Pitch Perfect: Setting Up Your Caravan on Site

By Best Coastal Campsites for a Relaxing Caravan Break
Comments 35
31 Aug 2026

Pitch Perfect: Setting Up Your Caravan on Site

Arrival and Choosing Your Pitch

Pulling onto a new campsite is one of the great pleasures of caravan touring, but a calm arrival sets the tone for the whole stay. Before you unhitch, take a slow walk around your allocated pitch. Check for slope, shade, hardstanding versus grass, and how close you are to the electric hook-up point, water tap and waste disposal. Look up, too: low branches can catch an awning or roof vent. If you have a motor mover, use it to fine-tune your position; otherwise, reverse gently with a spotter. Once you are happy, apply the handbrake, chock the wheels and only then begin to unhitch. A few minutes of observation now saves a lot of shuffling later.

Levelling the Caravan

A level caravan is a comfortable caravan. Your fridge, hob, shower and even your sleep all depend on it. Start with side-to-side levelling. Place a spirit level on the floor or worktop, then use a levelling ramp or a sturdy block under the lower wheel. Drive or reverse onto the ramp slowly, checking the level as you go. For twin-axle caravans, you may need two ramps to avoid twisting the chassis. Once side-to-side is sorted, chock the wheels securely.

Next, level front-to-back using the jockey wheel. Wind it up or down until the spirit level reads true. Now lower the corner steadies – but only until they touch the ground. They are stabilisers, not jacks, and using them to lift the caravan can damage the floor or chassis. A final check with a level on the floor inside confirms you are ready to move on to services. If you are on a significant slope, always leave the handbrake on and use chocks on both sides of at least one wheel.

Connecting the Electric Hook-Up

Electric hook-up (EHU) is one of the joys of campsite life, but it deserves respect. Use a proper orange EHU cable with an integral RCD (residual current device) and check the campsite bollard before you plug in. Switch the bollard off first. Connect the caravan end of the cable first, then the bollard end – never the other way round. Uncoil the cable fully before use; a coiled cable can overheat and melt. Run it under the caravan or use a cable tidy to avoid a trip hazard, and keep it away from water.

Test the RCD using its test button after connecting. If it does not trip, do not use the supply.
Check polarity with a socket tester if you are unsure – reverse polarity can be dangerous.
Know your amps. Most UK pitches offer 16A, but some are 10A or 6A. Add up your appliances: a kettle plus a heater can easily trip the bollard.
Use low-wattage appliances where possible, and avoid daisy-chaining extension leads.

If the bollard trips, unplug your cable, reset the bollard, and reduce your load before trying again. Never force a reset if it keeps tripping – ask the campsite warden for advice.

Positioning Your Awning

Your awning is an outdoor room, so position it thoughtfully. Most caravanners pitch it on the side nearest the door, but consider wind direction, afternoon sun and privacy. On a breezy site, angle the awning so the prevailing wind hits the back, not the opening. Clear the ground of stones, twigs and anything sharp that could damage the groundsheet. If you have a full awning, thread the beading into the rail with a second pair of hands – it is far easier than wrestling alone. Porch awnings are simpler but still need care.

Feed the beading from the front of the caravan towards the back, keeping it lubricated with a little silicone spray if it sticks.
Peg the corners first, then the guy lines at a 45-degree angle to the ground. Use storm straps if wind is forecast.
Do not peg through your electric cable, water hose or waste pipe. Route them under the awning skirt or through a purpose-made opening.
On hardstanding, use screw-in pegs or heavy-duty weights. Never rely on a few flimsy pegs in gravel.

Leave a small gap between the awning and the caravan body for airflow, and make sure it does not block any vents, flues or windows. Once the awning is up, check that it does not rub against the caravan side – a foam pad or pipe lagging on the rail can prevent scuff marks.

Water, Waste and Final Checks

With the caravan level and powered, turn to your water and waste systems. Fill your fresh water container from a drinking-water tap, using a food-grade hose. Connect the pump and check for leaks at the inlet. Position your waste water container under the outlet, ensuring the pipe has a steady fall – a kink or uphill run will cause a smelly puddle. If you use a chemical toilet, prepare it according to the manufacturer’s instructions before you need it.

Now run through your final safety checks. Turn on the gas at the bottle and test the hob and grill. Check that smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working. Put out your steps, mat and any levelling blocks you have removed. Secure loose items inside, especially in the kitchen and bathroom. Finally, take a moment to greet your neighbours, note the quiet hours, and locate the nearest fire point. A well-set-up caravan is a safe, stable and welcoming base – so put the kettle on and enjoy the view.

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5 Comments

Robert Sonny says Jul 21, 2024 at 10:00am

I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system
Reply
- John Abraham says Jul 21, 2024 at 10:00am
  
  I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system
  Reply
  - Robert Sonnysays Jul 21, 2024 at 10:00am
    
    I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system
    Reply
Robert Sonny says Jul 21, 2024 at 10:00am

I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system
Reply

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