🏕️Campground & Setup
⏱️~20 minutes•📋18 steps

RV Campground Arrival & Setup Checklist

Step-by-step campground setup guide. Covers site inspection, tree clearance, leveling, wheel chocks, surge protector, electric hookup, water regulator, and sewer safety.

📊Inspection Progress0 / 18 (0%)
Get out and walk the site before backing in (GOAL)

Get Out And Look: check low-hanging live oak branches, hidden stumps, soft sand, and utility post clearance.

Agree on hand signals with your spotter

Spotter must stay visible in tow vehicle side mirrors at all times. Stop immediately if you lose sight of spotter.

Position RV within reach of electric, water, and sewer connections

Confirm your 25-foot power cord and 15-foot sewer hose will reach the pedestal and ground inlet.

Check level side-to-side & place leveling curved ramps/blocks

Pull trailer wheel up onto leveling blocks until bubble is centered. Do this BEFORE unhitching.

Place heavy-duty wheel chocks in front and behind trailer tires⚠️ Rollaway Hazard

NEVER unhitch from the tow ball before both sides of the trailer are firmly chocked.

Unhitch: disconnect 7-pin, breakaway cable, safety chains, and coupler

Remove safety pin, release coupler latch, lower tongue jack footpad, and crank up until coupler clears the ball.

Pull tow vehicle forward and level trailer front-to-back

Use tongue jack to raise or lower the front until trailer floor/frame is completely level in all directions.

Lower all 4 stabilizer jacks to snug ground contact (DO NOT LEVEL WITH JACKS)⚠️ Frame Protection

Stabilizers only reduce wobble. Using them to lift trailer weight will twist frame and damage jacks.

Turn OFF campground pedestal circuit breaker before plugging in⚠️ Critical

Prevents electrical arcs that burn prongs on your expensive surge protector and cord.

Plug in RV Surge Protector / EMS and test pedestal voltage & polarity⚠️ Equipment Protection

Wait for green lights. Do not connect your trailer if open neutral, reverse polarity, or voltage spikes are detected.

Connect RV shore power cord and twist locking collar firmly

Plug into RV side first, lock collar, plug other end into surge protector, then turn pedestal breaker ON.

Attach Water Pressure Regulator directly to campground spigot⚠️ Plumbing Safety

Campground water pressure often surges over 80–100 PSI, which can burst PEX RV plumbing lines.

Connect drinking-safe freshwater hose & inline filter

Run water through hose for 10 seconds to purge air and sediment before connecting to RV City Water inlet.

Connect sewer hose with clear 90° elbow secured into ground drain

Use threaded sewer donut or weight to keep hose firmly in campground sewer pipe.

Confirm BLACK tank valve remains CLOSED during your entire stay⚠️ Rule of RVing

Leaving black valve open lets liquid drain while solids dry into a hardened "poop pyramid" inside your tank. Only open to dump!

Switch refrigerator to AC Electric or Auto mode

Confirm fridge indicator shows shore power operation to conserve propane.

Verify water heater tank is full of water BEFORE turning on electric element⚠️ Critical

Turn on hot water faucet until a steady stream flows with no spitting. Turning on empty element burns it out in seconds.

Extend patio awning and tilt one corner for rainwater runoff

A sudden Florida downpour will pool water on a flat awning, bending the heavy aluminum roller tube.

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