Forum Discussion

rainy029's avatar
rainy029
Explorer
Jun 06, 2014

setting up after dark

We will not be getting into the CG until close to dark due to work. I have always cringed when someone drives into a CG after dark and still needs to set up. My question is... IF it is dark when we get there can we just back it up and leave it hooked up to the truck until the next day? OR does it need to be level before putting jacks under it to sleep in it?
  • You can stay hitched. The TT does need to be somewhat level for the frig to keep working.

    When I park mine out front of the house overnight the trailer is about 3 inches low on the right side and 2 inches low on the front. The frig keeps working fine.
  • When in transit,we never unhook for an overnight stop, or do we put any jacks down. You can do the same thing at the campground too. We have on occasion arrived in the rain. I'll back in, pull out the electric cord, and go inside and wait for the rain to let-up. As long as you are relatively close to level, and you don't roll out of bed because you're on such a slope, your refrigerator will still run OK. Now your eggs might slide to one side of the pan in the morning, and your pancakes may be a little thick on one end and thin on the other, but they all taste the same anyway!

    No problem. Park and go to bed! Deal with it in the morning.

    Edit: If you have slides, leave them "IN". (That way you do not run the risk of any pressure or potential twisting or damage to them). That's why I'm such an advocate to ensure folks looking for a new camper to test the camper with the slides "IN". You never know what you will not be able to pull them out and need to have everything in your camper accessible.
  • You should be fine for the night. Have done it a few times.
  • The short answer is yes, but it depends on the site. Many sites will leave the truck blocking the road if you stay hooked up. I would disconnect, drop the stabilizers and put the slide out as quietly as possible, then leave the rest of the set up until morning. Pay attention to not letting doors slam, tools clang, etc.