Depending on how the trailer is loaded, the trailer might tow better either with a full or empty tank of water. See Section 6.5 (Packing the Trailer and Tow Vehicle) for details.
Use a hose to load water through the fresh water tank fill. While filling the water, air escapes through a small vent hole above the fill opening. Stop filling when the water begins to overflow the fill inlet, and replace the cap. See Figure 5a.
Water may also be supplied to the trailer via the “city water” connection. (Figure 5b) This water supply does not go to the fresh water tank, but it does go to the hot water heater and the faucets.
If a hot water heater is installed, fill the fresh water tank, then turn on the water pump to move water from the fresh water tank into the hot water heater. After some time, the water pump will stop, indicating that the hot water tank also has water. If the hot water heater is cool, then air which is trapped in the top of the hot water tank may be released by temporarily opening the hot water pressure-release valve. This can cause the water pump to resume pumping to add additional water to replace the air which was released. Only do this if the water in the hot water heater is cool. Figure 6a shows the pressure-release valve closed, which is the normal position. Figure 6b shows the valve opened to temporarily let air out.
Caution
Do not open the pressure-release valve if the water is hot, since a spray of scalding water may occur, possibly resulting in burns.
Close the pressure-release valve once water starts to come out. Turn off the water pump once it has stopped filling the hot water tank.
Air may be trapped in the water lines after water has been added to the system. Remove this air by opening each faucet while the water pump is turned on or while the trailer is connected to a shore water supply. Close the faucet once the air has been removed from each of the hot and cold sides of the water system.
Note
Turn off the water pump during travel, in case a faucet opens or a leak develops in the water system.
The batteries (one or two) are connected to the trailer with two electrical cables. The colors of these cables follow either of two standards. See Figure 7.
If the cables are red and black, then they are following the automotive standard of red/positive and black/ground. The red cable goes to the (+) battery terminal, and the black cable connects to the (–) terminal.
If the cables are white and black, then they are following the housing standard of black/hot and white/neutral. The black cable goes to the (+) battery terminal, and the white cable goes to the (–) terminal.
There will also be an additional cable which goes to the frame of the trailer, and this cable must go to the (–) terminal of the battery.
In the event that the battery is miss-wired, a fuse near the battery’s (+) terminal or else fuses inside the trailer’s converter panel will be blown and the 12 V dc system will be inoperable until the wiring is corrected and the fuses are replaced.
The trailer frame has brackets which are designed to hold one or two vented plastic battery cases, commonly available at automotive or rv supply stores. Each case must be attached to the frame brackets to prevent it from sliding, and each case with its enclosed battery must be strapped down to the frame brackets. For added security, the strap may be replaced by a locking clamp, available from mail-order sources.
The battery cases have gaps near the top where the wires are routed to go to the battery terminals. Be sure that the wires go through these gaps and are not pinched by the top of the case when the case is closed.
Warning
The battery can emit gasses which can explode if allowed to gather in a confined space, causing injury or death.
The battery should be mounted outside the trailer if possible. If the battery is mounted inside the trailer, it must be in a compartment which is vented to the outside to allow the explosive gasses to leave the trailer, sealed from the inside of the trailer, and also sealed away from any flame sources and electrical devices.
For a diagram of the lp tank connections, see Figure 15 (LP Gas System).
Place each lp (“Liquid Petroleum” or “propane”) tank upright on the bracket, turned such that each hose can connect directly to the tank nozzle. Clamp each tank down from above. Check this clamp on occasion for tightness.
Connect each hose to each lp tank using the green knob with moderate hand tightness. Do not over tighten.
Keep each lp tank’s valve in the closed position until the hose is connected and the lp tank will actually be used for heating or cooking.
Warning
Ensure that the mounting clamp is secure.
Do not mount lp tanks horizontally. The tank valve must be kept upright.
When not in use, lp tanks should be stored in a vented cabinet in an outdoor location away from any enclosed household or garage, allowing any vented gasses to escape instead of gathering in an enclosed area. LP gas is heavier than air, and it will gather in the low points of basements or crawl spaces if allowed to do so, possibly resulting in an explosion if a flame source such as a furnace pilot light is present.
Do not store lp tanks inside an enclosed household or garage, the tow vehicle, or the trailer.
Do not hook up the lp tanks if they will be left in an enclosed garage before travel. Wait until final packing is complete and you are ready to travel before hooking up the lp tanks.
If possible, use the 120 V ac power mode for the refrigerator during preheating and packing, and during travel use the 12 V dc power mode instead of the lp gas mode, allowing the lp tank valves to remain closed until you have arrived at camp.
The refrigerator cools slowly, so it should be pre-cooled for a day before loading it with food.
Be sure to close and latch the refrigerator door, then turn on the refrigerator with either lp propane or 120 V ac electric “shore” power. Do not use 12 V dc battery power since this will drain the trailer battery unless the trailer is plugged into a 120 V ac power source. The 12 V dc fridge option is not recommended even if shore power is available, since the fridge cools more efficiently with either lp propane or 120 V ac power.
Warning
Do not connect and open the lp tanks to cool the refrigerator if the trailer is stored in an enclosed garage. Any leak could cause a buildup of explosive gas. The lp power mode of the refrigerator also consumes oxygen and generates carbon dioxide and possibly carbon monoxide gasses, which could cause a deadly condition in the garage or any connected housing.
If possible, pre-cool the food before loading it into the refrigerator.
Load food loosely in the refrigerator, allowing air to circulate inside the fridge. An overly-full refrigerator will not cool evenly.
Once loaded, be sure that the door is closed and secured with its latch. With some models, it might be possible to adjust the latch for tightness.
See Figure 21 (Extra Forces On The Vehicle While Towing) for an illustration of the below discussion.
Where the cargo is positioned in the tow vehicle or trailer can be important.
When the trailer is connected to the tow vehicle, it presses down on the back end of the tow vehicle. Too much weight on the back of the tow vehicle can cause problems with steering and stability, and too little weight can cause the trailer to sway side to side as it is being pulled down the road.
It is recommended that the trailer be packed such that 10% to 15% of its own weight is on the trailer hitch. This can be accomplished by placing heavier cargo in front of the trailer’s axle. Avoid placing most of the cargo in the far back of the trailer, which can result in side to side swaying of the trailer as you drive down the road.
If the trailer is pressing down on the hitch so much that the front of the tow vehicle is pointing noticeably upwards, then cargo in the trailer may be moved somewhat further back to help take weight off of the hitch. Another possibility is to move cargo in the tow vehicle forward away from the hitch.
Water in the fresh water and hot water tanks count as cargo weight. These tanks are behind the trailer’s axle, so water added to the tanks means less weight on the trailer hitch and a greater likelihood of trailer sway.
Caution
If the trailer starts to sway side to side while being towed down the road, loss of control could occur. Move trailer cargo weight forward, or remove water from the freshwater tank.
