RV Life
RV Setup Checklist: Your First Night
A step-by-step checklist for setting up your RV at a new stop.
2 min readBy ViaPads Team
Table of contents
Arriving at your stop
Take a breath. There's no rush. Here's your first-night checklist.
1. Park and level
- Park on the most level part of the site
- Use leveling blocks if needed
- Put your vehicle in park and engage the parking brake
2. Connect utilities (if available)
- Power — connect your shore power cord
- Water — connect to the host's water supply with a fresh hose
- Sewer — connect your sewer hose (if a connection is available)
3. Extend slides
- Make sure you have clearance on all sides
- Extend slides slowly, checking for obstacles
4. Set up your living space
- Turn on the water heater (if needed)
- Set your thermostat
- Open vents or windows for ventilation
- Set up your bed for a good night's sleep
5. Secure your site
- Close your curtains or blinds for privacy
- Lock your doors
- Note the nearest exit
6. Meet your host
A quick hello goes a long way. Let your host know you've arrived safely and ask about any local tips.
Morning departure
- Retract slides
- Disconnect utilities in reverse order
- Check your site for anything left behind
- Thank your host
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