RV Routines
Whether you’re pulling into a campground or getting ready to hit the road, having a routine can prevent mistakes and make the process a lot less stressful. Setting up and packing up an RV involves dozens of little tasks, and forgetting just one can result in anything from a minor inconvenience to expensive damage.
Over time, we’ve learned that doing things in the same order every time, without rushing or getting distracted, is one of the best ways to make sure nothing gets missed. A good routine doesn’t have to be complicated, but it should be consistent.
Pat and I have established a routine that works well for us. Here is ours.
When we arrive at a campsite, Pat gets out and locates the utilities while I survey the site and figure out the best way to get the rig into the spot, whether it’s a pull through or a back in. She guides me in, keeping an eye on the location of the utility pedestal in relation to our slides and making sure we’ll have enough clearance to extend them. We carry a tape measure in the truck specifically for that purpose.
Once we’re in position, she helps get the wheel chocks set and places blocks under the leveling jacks. We lower the front landing gear enough to take the weight off the truck. I unplug the trailer lights and breakaway cable, then do a walk around to make sure everything looks right before releasing the fifth wheel pin.
Once we’re disconnected from the truck, I start the RV’s auto level process while Pat helps get the surge protector and electrical connection hooked up. By the time we’re finished with that, the trailer is usually level. If the auto level system has a problem, we work together to reset it and get the trailer leveled.
Pat then goes inside, checks that everything is clear and opens the slides. While she’s doing that, I finish hooking up the water and sewer connections and unload the lawn chairs.
Then we meet outside for a cool drink.
We regularly camp with friends, and sometimes they’re already set up when we arrive. They usually offer to help us, but we politely turn them down. It’s not that we don’t appreciate the offer. We’ve just learned that having someone else jump in can throw off our routine. That’s when we tend to forget something, or the whole process ends up taking longer than if we had just done it ourselves. We visit after we’re set up.
From the time we pull into the campsite until we’re completely set up usually takes us about 45 minutes. When it’s time to leave, we basically reverse the process.
One thing we both do before pulling out is a complete walk around of the RV and campsite. There have been numerous times when one of us has spotted something the other missed. It might be something small, but that’s exactly why having two sets of eyes is worthwhile.
The important thing isn’t to follow our routine. It’s to develop one that works for you. Use a checklist if you need one, follow the same process each time and don’t allow yourself to get rushed or distracted.
Most importantly, before you pull into a site, pull out of one or make that next major move, stop and do one final walk around. That extra minute can save you a lot of aggravation and possibly a very expensive mistake.