Hooking Up Your Camper At Home: A Step-By-Step Guide

If you own an RV, you can hook it up at home to use as a guest bedroom, an office, or even an off-season income stream. This process involves creating a parking pad, installing a water hookup, an electrical hookup, and a sewer hookup.

Before you begin, it's important to contact utility companies to avoid existing gas, water, and power lines. You should also check for local codes and regulations, as you may need permits and in some areas, these modifications may not be allowed.

Creating a parking pad

A parking pad is a great feature to build while installing RV hookups. A gravel or concrete pad provides a level and solid place to park your camper for long-term storage. Without one, your camper can sink into the soft ground over time.

To start, dig a shallow hole in the location of your pad. The hole should be the desired width and length of the pad, and 4-6 inches deep. Use a long carpenter's level to level the bottom of the hole.

Once the hole is dug, put down a layer of filter cloth, or landscape fabric, at the bottom. This provides stability under the gravel and helps prevent sink spots and the growth of plants.

If desired, you can install a border of pressure-treated 4x4 or 6x4 timber in the hole before adding gravel or concrete. This gives the pad a tidy look.

For a gravel pad, fill the hole with #57 crushed and washed gravel to a depth of around 4 inches. Do not use pea gravel, as it will shift under the weight of your camper.

For a concrete pad, the initial hole should be 9-10 inches deep to accommodate the filter cloth, 4 inches of gravel, and 5-6 inches of concrete. Add 3-4 inches of gravel, pack it down, and lightly spray with a hose to dampen it. Then, build a "form" or frame to hold the concrete while it dries. This is built with 2x6 boards, anchored into the ground with stakes at the corners. Check that the frame is level, then mix and pour your concrete.

Maintenance and Safety

Once your parking pad is complete, you can install a utility post to hold your water and electrical lines. Dig a hole that is three times the width of the post and half the height of the post below ground to ensure stability. Place the post in the hole and pour concrete around it to hold it in place.

Before digging in your yard, be sure to contact utility companies to avoid existing gas, water, and power lines. It is also important to call the city to find out what permits you will need and to have them locate and mark existing utility lines on your land.

Installing water hookups

Before you begin any work on installing water hookups, it is important to contact your utility company. They will be able to tell you the correct number to call to have all utility lines marked. This is a free service and will prevent you from accidentally damaging any lines. It is also important to check for any codes, regulations, permits, or restrictions on these types of installations.

To install a water hookup, you will need to dig a trench from your water source to the post that will hold your water and electrical lines. If you live in an area with cold temperatures, you will need to find out how far down the "frost line" is. The frost line is the depth at which the ground freezes during the winter, and your water line will need to be installed below this to prevent it from freezing.

Once you have dug your trench, run a high-rated CPVC pipe through it, connecting it to your water supply and securing it well. Wrap the exposed waterline with heat tape to prevent freezing and secure the water line to your post using pipe clamps. Add your faucet and fill in your trench.

If you are connecting to a public sewer system, you can connect your RV to the cleanout in your yard, as long as it is legal in your area. If you have a septic tank, you may need to install a 4-inch pipe upward and out from the tank to give yourself something to dump into. Alternatively, you can add an RV-specific in-ground septic tank, but this is an expensive and difficult option.

Setting up electrical connections

Planning:

Before starting any installation work, it is crucial to determine the location of your camper on your property. Choose a spot that allows easy manoeuvring for your camper and consider the distance from your house, as it will impact the length of utility lines. Contact the city officials to understand the permits required and to have existing utility lines located and marked. This step is essential to avoid damaging underground lines during the installation process.

Installing Electrical Connections:

Once you have determined the location of your camper and marked the utility lines, it's time to start the installation process. Here are the steps for setting up the electrical connections:

• Dedicated Circuit: Before beginning any electrical work, ensure you have a dedicated circuit for the line. Not doing so will result in tripped breakers when you try to use the camper's appliances.
• Understanding Amperage: Find out the amperage requirements of your camper, typically 30-amp or 50-amp. This information will help you choose the correct box and outlet for the electrical connection.
• Digging the Trench: Dig a trench from the beginning of the electrical line to the utility post. The trench should be at least 18 inches deep and separate from the water line trench.
• Using Conduit: Use conduit to protect the electrical line where it is exposed above ground. You can also use conduit underground for added protection.
• Running the Electrical Line: Run the electrical wire through the trench and up the utility post. Secure the line to the post using u-shaped pipe clamps.
• Mounting the Outlet: Mount the outlet, ensuring it is properly oriented to avoid twisting the cord when plugging in the camper.
• Connecting to the Breaker Box: Connect the electrical line to your home's breaker box or sub-panel. It is recommended to hire a licensed electrician for this step to avoid damaging your home's electrical system.
• Using a Surge Protector: When connecting your camper to external power sources, use a surge protector to safeguard your appliances from power surges.

Additional Considerations:

• Extension Cord: If your camper is parked close to your house, you may use a heavy-duty extension cord to connect it to an outdoor outlet on your house. Ensure the extension cord is as short as possible to prevent overheating.
• Adapters: If your camper requires a 30/50-amp hookup and you are connecting it to a standard household outlet, you will need to use an adapter.
• Limitations: When connected to a standard household outlet, you will not be able to run all appliances simultaneously and may need to limit usage to one appliance at a time.

Sewer hookups

If your home is connected to a public sewer system, you likely have a cleanout in your yard. As long as it is legal in your area, you can access this cleanout and hook up your camper's sewage line. You may need a long hose and a macerator pump if your camper is parked far away from the cleanout. Make sure to check local regulations and obtain any necessary permits before proceeding.

If your home has a septic tank, the process is similar. Locate the septic tank and install a 4-inch pipe that runs upward and out from the tank. This will provide an access point for dumping your camper's sewage. Again, ensure that this is permitted in your area.

If neither of the above options is feasible, you may need to install an RV-specific in-ground septic tank. This option is more expensive and challenging. You will likely need to hire a contractor to install and periodically pump out the tank.

Another alternative is to switch to a composting toilet in your camper. This eliminates the need for a black tank and the associated sewer hookups. Composting toilets separate liquids and solids, with liquids collected in a front bottle and solids decomposing in a rear compartment with the help of Sphagnum Pete Moss or Coconut Coir. This option is odourless and safe for non-edible plants.

To facilitate the installation of sewer hookups, it is important to contact utility companies before digging to avoid existing gas, water, and power lines. This will ensure your safety and prevent potential damage to existing infrastructure.

Entertainment hookups

When it comes to entertainment hookups for your camper, there are a few options to consider.

Firstly, you'll want to ensure your camper has a stable power supply. This can be achieved by installing a dedicated electrical circuit and hooking it up to your home's electrical system. Be sure to check the amperage requirements of your camper and install the correct box and outlet. You may need to consult an electrician for this step.

Once you have a reliable power source, you can consider installing a TV. Most RVs have a booster fitted to get the most channels out of your antenna. This booster can be used as a switch to control which signal is sent to the TVs in your camper. Ensure that it is configured correctly, as an incorrect configuration may result in no signal. Check your TV's settings and ensure it is set to the correct input, such as Cable, Air, or Antenna.

If you're experiencing issues with your TV signal, it may be due to the wiring. Check the wiring connections and ensure they are secure. You can also try using an ohm meter to test the connection. If issues persist, consult your camper's manual or contact the manufacturer for further troubleshooting steps.

Additionally, you may want to consider adding other entertainment options, such as a sound system or gaming consoles. These can enhance your leisure time while using your camper.

Remember to plan the layout of your entertainment setup and ensure all components are securely mounted or stored to avoid damage during travel.

Frequently asked questions