RV Hookups Explained: Full, Partial, and Dry Camping

One of the most common questions new RV owners ask is: "What exactly does full hookups mean?" It sounds straightforward, but the details matter — especially when you are booking a site for a week or a month and expecting a certain level of comfort.

This guide breaks down every type of RV hookup, what each connection provides, and how to choose the right setup for your rig and your trip.

A full hookup site provides three connections: electric, water, and sewer. This is the gold standard for RV camping because it means you can run your rig exactly like a home — unlimited water, continuous power, and no need to dump your tanks manually.

Full hookup sites are ideal for:

• Extended stays (weekly or monthly)
• Larger rigs with residential-style appliances
• Travelers who want maximum convenience
• Snowbirds and long-term residents

At Austin's Landing, all of our sites are full hookup with 30/50 amp electric service, city water, and direct sewer connections. You plug in, hook up, and you are done.

Partial hookup sites typically include electric and water but no sewer connection. You will need to drive your rig to a dump station periodically to empty your gray and black water tanks.

This is a workable setup for short stays — a night or two — but it gets inconvenient quickly on longer trips. Dump stations are not always conveniently located, and managing tank levels adds a layer of planning to your daily routine.

Dry camping, also called boondocking, means no connections at all. You rely entirely on your rig's onboard systems: battery bank for power, fresh water tank for water, and holding tanks for waste.

Dry camping is popular in remote locations — national forests, BLM land, desert dispersed camping — where hookups simply do not exist. It requires more preparation and self-sufficiency, but it also puts you in places that full hookup parks cannot reach.

For most Gulf Coast RV travelers, dry camping is not the goal. You are here for the beach, the fishing, and the comfort of a well-equipped campsite.

Electric service is where a lot of confusion happens. Here is what the numbers mean:

30 Amp Service

• Provides roughly 3,600 watts of power
• Suitable for most Class B and Class C motorhomes, smaller travel trailers
• Can run air conditioning, but usually only one unit at a time
• Uses a standard 3-prong TT-30 plug

50 Amp Service

• Provides up to 12,000 watts of power (two 120V legs at 50 amps each)
• Required for large Class A motorhomes and fifth wheels with multiple AC units
• Handles residential refrigerators, washer/dryer combos, and multiple appliances simultaneously
• Uses a 4-prong 14-50 plug

Most modern RV parks, including Austin's Landing, offer both 30 and 50 amp pedestals at each site. If your rig is wired for 50 amp, you will want to confirm the park has 50 amp service before booking.

City water hookups provide a continuous supply of municipal water directly to your rig. You connect a standard drinking-water-safe hose from the pedestal to your RV's city water inlet, and water flows on demand just like at home.

A few tips:

• Always use a pressure regulator between the pedestal and your rig. City water pressure can exceed 100 PSI, which is too high for most RV plumbing systems. A regulator keeps it in the 40–60 PSI range.
• Use a water filter if you are sensitive to taste or want extra protection.
• Disconnect your hose during freezing weather — though on the Texas Gulf Coast, that is rarely a concern.

Direct sewer hookups let you leave your gray and black water valves open (or open them as needed) without ever visiting a dump station. Your waste flows directly into the park's sewer system.

Important: Never leave your black water valve open continuously. This causes liquids to drain while solids accumulate, creating a "pyramid plug" that is as unpleasant as it sounds. Keep the black valve closed until the tank is two-thirds full, then dump. The gray valve can stay open to drain sink and shower water continuously.

For a Gulf Coast beach trip, full hookups are the clear choice. The combination of heat, humidity, and salt air means you will be running your AC, using your shower, and doing laundry regularly. A direct sewer connection and reliable 50 amp power make all of that effortless.

Every site at Austin's Landing RV Park & Resort includes full hookups with 30/50 amp electric, city water, and sewer. Our concrete pads keep your rig level and stable, and our location one block from the Gulf means you get the beach without sacrificing comfort.

Whether you are staying for a weekend or settling in for the winter, full hookups make the difference between roughing it and actually relaxing.