RV campground etiquette and hookups, explained
The question
What are full hookups, and how do we not annoy the neighbours at the campground?
What 'hookups' actually means
A hookup is simply a service connection at your pitch. 'Full hookups' means water, electric and sewer at the site, while 'partial' usually means water and electric only, with a shared dump station elsewhere in the campground.
Electric pitches come in different amperage ratings, which affects how much you can run at once — the air conditioning is usually the big draw. Check what your RV needs and carry the right adapter so you're not caught out on arrival.
Arriving and setting up
Check in, find your pitch and take your time backing in — a spotter outside the rig makes this far less stressful, and nobody minds a slow, careful reverse. Level the RV, chock the wheels, then connect services in a sensible order.
Connect electric and fresh water first, and only then deal with the sewer if you have full hookups. Use a drinking-water-safe hose for fresh water and keep it well away from the waste equipment — a small colour-coded habit that's worth forming early.
Tanks and dump stations
Your RV holds fresh water plus two waste tanks: grey water from the sinks and shower, and black water from the toilet. Emptying them in the right order — black first, then grey to flush the hose — keeps things clean and odour-free.
If you don't have a sewer connection at your pitch, you'll use the campground's dump station on the way in or out. It's a simple job once you've been shown it, so ask at pickup or watch a quick demo before your first time.
The unwritten etiquette
Campground life runs on a few simple courtesies. Respect quiet hours, keep generator use to the posted times, and don't cut through other people's pitches — walk the roads instead. Leave your site as clean as you found it.
Keep dogs leashed and pick up after them, supervise children around other rigs and hook-up posts, and keep outside lights and music low after dark. A friendly word with your neighbours goes a long way, and most camp communities are welcoming to families finding their feet.
Booking the right kind of site
Not every campground suits every RV. Check the maximum length, whether pitches are pull-through or back-in, and what hookups are available before you book, especially in national parks where sites can be smaller and services limited.
Map your overnight stops in Kamptribe so you can see where full hookups matter most — typically the hot nights when you'll want air conditioning — and where a simpler, more scenic pitch will do just fine.
Related routes
By The Kamptribe team · reviewed by The Kamptribe team