Getting camper ready for Spring Camping
So I am getting a used camper tomorrow (1998 Lance Squire 8000) What things do I need to do to get it ready for camping? Basically what things do you all do when getting your campers out of winter ...
Forum Discussion
I think i'm still on planet TC. One of our directives for use is to treat the water system as prescribed below.
We leave the TC battery disconnected during off-times as the drain from various government mandated sensors and alarms tend to bring the battery(s) down over time. I use a battery minder float charger to keep it up.
In our Lance, when filling the water tank for the first time after an off season, i must use the pump to fill the hot water tank. I don't like to run it too long at a time, but it finally gets the job done. Here is our personal list for getting ready to truck camp:
TRUCK CAMPER INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
12-24 HOURS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE:
1. To sanitize fresh water system, drain, close drain, prepare a solution of 1 gallon of water with ΒΌ cup bleach per 15 gallons of tank capacity into fill spout. Fill tank with fresh water. Set pump swith to on. Open each faucet and water heater relief valve until water flows evenly. Set pump switch to off. Allow solution to stand for 3 hours. Drain and flush with fresh water. Fill fresh water tank with hose using 3/8 inch adapter nozzle.
2. Plug in 120v. AC exterior cord to house current. To cool down refrigerator prior to departure select AC on refrigerator.
PREPARING FOR DEPARTURE:
1. Fill fresh water tank with hose using 3/8 inch adapter nozzle.
2. Be sure main propane valve is turned off.
3. Assuming your tanks are empty add 1 1/2 ounces of blue liquid deodorant treatment to toilet and follow with 3/4 of a gallon of water.
4. Add 1 ounce of same chemical to kitchen sink and follow with 1 quart water.
5. Close all camper windows and vents.
6. Be sure stopper in shower is closed to prevent black water back flush.
7. While traveling switch refrigerator from AC to DC on selector. If stopped for up to two hours, leave on DC. If longer, switch fridge to gas and light.
UPON ARRIVAL AT DESTINATION:
1. Level the truck camper. (Frig works less well if not on the flat)
2. Open main valve on propane tank. To pull propane through the system, try lighting the appliance farthest from the Tank first to purge the air and flow the propane.
3. Light hot water heater per instructions written in water heater cabinet. When using faucets, toilet or shower water pump switch must be on. This switch may be left on when stationary. DO NOT RUN PUMP IF FRESH WATER SUPPLY IS EMPTY.
4. If self-contained/dry camping/ boondocking (no hookups) select GAS on refrigerator selector and follow lighting instructions inside frig. If you are stopped for up to two hours, leave on DC. If longer, switch fridge to gas and light. Your batteries will not last the night on DC.
4a. If furnace is needed, move lower switch on thermostat slightly to the right and select temperature on the top of the thermostat. Furnace has ignitor and will come on automatically. If furnace is not needed be sure lower on/off switch is all the way to the left to prevent fan from cycling on.
5. When using toilet add water only with small white lever before use, then move both levers to flush. Handy toilet cleaning brush is available in cabinet!!
6. To use shower, open floor drain strainer, open upper shower vent, pull shower curtain into U shape, adjust temperature level at sink, pull center lever for shower. To save water an ON/Off switch is located on the hand held wand.
7. If hookups are available: Hook up large black cord to AC power. Adapter may or may not be needed. Select AC on refrigerator.
9. City water connection is located facing down on left side of camper. When connected to city water pump is not needed.
UPON DEPARTURE:
1.Shut propane valve on main prop tank and in the water heater cabinet.
2. Disconnect any hookups and store the umbelicals.
3. Close floor drain in bathroom. Close all vents, windows, and faucets.
4. Secure all goods inside camper for travel.
5. After starting the engine on the truck, select DC on fridge.
DUMPING INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Park camper as close as possible to black water drain hole.
2. Don latex gloves.
3. Attach large sewer hose to camper drain outlet. You may want the extension for awkward dumps.
4. Pull large knife valve to drain black water tank, allow tank to drain completely. Rinse and flush tank and drain hose through the toilet with a jug of water or if black water hose is provided at dumping station. When tank flow stops push large handle in to close valve.
5. Pull smaller handle for gray water holding tank, allow to drain completely and flush with jug of water down kitchen sink. When tank flow stops, close knife handle.
6. Remove sewer hose and replace outlet cap. Rinse out sewer hose with fresh water and remove sewer hose from dump station. Stow sewer hose.
7. Repeat chemical additives as outlined in departure instructions #3 and #4.
We leave the TC battery disconnected during off-times as the drain from various government mandated sensors and alarms tend to bring the battery(s) down over time. I use a battery minder float charger to keep it up.
In our Lance, when filling the water tank for the first time after an off season, i must use the pump to fill the hot water tank. I don't like to run it too long at a time, but it finally gets the job done. Here is our personal list for getting ready to truck camp:
TRUCK CAMPER INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
12-24 HOURS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE:
1. To sanitize fresh water system, drain, close drain, prepare a solution of 1 gallon of water with ΒΌ cup bleach per 15 gallons of tank capacity into fill spout. Fill tank with fresh water. Set pump swith to on. Open each faucet and water heater relief valve until water flows evenly. Set pump switch to off. Allow solution to stand for 3 hours. Drain and flush with fresh water. Fill fresh water tank with hose using 3/8 inch adapter nozzle.
2. Plug in 120v. AC exterior cord to house current. To cool down refrigerator prior to departure select AC on refrigerator.
PREPARING FOR DEPARTURE:
1. Fill fresh water tank with hose using 3/8 inch adapter nozzle.
2. Be sure main propane valve is turned off.
3. Assuming your tanks are empty add 1 1/2 ounces of blue liquid deodorant treatment to toilet and follow with 3/4 of a gallon of water.
4. Add 1 ounce of same chemical to kitchen sink and follow with 1 quart water.
5. Close all camper windows and vents.
6. Be sure stopper in shower is closed to prevent black water back flush.
7. While traveling switch refrigerator from AC to DC on selector. If stopped for up to two hours, leave on DC. If longer, switch fridge to gas and light.
UPON ARRIVAL AT DESTINATION:
1. Level the truck camper. (Frig works less well if not on the flat)
2. Open main valve on propane tank. To pull propane through the system, try lighting the appliance farthest from the Tank first to purge the air and flow the propane.
3. Light hot water heater per instructions written in water heater cabinet. When using faucets, toilet or shower water pump switch must be on. This switch may be left on when stationary. DO NOT RUN PUMP IF FRESH WATER SUPPLY IS EMPTY.
4. If self-contained/dry camping/ boondocking (no hookups) select GAS on refrigerator selector and follow lighting instructions inside frig. If you are stopped for up to two hours, leave on DC. If longer, switch fridge to gas and light. Your batteries will not last the night on DC.
4a. If furnace is needed, move lower switch on thermostat slightly to the right and select temperature on the top of the thermostat. Furnace has ignitor and will come on automatically. If furnace is not needed be sure lower on/off switch is all the way to the left to prevent fan from cycling on.
5. When using toilet add water only with small white lever before use, then move both levers to flush. Handy toilet cleaning brush is available in cabinet!!
6. To use shower, open floor drain strainer, open upper shower vent, pull shower curtain into U shape, adjust temperature level at sink, pull center lever for shower. To save water an ON/Off switch is located on the hand held wand.
7. If hookups are available: Hook up large black cord to AC power. Adapter may or may not be needed. Select AC on refrigerator.
9. City water connection is located facing down on left side of camper. When connected to city water pump is not needed.
UPON DEPARTURE:
1.Shut propane valve on main prop tank and in the water heater cabinet.
2. Disconnect any hookups and store the umbelicals.
3. Close floor drain in bathroom. Close all vents, windows, and faucets.
4. Secure all goods inside camper for travel.
5. After starting the engine on the truck, select DC on fridge.
DUMPING INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Park camper as close as possible to black water drain hole.
2. Don latex gloves.
3. Attach large sewer hose to camper drain outlet. You may want the extension for awkward dumps.
4. Pull large knife valve to drain black water tank, allow tank to drain completely. Rinse and flush tank and drain hose through the toilet with a jug of water or if black water hose is provided at dumping station. When tank flow stops push large handle in to close valve.
5. Pull smaller handle for gray water holding tank, allow to drain completely and flush with jug of water down kitchen sink. When tank flow stops, close knife handle.
6. Remove sewer hose and replace outlet cap. Rinse out sewer hose with fresh water and remove sewer hose from dump station. Stow sewer hose.
7. Repeat chemical additives as outlined in departure instructions #3 and #4.
