What Does Full Hookup Camp Site Mean
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When traveling by RV, you have got to have a place to recharge, refuel, and get rid of any waste, and all of that requires a campsite with full hookups. I’m sure you have seen “full hookup” on the signs of many campgrounds, and possibly wondered what that entails.
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So, what is a full hookup campsite?
A full hookup campsite is a site that will have access to all the amenities to hook to your motorhome or travel trailer. These amenities include a hookup for your water lines, a hookup for your electricity. This will include a 50 amp service, 30 amp service or both. Also, there is usually at least one 110v plug. You will also have access to the sewer so that you can hookup your black water and grey water outlet line. (Blackwater is made of anything that goes down your toilet and greywater is anything that goes down your sink or shower.)
While it is becoming more the norm to have full hookups at campgrounds, you might also find a partial hookup campsite, which usually includes water and electricity, but no sewage. There are also deluxe hookup campgrounds, which include full hookups as well as cable, phone lines, and internet.
But now that you know partial and deluxe hookups exist–and that the price fluctuates depending on each option–you will be able to distinguish between the different types when searching for a place to give your RV (and you) a rest.
This article will focus on full hookup campsites, though, and once you are experienced, hooking up will feel like second nature. So, here we are going to talk about the specifics of campground options, what the hookups require, how to hook up, and what equipment you will need.
Electricity Hookups
First of all, you need to know how much watts your RV has. A simple equation is watts = amps x volts. If you stay under the number you get for your answer, you should be good to go!
Many campgrounds have options for both 30 (3 prongs) and 50 (4 prongs) amp hookups, but some campgrounds only offer 30-amp hookups. 30 amp has less power than 50 amp, so if you have options for both, it is just up to you to know how much power your RV needs.
It is smart to buy an adapter since campgrounds often only have 30-amp power, so that way whatever plug you have can work for whatever power available. Your appliances use a lot of power, so consider what you will use–especially the AC–and go from there.
However, if you, for instance, have a 50-amp hookup, but the campsite only has 30-amp hookups available, be conscious of how much power you are using, as it could mess with the electric grid of the campground.
So, even if it seems like you may be saving power or money, if you have a 50-amp rig, plug it into the 50-amp hookup. Remember to use fewer electronics at a time to save power as well, especially if you have to convert your 50-amp rig to a 30-amp hookup.
Equipment Needed for Electricity Hookups
Knowledge: It is important for you to know your RV’s power specs. Know how much power each device uses, and plan accordingly. Look at your batteries and electric panels often, and if anything looks off, get it checked out.
Polarity tester: You never know if the campground’s electricity is working properly–though it should be–so it is smart to bring a polarity tester, which will tell you if the wiring is in good shape or not. If not, don’t plugin!
Converter: Just in case, you might need a converter if you only have a 4-prong plug in a 3-prong campground.
Surge guard (optional): This can protect your RV from unexpected electrical surges that can damage your RV’s electrical wiring.
Other than that, you need the wire and the plug, which should come with the RV anyway.
How to Hook up to Electricity
First, switch off all the electricity–both the RV’s electrical system and the RV electrical pedestal. Match up the holes of your plug to the prongs on the RV. Once you have firmly plugged in the power cord, you should be safe to take the plug to the shore power at offered by the campground.
Before you connect to the shore power, turn the breaker off. Then, plug into the receptacle, and turn the breaker back on. By turning off the breaker first, you can avoid sparks and outages. It is much safer than adjusting the plug if you have to while the power is on.
And there you have it! It is a pretty simple process, but one that requires a good amount of precaution for everything to go smoothly.
Water Hookups
So, water quality depends on the location. It is smart to bring some sort of water filtration system, whether that is a simple Brita filter on your kitchen water tap or getting a portable filter that can be stored in your fridge. Campground water should always be safe to drink, but better to be extra cautious to avoid any inconvenience on the road.
Another thing you might want to consider purchasing is a pressure regulator, so you can make sure the water the campground provides doesn’t fill too fast, which could lead to bursting pipes.
Often, you will see one of two options for ports: either “city water” or “fresh water fill.” With city water, when you fill, the water goes straight to your fixtures. And with fresh water fill, the water goes into your tank, and then a pump in your RV distributes the water where needed.
You can tell the ports apart because the hose will screw right on to the city water port. The freshwater fill looks more like a large opening that the hose can be placed into. Some RVs only have one port that works for both options.
Even though both options work great, you should use city water any time you have access to a pressurized freshwater source. You don’t have to worry about filling your tank when you run out, and you won’t have to hear the loud pump at night when someone uses the bathroom.
The freshwater fill would be for when you need to fill up and get on the road. Then you have water on reserve and ready to use. For this option, you should flip on a switch to get the water running, and you can then turn it off to save it while you are not actively using the water.
There are a couple of potential problems you may encounter, including over pressurizing the water system, clogging due to debris, and encountering mold or bacteria growth. Luckily, there are a lot of ways to avoid these issues. Mostly they are just problems you should be aware of before getting an RV anyway.
To avoid over pressurizing, you can, like mentioned a little earlier, install a regulator between the city water and your hose. This way, you can avoid pipes bursting, and have a working RV for a long time.
You can avoid debris by purchasing an inline water filter. Some 5th wheels and RVs come with this already built-in, so you can check on that if you have not already purchased the RV. In either case, be sure to change the inline filters seasonally. You could also get a filter or pump strainer that attaches right to your hose.
If you want to avoid bacteria and mold, keep the water tank topped off. If the water has been sitting in the heat or storage, make sure you take extra precautions and sanitize the water before use.
And, since it is always better to be prepared, consider bringing a five-gallon water jug along for your ride in case the unexpected happens.
Equipment Needed for Water Hookups
Y-adapter: this is what you screw into the city water, and then what connects to your hose. This adapter can work for other uses, too, like black tank flushing, so it is nice to have.
Hose: most RV hoses will hook up to campsite water systems, but as for length, you should consider buying some longer hoses in case the hookups are at the back of the campsite and further from the hookup point. Make sure the hose is lead-free and safe for drinking water.
In-Line water filter: if your RV already has a built-in filter, you don’t have to worry about this as much. But if not, make sure you have a filter to avoid water that isn’t all the way clean.
Pressure regulator: Since some campground’s water system may be too high pressure for your RV’s system, installing this after the water filter ensures that you still get enough water pressure, but of course, not too much.
Hose elbow: If you bring a hose elbow, it will allow your hose to hang straight down to avoid kinking or any damage from someone accidentally walking into it. It also reduces the leverage that comes from the hose hanging straight out.
Expandable hose (optional): It is nice to have a longer hose for when you want to clean off the RV using the campground water, or when you need extra length like mentioned above.
Just remember to never use the same hose for drinking water and sewage!
How to Hook up Water
The list above is in order from campground port to RV port, so once that is all set up, it is relatively easy! You make sure the hose is screwed into the city water hookup on the RV, and then turn your valve to “bypass” instead of “fill tank,” and then turn off your water pump. Then, you turn on the city water, and it should start filling.
When you leave the campsite, make sure your tank is completely drained out. If it isn’t, you will have to clean it to avoid foul odors, and that can take some time. So, after you leave, you are back to using your freshwater supply. Make sure to top off if you need to.
Sewage Hookups
Some campgrounds offer sewer hookups at each site, but a lot of campgrounds opt for a centralized dump station for all the RVs to use. While it might seem more convenient to have your own station, the centralized station is nice because you can dump and move on–you don’t have to leave any part of your RV unprotected.
Plus, full hookup campgrounds (meaning the campsites will have their own sewer hookups) are usually a little more expensive, so if you find out a partial hookup campground offers a dump station and is cheaper, then it is still a really good option.
If you have your own sewer hookups at your campsite, you have some options. First of all, it means your valves will stay open as they are constantly connected. This is fine for the gray tank, but probably not with the black tank, because you need a decent amount of water to get the waste out of the black tank.
If you are going to leave the gray tank open, avoid putting solids down the kitchen sink, or you will have the same problem. But again, it is fine to leave the gray tank open for a few days, but when your black tank starts to get too full, you can close the gray tank to let the sink and shower water build-up, which allows you to have “clean” water to help flush the black tank.
So, you can choose what works for you, but overall, it is best to spend less time with open valves than you might think. Having the option is great, though, and it’s always good to empty before you get back on the road!
Equipment Needed for Sewage Hookups
Rubber gloves: You just never know what will happen–even if your tank is kept really clean, it is better to stay as sanitary as possible. Camping can get dirty, but with RV camping, it shouldn’t have to.
High-quality collapsible sewer hose: You’ll want it to be collapsible mostly for storage, but you should definitely splurge when it comes to sewer hoses. You don’t want to deal with any mishaps in this area.
Sewer hose support: This helps the hose stay in place and supports it, so it doesn’t get any kinks. It also stays cleaner this way.
Elbow piece: This attaches your hose to the sewer drain.
Hand sanitizer: After cleaning the sewage tank, depending on what happens, you may want to actually wash your hands. But, when you really get the hang of it, hand sanitizer should suffice.
Extra garden hose (optional): It would be nice to have a spare, especially when cleaning the sewage hoses and the area around your campsite or the dump station.
What Does Full Hookup Camp Site Mean For A
How to Hook up to Sewage
So, time to roll up those sleeves. Put your rubber gloves on, and get ready to clean! Of course, you can always pack reusable gloves instead of rubber gloves, but that’s a personal choice. Just remember the option is available.
Check your gray and black valves and make sure they are closed. Now you can grab your sewer hose and use the open end of the hose with the twist-on connector to attach it to your RV drain spout.
If you have a sewer hose support, stretch it from the RV to the sewer drain. As you place the support, you can also pup the hose in place. Attach your hose to the elbow piece that will attach it to the sewer drain.
Make sure you screw this part on really tight, because you don’t want the hose to come loose and spray all around the campsite. After this, open the black tank valve and drain, then close the valve. Repeat for the gray tank.
It is smart to drain the black tank first so the “soapier” water from gray tank can kind of clean the hose as you drain the gray tank afterward. You will refill the tank afterward, so don’t walk away from the tank while the process is happening. You should monitor everything that is going on and keep track of how long it takes for future trips.
After you’ve closed the valves, disconnect from the sewage pipe. Most campsites have non-potable water that you can use for cleaning the site, so go ahead and leave the site cleaner than you found it.
Stowaway your equipment and disinfect anything that still needs it. You’ve done it! You will learn as you go, so if anything feels off, figure out why and change your approach for the next dump.
You Always Have Help
One of the greatest things about the camping community is how friendly people are. The campers you meet are likely going through or have already gone through the same hookup processes that you are now going through.
Don’t hesitate to ask campground owners or other RVers around you for help. They likely have tips and tricks specific to certain RVs or campsites if they have been there before. This help, coupled with RV specific guides you’ve likely been given, should leave you in very good hands.
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Winter is on the horizon—the season when tent campers pack up their camping gear in favor of warmer, indoor digs. But for RV campers, frigid weather doesn’t mean the camping season is over. That’s because RV camping allows you to experience the joys of camping (ample time outside, campfire cuddling) with the comforts of home (warm blankets on your own bed, a heater).
While your RV may allow you to camp all year round, make no mistake that not all RV campgrounds are created equal. Winter-friendly RV campground amenities like full-hookup campsites, hot tubs, indoor laundry, hot showers, game rooms and easy access to nearby entertainment will upgrade your winter camping experience. From Ohio to Colorado, Arkansas, New Mexico and beyond, we’ve rounded up some of the great RV campgrounds in America to help you pick a winter camping destination that will please and entertain you during the coldest months of the year.
Check out these 17 great RV campgrounds across America.
1. Hocking Hills State Park Campground
Logan, Ohio
Beautiful in every season, southeastern Ohio’s Hocking Hills State Park is special in the winter, when it’s possible to spy frozen waterfalls or hike to Hocking’s famous caves on footpaths covered in snow. RV campers will find electric sites available for reservation with fun amenities like a playground and game room. Non-electric sites are also available if you like tent camping in the winter. Reserve a campsite at Hocking Hills State Park.
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2. Hot Springs National Park KOA
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Located just minutes from Hot Springs National Park, Hot Springs National Park KOA offers year-round full hookup RV sites. The campground also has an arcade room, billiards, hiking trails, a pet playground and laundry facilities. There’s no better way to rejuvenate in the wintertime than soaking in the hot thermal waters of Hot Springs National Park. Reserve a campsite at Hot Springs National Park KOA.
3. Zion River Resort
Virgin, Utah
Located on the Virgin River just minutes from Zion National Park and other outdoor wonders of the area, Zion River Resort provides full-hookup sites for RV campers. Other year-round amenities include an off-leash dog area, game room, social hall and spa. Reserve a campsite at Zion River Resort.
4. Redmond / Central Oregon KOA
Culver, Oregon
The high desert of central Oregon is stunning all year round but has a raw beauty to it in the wintertime when snow often sweeps through the area. Central Oregon is a recreational wonderland and located right in the middle of it all is Redmond / Central Oregon KOA. The campground offers full hookup campsites and is just a short drive to the rock-climbing haven Smith Rock State Park. Reserve a campsite at Redmond / Central Oregon KOA.
5. Dakota Ridge RV Park
Golden, Colorado
Featuring jaw-dropping views of the Rocky Mountains and the Denver skyline, Dakota Ridge RV Park is perfectly situated to explore Colorado’s famed wilderness and Denver’s urban delights. The campground has 141 full-service RV sites and amenities, including a fitness center, billiard room and a book and game library. Reserve a campsite at Dakota Ridge RV Park.
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6. Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
Lake Buena Vista, Florida
If you’ve been itching to step foot inside the Magic Kingdom there’s no better time to go than the middle of winter. The weather is better, the crowds are smaller and lodging is affordable when you camp in your RV. Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort has full hookup campsites and provides easy access to the theme park. As an added bonus, you can even see fireworks right from the campground. Reserve a campsite at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort.
7. Hilton Head Island Motorcoach Resort
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Located in the heart of Hilton Head Island, this 50-acre woodland resort has full-hookup RV campsites, tennis and pickleball courts and a pool, spa and fitness center. But what makes this upscale RV resort unbeatable is its location. The campground is just a short walk from shops and restaurants of Hilton Head and a quick bike ride to the beach. Reserve a campsite at Hilton Head Island Motorcoach Resort.
8. Napa Valley Expo RV Park
Napa, California
Wine lovers will rejoice in Napa Valley Expo RV Park located right in the heart of Napa wine country. The year-round full-hookup campground is the perfect place to make your base as you explore the vineyards of Napa and Sonoma valleys. When you’ve had your fill of wine, historic downtown Napa is just a short walk from the campground. Reserve a campsite at Napa Valley Expo RV Park.
9. Lazy L & L Campground
New Braunfels, Texas
A popular snowbird RV park, this 25-acre campground is situated right in the middle of Texas Hill Country. The park has 3/4 mile of private river frontage for year-round fishing and the full-hookup campsites can accommodate rigs up to 85-feet. Only 50 miles from Austin, the park is well situated for great day trips, too. Reserve a campsite at Lazy L & L Campground.
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10. Crooked River State Park
St. Marys, Georgia
Nestled into the southern tip of Georgia’s colonial coast, Crooked River State Park is a great place to camp in the wintertime. Its mild temperatures and close location to the Intercoastal Waterway allow campers to stay outside and explore the water. The 500-acre park’s campground offers electric and water hookups, coin laundry and hot showers. Reserve a campsite at Crooked River State Park.
11. Point of Rocks RV Campground
Prescott, Arizona
Outdoor enthusiasts will love setting up camp at Point of Rocks. The campground offers 96 full-service campsites and is located near hiking and mountain biking trails. When you fancy a day in town, historic downtown Prescott is a 10-minute drive. Reserve a campsite at Point of Rocks RV Campground.
12. Santa Cruz/ Monterey Bay KOA
Watsonville, California
It’s no secret that the southern California coast is a perfect year-round camping destination thanks to its sunny skies and warm weather. Located 11 miles south of Santa Cruz, the Santa Cruz/ Monterey Bay KOA has full service RV campsites and a host of winter-friendly amenities such as a hot tub that is open year-round, a game room and outdoor games like volleyball, basketball and horseshoes. Reserve a campsite at Santa Cruz/ Monterey Bay KOA.
What Does Full Hookup Camp Site Mean Definition
13. Carolina Beach State Park Campground
Carolina Beach, North Carolina
A popular coastal attraction, Carolina Beach State Park is home to miles of hiking trails and fishing options galore. The campground is situated under shady pine and oak trees and nine campsites offer full hookups. Though the weather on North Carolina’s coast can be cool in the winter, it’s a great excuse to light a campfire. Reserve a campsite at Carolina Beach State Park Campground.
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14. Albuquerque KOA
Full Hookup Campsites In Michigan
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Located near the Sandia Mountains for outdoorsy fun and close to Old Town Albuquerque for easy access to shops and restaurants, Albuquerque KOA has it all. The campground offers full-service, pet-friendly RV campsites as well as winter amenities such as a hot tub available to campers year-round. Reserve a campsite at Albuquerque KOA.
15. Sunshine Key RV Resort & Marina
Big Pine Key, Florida
It’s hard to deny the appeal of a tropical island environment and that’s just what you’ll find at Sunshine Key RV Resort & Marina. Located in the lower Florida Keys, this campground is the perfect place to escape the cold winter and pretend like summer never stopped. This RV resort has 399 full-hookup campsites, some of which are right on the water. Reserve a campsite at Sunshine Key RV Resort.
16. Gulf Beach RV Resort
Biloxi, Mississippi
Overlooking the bright blue sky and peaceful waves of the Gulf of Mexico, Gulf Beach RV Resort is the perfect wintertime camping destination. Offering 44 full-hookup sites, an onsite restaurant, clubhouse and even a party deck where you can enjoy a happy hour cocktail and watch the sunset, you won’t have to venture off site to find entertainment. Reserve a campsite at Gulf Beach RV Resort.
17. Canyon Trail RV Park
Boulder City, Nevada
A green oasis in the desert, Boulder City is conveniently located to as much wild fun as you’d like in Las Vegas and as many recreational opportunities as you can take advantage of in the wilderness surrounding Boulder City. Canyon Trail is a full-service RV Park right smack dab in the middle of everything. With a dog run, laundry and year-round swimming pool, they’ve got everything you need to set up camp and stay awhile this winter. Reserve a campsite at Canyon Trail RV Park.