Renting a camper for the first time can feel like a lot. New rig, new gear, new everything. Good news — it's a whole lot easier than it looks, and we walk you through every step. Here's exactly what to expect when you book your first trip with us.
Before You Pick Up
Once you book online, you'll get a confirmation with everything you need. A day or two before your trip, we'll be in touch to confirm your pickup time and answer any last-minute questions. If you've never towed a trailer, just tell us — we'll spend extra time on the hitch and brake controller during your walk-through.
What to bring on pickup day:
- Your driver's license
- The vehicle you'll be towing with (we'll check the hitch and connections)
- A few minutes of patience for the walk-through — usually 30 to 45 minutes
- An empty cooler if you want to start packing food right away
The Walk-Through
This is where we go through the trailer top to bottom. We'll show you:
- How to hitch and unhitch — including the safety chains and break-away cable
- The brake controller — how to set it for the trailer's weight
- Power and water hookups — 30-amp shore power, fresh water, and the gray/black tanks
- Inside systems — fridge, stove, furnace, AC, water pump, and water heater
- Awning operation — how to roll it out and (more importantly) when to roll it back in
- Leveling and stabilizing — how to use the leveling blocks and stabilizer jacks
We don't rush this. Take notes, ask questions, take video on your phone if it helps. We want you to feel completely comfortable before you pull out of the driveway.
What Comes with the Trailer
Every rental comes equipped so you don't have to buy a bunch of gear:
- Sewer hose and water hose
- Leveling blocks and wheel chocks
- 30-amp power cord
- Basic kitchen setup (pots, pans, utensils)
- Bedding for all sleeping spots
- Toilet paper for the RV (regular toilet paper clogs the tank — important!)
You bring food, clothes, towels, and personal stuff. We've got the rest.
Setting Up at the Campground
When you pull into your site, the order goes like this:
- 1.Park and level — Get the trailer level side-to-side first using blocks under the wheels
- 2.Chock the wheels — Block the wheels so nothing rolls
- 3.Unhitch — Drop the trailer onto the tongue jack
- 4.Drop the stabilizers — These keep the trailer from rocking when you walk inside
- 5.Hook up shore power, water, and sewer — In that order
- 6.Pop out the slide if you have one — Make sure you have clearance
- 7.Roll out the awning — Only if there's no wind in the forecast
Whole process takes about 15 to 20 minutes once you've done it once.
Drop-Off
Drop-off is simple. Bring the trailer back with the gas tanks topped off (propane), the black and gray tanks emptied if you can, and the inside swept out. We do a quick walk-through together and you're on your way.
A Few Honest Tips from Jim
- Reserve your campground BEFORE you book the trailer. Minnesota campgrounds fill up months in advance for summer weekends. Lock in the site, then book the camper.
- Practice towing in an empty parking lot. Backing up a trailer is the hardest part. Spend 15 minutes in a Target parking lot on Sunday morning before your trip and you'll save yourself a lot of stress at the campground.
- Don't overpack. Travel trailers don't have unlimited storage. Pack what you'd pack for a hotel room plus camp chairs and outdoor stuff.
- Call us if anything weird happens. Tank sensor going wonky? Furnace acting up? Just call. We'd rather walk you through it on the phone than have you stress about it at 9pm.
That's it. First trip is the hardest — by the second one you'll feel like a pro.
