Quick Reference Guide For Your New RV

Owning a new toy hauler, fifth wheel, travel trailer, or RV should be an exciting adventure. Here are a few tips to help that adventure to start. Please refer to your 'Owners Manual' for care and maintenance tips and guidelines.

Lighting Your Oven & Stove

After turning your propane tanks on when camping, you should ALWAYS light your stove top first. This allows the main gas line to charge, & makes the rest of your appliances easier to start up/light. To light your ovens (if equipped) first open the oven door. Then turn the control to pilot, push & hold, then light the pilot light under the oven rack while continuing to hold down the oven control button down for at least one minute to pre-heat the thermo coupler. Then release & set oven to desired temperature.

If you are having trouble with the stove igniter try to give the ignition knob a quick half turn with the burner on. This will cause the igniter to spark many times and hopefully set the flame. If the stove will not light turn the propane off and try lighting the stove with a long BBQ lighter, long match or another ignition source (please remember there is a chance for over combustion if the gas is on to long).

Hot Water Tank

If your new RV, toy hauler, travel trailer or fifth wheel has the DSI option to get hot water you simply need to hit the red button marked DSI on your control board. Within approximately 30 seconds you will hear a whoosh and then a steady but quiet roar. This is your hot water heating. It will automatically go out when it reaches the max temperature that it is designed for. Your RV may also have the optional 110 volt hot water heater. If it does, there is no need to operate the DSI feature if plugged into shore power. On the same control panel there will be a switch that is marked ELEC. Simply push the switch to the on position and you will have hot water. This way takes some more time to heat up so if you need hot water in a hurry the DSI option heats up significantly faster. If your RV does not have the DSI option, go to the outside of the trailer to where your hot water tank is located and unhook the cover. Turn the button to the pilot position, push down & hold. Light the burner located towards the bottom of the tank and keep holding down the button on the pilot position for at least one minute. Make sure your main line is charged by lighting your stove top first.

If it seems that you are not getting HOT water but you know the propane is lit, check your by-pass valves to make sure the water tank is filling with water and is not by-passed. Make sure you give the water enough time to heat. Also trying to heat an empty hot water tank will burn out the element. See owner's manual for more details.

Furnace

There are a variety of thermostats to operate your furnace, please read your owner's manual. You do need to make sure your main gas line is fully pressurized for the furnace to work properly. If you have an issue with your furnace lighting, light your stove top and this will help pressurize your main gas line. See owner's manual for more details.

A/C

Air conditioners are a nice option in some trailers. You're a/c will not run on 12v power. To run the a/c you need to be plugged into 30amp or 50amp service. 30amp service can be achieved in two main ways 1. Plug into a 30amp outlet at a campsite. 2. A 3000w (minimum, depending on a/c size) generator with a 30amp plug slot. See owner's manual for more details.

Fridge

Plug your fifth wheel, toy hauler, travel trailer or RV in and turn on your fridge (keep it empty while cooling, it is more efficient and quicker) for 8hours before you leave for camping. This is manufacturer recommended.

There are a variety of fridges, please read your owner's manual. If the fridge will not light, turn the main burner on your stove top & light it. This helps to pressurize your main gas line.

Slide Outs

Make sure your unit is level, if it is not you could cause leaks, and undue stress to the slide hardware.

Most slide outs are operated with a switch located inside your trailer. Simply push the button to the out position & hold until the slide is fully extended. * NOTE - Always check to make sure that there is nothing in the way of the slide going out and especially coming in. A cupboard door or an open drawer will definitely be ruined as the slide motor is strong enough to crush, or tear off the door or drawer. Most trailers also have an emergency override to manually crank in the slide in case your electric slide becomes disabled. Refer to your owner's manual for the location of the crank. If your trailer has multiple slides and switches DO NOT push more than one at a time. See owner's manual for more details.

Holding Tanks

There are three holding tanks on your Rv, BLACK WATER (sewage), GREY WATER (sink and tub water), and FRESH WATER (cooking and drinking water).

To keep your holding tanks operating, and trouble free you should use 1 full package of T-5 chemical in the black tanks, and a half a package of t-5 in the grey water tank. This helps keep the odor down and also breaks down any solid matter in the tank. Letting your tanks get to the full reading on your monitor panel will also help keep bits of waste from sticking to the diodes in the tank that send the panel the readings. If your tank is not full, fill them up with fresh water; drain the rinse with fresh water once more to remove any lingering debris. You should put a few inches of water in the black tank and grey tank to start with; this will help when you empty it and will help prevent solids from building up into a mass.

When camping do not run the pump for the fresh water tank dry; once the water is gone shut the pump off.

Batteries

Batteries are one of the most important parts of you RV. Without batteries on your unit you will have no brake away switch while driving and even while plugged in you may not have power to the whole unit. Batteries arrive to the customer 75% (approx) charged. When you arrive at home with your new RV, toy hauler, travel trailer or fifth wheel, plug it in to charge the batteries fully.

Your batteries need to be maintained. This includes: charging, keeping water levels topped with double distilled water, removal before freezing, and not over charging.

A battery tender is a great tool for your battery maintenance needs. It will charge to full and turn to a storage mode at that point.

Every time you drop your battery below a 50% charge you will lose a percent of your maximum charge.

At 12.06volts you only have half your battery charge left, and if your battery is below 10.5volts your battery is dead and will need to be charged. NO appliances will run if batteries are in this state.

Tires/ Bearings

The biggest enemy to your tires is under inflation. Under inflated tires will cause extra sway in your trailer and will cause the tire to wear away excessively quick.

Direct sunlight, natural aging, and under inflation can cause side wall cracking. Tire shining products and tires parked on pavement for extended periods can leach the oils out of your tires and cause premature cracking. Keep your tires inflated, use tire covers when in direct sunlight, do not use tire shiners, and when parking for extended periods put cardboard or carpet under the tires to help prevent the oil from leaching out of the tires.

Before every trip check the torque of your wheels. Check after 25km and 50 km if a tire or wheel has been changed.

Your RV, travel trailer, fifth wheel or toy hauler should have its bearings repacked every year, OR EVERY 24,000KM. Models with "Bearing Buddies", "E-Z Lube Bearings", "Quick Lube Bearings", etc. should only receive one injection of lubrication based on manufactures specifications; DO NOT use this option if you are unsure of what you are doing, you can create a major safety issue. Some Manufacturers recommend lubricating more frequently so be sure to refer to your owners manual. Please see owner's manual for more details.

Washing/ Cleaning

Keep abrasive chemicals off of your trailer. Soap and water are best for your trailer.

A dirty trailers sealant will dry out quicker because the dirt will absorb the moisture. If you chose to use a pressure washer be careful about decals, sealant peel (while washing), and windows.

Direct water pressure on the window weep holes and window edges can cause water to be force passed the seal.

Your trailer frame and wheels are metal that when improperly cleaned will develop rust quickly. The framing is painted with environmentally friendly paint that will wear off and needs to be maintained and reapplied as needed.

Stabilizer Jacks

Your front and rear stabilizer jacks are not meant to lift your trailer. The stabilizers are for stability only while the trailer is parked.

Buckled stabilizer jacks are not a warrantable concern.

Some Models are equipped with an auto leveling system. If you activate the auto leveler make sure the front of the unit is above level, if it is not you can cause damage to the trailer and the system may have to be reset.

Leaks

It is not uncommon for the fittings in your unit to loosen up during ownership. If you do develop a leak shut all the water off and try to tighten the leaky fittings. If you see a crack in the plastic and there is a leak, place something below to catch the water so you don't cause any water damage to the surrounding wood. At this point call the Service Department for an appointment to get the issue fixed.

Roof Vents

Driving with the roof vents open can cause premature wear to the opening/ closing mechanism. This also can cause dust and water to enter the unit.

Warranty

Your RV, fifth wheel, toy hauler or travel trailer warranty repairs must be made at an authorized dealership. For warranty that applies to a specific piece of equipment outside of the one year manufacturers' warranty contact that manufacturer. Sunridge RV will not be able to facilitate the administration of these warranties.