RV Camping Checklist: Packing, Setup, Arrival & Departure

Use this RV camping checklist to organize packing, towing or driving, campsite setup, arrival, and departure. It is a planning aid, not a replacement for your RV, tow vehicle, appliance, tire, or safety-equipment manuals.

For Hide-A-Way Harbor, compare current options on RV Sites, use Rates and Availability for the approved transaction path, read the park rules and policies, and save the arrival and property-orientation guide.

Documents and essential information

• Driver license and any registration, insurance, or roadside-assistance information you need.
• Reservation confirmation and written park terms.
• RV, chassis, tow vehicle, tire, appliance, generator, and hitch manuals in paper or offline form.
• Emergency contacts, medication list, and relevant health information for your party.
• Pet records and supplies when traveling with an approved pet.
• Fishing license or boating documents when those activities are part of the trip.
• Photos of the RV exterior, hitch connection, and important serial numbers before departure.

RV and vehicle pre-trip check

Complete the inspections required by your manufacturers. If you are not qualified to inspect or service a system, use an appropriate technician. Do not improvise around propane, electrical, braking, hitch, tire, generator, or safety systems.

• Check tires cold using the vehicle or RV manufacturer’s specified pressure and inspect for damage or unusual wear.
• Verify wheel, lug, bearing, brake, suspension, and axle service is current under the applicable manual.
• Check engine fluids and belts on a motorhome or tow vehicle as directed by its manufacturer.
• Inspect hitch, coupler, safety chains, breakaway cable, electrical connector, weight-distribution equipment, and mirrors.
• Confirm brake lights, turn signals, running lights, and license-plate lights work.
• Retract and secure slides, steps, stabilizers, awnings, antennas, and exterior accessories.
• Close, latch, and lock windows, roof vents, storage doors, refrigerator doors, drawers, and cabinets.
• Secure loose items so they cannot shift during travel.
• Confirm fresh-water, wastewater, propane, battery, solar, and generator systems are in the correct travel state.
• Check height, width, length, and weight information before choosing a route.

Packing checklist by system

Water and sewer

• Potable-water hose and any approved regulator or filter specified for your setup.
• Sewer hose, fittings, supports, caps, disposable gloves, and cleaning supplies.
• Separate clearly marked equipment for potable-water and wastewater tasks.
• A closed container for transporting damp utility items without contaminating food or living areas.

Electrical

• The shore-power cord and only manufacturer-approved adapters or protection devices.
• Charged flashlights and replacement batteries.
• Charging cables for phones, medical devices, and weather-alert equipment.
• No damaged extension cords, overloaded power strips, or improvised electrical connections.

Safety and weather

• Working smoke, carbon-monoxide, and propane alarms as required for your RV.
• An accessible fire extinguisher and a practiced exit plan.
• First-aid kit, prescriptions, sun protection, insect protection, and drinking water.
• Weather alerts enabled on at least one charged device.
• Rain gear and clothing appropriate to the current forecast.
• An emergency plan that accounts for every traveler and pet.

Campsite and daily living

• Leveling and wheel-securing equipment approved for your RV.
• Basic hand tools and spare parts recommended by the RV manufacturer.
• Food-storage containers, trash bags, and cleaning products suitable for the RV.
• Linens, towels, toiletries, cooking items, and enough food for the arrival window.
• Camp chairs or outdoor equipment that can be secured in wind.
• Only approved grills, generators, or outdoor appliances, used under park rules and manufacturer instructions.

Route and arrival checklist

• Choose a route that accounts for the RV’s height, width, length, weight, fuel range, and turning needs.
• Check road closures, severe weather, fuel stops, and the final approach before leaving.
• Plan rest stops that can safely accommodate the complete rig.
• Do not enter a property from an unconfirmed service road or map shortcut.
• Arrive during the confirmed window or contact the park for current after-hours instructions.
• Stop in the designated check-in area without blocking traffic.
• Inspect the route to the assigned site before committing a large rig to a tight turn.

Campsite setup sequence

1. Confirm the site. Match the site number or assignment to the written confirmation before parking.
2. Walk the site. Look for overhead branches, utility placement, grade, soft ground, obstacles, and clearance for slides or awnings.
3. Position and secure the RV. Follow the manufacturer’s leveling, parking-brake, wheel-chock, stabilizer, and unhitching sequence.
4. Connect utilities safely. Inspect each connection and follow the RV, appliance, and park instructions. Keep potable-water equipment separate from wastewater equipment.
5. Check alarms and exits. Test required alarms, locate the extinguisher, and make sure doors, windows, and emergency exits are usable.
6. Secure the outdoor area. Keep cords, hoses, furniture, and equipment within the approved site and away from traffic or trip hazards.
7. Review the forecast and rules. Retract or store equipment before wind or storms and follow quiet-hour, pet, vehicle, and guest policies.

Departure checklist

• Confirm the required checkout time and any site-inspection or key-return step.
• Dispose of wastewater only through an approved connection or facility.
• Disconnect, drain, cap, clean, and store utility equipment without cross-contamination.
• Walk the site for trash, pet waste, tools, blocks, chocks, stakes, and loose hardware.
• Retract and secure every slide, awning, step, stabilizer, antenna, and exterior door.
• Repeat the tire, light, hitch, brake, mirror, route, and load checks required before travel.
• Check above, below, behind, and on both sides before moving.
• Stop in a safe place after the first part of the trip if your manuals call for a connection or load recheck.

What this checklist cannot verify

This page cannot determine whether your RV is roadworthy, whether a specific tow combination is safe, whether you are properly licensed or insured, or whether a site fits your complete setup. Those decisions depend on current manuals, ratings, inspection results, laws, written reservation details, and qualified advice.

Planning a Lake Harris trip? Use the Lake Harris RV camping guide and contact Hide-A-Way Harbor with questions that the current site description does not answer.