Tips for reducing set-up time?

[HydroGeo]

Does anyone have any tips to shorten set-up time (besides just pulling into a WalMart parking lot!)? At the end of a day of driving, we usually spend about 1.5 hr setting up, which makes for a very long day. Hubby is very particular about checking the site, making sure power and water work, then we level, put slides out, etc.Then it's either unhook the toad and go out for dinner or microwave some leftovers. Reverse the process in the morning and we spend a lot of time on a travel day not traveling.

[valhalla360]

First: Have you talked with him about it? He may just like to putter and is in no rush. He may not even realize it bothers you.

Assuming he would like to speed up the process (because if he's happy he won't care), the next time you set up take note of what each of you do and how long it takes. Then you can assess what on earth could eat up 1.5 hrs and make changes to cut that time.

We have a 5th wheel and it only takes us about 15minutes to be sitting down with a beer, satilite tv out and aimed.

How often do you take the rig out? We do have the advantage of taking it out a lot so we have a routine and trust the other to do thier tasks (in fact the only time we've had trouble is when one of us tries to help the other with thier tasks)

[NMace]

Ah, to keep me and the OP's DH out of trouble I was not going to mention another reason he might spend a bit of extra time setting up. After spending all day cooped up with and listening to the DW, who I dearly love, a little alone time is a good thing. All this loose talk of OCD encourages me to his defense before he is forced to visit a neurologist, OCD is often a precursor to Alzheimer's, a serious illness that should not be suggested lightly.

[PRodacy]

The less you do, the less time it will take. Minimize the amount of things you unpack, and keep the things you really need in the most accessible locations. By the time we park, level, get out the chairs and break open the first beverages, no more than 10 minutes have passed.

[10forty2]

I'm not new to camping by any stretch of the imagination, but I AM fairly new to setting up a Class A..... my first time it took me all of 20 minutes and that included leveling (my levels are hydraulic but manual), putting out the slide, getting all my "Camping World Catalog Accessories" out, pulling out the awning, hooking up water/sewer/electricity, putting my picnic table pads in place AND the Tiki umbrella/chairs and flamingo....even had time to pour a couple of beers.

No offense to the OP, but if it's taking 1.5 hours to setup each time, then there's got to be some OCD somewhere. It's just not that difficult.

[bsinmich]

Even for a week I do not hook up the sewer. I disconnect the car first, then back into my spot, level slides, and then get out to do the electric and put the car in it's proper spot. I will usually dump at the next spot because I think the sloshing in the black tank helps to keep it from building up anything. I do all of this while using a walker so it is little slower than it used to be. It usually takes 10-15 minutes. Hooking the car up takes the longest time in the departure. It is sometimes difficult to get both bars at the same time. I miss DW help on that part.

[jplante4]

1.5 hours to setup would take all the fun away.

I watched a couple pull in next to us last year (might be the OP). It was obviously a new rig. The DH got out and checked the alignment and reset the coach in the space a couple of times. I did this as well, but the first bus didn't have levelers.

Once he was happy with his position, he went around the other side for 15 minutes (I assume he was hooking up), then he pulled the shiny orange jack pads out and spent 10 minutes or so leveling a pretty much already leveled bus.

Once happy with the level, he spent the next hour pulling the entire Camping World catalog out of the basement and setting it up on the site. He had 4 patio chairs (it was just 2 people), a gas grill, picnic table cover, butt cushions for the picnic table, etc, etc, etc. Just when I thought he was done, his head would go back into the basement and some other Camping World accessory would come out. Just as he sat down, the DW appeared with a couple of steaks, so he needed to start the grill.

I was exhausted just watching him.

[rgatijnet1]

I pull in to a parking place and level the coach while I am still in the driver's seat. Once that is done I shut down the engine and go out to plug in to the electric. I then come inside and extend the slides and push the button for the Satellite antenna. When done the total time is usually 10 minutes or less. 5 minutes if it is raining.
The only time I hook up to park water is to fill my fresh water tank and the only time I hook up the sewer line is to dump my waste tanks. My coach came with a water pump and large storage tanks so I use them as they were designed. That means I only have to hook up to those items once every 8-10 days. Even then I can take care of those things at my leisure, not after I have driven all day.
Now if the OP has a portable satellite dish, and hooks up water and sewer at each stop, and he puts his sewer line on one of those hose supporting contraptions, and extends the awning with all of the lights and hanging plants, lays out ground cover and sets up the patio furniture, then I can envision a longer set up time. I've seen others taking 30-45 minutes just to set up their portable satellite antenna for HD service.
It all boils down to priorities. Setting up the basics takes a few minutes. Setting up a lot of extraneous items takes longer.

[2oldman]

Unless you have a magic wand to make the OCD go away, I think you will just have to put up with it. I'm sure you've talked about this before coming here.

[Ramair]

Our set up time is about what everyone else is stating approx. 20-30 minutes top. Pull in to site level then I go outside to hook up electric/water and sewer. During this time DW is doing the slides and adjusting the rugs and such. Come back in and hit the auto sat and sit down with a drink.

[Mr_Mark1]

I don't think I would enjoy camping if it took 1.5 hrs. to set up. We pull into a campground, connect electric and we're done if it's just an overnight stay. The toad stays connected if we have a pull-through site.

Our new coach uses holding tank water only for fresh water so there is no need to connect to shore water unless we are low. The holding tank (we have a combo for grey and black) will only need to be emptied if approaching full. So, our setup time is really not long (20 min. max).

Now, if it is spring/summer we will set up more outside (chairs/table/grill, etc.). While I'm working on the outside, my co-pilot is setting up the inside and generally, 30 minutes for both is plenty of time.

So, for tips on making it shorter is to do less. Do you really need to do all the things that take 1.5 hrs.? Checking for limbs? How long does that take? Usually, there are no limbs or obstructions in most parks.

Safe travels,
MM.

[mrkoje]

1.5 hours seems to long. I agree with checking for obstacles but that takes 2 minutes walking around the coach before driving through or backing in.

Sounds like you have a coach and electronic/hydraulic leveling. I don't know what could be faster than having that combo. You don't have to put blocks under the tires manually on one side, you don't have to disconnect the a tow vehicle to level front to back. Seems like getting setup would involve hitting the auto level button and plugging into shore power!

[PatStab]

DD travels with me but she cannot help. I pull in, level, push button, air lets out jacks come down, that's it. Hook up water, electric, and sewer, done.
Takes me at most half an hour, I would be exhausted doing that 1.5 hours each time. I rarely unhook the toad when traveling, we either eat before stopping, I cook, or we have something I can heat in the microwave. I hook up sewer because many nights I do a load of clothes.

And yes depending on how far I've driven, I check the oil and also check the tranny fluid while level and hot in neutral. I will run the car for a bit either night or morning.

[wallynm]

DW and I are OCD about some things but setting up an RV spot is not on on either list. It is "not you fault", it is "not your job" and "it is not your fault it is not your job". So let you hubby putter while you break out the wine!!!

[Old-Biscuit]

HydroGeo wrote:
Thanks for the replies. We do have a checklist; it's just very long 🙂
As I said, hubby is very particular and won't drive the coach to a site without checking it out for things like tree limbs, etc. especially in a campground we have never stayed at before.

YOUR set up time isn't going to change.

[camper19709]

To each his own. Does not sound like your husband will or wants to change. Maybe your job is to get the inside set up and then just sit back with a drink and have a drink ready for him when he is done. 🙂