For some travelers, camping is about roughing it: venturing into the woods with only a few bottles of water and a lot of packaged food. They’re happy to use disposable wipes for bathing and to venture away from the warmth of their sleeping bags and into the cold outdoors anytime they need a restroom break in the middle of the night.
For the rest of us, however, a camping trip is about striking a balance. We want adventure, of course, but also to be able to enjoy a few modern amenities, such as cooked food, a space heater or AC, a flushable toilet, and the occasional shower. We prefer the added comfort and convenience of a recreational vehicle, a lifestyle that is made possible by finding a campsite with a full RV hookup.
Keep reading for a helpful guide to the essential services you can find at campsites with full hookups for your RV. We’ll also offer tips on setup so you can ensure a comfortable and convenient camping experience every time you travel.
RV Hookups: What’s Included
When you’re searching for RV campsites, whether you’re using a printed guide, visiting the RV park or campground’s website directly, or using apps like Hipcamp or Campendium, the location should provide information about exactly what’s included at the site. This means basic information like the size of the campsite, vehicle accessibility, and what type of utility hookups are available.
In recreational vehicle terminology, the term “hookups” refers to the utilities you can connect to your RV. These may include a water hose, an electrical cable, or sewage hoses for your vehicle’s greywater and/or blackwater tanks. A campsite that advertises a “full” RV hookup should provide access to all these connections. Many campsites do not offer full hookups but may still provide one or more of them, such as electricity or water. These sites are usually referred to as having “partial” hookups, the most common of which is a basic electrical cable.
Before Using Hookups at a Campsite
After selecting a campsite that has the amenities you need, the first step is to ensure you can access them. Most sites are arranged in such a way that the utility connections are on the driver’s side, making it relatively easy to get in close enough to connect the cable and hoses. The vehicle should be as level as possible and, ideally, as close to the hookups as you can safely get.
Before you can connect to the utilities, you also need to ensure you have the proper equipment to do so. Your RV should have a water hose on board, as well as blackwater and greywater hoses for disposing of wastewater. You’ll also need a cable to connect to the campsite’s power supply.
Electricity
An electrical connection is the most basic of hookups—and perhaps the most important for a short-term camping trip. This is because you’ll need it to use the kitchen and HVAC without draining your vehicle’s battery. And while your RV has a tank for storing water and the capability of holding a certain amount of wastewater, the battery won’t last very long if it’s used excessively.
Before connecting the cable of your RV hookup, check the voltage of the shore power outlet. Most shore power is either 30 or 50 volts, and you’ll need to make sure your cable is compatible before connecting it. To prevent a surge, ensure everything is in the OFF position before connecting the power: This not only means the breaker on the shore power unit but also all the devices that may be drawing power on the vehicle itself.
Water
Most RVs or travel trailers have a water tank on board that can hold enough water to wash the dishes a few times and take a few showers before running out. However, this supply is limited, and once it runs out, you’ll need to have a shore water connection to refill it. For this reason, most travelers who do not have easy access to a water hookup are forced to be extremely conservative with their onboard water supply. A water hookup on your campsite allows you the freedom to take showers and wash dishes whenever you need to, without worrying about running low on your supply.
Connecting to a shore water hookup is fairly easy since the hoses used are generally one-size-fits-all. Attach the threaded end of your hose to the spigot at your campsite, ensuring a proper, tight connection to prevent leaks. Your RV should also have a pressure regulator, which is an inexpensive connection available at most hardware stores, to prevent plumbing issues that can occur if the water pressure coming from the spigot is too high.
Wastewater
A campsite with a full RV hookup will also have wastewater connections. Most RVs and travel trailers are equipped with two separate wastewater tanks: a blackwater tank, connected to the toilet, and a greywater tank, connected to the sinks and shower. These tanks must be emptied before they become too full, or you may experience a backup of wastewater, which can create noxious odors and necessitate a very unpleasant cleanup.
Most RVs make use of separate hoses for blackwater and greywater. These are large, flexible hoses made from PVC or a similar durable material. Each one should be connected to an inlet at the campsite and locked into place. Make sure a secure connection is made, or you may risk the hose coming off and spilling waste all over your campsite.
For More Information
For more information or to purchase the parts you need to connect to the RV hookups at a campsite, contact Albany RV. We’ll help you make sure you have everything you need to enjoy your next camping trip in comfort and convenience.
