Things to Consider When Hooking Up Your Camper

When I was single, I spent years camping with my single friends, sleeping in the back of my pickup truck and eating cold pizza from my cooler. Ten years, a husband and two children later, my camping trips are now a regimented series of events. Even if I had no children, I now tow a pop up camper which provides a much better place to sleep, but requires a bit more planning on my part.

As my husband is a motorcycle enthusiast, we travel to many motorcycle rallies throughout the state we reside in. I frequently drive to our site in our family van and he rides his motorcycle. I have developed a system for getting on the road, and setting up when I get to my destination that I can manage on my own.

Hooking Up the Tow Vehicle It is imperative that each driver of the vehicle be proficient in hooking up the camper to the tow vehicle. Many times, only the primary driver has this knowledge, which is a safety risk. If there is an emergency, the secondary driver needs to be able to perform a safety check on the camper prior to taking it on the road. All of the camper and tow vehicle lights should be tested each time the vehicle goes on the road as well as tires and the tow hookup. This would include after you stop for gas and food too.

Unhooking at the Campsite As I have small children, I do not allow them out of the vehicle until the camper is in its final resting place, the wheel chocks are in place, and the camper is fully unhooked from the tow vehicle. The same precaution should be taken for other people in your traveling party. Everyone should stay clear of the camper until it is firmly and safely planted on the ground. Many accidents have happened when a helpful person is guiding you into the site. If your neighbors have small children, take a moment to announce your arrival so they can keep the children out of harm's way as you unhook the camper.

Setting Up the Campsite After unhooking my camper, I get out a beach chair, take a seat, and take a few minutes to plan my next steps. If it is getting dark, I will immediately hook up the electricity and set up any outdoor lights I have. If it is mid day and hot, I will locate the cooler, sunscreen and set up the EZ up shade. As I have children, I have a gated pen, outdoor blanket and bag of toys that I immediately take out. Once the kids are contained, I can go about my business. Taking a moment to prioritize what needs to be done will save you a lot of frustration later.

Your First Day There I make it a rule to stop for fast food, or bring sandwiches for our first meal at the campsite. After getting off the road, I am in no condition to set up the BBQ and cook. Take a moment to consider how long you will be on the road, and what your plans will be for food when you arrive. I also gather up all the information I can get my hands on about the campground and surrounding area when I check in. My family and I spend our first few hours at the campground planning our next few days and surveying the immediate area. If you arrive in the early morning, take an hour to rest after camp is set up.

Assigning Responsibilities In my family, I take care of the kids in the evening and my husband cares for them in the morning. My husband is the cook and I am the maid. I do diapers and he takes my 4 year old to the showers. It is a routine that we fell into on our first few trips that works very well for our family. Everyone should have a responsibility, children included. If you have guests traveling with you, assign them a task for the trip. It will make them feel helpful and ensure that things go smoothly. If you and your guests will be drinking beer during your stay, pick a designated driver each day. Someone needs to be able to drive in an emergency.

The person who owns the camper or RV is ultimately responsible for the success and planning of the trip. Developing an organized method for hooking up the camper and setting up camp takes a small amount of time and ensures a safe and successful trip for all involved.