Retirement - finally! We have only taken local camping trips so far. We are going on a trip from Michigan to Wyoming and plan to do overnights at campgrounds along the way. Is it okay to stay hitched to the truck and put slides out if we are fairly level? Would we put the front/back jacks front down to the point of touching or a little more to take pressure off the truck? The trip after that, we want to try overnight boon-docking a couple times. When boon-docking, we can use propane to operate the refrigerator, correct? Our concern is not being hooked up to power, putting out slides and not having power to put them back in the next morning. Do you leave electric from the 5th to the truck hooked up or would that drain the truck battery? We noticed that Indiana rest areas say no overnights. Is that common? Sorry for our ignorance - any help would be greatly appreciated.

You don't need to get the weight off the truck. You need to be as level as possible for the fridge and for your comfort.If the campsite is fairly level just put the jacks down to stabilize the RV.

It is perfectly fine to stay hooked up for onernight stays. If you traveled through the night or parked it for the night, it would be hooked up. Absolutely no problems. As above, it should be level.Yes, you can use propane for fridge and for water heater and 12V for water pump. If staying more that a day or so, you run the risk of draining your RV battery. I usually do not stay hooked up to my TV because I do not want a dead truck battery. GM is live all the time. Ford only when key is on. I would think about another 12V battery or at least two 6V batteries to give you more amps. You could also get a small inverter generator if you will boondock in a place where they're allowed. Hope this helps.

I stay connected to the truck but use the legs to level it. I do not use the stabilizers in the rear if we are just stopping overnight. I would keep an eye on the battery level and when it go low, I would hook back up to the truck and run it. I have a Ford so I guess there is only power when the key is on. I have never checked, but then again, the truck is only two and a half months old. Good luck and enjoy. Sounds like some good times are ahead.

When we has a TT the issue I frequently faced was the lack of a pull-thru space long enough to stay hitched up. Changed to a motorhome partly because after a day of driving I just hated to unhook (and rehook in the morning).

We will usually try to stay hooked up for an overnight, just put the stabilizers down to keep the shaking to a minimum, plug in the power and that's usually it. If we want to shower, we will hook up the water, otherwise, we usually carry a gallon or two of water to flush with (we don't normally carry water).

Overnight Stops | Good Sam Community

azjeffh
Explorer
Jan 16, 2017
We use our overnight stops to refuel so we find it better just to disconnect.
Justaguy
Explorer
Jan 16, 2017
Most of us here have rigs that have frames made by LCI or Lippert. In the manual you will find that LCI recommends that the stabilizers be out when putting out and bringing in your slides. Makes sense. I agree with the others as far as leaving it hooked up to the truck. Just put out the stabs when operating the slides. It doesn't take long to lower and raise them and helps the slides not bind up when in operation.
Dave_H_M
Explorer II
Jan 16, 2017
Lots of different approaches and all work.

On a stop and go at day break, i don't even put out the stabs. Once I crash, how can I tell if the stabs are out or not.

Just my approach.
Dick_B
Explorer
Jan 16, 2017
We always stay overnight at campgrounds. It's safer, has more facilities, and better for the local economy.
IdaD
Explorer
Jan 16, 2017
I'll stay hooked up, and generally don't bother with the stabilizer jacks. Similarly, if we've been camping someplace and need to make a very early departure I'll get everything hooked up and road ready the night before so we can just move the kids to carseats and pull out when it's time to go.
jdb7566
Explorer
Jan 16, 2017
Congrats on your retirement, we retired last August. In reply, if staying only one night, we will not unhook if possible,if level fore and aft. We will drop front landing gear and rear stabilizers, hook up water and electric, then relax for the evening. Enjoy retirement and Happy Trails
jdb7566
Explorer
Jan 16, 2017
Dick_B wrote:
We always stay overnight at campgrounds. It's safer, has more facilities, and better for the local economy.

X2
Toolguy5
Explorer III
Jan 16, 2017
I'll stay hooked up for overnight stops. But I still level the coach if I am far off level. I do put the stabilizers down as well as the front legs. This just helps with the movement inside.
It only takes a few minutes to do all of that.

Congrats on retirement. Enjoy!
padredw
Nomad
Jan 16, 2017
jdb7566 wrote:
Dick_B wrote:
We always stay overnight at campgrounds. It's safer, has more facilities, and better for the local economy.

X2

This is also our preference. In over twenty years of RVing we have never stayed at a Walmart, Fuel station, or roadside park.

And, yes, we often remain hooked-up for an overnight, but we are in that minority who are not bothered by trailer "movement." Even in a stop of several days we sometimes do not put down the rear stabilizers.

There is plenty of room in RVing for "different strokes for different folks." Part of the pleasure is finding out how we like to do things.

And, with pleasure, we grant that same pleasure to others who have their own way of doing things.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jan 16, 2017
No problem! I will get it close to level then drop the landing gear for a bit of stability.

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