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Setting up your 5th wheel for the first time?

5/12/2026

If you've just pulled your 5th wheel into your first campsite and you're staring at a pedestal, a water spigot, and a sewer pipe wondering where to start — this one's for you. Hooking up isn't complicated once you know the order and have the right gear. Here's exactly how to do it, and everything you need to buy before you arrive.

At Buckeye Beach Park, every seasonal site comes with electric, water, and sewer hookups. We see first-timers pull in every season and the same questions come up every time. So we put together this complete guide — what to buy, what order to connect, and the details that make the difference between a smooth setup and a frustrating one.

□ What to Buy Before You Arrive

None of this gear is expensive, but showing up without it makes setup miserable — or impossible. Get these before your first trip out.

⚡ Electric

Surge Protector or EMS — Buy This First

This is the single most important piece of equipment on this entire list. A surge protector plugs into the power pedestal before your rig connects and protects your entire electrical system — your air conditioner, refrigerator, microwave, everything — from voltage spikes, low voltage, and miswired pedestals. A surge event without one can destroy thousands of dollars of appliances in seconds.

A basic surge protector runs $30–$50. An EMS (Electrical Management System) gives you full diagnostics and more comprehensive protection for $100–$300. Either is fine to start. Just don't skip it.

Know Your Amperage: 30-Amp vs. 50-Amp

Most 5th wheels run on 50-amp service, though some smaller rigs use 30-amp. Look at the plug end of your RV's power cord — a 3-prong plug is 30-amp, a 4-prong plug is 50-amp. Know which you are before you arrive. Our pedestals at Buckeye Beach Park accommodate both.

Pick up a dogbone adapter that adapts your plug to the other amperage — they're about $15–$30 and there will come a time you need one.

Heavy-Duty RV Extension Cord

Depending on where your site's pedestal sits, your power cord may not quite reach. An RV-rated heavy-duty extension cord bridges the gap — but it must be rated for the amperage your rig draws. Never use a standard household extension cord under RV loads. It can overheat, melt, and become a serious fire hazard.

□ Water

Drinking Water Hose — White or Blue Only

Do not use a green garden hose for your fresh water connection. Standard garden hoses are made with materials that leach chemicals and harbor bacteria — you do not want that running through your pipes and into your drinking water. You need a hose specifically rated for potable (drinking) water. Look for labels reading "drinking water safe," "lead-free," or "BPA-free." They're typically white or blue so you can always tell them apart from other hoses. A 25- or 50-foot length works well for most sites.

Water Pressure Regulator — Don't Skip This One Either

Municipal water pressure at a campground spigot can easily run 80–100 PSI. Your 5th wheel's plumbing system is designed for 40–60 PSI. That difference matters — high pressure can crack PEX pipes, blow out fittings, and damage your water pump and water heater. A water pressure regulator threads directly onto the spigot and brings the pressure down to a safe level before it ever reaches your rig. They cost $10–$20 and last for years. Buy one.

Inline Water Filter (Highly Recommended)

An inline carbon filter connects between your pressure regulator and your hose and removes sediment, chlorine taste, and odor from your water supply. It's not required, but once you use one you won't want to go without it — especially early in the season when lines have been sitting dormant all winter. A basic setup runs $20–$40, and you replace the cartridge once a season.

Rubber Hose Washers

Pick up a small bag of rubber hose washers. They go inside every threaded water connection and prevent drips. They're pennies each and the kind of thing you'll be very glad you have when a fitting starts weeping at 11pm. Check and replace them at the start of each season.

□ Sewer

Sewer Hose — Buy Quality, Not Cheap

Your sewer hose is the flexible pipe that connects your RV's waste outlet to the sewer inlet at your site. Buy at least 15 feet — 20 is better. The most important thing here is quality: a thick-walled hose with solid fittings. Thin, cheap sewer hoses crack, pinhole, and leak. This is one area where you absolutely do not want to find out what happens when it fails. Store it in a sealed carry bag between uses.

Sewer Hose Support / Slinky Stand

Your sewer hose needs a continuous downward slope from your RV to the ground connection — gravity does all the work, but only if the hose doesn't sag and pool in low spots. A sewer hose support (sometimes called a slinky stand) holds the hose up at the right angle along its entire length. Many campgrounds require them. They fold flat for easy storage and cost about $15–$25.

Sewer Donut / Inlet Seal

A sewer donut is a rubber gasket that fits around your hose where it enters the ground inlet pipe. It creates a seal that keeps sewer gases from venting back up around the connection. Good campground etiquette — and your neighbors will appreciate it.

Disposable Gloves & Hand Sanitizer

Keep a box of nitrile or latex disposable gloves and a bottle of hand sanitizer stored right with your sewer hose. Glove up every single time you connect or disconnect the sewer line. Every time. No exceptions.

Tank Treatment / Holding Tank Deodorant

Drop a tank treatment tablet or pour-in treatment into your black tank at the start of the season. It breaks down waste, controls odors, and keeps your tank sensors reading accurately. Thetford and Camco both make reliable, widely available products. Use it at the start of the season and periodically throughout.

⚠️ Leveling vs. Stabilizing — Know the Difference Before You Hook Up: Your landing jacks (front) lift and lower the front of the rig for leveling. Your stabilizer jacks (sides and rear) reduce movement once you're already level — they are not designed to lift the RV. Using stabilizers to lift puts stress on your frame and can damage the jacks. Always level first, stabilize second.

□ The Hookup Process: Step by Step

Order matters here. Do it right and setup takes about 20 minutes. Do it out of order and you're untangling cords, tripping over hoses, and potentially dealing with a sewer situation nobody wants. Here's the sequence.

⚠️ Do this before anything else: Level your rig and chock your wheels. An unlevel 5th wheel stresses your refrigerator cooling system, your slide-out seals, and your frame. Level first — then connect.

Step 1 — Connect Sewer First

It feels counterintuitive, but sewer goes first — while you still have full room to move around the site without tripping over water and power cords already on the ground.

Glove up before you touch anything.
Make absolutely sure both your black tank valve and gray tank valve are fully closed before you start.
Connect the swivel fitting end of your sewer hose to your RV's sewer outlet — it's usually located toward the rear of the rig on the driver's side.
Set up your sewer hose support along the ground, creating a continuous downward slope from the RV outlet to the site's sewer inlet (the capped pipe in the ground).
Remove the cap from the sewer inlet, insert your hose end, and fit your sewer donut around it to seal the connection.
Drop in your tank treatment tablet now so it's already working when you start using the facilities.

□ Critical tank tip: With a full sewer hookup, leave your gray tank valve open so sink and shower water drains freely all the time. Keep your black tank valve closed until the tank is at least two-thirds full — then dump it. Immediately after, open the gray valve briefly to flush the sewer hose clean with gray water. Leaving the black valve open continuously lets liquid drain away but leaves solid waste behind, eventually causing a buildup called a "poop pyramid." Don't let that happen.

Step 2 — Connect Electric

Getting power connected second means your air conditioner or heat starts working and your refrigerator begins cooling while you finish the rest of setup.

Flip the breaker on the power pedestal to OFF before you touch anything else.
Plug your surge protector into the pedestal first. Most surge protectors have indicator lights — check them. They'll tell you right away if there's a wiring problem at the pedestal before your RV is ever connected.
Once your surge protector shows a green light (or equivalent "safe" indicator), connect your RV's power cord to it.
If your cord doesn't reach, add your RV-rated extension cord between the surge protector and the pedestal — never between the surge protector and your rig.
Flip the pedestal breaker back to ON.
Step inside and confirm power is live — check a light switch or your RV's control panel display.

⚠️ Never plug your RV directly into the pedestal without your surge protector in between. One power event without protection can destroy your air conditioner, refrigerator, and other appliances simultaneously. The surge protector pays for itself the first time there's a problem at the pedestal.

Step 3 — Connect Fresh Water

Water goes last — it's the easiest connection to make and easy to check for drips once everything else is out of the way.

Thread your water pressure regulator directly onto the spigot. Hand-tight is enough — don't overtighten.
If you're using an inline filter, connect it next, between the pressure regulator and your hose.
Connect your white potable water hose to the filter (or directly to the regulator), then run it to your RV's city water inlet — typically on the driver's side of the rig near the front or middle.
Before turning on the spigot, let the water run freely for about 30 seconds to flush out any sediment sitting in the line — especially important early in the season.
Turn the spigot on slowly and walk every connection point — spigot, regulator, filter, hose ends — and check for drips. Tighten anything that's weeping.
Step inside, run a faucet briefly to confirm flow, and check under the sink for any leaks at the city water connection inside the rig.

□ Note: When you're connected to city water (the spigot), your RV's internal water pump is not needed and should be turned off. The pump is only for drawing from your fresh water tank when you're not hooked up to a water source.

Step 4 — Final Checks Before You Settle In

Water heater: Turn it on — but make sure it's full of water first. Firing a water heater with an empty tank (electric or propane) burns out the heating element. Run a hot faucet until water flows steadily before powering on the heater.
Refrigerator: Turn it on and give it at least 4–6 hours to reach temperature before loading it with food. Running a warm fridge at full capacity slows it down significantly.
Slide-outs: Check that all cords and hoses are clear of the slide path before extending. Extend slowly and verify each slide seats and seals properly.
Stabilizer jacks: Lower them until they make firm contact with the ground — on a pad or board, not bare dirt or asphalt. Snug contact only — do not use them to lift the rig.
Awning: Deploy it and stake down your tie-down straps. Lake breezes are real and an unsecured awning can fold back on itself fast.
Walk the site: Take one full lap around the rig. Check that no hose or cord is pinched, kinked, or rubbing against anything. It takes 60 seconds and catches problems before they become problems.

□ Mistakes First-Timers Make (So You Don't Have To)

Plugging into the pedestal without a surge protector. The most expensive mistake on this list and the most common. Don't do it even once.

Using a garden hose for fresh water. It looks the same, but it isn't. Keep a dedicated potable water hose and never mix it up with anything else.

Skipping the water pressure regulator. You won't know there's a problem until a fitting blows out or a pipe cracks. The regulator costs $15. A plumbing repair inside an RV costs a lot more.

Leaving the black tank valve open. It seems like it would help things drain — it doesn't. It causes a buildup of solid waste over time. Keep it closed until the tank is two-thirds full, then dump.

Extending slide-outs before leveling. Always get level first. Operating slides on a tilted rig wears out the seals and mechanism over time.

Turning on the water heater before it's full. Run a hot faucet until water flows steadily before you switch it on. A dry heating element is a ruined heating element.

The first time takes the longest — that's normal. By your third or fourth hookup you'll have it done in under 20 minutes without thinking twice. The key is having the right gear with you when you pull in and knowing the order before you start.

And if you ever pull into your site and something doesn't look right or you're not sure about something — stop by the office. That's what we're here for. □

□ Ready to Pull In? We're Ready for You.

Buckeye Beach Park is the only RV park and marina right on Buckeye Lake — with electric, water, and sewer hookups on every seasonal site. Come spend a season with us.

Reserve Your Spot □ 740-538-LAKE

□ buckeyebeachpark.com

#BuckeyeBeachPark #BuckeyeLake #BuckeyeLakeOhio #RVLife #5thWheel #FifthWheel #RVHookup #RVTips #CampingTips #RVBeginner #RVLiving #RVCamping #FullHookups #CampingLife #LakeLife #OhioCamping #RVPark #HoorayForCamping

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RV Camping Hacks 2026

5/7/2026

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I'll be honest — after all these years running Buckeye Beach Park, I thought I'd seen just about every RV setup trick in the book. Turns out I was wrong. This past season I finally tried five things I'd always meant to get around to, and every single one of them made life at the campsite noticeably better. Here's what actually worked.

□ Hack #1 — A Dollar Store Dish Tub Under the Kitchen Sink

I don't know why it took me this long. Under every RV kitchen sink there's that awkward curved cabinet space with the pipes running through it — nothing fits right, things roll around, and something always ends up wet from a slow drip you didn't notice. I grabbed a basic plastic dish tub from the dollar store, set it right underneath the pipes, and suddenly that whole space makes sense.

Cleaning supplies stand upright. The tub catches any drips before they become a problem. And if I need to grab the dish soap, I just pull the whole tub out instead of fishing around in the dark.

□ Cost: $1–2. Time to set up: 30 seconds. Genuinely one of the best things I did this year.

□ Hack #2 — A Magnetic Knife Strip in the Kitchen

RV kitchen drawers are notoriously shallow and small. For years I just jammed the knives in with everything else and called it a day. This season I mounted a magnetic knife strip on the inside wall of the kitchen cabinet — the kind you'd see in a restaurant kitchen — and it completely changed how that space functions.

The knives are off the counter, out of the drawer, and right where I need them. No more digging through a jumbled utensil drawer hoping not to grab the blade end of something. I used Command strips to mount it so I didn't have to put screws into the cabinet wall, and it's held up just fine all season.

□ Bonus: This works great for metal spice tins too if you want to take it a step further.

□ Hack #3 — Pool Noodles on the Slide-Out Ceiling Edge

If you've ever walked into the corner of a slide-out ceiling edge — that sharp lip where the slide meets the main ceiling — you know exactly why I tried this. I finally cut a pool noodle lengthwise and slid it right onto that edge. It snaps on without any glue or hardware.

Problem solved for about $1.50. No more catching myself on the corner getting out of bed at night, no more guests taking a corner to the forehead. I'm genuinely embarrassed it took me this long to do this.

⚠️ Note: Make sure the pool noodle isn't in a spot that would interfere with the slide mechanism when you bring it in. Test the slide with it on before you commit.

□ Hack #4 — Frozen Water Bottles Instead of Ice Bags

I heard about this one from a guest last summer and I've been kicking myself ever since. Instead of buying bags of ice for the cooler, freeze regular water bottles at home a day or two before you head out. They keep things just as cold, last longer than loose ice, and when they melt — you have cold drinking water. No soggy mess at the bottom of the cooler, no watered-down food.

I started doing this for my own use when I'm out on the dock and working around the park. It's one of those hacks that sounds almost too simple, but once you switch you don't go back.

□ Best results: Use bottles that are about 3/4 full before freezing — water expands as it freezes and a completely full bottle can crack the plastic.

□ Hack #5 — An Over-the-Door Shoe Organizer for… Everything Except Shoes

I hung one of these on the back of the bathroom door and it's become one of the most-used storage spots in the whole rig. The pockets are the perfect size for sunscreen, bug spray, toothpaste, a razor, a small first aid kit, flip flops for the shower, a flashlight — things that used to end up just floating around with nowhere logical to go.

The key is hanging it on the inside of the door so it doesn't take up any floor space and you don't even notice it until you need something. I've since added a second one to the inside of a storage compartment door on the outside of the rig for things like hose washers, a small wrench, and my water pressure regulator.

□ Look for the kind made of clear plastic so you can see what's in each pocket without digging. They run about $8–12 at most big box stores.

None of these are complicated. None of them are expensive. That's what I love most about them — they're the kind of things you could do this weekend and immediately feel the difference. If you've got a hack that's changed your camping game, I'd genuinely love to hear it. Stop by the office and tell me about it, or drop us a message through the website.

See you out on the lake. ⛵

□ Come Try These Out at Buckeye Beach Park

Seasonal RV spots and boat dock slips right on Buckeye Lake. The only RV park and marina on the lake — and we'd love to have you.

Visit Our Website □ 740-538-LAKE

□ buckeyebeachpark.com

#BuckeyeBeachPark #BuckeyeLake #BuckeyeLakeOhio #RVLife #RVHacks #RVTips #CampingHacks #RVLiving #CampingLife #RVCamping #CampingTips #LakeLife #OhioCamping #RVPark #WeekendCamping #HoorayForCamping

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Summer is right around the corner. Summer Safety 2026

5/1/2026

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Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer at Buckeye Lake — and it shows. The water fills up fast, the docks get busy, and the energy on shore is electric. It's one of the best weekends of the year to be out here. It's also the busiest, and that means a little extra awareness goes a long way toward making sure everyone has a safe, memorable weekend for all the right reasons.

Whether you're a seasonal regular or heading to Buckeye Lake for the first time, here's what you need to know going into the holiday weekend.

□️ On the Water: Boating Safety Basics

Memorial Day weekend brings more boats onto Buckeye Lake than almost any other time of year. More traffic means more responsibility. Here's what every operator needs to keep in mind.

Life jackets are non-negotiable. Ohio law requires one U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket for every person on board, and children under 10 must wear one at all times while the boat is underway. On a busy holiday weekend, don't treat this as optional — it's the single most important safety item on your boat.

Know the no-wake zones and respect them. Buckeye Lake has designated no-wake areas — including the marina at Buckeye Beach Park — that exist to protect docked boats, shoreline property, and swimmers. Slow down and stay off plane in marked zones, especially with heavier weekend boat traffic.

Keep a proper lookout at all times. The operator is responsible for watching the water ahead and around the boat. On a holiday weekend, the lake is full of kayaks, paddleboards, swimmers, and smaller vessels that can be hard to see. Designate a spotter if you have passengers — don't rely on one set of eyes.

Maintain a safe speed and safe distance. Ohio law requires operating at a safe speed for conditions — which on a crowded holiday weekend means slower than you might run on a quiet Tuesday. Maintain at least 100 feet between your boat and other vessels when possible.

File a float plan. Before you head out, tell someone on shore where you're going, how many people are on board, and when you expect to be back. It takes two minutes and gives emergency responders critical information if something goes wrong.

Check the weather before you launch. Memorial Day weekend weather in Ohio can shift quickly. Thunderstorms move in fast and open water is a dangerous place to be in a lightning storm. Check the forecast that morning and watch the sky throughout the day. If storms are in the area, get off the water early.

⚠️ Boating Under the Influence Is a Crime in Ohio

Operating a vessel with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher is illegal in Ohio — the same threshold as driving a car. Memorial Day weekend is one of the most heavily patrolled weekends of the year on Ohio waterways. Ohio DNR watercraft officers will be on Buckeye Lake. A BUI conviction carries serious fines, potential jail time, and loss of boating privileges. Designate a sober operator and keep the drinks dockside.

□ Water Safety and Swimming

Memorial Day marks the start of swimming season for most families, but the water in Buckeye Lake in late May is colder than most people expect. Cold water presents real risks — even for strong swimmers.

Never swim alone. Always swim with a buddy and within sight of someone on shore or on the boat. This is especially important for children but applies to every age group.

Be aware of cold water shock. Water temperatures in late May can still be in the low-to-mid 60s. Sudden immersion in cold water can cause an involuntary gasp reflex and muscle weakness that makes swimming difficult within minutes. Enter the water gradually and stay close to the boat or dock.

Keep children in life jackets near the water. Ohio requires children under 10 to wear a life jacket on a moving boat — but on a busy holiday weekend, children near the dock, on the shore, or playing near the water should be wearing one too.

Swim away from boat traffic. Never swim in boat lanes or near active ramp areas. On a holiday weekend, boat traffic is continuous. Swim in designated areas or clearly away from where boats are moving.

Know where your kids are — always. Holiday weekends are loud, busy, and full of distractions. Designate one adult as the water watcher any time children are near the lake. No phones, no conversations — eyes on the water.

☀️ Sun, Heat, and Hydration

A full day on the water in late May can mean hours of direct sun exposure — and most people underestimate how quickly that adds up, especially on the water where UV reflects off the surface.

Apply sunscreen before you leave the dock — and reapply. SPF 30 or higher, applied 15 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming. Don't forget ears, the back of the neck, and the tops of feet.

Drink water constantly — not just when you feel thirsty. Thirst is a late indicator of dehydration. On a hot day on the water, adults should aim for at least 8 ounces of water per hour. Alcohol accelerates dehydration significantly.

Use the bimini top. Shade makes a dramatic difference in sun exposure over a long day. If your pontoon has a bimini, use it. Bring a pop-up canopy if you're spending extended time on shore.

Watch for signs of heat exhaustion. Heavy sweating, weakness, cold or pale skin, a fast or weak pulse, nausea, and fainting are all warning signs. Move the person to shade immediately, apply cool wet cloths, and give them water to sip. If symptoms don't improve quickly, call 911.

□ Pack a Basic First Aid Kit

Every boat should carry one. At minimum: adhesive bandages, gauze, medical tape, antiseptic wipes, pain reliever, antacid, tweezers, and any personal medications. Keep it in a waterproof bag in an accessible storage compartment — not at the bottom of a gear pile.

□ Campsite and Fire Safety

A campfire and a holiday weekend go hand in hand. Keep it safe and keep the weekend going for everyone around you.

Use a designated fire ring only. Never build a fire outside of a designated fire ring or fire pit. Keep fires a safe distance from your RV, awning, trees, and neighboring sites.

Never leave a fire unattended. If you're going to bed or leaving the site, put the fire completely out — drown it with water, stir the ashes, and drown it again. If it's too hot to touch, it's too hot to leave.

Keep children and pets a safe distance from the fire. Designate a clear boundary around the fire ring — a simple rule like "no closer than the length of a camp chair" works well for young kids.

Keep a bucket of water or sand nearby. Always have a way to extinguish the fire quickly within arm's reach. A five-gallon bucket of water is the simplest solution.

Be a good neighbor. Keep noise and fires at a reasonable level, especially late at night. Holiday weekends are packed — a little consideration goes a long way toward everyone having a good experience.

⚠️ RV Propane and Carbon Monoxide Safety

Never run a generator or gas-powered equipment inside or immediately adjacent to your RV. Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless and builds up fast in enclosed spaces. Make sure your RV's CO detector is working — test it before the trip. If the alarm sounds, get everyone outside immediately and call 911.

□ Fireworks — Know the Rules

Memorial Day weekend and fireworks go together — but Ohio has specific rules about consumer fireworks that are worth knowing before you stock up at the roadside tent.

Ohio law allows consumer fireworks — with conditions. Since 2022, Ohio residents may legally use consumer-grade fireworks, but local ordinances vary. Check with the campground and local authorities about what is and isn't permitted on or near the property before you light anything.

Never use fireworks near dry grass, trees, or RVs. A stray spark landing on an awning or dry vegetation near a crowded campground is a serious fire risk. Use fireworks in open areas away from structures, boats, and other campers.

Keep a bucket of water nearby. Soak used fireworks completely before disposing of them. Firework casings can stay hot long after they've fired and can start fires in trash cans or dry ground.

Never give fireworks to children. Even sparklers — commonly thought of as harmless — burn at up to 1,800°F and are responsible for a large percentage of fireworks injuries every year. Children should watch from a safe distance with adult supervision.

□ Emergency Contacts to Have on Hand

Save these before you leave home. Cell service can be spotty on the water — know your numbers before you need them.

Emergency (police, fire, medical): 911

Licking County Sheriff's Office: (740) 670-5555

Ohio DNR Watercraft (boating emergencies): 1-800-WILDLIFE (1-800-945-3543)

US Coast Guard Auxiliary Buckeye Lake: Channel 16 on VHF marine radio

Licking Memorial Hospital (Newark): (740) 348-4000

Buckeye Beach Park: 740-538-LAKE (5253)

□ One Last Thing — Have a Great Weekend

Safety isn't about being cautious to the point of missing the fun — it's what makes the fun possible all weekend long. A little preparation, a few ground rules with the group, and some common sense on the water means everyone goes home with great memories and a reason to come back next year. See you out there.

Spend Memorial Day Weekend at Buckeye Beach Park

We've been welcoming families to Buckeye Lake since 1986 — and Memorial Day weekend is one of our favorites. Seasonal RV sites, dock slips, a calm no-wake marina, and a sandy beach just three blocks away. Come join us for the kickoff to summer.

Visit Our Website Call 740-538-LAKE

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Setting up your 5th wheel for the first time?

□ What to Buy Before You Arrive

⚡ Electric

□ Water

□ Sewer

□ The Hookup Process: Step by Step

□ Mistakes First-Timers Make (So You Don't Have To)

□ Ready to Pull In? We're Ready for You.

RV Camping Hacks 2026

□ Come Try These Out at Buckeye Beach Park

Summer is right around the corner. Summer Safety 2026

□️ On the Water: Boating Safety Basics

□ Water Safety and Swimming

☀️ Sun, Heat, and Hydration

□ Campsite and Fire Safety

□ Fireworks — Know the Rules

□ Emergency Contacts to Have on Hand

Buckeye Beach Park

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