Before you begin
Gather the equipment recommended in your owner’s manual, work in a safe and well-lit area, and check campground rules before using shared utilities or facilities.
Step-by-step instructions
1 Step 1
Check the campground confirmation for site length, hookups, check-in rules and any restrictions on generators, fires or pets.
2 Step 2
Walk the site before pulling in. Look for low branches, posts, uneven ground, soft shoulders, picnic tables and the position of the utility pedestal.
3 Step 3
Use a spotter where possible. Agree on hand signals and stop immediately if you lose sight of the spotter. Keep people and pets clear.
4 Step 4
Park with adequate clearance for slides, awnings and doors. Check overhead clearance before raising anything.
5 Step 5
Set the parking brake. For a trailer, chock wheels before unhitching; follow your manufacturer’s leveling and stabilizing sequence.
6 Step 6
Level the RV as directed by its manufacturer. Stabilizers are not designed to lift a trailer.
7 Step 7
With power switched off at the pedestal, inspect the receptacle and cord, then connect approved electrical equipment. Turn the breaker on only after the connection is secure.
8 Step 8
Connect a potable-water hose and pressure regulator if needed; check for leaks. Keep drinking-water fittings away from sewer equipment.
9 Step 9
Connect the sewer hose only where permitted, secure its fittings and keep black- and grey-tank valves closed unless actively dumping or your system requires otherwise.
10 Step 10
Before leaving the site, retract slides and awnings, disconnect utilities, secure loose gear and complete a walk-around.
Detailed Canadian RV guide
The following practical details expand on the quick steps above. Equipment differs between motorhomes, fifth wheels, travel trailers and truck campers; use the instructions for your particular RV and components whenever they differ.
Before pulling into the site
Walk the site before committing. Look for low branches, power pedestals, picnic tables, rocks, soft shoulders and any slope that may affect the entry step. Check where the sewer inlet, water spigot and electrical pedestal sit relative to your RV’s connections. A pull-through site may still have an awkward utility arrangement.
If you are arriving after dark, use a spotter with a flashlight who stays visible in a mirror. Agree on simple hand signals and stop immediately if you lose sight of the spotter. Never ask someone to stand between the RV and a fixed object.
Parking, chocking and leveling
Position the RV so slide-outs and awnings will clear trees, posts and neighbouring sites. Keep the exhaust away from open windows and tents. Once parked, engage the parking brake as applicable, chock the wheels on a trailer and follow the manufacturer’s leveling sequence.
On a travel trailer, side-to-side leveling normally comes before unhitching; front-to-back adjustment follows with the tongue jack. Stabilizer jacks reduce rocking but are not substitutes for rated leveling equipment. Use appropriate pads where campground surfaces require them.
Connecting utilities in the right order
Inspect the power pedestal before connecting. With the breaker off, use a suitable surge or electrical management device, connect the correct cord and then energize the pedestal. Never force a 30-amp plug into an incompatible receptacle or assume an adapter increases the available amperage.
For fresh water, use a dedicated potable-water hose and a regulator when recommended by your RV manufacturer. Keep the sewer hose capped until it is securely attached and supported. A sewer connection is not a reason to leave the black-tank valve open continuously; follow your tank system’s operating guidance.
Setting up your outdoor living area
Open slides only after confirming the RV is properly positioned and level as required. Check both inside and outside for obstructions. Extend the awning only when conditions are suitable, and retract it before leaving or when wind and storms are possible.
Keep a clear walking route from the entry steps to the campsite and keep hoses and cables out of pedestrian paths. Follow quiet hours, pet rules, fire restrictions and wildlife-food storage requirements. In bear country, food and scented items should be secured according to the park’s instructions.
Departure checklist
Disconnect utilities only after turning off appliances and pedestal power as appropriate. Drain and stow hoses without contaminating potable-water equipment. Retract slides, steps, stabilizers and awnings; close vents and secure interior cabinets.
Complete a final walk-around checking tires, wheel chocks, hitch components, safety chains, breakaway cable, lights, roof-mounted items and the ground under the RV. A second person can confirm that nothing was left behind.
Setting up at a Canadian campground
Check your reservation, site length and hookups before you back in. Provincial and national parks may have specific rules about fires, pets and quiet hours that you should read on arrival.
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