Forum Discussion

JC435's avatar
JC435
Explorer
Mar 31, 2015

Stopping Overnight

We're going on our first real trip soon and have a question about stopping for the night and leaving the campground the next morning. Is there any problem with just keeping everything hooked up for that length of time? Assuming we're in a level spot, should we use the stability jacks? Is there anything else we should do/not do in the 10 hours we're there? Thank you in advance for any suggestions.
  • jmtandem's avatar
    jmtandem
    Explorer II
    Mar 31, 2015
    For just a night I never unhook. You might disconnect the power cord to the trailer if your trailer takes power from the tow vehicles battery and reconnect before taking off the next day.
  • haste_maker's avatar
    haste_maker
    Explorer II
    Mar 31, 2015
    When stopping for the night, I don't unhook the PU, I do hook up my power & water hose & just for one overnight stop I don't drain the holding tanks the next morning.
  • DutchmenSport's avatar
    DutchmenSport
    Explorer
    Mar 31, 2015
    For over-nights we never unhitch either. My previous camper had no slides, so we just parked, hooked up water and electric and went to bed.

    Our Outback has 3 slides. Now, when doing an overnight, I will put the jacks down before extending the slides, and level as much as possible. I never extend the slides unless the jacks are down and the camper is "stable". But no need to unhitch.
  • beemerphile1's avatar
    beemerphile1
    Explorer
    Mar 31, 2015
    We have overnighted many times without any set up. Leave it ready go in the morning.
  • MarkTwain's avatar
    MarkTwain
    Explorer
    Mar 31, 2015
    jmtandem wrote:
    For just a night I never unhook. You might disconnect the power cord to the trailer if your trailer takes power from the tow vehicles battery and reconnect before taking off the next day.


    X1, the only thing I do is lower the front jacks just slightly to relieve some the pressure that might occur as you are walking around in the RV.
  • dadmomh's avatar
    dadmomh
    Explorer
    Mar 31, 2015
    Ditto on leaving everything hooked up and also on putting the stabilizers down. Fast and easy.
  • coolmom42's avatar
    coolmom42
    Explorer II
    Mar 31, 2015
    Ditto to the above, except you do need to be level so as not to mess up the fridge.
  • JC435's avatar
    JC435
    Explorer
    Mar 31, 2015
    One additional question. Is it necessary/preferable to extend the tongue jack if still hooked up?
  • Wishbone51's avatar
    Wishbone51
    Explorer
    Mar 31, 2015
    JC435 wrote:
    One additional question. Is it necessary/preferable to extend the tongue jack if still hooked up?

    I do, just to relieve pressure on the truck.

    If I can't get it level front to back with it hitched to the truck, I disconnect the WD bars from the trailer, but leave them connected to the truck and raise the front, but don't move the truck so I can hitch up again fast the next morning.

    If I have to lower it to level, then I have to completely disconnect and move the truck.

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