Setting up a Camper
Whether you’re going out for the weekend or hitting the road for an extended vacation, road trips in your camper can be an extra fun way to see new parts of the country and still have somewhere relaxing to sleep and eat in the evening.
But if this is your first time out in the camper, you may be a little worried about the responsibilities of setting it up. You won’t be able to just put it in park and walk away when you pull into the campground. There are some necessary steps everyone should be doing when they first arrive at their destination.
Here at Golden Gait Trailers and RVs, we’ve provided you with some of the basics, but if you’re still a little unsure about camper setup, talk to our experienced professionals about your particular model. If you’re still looking for the perfect camper, stop by our Concord, North Carolina location to check out what we have in our showroom. We proudly serve the areas of Charlotte, Columbia, Raleigh, Hickory, Asheville, and Greensboro, North Carolina, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Arriving
If you’ve never been to the campground before, ask for a map to your spot or if there’s a staff member that can guide you. Before you get too caught up in the setup process, look around at your site. Does it have everything you need? The right hookups and connections? Is it big enough? Are there any low hanging branches that might cause a problem? Better to figure these things out and ask for a new spot before you’re halfway through setting up.
Set Up
If you’re sure the site will work for you, start by unhitching your camper and leveling it. This can be done using blocks or landing gear and stabilizing jacks. You’ll also need a level to help you when your camper needs adjustments. Once your camper is in place, chock the tires. Then, expand all slideouts if you have them so they won’t disconnect any hookups later.
Test the voltage of the electricity with a voltmeter before hooking up your camper, and if you’re sure it won’t overwhelm your electric system, plug in your camper to the receptacle that matches your amperage requirements. Keep in mind that voltage below 105 and above 135 can damage your appliances. Finally, check to make sure the electricity works by checking lights and turning on your fridge. If you spot issues, contact the campground. There could be a problem with the hookup or there might be a special way to turn on the electricity.
Water
Use a water filter at the inlet of your fresh water tank and then attach the white water hose between the camp supply and your camper. Do not use the water pump, but check to make sure there is water flowing to your rig.
Wearing gloves, attach the sewer hose to the drain outlet. Secure the locking tabs and seal the connection with a sewer donut (many campgrounds now require this so it’s a good idea to have one ready). Prop the hose up with a rock or block to create a downward slope for smooth drainage. Open the gray water tank valve to allow sink and shower water to drain, but never leave the black water valve open.
Finishing Touches
Turn on the LPG supply at the valve of the tank or bottle and make sure the water heater bypass is not in bypass mode and that the tank is full of water. If you have a television, hook up the cable, dish, or antenna. For an added touch of home, set out an RV mat and chairs. Roll out your awning and complete any other final touches specific to your model. You’re now ready to start camping and enjoying the outdoors.
Setting up your camper at a campsite takes a little bit of time, but with enough practice you’ll become more and more confident with each trip. If you have a different kind of RV or if you’re not quite sure about your camper model, stop by Golden Gait Trailers in Concord, North Carolina today and have a chat with our experienced staff. We welcome all RV owners from the regions of Charlotte, Columbia, Raleigh, Hickory, Asheville, and Greensboro, North Carolina, as well as Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.