You've
finally made it to the campground. But before you can run off to the
lake or go for a hike, the first order of the day is to park and level
your RV so that your refrigerator will operate properly and you don't
find yourself in bed at night with your feet higher than your head.
Never
assume your site will be flat or level. That would make parking an RV
too easy. Due to the nature of camping, chances are higher that your
site will be rutted, gouged and somewhat uneven.
But
don't fret. You can still get your RV into your spot, and leveled so it
operates properly, with a few easy steps. Here's how:
How to Park an RV
With
many campsites designed to accommodate smaller vehicles, easing your
30-foot long fifth-wheeler or even longer motorhome into some spots can
be a challenge.
That's why it's important to:
- Verify that your RV can get to your campsite. While the roads in most campgrounds are easy to navigate, there are still some that could be difficult to access due to hairpin turns and tight squeezes among boulders and trees. Some camping websites post caution notices to warn owners of longer rigs that they might want to consider another campground. If such warnings don't appear on the website and you have concerns, contact the campground directly and ask.
- Make sure your rig will fit the campsite. Most campground reservation websites provide details for each site, including its length. Check that the spot you've selected will accommodate both your tow vehicle and your trailer, or your motorhome, without sticking out into the road. Some reservation sites will also indicate low hanging tree branches or other obstructions.
- Check the campsite before you pull in. If you can do so without blocking traffic, get out and look the spot over. Scope out any objects or terrain that might pose hazards, such as drainage ditches, roadside markers, low hanging branches, posts, and power and water hookups. These same obstacles can prevent you from extending slide outs, so make sure you have clearance. Also, check to see if there are any especially low spots in the site that you'll want to avoid.
- Have an assistant guide you in. No matter how skilled you think you are at backing into campsites, things will go a lot smoother with extra eyes watching. There's nothing worse than the embarrassing crunch of an RV bumper kissing a large rock or a picnic table. Your helper can also make sure you've got the rig in straight and that you're completely out of the road. For easier communication, get yourself a pair of two-way radios so you and your assistant won't have to yell.
