KZ Owners please look here - Newbie needs help

Hey guys, sorry it took so long to respond. Thanks for all the tips. They will definitely all be useful. I will be picking up a 30A to 50A adapter asap as well as a few other things mentioned in the thread.

The night before we went camping when I ran to walmart to get the 30-15 adapter, I also picked up one of those orange modular leveling kits. Good thing because our campsite was way unlevel! I am going to pick up 2 or 3 more of the same kit just in case as I saw a few RVs out there with stacks under every stabilizer and wheel so I want to make sure I always have enough. Luckily I had asked a friend a few days before about leveling the trailer as I thought you just used the 4 jacks. I was told the floor wouldn't support that but had forgotten to get levelers until I went to walmart late that night.

Also, here is something funny. We got to our campsite and got completely spotted, unhooked, leveled, etc and then pulled the electric line out and we were about a foot short! There was no way I was hooking everything back up and re-doing it all just to move a foot so I ran to walmart again and picked up a 30A extension cord. I figured I'll need it in the future as well.

We definitely have a list of things to bring in the future but here are a few questions I had:

Water heater - I couldn't remember the exact sequence but there is an on/off switch outside the trailer on the wh panel. I flipped that to on which I think filled up the heater. Then after I figured it had filled I went to the bathroom and clicked on the water heather electric button. Everything worked out but I want to make sure I did that correctly for the future so I don't burn up an element. Was this correct? Also, does the water heater have a pilot light for running on gas or does it work automatically when I flip the switch to gas inside?
There are three drain valves under the RV. One up near the tongue which is blue. I am assuming this one is for the freshwater tank. There are also two more in the backvery close to one another. One is blue and one is red. Does the red one drain the hot water heater? What does that blue one drain?
The reason I ask is as I was driving home I realized that I had not drained the water heater so when I got hom I opened the red valve but nothing came out. So, how do I drain the hot water heater?

Finally, do you do anything once you've drained the grey/black water tanks? Here is what I did. Please let me know if I should have done something different. I first drained the black water tank completely. Then I ran the waterhose inside and used one of those long pvc toilet nozzles to really spray out the tank good (did this with the valve open to continuosly drain). After I figured that was good, I closed the blackwater tank and drained the grey water. Put the hose away, etc. After that, I put a little water in the black water tank and threw in one of those chemical packets. (I don't know if that was necessary but wanted to be safe). Then leave a little water in the toilet bowl. Sound good or no?

Finally, when hooked up to sewer at and campground do you leave the valves open so everything continuously drains or just open periodically? We left them closed and drained when needed is why I ask...


Thanks!

pennysmom09 wrote:
Our RV, shown in signature, has an on/off switch for the battery. Like you, we were overloaded with info during the PDI...remembered very little. We camped 5 miles from home first....good thing. We didn't realize about the on/off switch until we went to use it and the battery was dead dead dead! We took the battery home, bought a charger and it took a long time to recharge it, it was discharging?? Anyway, I suspect there was some damage, but we've been fine now and are constantly reminding each other to shut it off when stored.

As for running things at our house. We don't run the AC, it just kept tripping the breaker. We thought we had used the right extension cord and adapter, but the AC tripped it anyway. We run the frig, that's about all. Our frig cools off in just a few hours, then we can just run it on gas once we take off. Our driveway is very level, so no worries for the frig.

Enjoy your KZ...we love ours, just want a bigger one now! (of course) I envy folks who get it right the first time.

I don't think I know but one person who got it right the first time. the other guy complains but won't break down and get a new one. It took us three of them. Third time is a charm!

cbump wrote:
Btw, I opened up the starter kit today that came with it and it had a converter in it. This was after a trip to Walmart at 11 last night. Lol

Converter.......now that's a really nice starter kit :B
I know what you mean (adapter). The 'converter' is what takes that 110V AC power and changes (converts) it to DC power (and charges your battery)

So when at home you can use that 'adapter' to plug in so your 'converter' will keep your battery charged :B:B

Glad you got to go camping and hopefully are having a good time AND playing with ALL the stuff. Turn it ON, push the buttons, try it out.

But more importantly....HAVE FUN!!

Btw, I opened up the starter kit today that came with it and it had a converter in it. This was after a trip to Walmart at 11 last night. Lol

Hi guys. We are at the cg! I'll update and respond when I get a chance. Didn't forget about y'all!

Old-Biscuit wrote:

myredracer wrote:
We have a KZ but your questions are generic.

Your fridge won't run on 12VDC. KZ uses a standard 2-way 120VAC and propane Norcold unit. I'd prefer to have 12 VDC in ours so it we could keep it cold while travelling.

Just for clarity.......
Your 120V AC and propane fridge will NOT operate without 12V DC.
The 12V DC is for the fridge control circuit (and opens the gas valve).

Good point, thanks, I wasn't thinking about that part of it.

We're ones who don't like travelling with the propane turned on. Our last TT had a 3-way fridge which we miss.

myredracer wrote:
We have a KZ but your questions are generic.

Your fridge won't run on 12VDC. KZ uses a standard 2-way 120VAC and propane Norcold unit. I'd prefer to have 12 VDC in ours so it we could keep it cold while travelling.

Just for clarity.......
Your 120V AC and propane fridge will NOT operate without 12V DC.
The 12V DC is for the fridge control circuit (and opens the gas valve).
It is needed whether you are using the 120V AC heating element or the gas heating source.

And you CAN keep the fridge cold while traveling by using the propane while in transit.
Turn fridge ON place in 'auto' mode. When you hook up to AC power source it will operate electric heating. When you disconnect AC power source fridge will automatically swap to gas heating which can be used while traveling.....the RV battery will supply the needed 12V DC

We have a KZ but your questions are generic.

Your fridge won't run on 12VDC. KZ uses a standard 2-way 120VAC and propane Norcold unit. I'd prefer to have 12 VDC in ours so it we could keep it cold while travelling.

According to the KZ website, you should have a 30 amp service (50 not offered as an option). As said, just get a 30 to 15 amp adapter to allow you to keep the battery charged up at home. You won't be able to run much on 15 amps so keep that in mind when at home. Getting a 30 up to 50 amp adapter is a good idea to carry with you. You may run across a site that only has 50 amps. Sometimes 30's in a pedestal are really worn and tired and a problem waiting to happen and if they have a 50 amp recept. on it, they are often in better shape because they get less use.

Tip on shore power cords and adapters - always shut the power off at the pedestal or your breaker at home before plugging in, then energize.

You should have been given a set of manuals with your KZ. Take some time to read through them.

The best way to learn what to do is just go camping.... If you're stuck on something at a CG there's always somebody around that will help out. And there's the RV forums that can help if you have access to the internet. If you have a major problem on the road, you should have gotten a Coach-Net emergency service package.

We have a 2013 KZ and are upgrading to a 2014. Just came off the line (woohoo) and should be here in a few days if Mother Nature will just back off. One of the best things about KZ is their outstanding dealer service so if you have any issues while out camping, just call them.

For RV-ing, the internet will always be your best friend. There's no end of useful information out there. There's also all the RV accessories available online from places like CW, Tweetys, PPL Motorhomes, etc., etc. Get yourself a catalogue from one of them and it will keep you entertained and lusting for hours and hours.

Enjoy! :)

also...you made an excellent choice in purchasing a KZ product.

If your TT service line will not reach your house outlet you will need a HEAVY duty extension cord in addition to the converter plug.