. Take the stress off of that cheap fitting. The clicking noise on the slides is the clutch on the slide motors. I was told its ok to run the slides until the clutch is clicking. Thanks!

Al & rose back it, level it, electro it, water it, expand it, and relax it. See y'all down the road.

Great video , only one critic-by my experience…. Check water and power BEFORE. Doing such a great full set up…. Nothing sucks more than “practicing” for your next spot.

Hay guys good morning, I just wanted to live you a note and thank you for your how too video... it was well done and easy to follow for those folks just starting... About 9 months ago I gave you the thumbs up but didn't leave you a note... I know you get paid based on partisapaion... I hope all is well....

First-timer here thank you so much, I'm a travel nurse and I'm taking my RV out for the very first time in November , winter time in Southern Illinois 😬🤦🏼‍♀️ I'll be watching all your videos.

Thanks for the video guys absolutely loved it and informative. Me and the wife are looking into one so I’m soaking in some knowledge before hand. Plus we have the same truck! I think it’s a sign hahaha much love.

A lot goes into setting a tt up, but it's like anything else. Muscle memory. Goes fast.

I loved the way your guys explained, thanks you so much and have fun out there. Whitller / BRASIL

Great informative video, thanks!

LoL I have forgotten to put my stabilizer down 2 times, each time laughing at myself, hated having to pull slides back in, great step by step video

Thank you so much for sharing. As first time owners, we appreciate all the advice we can get. The steps you provided were very helpful. I especially appreciate the idea of connecting the water filter to the camper side of the hose. I'll make that change right away.

I totally agree with leaving the chains on I found out the hard way being new to rving lesson learned

Thank you. Great video. I am downloading it for an on-site reference.

I liked the tip about leaving the chains on, which I’ve been doing just because it seemed convenient. I have never had a trailer disconnect as smoothly as yours did - whether very small utility trailers, the small camper we had for several years or the 29 ft RV we bought just recently.

Great video. You have a system as do i and that’s a good thing. But I gotta say, the bars? It doesn’t matter what side you use them on. Mine get mixed up all the time. They’re identical. Not left/right specific.

The grampa i never had! Thank you! Much needed

Thanks for sharing this video. While pro RV'ers might find it simple, for us tenderfoots, its very educational.

Check all your hookups first (i.e. before doing any leveling, unhitching). Put a tester on the electric pedestal, verify the water spigot works, make sure the sewer cap can be removed, check distances for all of them and also clearance for slides and awnings. If that is all good, then get to leveling.

OH, what a treat to watch you set this up so beautifully! We just brought home the same identical trailer yesterday, and can’t wait to take her on our first trip! In case we are unsure about something, you have given us the perfect set up instructions, so thank you so much!

Good job. Job completed ,, ,! Fun time !

Wow. Thank you so much. I subscribed to the channel and look forward to loads of information. I just bought my first trailer. It's a little guy only 15' but that's a lot for me and my wife. As a newbie I've had such anxiety from when I brought it home trying to not crash into my house parking it on an uneven, unpaved driveway. The dealer didn't tell me about chocking the wheels, using something to prop up the tongue with a block of wood like you have, etc. They did give me a walk thru but I didn't get an owner manual so I had no idea how to even open the door without the keypad code. It's been a bumpy ride so far. So again thank you. I look forward to learning so much more.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!

Switching sides with the sway bars introduces the coathanger effect.

Very informative thank you. I just got a 5th wheel toy hauler and don't know what I'm doing...😂 But it's folks like y'all that I turn to for help. Thanks again. Happy camping

Thinking about getting a small RV and your video was very helpful. It gave me some insights as to what to expected. Thank you for making and posting this video.

Thanks for the demonstration. We are newbies and have found this helpful.

I just purchased a rv trailer, very excited and nervous while waiting for it to be delivered since I am epic new and have no experience with it at all. Your video helps soooooo much for someone as a total noob like me😅😅😅… Thanks for sharing this 🙏🙏🙏

It’s funny. We have a teeny tiny camper, but we still follow these procedures. Like leaving the chains on before unhooking. I mean, even tiny campers can roll away 😂. However Jessie levels us after unhooking. Little bit of a different process. No water or sewer hookup type stuff. Think our set up takes about 20 minutes. If that. We’re so simple. But I love it. I’m allergic to work 🤣. Jessie always does all the outside stuff while I’m dealing with Darbi and getting her settled and setting up the inside. I was a bit thrown off on this last trip. We remodeled completely so my normal set up routine had to change some too. I’ll get in a routine eventually. No slides for us so no issues there. We always chock first. Thanks for sharing your set up routine with us.

Great informative video! What is the model number of your RV? Nice RV

My wife and I just got home today from our 2nd camping adventure with a travel trailer. Thanks for the tip about keeping the chains hooked up.

Great job on set up, I myself have attached a water pressure regulator to the coach and it’s on a 45 degree angle, then I won’t leave it by accident on the park faucet . I’ve found that if I connect the hose to the park faucet and turn the water on ever so slightly it will push 90 percent of the air from the hose before entering the coach. Less time to bleed the faucets. Great job and enjoy your adult beverage.

Thank u for the tutorial, I did make the mistake of not securing my wheels the first time out in my new travel trailer, Won't happen again, I did learn a few tips u gave out!!! Thank U😊

Great video thanks for the Tips!!

great video! thank you!

Thank you so much!

❤❤❤ I feel better as I watched the full video, very informative you made my fear go away. We are taking our toy hauler out for the first time and I will follow you're video once I get to the camp site...thank you so much

Cool man!

Great video very informative. Thank You!

Great video thank you

Thanks! Getting ready for our first rental. 😁 Love the adult beverage tip at the end. 😄🍷

Thank you for showing us how to set up camp.

great informative video. straight to the point.

thank you for help me a lot ❤

Great video!

Really great video, thanks for sharing 😊

Awesome video, very informative. Thank you

Good info, thanks! Getting rid of my tailgate on the truck when I get my trailer 😂. My memory is bad.

I would check the power pedestal with the EMS surge protector before I unhitch just in case you need to find another site.

Cool

Really enjoyed the video. I've been doing it for years but still like to watch other people do it. Maybe I can do something a little better. Great job.

Thank you for the helpful info. We are excited to go on our first RV trip to the redwood forest this summer 2024

Sway bars pins should be installed with the clip pin facing out then you can visually check the clip pin at any stop. I have used that setup for years without any problems.

Thanks, I’m new in my Rv and is the best video for me.

nice jobs guys

Thanks

Good video, you really need a water pressure gauge and my suggestion on the stabilizers is to put them all down before giving the little bit extra.

Great video.I'm new at this so really appreciate the info. Very helpful and informative. You two did a beautiful job with your setup and the video. Kudos to you both! 🕊

Loved the video.Just got an RV and lemme tell ya. The panick is real

Thank you for very detailed video I’m about to purchase my 1st Rv this made me more anxious

Thank you both ☺️ headed on my inaugural trip with my new Jayco this weekend!

Great video! We just bought a trailer almost exactly the same by Forest River. Just wondering why you are turning on fuses when you arrive. We have never shut our fuses off. Thanks and happy camping!

This was great because we are buying or first camper!.

I’ve been using the same 1995 terry 30’ travel trailer. Yet I still found value in your video. Thanks

Great video. We like to check and make sure the electrical and water work before disconnecting. If they dont you may have to move to another site.

I’ll be honest I didn’t follow any of this and I still had fun camping but the trailer rolled a foot because no wheel chocks and it made my stomach hurt! I should have watched this video weeks ago b4 buying a 30 footer

Nice step by step tutorial. I won't hold the Bud Light against you as this was made a few months ago lol. Cheers.

1. I never take the safety pin out of the ball lock until my WDS is disconnected. You are putting upward pressure on the coupler which can release. 2. Never should climb over hitching area. Crush zone 3. Leave chains connected in case trailer drifts or slides 4. Tow vehicle should not be running. 5. All persons should be in clear view when hitching and unloading

Question. With that weight distribution system hooked can you back up and make a like 90 turn in reverse with causing frame damage

We always rented cabins. We're thinking of buying an RV. After seeing all this prep 🐂💩 we'll keep renting cabins.

Usually the first thing I do is to make sure there are no obstructions when the slides come out then I check for level

What if your alone at level time and backing in? No one told me to shut off fuse panel and to turn it on when set up. And i got a winter type drink/water hose but i didnt know it was good to put the filter bottle outside. Im scared of the stinky slinky deal so i hope i alwsys find a spot with a bathroom! I wont be camping..Got to live in it awhile till i find "home"..by land ect.

Ur rv has the good couch to TV set up. Tv should never be at a 90 from the couch..

Good video but I think you forgot to use a water pressure regulator. You don't want to blow out your pipes.

Looks like you're in an 26FKBS, which is helpful to see because we're thinking about that model as our first RV. It's nice to see it in actual setup by actual people, not salesman! If I may ask, have you slept three? We love the front kitchen to prep food for my wife and I and our 6 year old, but the bed space for him is questionable.

I’d not heard of turning off all of the fuses before. Is this required each time you set up and tear down?

The wood block should be turned the other direction under tongue

That was my husband's and my retirement dream. He passed away 3 months before retirement. Now I have to figure out how to do this on my own. What is best for me without his help.

On a Class A I have a question about starting the engine while hooked up to the pedestal. Is it ok to try and start the engine while connected? I ask because the batteries have died/drained and I am plugged in now trying/hoping they charge, but I'm a little worried about trying to start the ignition while plugged in.

What was Rose talking about when she was putting out the slide and she was looking for the Tag?

Just bought our first trailer. I know you leveled it first, but didn’t moving the tongue up and down to get it off the hitch affect the level?

When you are hooking up your electricity can you tell me how you know it’s good. What are you reading or seeing that tells you this?

Get the air out of the " hot water heater " ....., If you Have Hot water ... You don't need a WATER HEATER

RV is not properly balanced. Need to adust the height of the hitch receiver ?

Are you pulling a trailer with a 250 or 1500 and what size trailer are you hauling

Why do you turn off fuses, dont you have a battery disconnect?