Complete guide to setting up motorhome at campsite

First time setting up a motorhome? Need some motorhome tips for beginners? No worries! We’ll walk you through the motorhome camping setup process in this easy-to-follow guide.

Follow our eleven simple steps to setting up a motorhome at a campsite and you’ll be up and running in no time. That means less stress and more time to enjoy your holiday!

Plus, we’ve thrown in some quick tips for owners wanting to hire out their motorhome through Camplify. Setting up your motorhome properly will make your listing more attractive to potential hirers and help you achieve better reviews.

Setting up a motorhome at the campsite

Step 1. Choose a campsite

When you arrive at the campground, the first thing you should always do is try to secure a level site. Hard standing sites (e.g. gravel or a concrete slab) tend to be better for motorhomes because they are flat and prevent you from getting bogged, but grassy sites can also work.

Make sure to also consider your proximity to the facilities, shade, shelter, noise and other factors that might affect your stay. Chat with the staff at the camp about where the facilities are, any campsite rules and local attractions. Then pay your fees and be on your way!

Step 2. Empty the waste tanks (if needed)

When you first set off in your motorhome, the waste tanks should be clean and empty. If you’ve used the toilet, shower or sinks since, however, it’s a good idea to empty the tanks before setting up your motorhome at the campsite.

At the dump point, connect the waste water hose (the wide corrugated hose) to the motorhome outlet using the adapter provided. Connect the other end of the waste water hose to the dump point using the other adapter. Then, open the valve on the outlet and the waste water will flow out.

It’s best to empty the sewage tank first, followed by the grey water tank. Once empty, disconnect the waste water hose and clean it with the rinse hose provided by the campsite. Never clean your waste water hose with your fresh water hose.

If your motorhome has a cassette toilet instead of waste water tanks, you can simply remove the whole cassette and take it to the dump point to be emptied manually.

Step 3. Fill up the fresh water tank

Connect the fresh water hose to the campsite’s fresh water tap. Then, connect the other end of the hose to the inlet on your motorhome's freshwater tank. Fill until full.

Whilst you’re at it, you might also want to fill up the flush water tank (if your motorhome has one). The inlet is normally located above the waste water outlet.

When you first use the taps inside your motorhome, they might splutter for a while. This should revolve itself as the air in the pipes is pushed out.

Step 4. Level out your motorhome with chocks

A slanting motorhome can be uncomfortable to sleep in. If your chosen campsite isn’t perfectly flat, you can level out your motorhome by placing levelling chocks beneath the appropriate wheels.

If the back of the motorhome is lower than the front, place the chocks behind the rear wheels and reverse onto them. Alternatively, if the front of the motorhome is lower than the rear, place the chocks behind the front wheels and reverse.

Step 5. Turn on the gas

One of the most important parts of setting up a motorhome? Turning on the gas! The gas cylinders will likely be stored in a compartment on the exterior of the motorhome. Before turning the gas on, ensure that the hose and fittings are screwed on tight. Check for gas leaks by smelling for gas or listening for a hissing sound.

Turn the gas cylinder on by turning the knob at the top in an anti-clockwise direction. Then press the button on the pressure valve to release any trapped air inside the hose.

Test that the gas is working properly by turning on the kitchen hob and lighting.

Step 6. Connect to the mains power

To use power-heavy appliances in your motorhome, you will probably want to connect to the 240v mains power provided at the campsite.

The power inlet is normally concealed behind a small square hatch on the side of the motorhome. Plug one end of the 240v mains power cable into the inlet and plug the other end into the campgrounds outlet.

Straighten the power cable out so that it is not curled up. This helps to prevent overheating.

Step 7. Lower the entrance step

Underneath the door to your motorhome, there may be a step (manual or electric). Lower and lock it into place to make accessing your motorhome easy.

Step 8. Power up your motorhome

Inside your motorhome, you will likely have one central control panel where you can power on various functions such as the water pump, water heater, gas heating and more. Alternatively, you may need to power on each function individually.

On the control panel, ensure that the motorhome is using 240v mains power rather than 12v battery power (if you are plugged into the mains).

You should also turn on the water pump using the control panel if you plan on using the sink, shower or flush toilet in your motorhome. At the same time, turn on the water heater, as it will take a few hours for the water to heat up.

If you’re in a cold climate, use the control panel to turn on the gas or electric heating in your motorhome. Alternatively, on hot days, you may wish to turn on the air conditioning instead.

Step 9. Open the ventilation

It’s important to let fresh air flow through your motorhome when cooking or showering. This will prevent the buildup of moisture and mould.

If your motorhome has a ventilation fan or hatch on the roof, you can leave it open most of the time (unless you’re too cold and have the heating running). Alternatively, opening the windows slightly can work just as well.

Step 10. Turn the fridge to mains power

The fridge in your motorhome might have a switch that allows it to be run on both 12v and 240v power. Flick that switch to 240v if you are using the mains power provided by the campsite. Otherwise, leave the switch on 12v if it is running on the motorhomes battery system.

There may also be a dial on your fridge which allows you to set it to a certain temperature. Once you set the temperature, allow the fridge 3 or 4 hours to cool to that set temperature.

Step 11. Set up the awning

If your motorhome has an external awning and the conditions aren’t too windy, pull the awning out and set it up.

Some awnings use tent-like rods to hold themselves upright. In this case, you will have to stick the rods together and peg the base to the ground.

Other awnings might be inflatable or even self-inflating. In this case, use the pump provided to pump the awning to the right height.

Setting up a motorhome for hire

Hire out your motorhome to holidaymakers? There are numerous things owners can do to set up their motorhome before hirers pick up the vehicle. Doing so can make your motorhome more appealing to potential hirers on Camplify and help you achieve better reviews!

Step 1. Clean and treat the waste water tanks

Before hirers pick up your motorhome, make sure that the waste water tanks are empty, clean and ready to be used. For guidance, see our motorhome grey water tank cleaning guide.

We also suggest adding a grey water tank treatment solution, such as a liquid or drop-in tablet. This will help to prevent odours and clogging in the tank.

Step 2. Provide all the essentials

If people are going to be hiring your motorhome, you want to make sure that you provide all the essentials they’ll need for a stress-free holiday. That should include a fresh water hose, waste water hose, 240v mains power cable and levelling chocks.

For more ideas, see our list of motorhome necessities for camping.

Step 3. Swap the gas cylinders

Don’t leave hirers with the burden of picking up their own LPG cylinders. When hirers return your motorhome, swap empty gas cylinders for new ones at your local service station. And don’t forget to also provide the necessary gas fittings and hose.

Step 4. Give hirers a tour

When hirers pick up their motorhome, don’t just throw them the key and give them a wave (unless that’s what they ask for). Instead, give them a tour of your motorhome and inform them on how to operate different functions, such as the electrics, lighting, heating, water pump, etc.

Step 5. Maintain your motorhome

The best way to score good reviews is to ensure that your motorhome is well maintained and that everything is in working order. Have your motorhome serviced by a professional mechanic and regularly check for any faults.

Find the right motorhome for your camping trip

Now that you’re a pro at setting up a motorhome at a campsite, it’s time to arrange your wheels (and accommodation)!

Camplify is a platform that allows holidaymakers to quickly search through privately-owned rentals and find the ideal motorhome for their adventure. Simply enter your pickup location (plus heaps of optional filters) and within seconds, you will find the perfect motorhome for your camping trip!

Click here to arrange for motorhome hire on the South Island. Alternatively, click here to organise motorhome hire on the North Island.

Why Camplify?

We are proud to be New Zealand’s fastest-growing private caravan, campervan and motorhome sharing community. When you hire a van through our platform, it comes with lots of advantages:

• Comprehensive hire insurance

• Nationwide AA roadside assistance

• 24/7 customer support

• All members are verified

By hiring with Camplify, you are also helping local families who share their van on our platform and supporting many local companies across New Zealand in addition to ours. So we are very grateful to you.

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