The RV Setup & Tear Down Checklist You’ll Want to Keep Handy

Setting up and tearing down an RV campsite can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time, but a clear, step-by-step checklist can turn that uncertainty into confidence. This guide breaks down everything campsite-related, from arrival and hook-ups to disconnecting and packing up, so you can follow predictable routines that keep your rig safe, your utilities correctly connected, and your departure stress-free. Use it to ensure no step is missed, whether you’re a new RVer or a seasoned traveler looking to refresh your process.

Need a free printable RV setup checklist? View and download the RV camper packing list by clicking the image below.

The first step is check-in at the campground office to confirm your site amenities, get a map, and obtain campground rules before driving to your assigned campsite.

• Confirm with the campground office personnel that your campsite has all your requested amenities. Double-checking this will avoid any potential confusion once you arrive at your campsite.
• Ask for a map of the campground. You’ll want to know how to get to your site and where the bathhouse and dump stations are located. The map can also be helpful if the campground has hiking trails or other points of interest that you may want to visit during your stay.
• Ask for a copy of the campground rules. The campground rules usually detail speed limits, quiet times, campfire policies, pet requirements, etc. It's always best practice to respect these rules and be courteous to other campers.

Once the details of your stay are double confirmed and squared away at the campground office, you’ll want to forge ahead to your campsite. Be sure to exercise caution as you’re driving – campgrounds are a great place for children (and sometimes pets) to run and play.

After positioning, level the RV, chock the wheels, unhook from your tow vehicle, connect power, water, and sewer lines, and deploy stabilizers and awnings as needed.

Upon arrival at your campsite, you’ll want to take care of exterior items first. Follow the RV road trip checklist below to make sure you cover all your bases.

• Disconnect any towed cars – In some cases, depending on the layout of the campground, you may want to consider doing this before you get to your campsite so that you don’t have to maneuver your RV and towed vehicle together on narrow roads.
• Walk around your campsite to check for glass, low-hanging tree branches or anything else that may cause damage to your RV.
• Once you pull your RV into the site, check to make sure you can reach the water and electrical connections.
• Ensure your slide-outs and awning will have enough room to slide out or fully extend without running into any obstacles.
• If you’re driving a motorhome, turn on your emergency brakes.
• Level your unit side to side with leveling blocks.
• Use wheel chocks to chock your tires.
• Unhook your trailer from your tow vehicle. This will also involve disconnecting power cords, safety chains and breakaway cables.
• Place support blocks under your stabilizer jacks.
• Manually level your unit front to back or engage your automatic leveling system.
• Connect your RV to shore power.
• Connect your water lines. Remember to always use a water pressure regulator so that you don’t cause damage to your plumbing system.
• Connect your sewer hose if a sewer connection is available. You’ll also want to be sure to open the valve on your grey water tank but leave the valve on your black water tank closed to avoid clogs and allow bacteria to do its job inside the tank.
• Turn on your propane.
• Roll out your RV awning.
• Set up your campsite. This may include putting down an outdoor rug or patio mat, hanging up string lights, setting up your camping furniture and putting out anything else you want to accessorize your outdoor space with to make it your own.
• Lower your entry steps and get prepared to set up your RV interior.

Once exterior setup is complete, extend slide-outs, start appliances like the fridge and water heater, adjust climate controls, and arrange furniture to make the RV livable.

You’ll want to check off items in the following list to make sure the inside of your camper is all set for your stay:

• Just like with the exterior, make sure your slide-outs will clear any obstacles before you extend them. Once the interior area is clear, go ahead and extend them.
• Turn on your RV refrigerator. You may want to return to the fridge and freezer or check your temperature sensor after several minutes to make sure they are properly cooling.
• Depending on the season, you may want to turn on your A/C or heat.
• Open your roof vents to keep your rig smelling fresh and clean throughout your stay.
• Light the pilot on your oven.
• Release any air in your hot water heater, then turn it on.
• Extend your antenna.
• Test your water lines by running water in your kitchen and bathroom to ensure your connections are hooked up correctly.
• Set up your interior RV furniture.
• Unpack any secured items and start making it feel like home!

Following an RV packing checklist when packing up to leave your campsite is just as important as your arrival checklist. You’ll want to make sure everything is put away and stored properly to avoid damaging your RV or your belongings.

Breaking down your campsite involves reversing setup steps in a safe sequence — secure interiors, disconnect utilities, retract exterior components, and perform a final walk-around before driving off.

Basically, going in reverse order of how you set up your RV, you’re going to follow the below RV trip checklist to ensure the inside of your rig is all set for travel.

• Pack away loose items on countertops and other surfaces.
• Secure and lock your cabinets, drawers, shower door and windows.
• Secure your RV furniture.
• Retract your antenna.
• Turn off all electronics, including lights, radios and TVs.
• Turn off your water heater and pump, then drain it.
• Extinguish the pilot light on your oven.
• Turn off your A/C or heat.
• Close and secure your roof vents.
• Turn off your refrigerator or set it to “in transit” mode.
• Leave enough water in your toilet to keep your seal lubricated and odors out.
• Clear off any debris that may have collected on top of your slide-outs or any interior obstacles, then retract them.

You’re almost there! All you need to do now is prep the exterior of your RV for travel, then you’ll be ready to hit the road.

• Put away all your camping furniture.
• Retract and secure your RV awning.
• Dump and flush your black and grey water tanks at the appropriate dump stations in the campground. You’ll want to drain your black tank first, then your grey tank so that the grey water rinses out any waste left in the hose.
• Disconnect, drain, rinse and store all your water hoses.
• Unplug your rig from shore power.
• Turn off your propane.
• Retract your stabilizing jacks.
• Hitch up to your tow vehicle and attach power cords, safety chains and breakaway cables.
• Test your trailer lights to ensure power is connected correctly.
• Remove and store your leveling blocks and wheel chocks.
• Raise your entry steps.
• Close and lock your entry door and any exterior compartment doors.
• Check your tire pressure using a TPMS.
• Walk around your campsite to ensure you’re leaving it clean and that you’ve packed away all your gear.
• Connect your towed vehicle.
• Lastly, and most importantly, ensure all your family members and pets are accounted for before you put it in drive to hit the open road.

Even with a detailed RV setup checklist, issues can pop up at the campsite. The key is knowing what’s normal, what’s not, and how to correct problems quickly without creating bigger ones. Below are some of the most common RV setup challenges and how to fix them safely.

The problem:
You finish setup, but your refrigerator isn’t cooling properly, doors swing open on their own, or you feel like you’re walking uphill inside your camper.

Why it happens:
Leveling wasn’t completed before extending slides or activating appliances. Even slight off-level positioning can affect refrigerator performance and overall comfort.

How to fix it:

• Use leveling blocks to adjust side-to-side positioning before unhitching (for towables).

• Engage your automatic leveling system or manually level front-to-back.

• Confirm level using a bubble level or built-in leveling indicator before turning on the refrigerator.

Always level first. Hookups and slide-outs should come after the unit is properly positioned.

The problem:
Your slide-out stops mid-extension or bumps into a tree, post, or utility pedestal.

Why it happens:
You didn’t fully assess overhead and side clearance before parking, or the campsite pad isn’t aligned for optimal slide deployment.

How to fix it:

• Walk the entire campsite before positioning your rig. Look for tree branches, uneven terrain, or obstacles.

• Check clearance on both sides before extending slides.

• If clearance is tight, reposition the RV before attempting to extend again.

Never force a slide-out. If resistance occurs, stop immediately to prevent motor or structural damage.

The problem:
After connecting to city water, you notice leaks at fittings or dripping inside the rig.

Why it happens:
Campground water pressure can exceed safe levels for your RV plumbing system.

How to fix it:

• Always use a water pressure regulator at the spigot.

• Confirm secure hose connections before turning water fully on.

• If leaks appear, turn water off immediately and inspect fittings.

Using a regulator consistently is one of the simplest ways to prevent costly plumbing repairs.

The problem:
You notice unpleasant odors after hooking up sewer connections.

Why it happens:
Common causes include leaving the black tank valve open continuously or not maintaining adequate water in the toilet bowl to preserve the seal.

How to fix it:

• Keep the black tank valve closed until ready to dump.

• Only leave the grey valve open if preferred, but ensure proper tank management.

• Leave enough water in the toilet bowl to protect the seal.

• Confirm sewer hose connections are tight and secure.

Proper tank sequencing matters: dump black first, then grey to help rinse the hose.

The problem:
You plug into shore power, but outlets or appliances aren’t functioning.

Why it happens:
The pedestal breaker may be off, your surge protector hasn’t engaged, or the connection isn’t fully seated.

How to fix it:

• Turn the pedestal breaker off before plugging in.

• Connect your surge protector (if using one).

• Plug in the power cord fully and securely.

• Turn the breaker back on.

• Check your RV’s internal breaker panel if power still doesn’t restore.

Testing pedestal power before full setup can save troubleshooting time later.

The problem:
The RV shifts when you walk inside, even after stabilizers are down.

Why it happens:
Stabilizer jacks are meant to reduce movement, not lift or level the RV.

How to fix it:

• Ensure the unit is fully leveled before deploying stabilizers.

• Use support blocks beneath jacks to reduce extension length.

• Tighten stabilizers firmly but avoid over-cranking.

If movement persists, consider additional stabilization accessories for improved rigidity.

The problem:
You drive away and realize your antenna is up, steps are down, or wheel chocks are still in place.

Why it happens:
Departure often feels rushed, increasing the chance of missed steps.

How to fix it:

• Follow your RV tear-down checklist in reverse order of setup.

• Perform a full walk-around inspection before moving the vehicle.

• Assign one person responsibility for final clearance confirmation.

Many experienced RVers use a printed checklist specifically for departure to prevent expensive oversights.

Following an RV setup and tear down checklist will help give you peace of mind as you prepare your campsite upon arrival or departure. Remember to always take your time as you’re setting up or tearing down to avoid damage to your RV or belongings and injury to yourself or family members.

After seeing our printable RV setup checklist, do you plan to use this checklist or a similar one the next time you set up or tear down camp?