Select as flat and level a parking site as possible, consistent with other considerations Place the shift lever in park and set the parking brake. The automatic hydraulic leveling system will not operate unless these conditions are met Have a person outside to place support blocks under the stabilizing jacks. Engage the automatic hydraulic leveling system to level and stabilize the coach, with the engine running to provide alternator power With the engine still running for alternator power, extend any desired slideouts once the unit is leveled and secure Check the site’s 30 amp shore power receptacle for proper polarity prior to hook up, if applicable Ensure that the refrigerator (in auto mode) has shifted its power to 120 vac Connect the coach’s city water hose to the site’s water source, ensuring that the coach’s water pressure regulator is correctly installed between the site’s water source and the coach Connect the coach’s dump hose to the site’s sewage receptacle using the coach’s hose slope adapter, if applicable. Open the grey tank valve, but do not open the black tank as it requires at least ¾ full to dump properly. Plan to close the grey tank valve when the black tank reaches ½ full so as to have sufficient grey water aboard to flush the black tank at dump time.

Exterior Check all fluids (coolant, electrolyte, hydraulic, oil, power steering, transmission, windshield washer) Check generator oil level Disconnect city water, if applicable Reset coach’s freshwater controls to onboard water, if applicable Fill coach freshwater tank (add a capful of bleach), then stow the hose Using the dump checklist, dump the waste tanks, if applicable Ensure the propane tank is as desired Ensure that all basement doors are closed, latched, and locked Disconnect and stow the coach’s shore power cable Ensure that the refrigerator (in auto mode) has shifted back to propane power Retract the leveling jacks, stow the support blocks, and visually inspect each jack for proper travel stowage position Interior Retract any slideouts and secure for travel Ensure that the windows are securely closed and locked Arrange the blinds and curtains, as desired Ensure that the air conditioner is off Ensure that the furnace is off Secure all drawers and doors Secure all loose objects for travel Turn all lights off Ensure that the overhead vent fan in the bathroom is off and the vent is securely closed Ensure that the oven pilot light is off Ensure that the water heater is off Ensure that the freshwater pressure pump is off Check all tank level indications Close the main door to retract the powered steps Lock the main door with the deadbolt and the latch lock

It's the dreaded 7-Way RV plug that we all have come to know and love. Most new vehicles equipped with a tow package have connectors. Trailers with electric brakes need them too. The 7-Way Trailer Plug is a round 2" diameter connector that allows an additional pin for an auxiliary 12-volt power or backup lights. It is usually used for towing a heavy-duty landscaping trailer, car trailer, boat trailer, horse trailer, travel trailer, construction trailer, and larger trailers When referencing the 7-Way RV Plug diagram, make sure you are looking at the plug the way the diagram is showing you. Having the wires backwards will cause problems. Keep in mind that it isn’t always as simple as matching the colors like you might be inclined to do. Match the functions, not the colors. Make sure your ground wire, which is typically white, is securely attached to the frame on both the truck and trailer side. The ground wire should be large enough to handle the entire load, do not depend on grounding through the ball. Grease your trailer plug. A thin coat of grease will help prevent copper oxide from building up. That is the green stu that forms when oxygen from the air or water come in contact with copper. You may thing the rubber caps protect the plug but they tend to hold the water in. If your brake lights work, or your marker lights work, but nothing works when you turn on both at the same time, your trailer is not grounded to the truck. So, if you step on the brakes and all the trailer lights go out, then you need to ground your trailer to your truck with the ground wire.

When you get a new RV for the first time or just getting back into RV camping, its hard to know everything you need. Below is a base list of things you may need and could be used as a baseline when you are packing. Feel free to add items in the comments to keep building the list. RV Essentials: Surge protector Electrical adapters (50amp to 30amp AND/OR 110v to 50amp) Toilet chemicals Sewer kit RV-friendly toilet paper (if you use your home toilet paper it will cause some serious black tank issues that just isn't worth it) Water pressure regulator Drinking water hose (you may want two or a longer one since some parks put there water supply in very weird locations which can be far) Leveling blocks (used when the ground is really really not level you can drive a side of your RV on these to help even it up some) Tire pressure gauge (be careful of anything electronic since you don't always use it, when you need it you will want it to just work instead of hunting for batteries) Extension cords (can be expensive for a 50amp cord but totally worth it when its hot out and you want to use your A/C units) Wheel chocks (attached a link to the most common and most highly rated by a ton on Amazon for wheel chocks) Shovel Electrical and duct tape Extra cotter pins Extra motor oil and transmission fluid Flashlight Battery jumper cables Emergency road kit Fire extinguisher Large zip close bag for documents, including license, registration, reservations, etc. Kitchen and cooking supplies: Water bottles Cutting board Utensils/cutting knives Can opener Tongs and skewers Dish soap Camping griddle and pie iron Bowls, plates and cups Paper towels Garbage bags Plastic wrap Zip close bags Potholders Dish towels Napkins Measuring Cups Measuring Spoons Skillets (we prefer cast iron skillets) Disinfecting wipes Matches and lighter Food storage container Cooler Coffee Maker Coffee Filters Coffee Grinder Food staples: Batter mixes Vegetables and fruits Butter or margarine Cereal Condiments, including mayo, ketchup, mustard, relish, etc. Grill meats, like hot dogs, burgers, brats, etc. Drink mix packets Eggs S’more ingredients Freeze dried meals Salt, pepper, herbs and spices Bread Baking items, including flour, cornmeal, sugar, etc. Canned foods Peanut butter and jelly Snacks, including crackers, chips, pretzels, etc. Cooking spray or oil Soups Coffee Clothing and bedroom items: Hat Rain gear Shoes, including sneakers, hiking boots, sandals, etc. Bathing suit Sweatshirts and jackets Socks Underwear Pants and shorts Short and long sleeve t-shirts Clothes hangers Alarm clock Sewing kit Towels Sheets and blankets Pillows Personal items and toiletries: Phone chargers Cash and credit cards Reservation confirmations First-aid kit Sunscreen Bug spray Batteries Watch Medications and prescriptions Glasses or contact lenses Sunglasses Travel map and campground directory Soap Shampoo and conditioner Brush and comb Toothbrush Toothpaste Floss Deodorant Hair ties Lotion Makeup Razor Shaving gel Nail clippers Camping and outdoor fun gear: Camera Wood Camping chairs Hammock Frisbee Fishing gear, including rods, tackle, license, etc. Sports equipment, including football, basketball, baseball, mitt, etc. Bicycles, scooters Yard games, including corn hole, horseshoes, hula-hoops, etc. Binoculars Books and magazines (rain day) Playing cards (rain day) Board games (rain day) Puzzles (rain day) Movies (rain day) Radio Headphones Notepad or journal Laptop Saw or hatchet Flotation devices Guitar Again for you experienced RV Campers, what is missing from the list that should get added to help those that like to follow lists.

Someone asked, why don't you have RV's on your site. They have gears, fuel, oil and can be a pain in the ass to manage. I didn't have a good response so I created a section just for RV's which translates to Recreational Vehicle. Some people love there RV's and truthfully they all use similar components from other vehicles found on this website so they do belong. For example, motor home have either the Ford V-10 or the Chevy 6.2L or the most popular option, the Chrysler Cummins Diesel which is pretty much the standard in every diesel pusher out there. If you are looking for other blogs that focus on the RVers then click here Maybe your looking for a club focused on RV or want to start an RV club, well click here to see all existing RV clubs and you'll see the option to create a club for free as well... just have to be registered.