UNPOPULAR OPINIONS - RV Setup Mistakes You Make, But Shouldn't

These are the common mistakes that every RV owner must avoid. Just like an airplane during take off, the setup of an RV is where most mistakes will happen. This video will prepare you in the best way possible for limiting these stressful moments.
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[@LPVPisFr33]

Around the 5:00, if you're traveling alone like myself, align the rigg then go out and have look at the spot, ground and air. If you have a couple of small cones put them to create an alley so that way going back in your rigg you'll see them in your mirrors and you'll know your positioning.

[@earthstar2493]

THANK YOU!!

[@krispy1k]

Often times I will place something right where I want the drivers side back corner of the camper and will back it in right to that object. Works great.

[@jackg7225]

Nice tip, thanks. I have a new trailer and have been camping a lot over the last two weeks and moved my tt 3 times. Adding cones to the list of stuff I need.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Great tip!

[@46fd04]

If I'm alone backing into a curved site with trees, I use 2 orange pylons to mark the trees I don't wanna hit

[@brettaustin8725]

Make sure you leave plenty of gray water in to flush out the hose after you release the black water. Some older campers do not have a black water washout hose.

[@edgewood2441]

You know at Hotels, you needn’t worry about shit hoses!!

[@robertpearson8798]

@@edgewood2441 No, just bedbugs.

[@darwinmyers769]

I enjoyed your video including your new class acronym. But I do have to say wrong wrong wrong on walking behind while backing. Never walk behind always to the rear and on the side. If you trip and fall and bump your head and driver doesn’t see you. You could become a people pancake. I learned about your measuring stick from you 3 years ago and it is wonderful. Thanks Hanks

[@Elizabeth-rq1vi]

I agree! My father drilled it into all of us to NEVER stand behind anything backing up. If the driver can’t see you, you are in a danger zone. They can run over you.

[@DanBlackRacing]

Lol The Giant RV communication challenges. That makes me chuckle.. This is why I stuck with a 20-footer😂😂. I thought about getting a toy hauler. I thought about getting a 30-footer. Fifth wheel etc I forced myself to just get a nice little 20-footer. RV life is so simple.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Haha, keeping it simple with a 20-footer sounds like a solid plan! Those communication challenges definitely make things interesting. Thanks for watching and sharing your experience!

[@JEEPIMPACT]

Great video! It had never occurred to me to just lay the level on the outside of the RV. I can't believe I missed something so obvious for so long.

[@jonedwards2107]

I have a bidirectional level permanently attached to one side of the trailer hitch. If the trailer is not level side to side, I slip the leveler behind or in front of the low-side tire, move onto it, slip the other part into place, then pop the hitch lock, raise it of the ball, then if I have to lower it (very unlikely as I have a flipped axle) then I disconnect, move the vehicle and lower it into place. At high altitudes, I leave the tow vehicle electric connected, as if we get cloudy weather and my solar fails after several days, I use the car power to recharge my batteries. My generator isn’t jetted for high altitude, and in Utah, camping above 7000 feet elevation is quite common.

[@Graybeard1405]

Thanks! great video for beginners and to reinforce the basics for veterans. When I first started, I saw your measuring stick video, and promptly “stole” your idea. I marked my hiking staff, because it is always handy on the back seat of the truck. I travel solo, so without the benefit of a spotter the very first thing I do is pull out the EMS and check the pedestal while walking the site. I also turn on the water source, and check the type of sewer connection. When that is done and the site is reconnoitered, then I put out orange cones in strategic locations to line up and show me where to stop based on info from my measurements. I also use a level mate so that I know how my levels are before exiting the cab. Solo traveling breeds a different way of thinking, but the basics are the same. Setup does, unfortunately take a lot longer. Travel safely, stay healthy and have fun. And once again, THANKS HANKS’!

[@UTBanjo]

Scrape your dishes well to keep food out of your gray. Also, close your gray valve before showers the night before you leave. That soapy water from the gray will help clean/flush your sewer hose after you dump the black.

[@dhillman7522]

love it. My wife and I always go through our check list when hooking up no matter what. Also one other trick we like that serves two purposes, after hooking up water and sewer I use the hookup in the nautilaus bay to put water in the sewer pipe. I let the sewer hose sag down at the end of the sewer line support to make a pee trap. This keeps the fumes out and bleads the air out of the water hose.

[@sarah5442]

When connecting electric, always connect LOAD (RV) to SOURCE (pedestal). When unhooking just reverse. And you are so correct about switching off breakers before inserting or pulling connections. Good job friends!

[@GIMRRC]

Great video. I would just suggest checking the electric and water first. I run my surge protector through the test process until it says everything is okay. I also just turn on the water spigot to make sure it’s working. If the electric has a problem, the campground may have to move you to another site, so I do this before unhooking. Thanks for you great videos!

[@ATLJonathanH]

Early in the process, you should hook up your surge protector and have it run through diagnostics on the power pedestal to make sure that it’s clean. Also turn on the water to make sure it’s coming out. If you wait until you’re disconnected to check both of those items, you will have to break down and hook up again to go to a different spots if those things don’t work.

[@ladikmk]

Great advice! Thanks!

[@werrog]

Newbie here! If you have an in-line surge protector, as they do, how to you run it through diagnostics on the power supply? Thanks in advance!

[@stevenjefferys10]

You beat me to it. I was about to say the same thing. I can't count the number of times that we've pulled into a site and the electrical has a problem. I've even rewired some of the connections. It's the very first thing I do when we pull into a site. Like you, I also turn the water on prior to disconnecting and let it run for 30 seconds to make sure that it turns clear and doesn't smell.

[@deanhopkins4117]

Yes! This is the first thing I do. Also check the sewer. Make sure the cap comes off and the hole isn’t flooded. I’ve seen sewers backed up even for individual sites.

[@patpowles2129]

Good advice but what do you do if the pedestal is bad but the campground is 100% full?

[@bigtimejabroni]

After you flush out the water filter, hose and connect the RV to the city water, turn the water on slowly. The water pumps are made cheaply, and too much sudden pressure can open the back pressure valve filling your fresh water tank. Happened to me. 2 days into the trip and there was water dripping out of the fresh water fill and tank was full.

[@johnderbabian6198]

Good video. On my fifth, I keep one grey tank closed for flushing the line from a black tank dump. Nothing like 40 gallons running through the hose to remove any black tank 'left-overs'...

[@bethrichards2640]

All good stuff, thank you! We're both ex-military and use the tried and true hand signals. Together, we're in and set up in time to hear neighbors getting loud with each other in frustration. By myself, suuuuuper slooow, as I get out 50 times to go check everything. Not graceful and not quick. Always willing to help out another solo camper back in though :D

[@bethrichards2640]

Should add that military, and oil field, hand signals are huge and can be seen from far away, in fog and driving rain, nearly always, and created to be very distinguishable. It's nearly impossible to confuse one for another.

[@twodogsandtheirfamily]

Definitely not the beginning of the camping season for us, 17 different campgrounds over the past 3-4 months. We always keep the pups in the vehicle until we get about 90% setup at least. They like the A/C :) Also we use a wooden dowel that is just like your measuring stick, with multiple measurements. 🐾🐾

[@HappilyEverHanks]

That's awesome! Dexter appreciates the AC as well 😃

[@outdoorslifesurvivecraft5078]

Great video! Yeah, tire chock! LOL!! First and last thing to do. Definitely! My first camper (a popup camper) I almost lost because I didn't chock the tires. Unlevel site with a steep hill off the back of it. When the ball dropped out of the tongue, the camper took off backwards. I am so glad I hadn't taken the safety chains off yet. They were the only thing that kept it from rolling away. In 2021 I bought a new 26 foot with a 10 foot slide off the back. First time out, we had a small site, so I wanted to try to get as much room out of it as I could. I got it backed in, leveled and all that. Went to put the slide out and it would only go halfway, because there was a tree in the way. Had to re-hook and start all over.

[@joewhite4038]

Great video. Only item I would add is to let the water flow from the city water spigot to flush out any rust or contamination issues before hooking up the water hose used for drinking or cleaning.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Great tip, Joe!! Thank you for reminding us of this one 😃 We appreciate you

[@joewhite4038]

@@HappilyEverHanks 👍 Keep up the great work. It was videos from people like you that made my newbie years so much easier and almost ooops free. I know you have helped many with your hard work on these helpful videos.

[@hamradionut]

I have a couple suggestion you might want to try. One, the side to side level on the side of the slideout might not be that close, because most slides don't come in the same from top to bottom. Two, the PVC you use for where your slides come out is a good idea however, if you stand with you back to the side of the camper and extend either of your arms, that is the distance you need to know. Most slides will fit within that area. That way you don't have to keep running after that PVC stick. Enjoyed the video though. My wife and I have been camping since 2005, and we have it down pretty close, but there is always room for improvement....

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thanks for the helpful suggestions! We’ll definitely give those ideas a try, especially the arm measurement trick for the slides. Appreciate you watching and sharing your experience with us!

[@4LowRocks]

Have to disagree on leaving the grey tank valve open. First time you get sewer flies in there, you'll regret it - those critters can be difficult to get rid of. Any solids or fats that go down the drain (washing dishes, brushing teeth, etc.) will tend to harden on the bottom of your gray tank (watch a professional tank cleaning service do their work). Lastly, use the stored gray water to flush out the stinky slinky after you've dumped the black tank. I also strongly recommend a circuit checker to test the power at the pedestal before plugging in the surge protector or direct electrical line - doing so will tell you that you have a problem before it could damage your rig or protector. But, we all have our way. Thanks for sharing yours!

[@kellyestrada2456]

I’m so surprised they said to do that, because it’s a rookie mistake!!!

[@kimgiese3469]

Turning off the 50 Amp breaker before you connect, Thank you for this information. My spouse and adult son were very impressed that I recommend this. Thank you for that!

[@ScottBarton-x1x]

Another good rule of thumb. Even though your leveling and slides are both 12v systems and capable of being used with only your battery, they draw a very large load. Go ahead and hook up your power before leveling and let the converter do most of the work. I

[@marcusaponte1287]

The water 💧 thing also lets any contamination from the spicket/ hose to flush out before being connected to the rv pipes….

[@fformer]

Fantastic video guys, you put a lot of thought into this one. We appreciate all your efforts, your humor and your knowledge. You are a Class act!

[@shawnwade302]

As a professional truck driver many times I will back into a place without a father or getting out to look because I backed trailers numerous times a day. In some instances if there's another truck driver available I will use them as a spotter but in really tight backing spots even with a spotter I will get out walk to the back of the trailer and look at the situation over so I have a good picture in my mind of what's going on. When you do that sometimes your spotter might look at you funny thinking you don't trust them but that's simply not the case. People can tell you that you're not going to hit something but to get the trailer exactly where you want it sometimes you just have to have a visual picture in your mind.

[@hgoff5617]

Good idea on the slide out - we use a stick as well; one thing - a lot of Indiana state parks do not have water at the site - you have to fill up before you set up - yes - we hauled 20 gals. the last time.... - Put the filter on the camper end - not the spigot end - otherwise you can pick up any smell/taste through the hose. Good point on the slide outs - things can get behind them when traveling - doors can open (ask how i know).... thanks for your video and info

[@chrisnolin7103]

Super high quality videos! I just found you guys and you're doing something I haven't seen before. The dynamic camera, the short depth of field, the conversational back and forth. Wow, I love it. Great actual content info, too! Subscribed! Edit: I just watched two more of your videos and, you both are for real! Super easy slides into other videos you've made. I see the planning behind the scenes. Well done!!!😊

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Hi Chris! Thank you so much for the kind words! We're thrilled to hear you're enjoying the content and the style! 😊 Your support means the world to us. We couldn't do it without you taking the time to watch

[@andreagoodling2133]

Great refresher. Plus learned some new thing. You too are so fun to watch. Love the humor.

[@Sunny-kn6th]

I’m happy to see how your videos are evolving….you’re putting out some really good information with detail to help RVers. Thanks for all you do. I’ve been watching for a long time. I especially liked the video about keeping cool and high humidity. Good job Guys‼️

[@BrianRRenfro]

When I hookup my water I just barely screw it on the inlet, turn on the water and it will push the air out, then tighten up the connection, gets ALL the air out that way and the hose doesn't drain out before I can hook it up. Also its best to turn off everything in the RV before turning on or off the breaker on the pedestal. If you are running A/Cs and such it will arc inside the breaker and wear it out. Doesn't really affect you much but maybe the next guy and causes the campground to have more maintainance AND each time erodes the contacts so it carries a little less without heating up. Normal breakers aren't meant to be uses as switches, they do make specials one for that, but 99/100 campgrounds just have a regular old, household, breaker.

[@TallyHoTravelers]

Thank you for this great video. We will be newbies in our Class A beginning early July. This video gives us the information we need as we begin our full-time adventure.

[@ScottBarton-x1x]

Another good rule of thumb. Even though your leveling and slides are both 12v systems and capable of being used with only your battery, they draw a very large load. Go ahead and hook up your power before leveling and let the converter do most of the work.

[@timsteinke2548]

We have taken ur advise and use a fiberglass plow marker with measurements on it to check our slideout before unhooking thanks hanks

[@burtbennett]

Great tips for the majority of folks. We deviate just a bit. Once at the site, the wife takes the dog on leash and helps me position the FW. She then takes the dog for a walk while I setup the exterior and extend the slides. The wife takes over from there and sets up the interior while I sit back, usually at the picnic table, and drink a cold adult beverage 🙂

[@jerrytalley802]

Excellent idea to push the air out of the water hose. I will remember that next time

[@tobbywhitmore3721]

Never hurts to have a reminder of how to set up

[@alars2847]

Just a quick note. Before putting slides out, especially travel trailer with manual leveling, level the trailer and put stabilizers down before putting slides out. Happy Kampers.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Just remember that stabilizers for travel trailers aren't for leveling, just stabilizing!

[@Markpatrickrich]

Great episode so many great tips. Regarding the surge protector. I like having it loose so I can check where we the power pedestal before I unhook. I’ve stayed at some places where they had bad power on some of the pedestals. Also, I’m a solo traveler in a large fifth wheel. I have a back up camera but sometimes I do need a spotter so I have to rely on a stranger

[@TheDocBurns]

Keep the gray water valve closed so it will flush the hose after draining the black water tank.

[@p.robertbranconi4127]

Thank you for doing this video... I have a large slide-in truck camper. I mainly do dispersed camping. I however, I do stay at rv parks on occasion. (Dumping, Filling, Charging and Laundry.) You get too used to Not having to concern yourself with any of this... Except for leveling. You both are Great...

[@billratekin4134]

The Safety guy in me cringed when you unhooked the camper from the hitch, then unplugged the seven-way. Though the movement between the truck and the camper is limited, movement at the hitch is possible.

[@chrislewis2653]

I am the spotter, we never use a phone or walkie talkie, and I stand to the side so the driver can see my hand signals. I will stop him when I walk behind the camper. This will prevent the spotter from being backed into or run over. If the spotter can’t see the mirrors, the driver can’t see you. This is how we do it because it works for us.

[@veronicahernandez8699]

Perfectly said. You should never stand behind a moving vehicle. Ever!

[@markwoods7237]

Exactly what my wife and I do, if I can’t see her backing up I stop until she is in my view again.

[@ceciliapetrowsky2572]

Walkies are a must for us. I’m not yelling and my husband can hear me and do what he has to do without looking at me or hand signals. He can also talk back at me to ask questions. But if that method works for you, great.

[@dianekell5460]

This is the same thing we do.

[@comeandtakeit82]

Imo, if you are standing behind a camper that is very slowly being backed into position and you get run over... That's on you. Especially, if you're 15 or 20 ft away from it. The whole "never stand behind a backing vehicle!" is a little extreme. There can be exceptions.

[@timf6916]

I do most all the same stuff but, I use the app on my phone to extend the slides after The wife checks that nothing is behind the slides, so I can extend them. O-yes, I do the the electric plug before I do anything else, the motors that level the trailer seem like they run smoother when you are plugged in so I plug in before I auto level.

[@charliebullio463]

Howdy Hanks, it's great to see you today.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thanks for taking time to stop by and watch 😃

[@michellemiller3614]

We put our tape on the broom to check slide depths. (I could never find the tape measure.) Sometimes, the spotter needs to run to the front and check there also if there are those pesky,beautiful trees in the way. We have an exterior surge protector that we plug in and check power before we even back the rig in. Don't ask me how we learned that one. Great video!

[@jerryfritz1338]

Great tip on the fuse panel and surge protector! I like to use a surge protector at the post as well on our little E-Pro. It protects all that circuitry in case of a surge or brown out in those bigger parks when it gets hot and folks are running the AC. Please visit us in Minnesota someday!

[@RickC77]

Great video. We have a Motorhome but a lot of the setup is the same. Very very important: If the spotter can see the driver in the mirror, then the driver can see the spotter. We us walkie talkies, but I always want my spotter at the rear of the RV / Motorhome on the drivers side. If the spotter needs to move to the other side then I stop and wait for them to look, then come back to back up. Also, I like the acronyms. Well done. 👍

[@Thetravelingmoes]

What a wonderfully informative video thank you

[@craigwflys]

To measure my slides clearance I got a wooden yardstick from the Home Depot. Also doubles as a tool to uncurl the slide out rubber seals.

[@trulymichiganaerialrandycl4873]

Rear mounted cameras are very helpful. Not only for backing into places but as you're driving and making lane changes

[@pattimundschenk1402]

We have a Jayco Eagel 5th wheel, Phone app makes it great to open slides outside, AFTER we have checked inside obstacles'. This way I can begin inside set up while all going on outside. Love the video ,printed the check list, thank you both so much for all you do..

[@NormRidg]

Great pointers. I have experience some of those oh no's. Have three sets of sewer hoses with two shorts. Hurry is never your friend, fueling, setting up, taking down, etc. All my mistakes were from being in a hurry or distracted. And my wife is my best partner. Started with just tell me if I going to hit. Now she can do a bit more, but don't over expect from your spotter. Don't hit is the number one, the rest is a bonus.

[@ghostgr43]

We’re new to RVing as a family I myself have experience from my parents. Everyone in our family has a job while unhooking and hooking up. The biggest one is who’s keeping an eye on the 5yr old. Her and mom go explore the site while the sons and I get everything done.

[@michaelguyda9507]

The only thing I'd mention, which for some, is to remember(if you have a 5th wheel rig) is to DROP YOUR TAILGATE WHEN PULLING AWAY AFTER SET-UP AND THE SAME WHEN GETTING READY TO HITCH UP YOUR RIG!!! I've heard so many horror stories of forgetting and doing a number to a tailgate!!! This falls in to the "NOT GETTING INTO A HURRY!

[@robertpearson8798]

Most of the setup videos I’ve watched (Including this one) seem to concentrate on full service sites with electrical posts nice and close to the pad. As a Canadian who stays in a lot of Provincial Parks I can tell you that many campsites have the electrical post quite a distance from the parking area and no amount of repositioning will get you close enough. We always carry a full one hundred feet of thirty amp electrical cord and several times we’ve needed almost all of it. Everyone should carry at least an extra fifty foot extension. We’ve encountered two different campers in our cross country trip that didn’t have enough to reach. We were able to lend one of them a cord because they were leaving before us but the others were just out of luck and had to make do with fifteen amps.

[@jefflaib2135]

So what my spotter and I do when backing is use the term driver / passenger side and not left / right it helps to stop confusion. Also when the spotter calls out a command I repeat to so they know I heard them.

[@charlenecastaldo3602]

So much great info! Also close that gray tank drain a day or so before you plan to dump the black tank. To flush out the black tank. Everyone will want a clear connector to see when everything is flushed out. #ThanksHanks Team!

[@krisg3984]

I dont have a spotter so its all on me. First thing is to back in with clearance from the power pedestal and my kitchen slide out. I check the power pedestal 2nd. Sometimes you have to go back to the office for a different site because thats as far as it gets. Some places have old wiring. I also run the water a bit. Rust or debris may come out and ruin my water filter especially if its the first of the camp season.

[@TheDroneVoyager]

Thanks for all the tips. My wife and I, and George the cat, appreciate it. First time rv'ers.

[@grega2362]

The first time you plug the screen with the mud daubers that were living in the hydrant is the last time you dont flush it.

[@glengronewold2274]

Or nesting spiders. Always run the hydrant before hooking up the hose.

[@reayd999]

Probably too late, but newbie here. Is the hydrant the rust colored thing that looks lie a pump on an old fashioned well? That's what I'm assuming. Sorry for the probably dumb question. Just want to make sure. Thank you

[@grega2362]

@@reayd999 yes, not a dumb question. The valve is at the bottom so that when you shut it off the water flows into the earth so that there is no water above the frost line.

[@reayd999]

Thank you for answering my question. I learn almost as much from the comments as I do from the videos😊

[@grega2362]

@@reayd999 The reason you run it is because bugs can crawl into the part before the valve, and there can be backwash of groundwater into the drain part of the valve.

[@craftingwithjean5599]

Always good tips and reminders, especially for those of us who don’t get to go often. Thank you!

[@Alex-01865]

Do NOT, ever, under any circumstances, for any reason, leave your gray tank valve open, for any length of time other than to empty or “dump” and/or rinse the tank. So here’s the part that matters and why you shouldn’t leave that gray valve open. When the valve is open, and water hits the tank from the shower or sink drains, the water will flow right out, but it will leave behind the solids and the sediment. But, the sediment and solids slowly flow towards that gate, and eventually, it will slide through, and the smallest bits will settle in that 1/4″ molded recess. That’s bad, but not as bad as what happens next. When you finally close the valve, it comes down like a hydraulic press and compresses that sediment. Then it all dries. And now you have a thin layer of dried “sediment cement” that’s pushed and hardened into that tiny void. Do this enough times and that recess will be completely filled. And then the gate will no longer seat properly, and eventually it won’t even close all the way. The gate is curved, so there will be a LOT of open space, and it will leak gray water into the outlet pipe and every time you take off the cap, you will get a half gallon or so of that water on your hands and shoes. Like your black tank, always leave a little water in the grey, in order to keep remaining sediment suspended and the seals moist. Closing the valves also prevents sewer rats or bugs in your holding tanks.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Wow, this is some really detailed and valuable advice! Thanks for the thorough explanation-we'll definitely keep this in mind to avoid any issues with the gray tank. Appreciate the tip! 🙌

[@debbisimpson6972]

Awesome video, great information! Love the pretty flowers 💐! Was it a special occasion?

[@RobertWells-o7p]

I pick it up Saturday at camping world Cedar Falls, Iowa

[@Paco56bel]

Thanks for the video! Happy camping... 😊

[@BryceH-bn4uk]

Spotter should always be on the drivers side. Stay safe.

[@carolbrockmeier8958]

Great information

[@jeanlewis3823]

Acronym’s you guys really are nurses! Love it.

[@StrangerInAStrange]

Hooking up the electric - you forgot to mention to CAREFULLY check for wasps living under the lid as you open it. 😆

[@MrsJudy-mq6jj]

We have been using the gray roller tank for years. Ever had a problem my husband has saved so much money and Time with this great Device!! Try it out then let us know

[@Spenttheirinheritance]

Always great info. Thanks guys

[@cybernode33]

Having switched from Qstoves+ to Asmoke, I must say the difference is astounding. The most impressive feature for me is the precise temperature control Asmoke offers. I am able to set my desired cooking temperature and maintain it accurately, which has significantly improved my grilling results. The versatility of Asmoke is also commendable, I've grilled, smoked, roasted, and baked various types of food with great success. The fact that it uses wood pellets as a fuel source is a big plus, it adds a distinct smoky taste to the food that you can't get with other grills. Not to mention, Asmoke is battery-powered and portable, making it perfect for RV trips. Lastly, Asmoke's commitment to sustainability with their use of recycled wood materials for the pellets aligns with my personal values. In short, Asmoke has transformed my outing experiences! #Asmoke

[@lynnfiegl4953]

A lot of great info! #ThanksHanks!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️

[@jplutchak44]

I like to plug in our surge protector into the pedestal before we unhook, not the power cord, just the surge protector. In case there an issue with the pedestal we can maybe get a different spot.

[@MSUSpartansRock]

I'd say don't trust your eyes when it comes to leveling- front to back and side to side. Use the level! We learned the hard way by getting autoleveling errors.

[@DaveLea-n6n]

Backing a RV trailer up or even a boat is a very stressful time so just keep your cool

[@jeff67mustang]

Kyle, I'm sure you know in tow your truck is low and camper high. One tip on your pvc stick, ....... just stand with your back up againsted camper wall with your arm and fingers extended out.

[@melissaleisure8858]

Our slide width markings are on out broom handle. One item multiple uses.

[@eileenstickney80]

Excellent video, I know you are speaking to 5th wheel and travel trailer. However, this is applicable to a RVMotorhome. I made a PVC pipe for my slide way back when because of you both. Safe travels😎

[@vince8705]

Love you guys!! Nice tips..

[@Airstream4458]

Sooo, NOW you tell me ! 😂 Thanks Hanks, this is fantastic advice. Yeah, I learned most of these the hard way. Yours is one of the channels I watch every week and I’ve learned a bunch from y’all…even Sexy Dexy ! I look forward to crossing paths…we actually did in 2023 at Margaritaville in Auburndale Fla after the Tampa RV show. I ran into Daniel and Lauren next door to ya on the morning I was leaving but didn’t see y’all outside so maybe next time !

[@bigbandguru]

Our camping season starts in October and ends in July here in Boise.

[@ModernGentleman]

So, to each their own, but number 1 is a big no-no for us 😅. We NEVER have a plan. Aside from where we are gonna camp, we wing it all. That's part of the adventure and most of what makes it fun and exciting. If I want to stick to an itinerary, I'll go back to the Corps 😄

[@ChrisHolt1]

Class a rv owners should note, manual leveling is usually front to back first, then left to right. Don't want to twist your frame! Check your manual for your specific leveling system

[@lbbnjsharpe]

Thanks Hanks, Were ol school, no phone on back in. I like to see my spotter at all times. I also hope the spotter is way back on driver / utility side. And yes, I tell my wife endlessly to YELL stop when critical. And thats me... :( :) Bill

[@brainwashingdetergent4322]

I worked oil and gas for years, a frac site consisted of 20 semis easily. Not chocking a rig could cost you your job. This is not to be overlooked.

[@GlennSnyder-n8f]

Everyone does it differently. Once our trailer is in final position, the X trailer wheel locks are in place before unhooking. Shore power is hooked up next with surge protector to prevent strain on the batteries. Next the slide outs are slid out into place. Then comes the auto leveling. If you auto level before the slide outs are out, it puts undo strain on the slide outs and the mechanisms (according to the manufacturer). They told me when the campers are being built they are in a perfect level position

[@nancyberling8579]

All good advice - I really enjoy watching you two! But, one suggestion - what about the solo traveler? If there's no spotter - what do you do? Could either of you back it up alone? And set it up alone??

[@Tedsma]

G.O.A.L is even more important as a solo. I'm constantly jumping in and out to check. Certainly more challenging but doable!!

[@lovinwildlife2150]

Hello Hanks! We have been watching you guys for many years, we enjoy your channel so very much! My hubby and I were thinking, it's way time for you to get a new RV, or a new used RV....how about a class A? Or super C? If/when you do we want to watch the entire process😊if you don't mind.....you have gotten a lot out of that RV...ok thank you for your wonderful show, we learn soooooo much from you both hugs from Maine.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Oh no! Solly's feelings will be hurt 😆 - Appreciate the feedback! A superC would be super awesome!

[@WhiskeyHunterVAT69]

Thank you for another great VOD. 👍👍

[@65Max]

Slide measure - easy thing, most everyone has a broom with the rig, why not just use the broom handle appropriately marked for slides (and maybe awnings)?

[@jbjlock26]

Haven't watched yet, but can't wait to learn a new acronym...Fortunately I feel I can declare myself completely free of FHUDS...😂

[@janishopkins2971]

Thanks for all the info! You guys are the best! ❤

[@jimcyrus3070]

Awesome! While you are in Georgia, Google the closest Varsity Restaurant and get some chili dogs and onion rings! Will change your life. 😊

[@juliariddick2457]

Great video

[@treymetzger]

Mobile RV tech here in GA. You’re right, I’M BURNING UP!

[@sdivin67]

I love your guys video's, they are a hoot!!

[@candaceanderson2384]

Excellent run down. Thanks.

[@erniesavinsky3806]

Oh my god, the steps can bind and effect level of small trailer and bind door. Recently had plugs and breakers warm. 30 amp connector pin burned. Replaced with new rv smart plug $190. The 1/2 size 30/20 amp main breaker in panel were replaced with new full size ones and issue solved. Clean connections on twist lock plugs if using old style plug. Every trip it’s break out another +$100 Don’t crush Dexter.

[@Brother_James_73]

I love the video it was so helpful, please keep up the good work, let us know when you come to NC, there are so many campsites here you all would enjoy it.

[@randallborchers6872]

Ok Carl what did you do. We all saw the roses in the truck 😮 😂😂😂