RV Hookups Decoded: What Shore Power, Water, and Sewer Connections Mean at a Campsite

Why Campsite Hookup Terms Matter Before You Book

Browsing campsite listings for the first time, you'll quickly run into shorthand like "W/E only," "50-amp full hookup," or "primitive site." These aren't interchangeable — each describes a specific combination of utility connections that may or may not match what your RV actually needs. Booking a site without understanding these distinctions can mean arriving to find you can't run your air conditioning, fill your fresh water tank, or dump your holding tanks on-site.

Understanding hookup terminology is one of the most practical skills a new RV owner can develop. For a broader orientation to campground life and what to expect, see the complete introduction to the RV lifestyle.

Shore Power: 30-Amp vs. 50-Amp Explained

Shore power refers to the external electrical supply you plug your RV into at a campsite — the same concept as plugging into a wall outlet, just at a much higher capacity. The two standard service levels in North American campgrounds are 30-amp and 50-amp.

30-Amp Service

A 30-amp outlet delivers a single 120-volt circuit at up to 30 amps — roughly 3,600 watts total. This is enough to run essential systems like one rooftop air conditioner, the refrigerator on electric mode, interior lighting, and a few small appliances, but not simultaneously without careful management. Most travel trailers, pop-up campers, and smaller Class C motorhomes are wired for 30-amp service.

50-Amp Service

A 50-amp outlet provides two 120-volt legs at 50 amps each — giving you up to 12,000 watts of available power. Larger Class A and Class B+ motorhomes, fifth wheels, and luxury travel trailers are typically built for 50-amp service, supporting multiple air conditioners, an electric range, washer/dryer units, and more running at once. For more on how rig size relates to power needs, see what RV class letters actually mean.

Adapters and Compatibility

Adapters (sometimes called "dogbone" adapters) allow a 50-amp RV to plug into a 30-amp pedestal, and vice versa. Using a 50-amp rig on 30-amp service simply limits available power — you'll need to shed electrical loads accordingly. Always verify your RV's service rating before purchasing an adapter, and avoid overloading circuits.

Water and Sewer Connections: What Each Provides

Beyond electricity, campsite listings describe water and sewer access in specific ways. Here's what each means in practice.

Water Hookup (W)

A water hookup is a standard outdoor spigot at your site that connects to your RV's city water inlet via a potable water hose. When connected, water flows directly through your RV's plumbing system at city pressure — you don't need to draw from your onboard fresh water tank. Always use a hose rated for drinking water (not a garden hose), and consider adding an inline water pressure regulator to protect your RV's plumbing from high campground pressure.

Sewer Hookup (S)

A sewer connection is a ground-level cleanout at your site where you connect a sewer hose to drain your gray water (sinks, shower) and black water (toilet) holding tanks. Sites with sewer access let you dump tanks on a rolling basis rather than waiting for a dump station visit. Always use a proper sewer hose with secure fittings to prevent spills, and cap your sewer connection when not actively draining — leaving it open continuously can cause tank sensor problems and unpleasant odors.

Full Hookup

A full hookup site provides all three utilities: electricity (either 30- or 50-amp), fresh water, and sewer. This is the most convenient site type and what most large RVs are designed to use long-term. Before leaving any site, run through a campsite setup and teardown checklist to avoid leaving connections attached.

Partial Hookups, Dry Camping, and Boondocking

Not every campsite offers every utility — and some offer none at all.

• Electric-only (E): Shore power provided, but no water or sewer at the site. You'll use your onboard tank and visit a dump station when needed.
• Water and Electric (W/E): The most common partial hookup configuration — you get shore power and fresh water, but must manage gray and black tanks and use a dump station.
• Dry camping: A campsite with no utility hookups of any kind, though you're still in an established campground with shared amenities like restrooms or a dump station nearby.
• Boondocking: Camping entirely off-grid — no hookups, no campground infrastructure. Power comes from solar panels, generators, or battery banks; water from onboard tanks; waste managed until a dump station is reached. What boondocking really involves is a topic worth exploring separately before going that route.

If you're still learning the vocabulary around holding tanks, dump stations, and related systems, the RV and camping glossary covers the terms you'll encounter most often as a new owner.