HANDY TIPS FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP

General Rules Of Thumb & Tips

If you don’t use it at home, you probably wont use it in your caravan or RV. Packing the kitchen should be fairly simple: one set of crockery & cutlery for each person and a spare or two.

Microwave safe bowls and containers with lids will be your best friend ! If there is no oven in your van then you clearly wont need any heavy baking dishes or trays. Although one tray may be handy for use with your BBQ facilities. One small and one medium saucepan is normally ample. Although most people cook outside on a BBQ as to not stink out the interior of your new van.

It is always great to have a pair of thongs/sandals for use in the amenities blocks. (you don’t want to go in there barefoot).

Before your first trip, be sure to plug in the van to ensure your batteries are at maximum charge before you leave.
If you do not have a water filter system in your van, we have found that a portable water filter jug or some fresh bottles of water are great things to take with you. Even if you have quality drinking water hose, there is still a fair chance of getting a nasty taste in your water.

Useful Utensils –

*Peeler
*Bottle opener (a necessity)
*Egg rings
*Can opener
*Steak knives
*Scissors
*Spatula
*BBQ utensils

Other Useful Items-

*Aluminum Foil
*Drinking water hose
*Annexe matting
*Cling wrap
*Sullage hose
*15 amp power lead
*Zip lock bags
*Wheel chocks & levelling blocks
*Annexe walls

Before you leave

*Pack the van
Check van and car insurance is up to date
Confirm bookings at caravan parks
Check caravan rego
Ensure all lights and ESC is operating
Check tyre pressure and torque wheel nuts to Jayco’s specifications before and after each trip.
When attaching the caravan to the car ensure: the couplings are locked, the chains are secured and the electric brakes are working.
If your van has a breakaway system, ensure this is attached to your car too.
Inside the Caravan or RV you need to check the following:

All roof hatches are closed and locked down.
All cupboards and drawers are latched closed.
All windows shut and locked.
All loose items secured.
All lights are turned off.
Fridge switched to 12V.
Fridge closed and locked securely.
Breakaway battery charged.
Slide out bed/lounges are closed/locked.

External things to check.

Gas bottles turned off.
Ensure Caravan or RV is not overloaded and does not exceed your towing limit.
Stabilizer legs up.
Roof latches locked down (pop-tops and camper trailers)
Main door shut and locked.
Lock all external doors and hatches to ensure they don’t open while travelling.
Tyres pumped up
Wheel nuts torqued to correct settings
Water tanks filled
Water hoses disconnected
Power leads disconnected.
Tow ball tightly secured.

The manufacturer of your towing vehicle has placed a rating on the vehicle which must be adhered to with regard to the weight of the unit you are towing. By becoming familiar with the specifications of your vehicle and the weight of your caravan or RV, you can avoid the hassles of having it tow poorly and also the possibility of having your insurance voided.
The Compliance plate on your Caravan or RV is stamped with several codes and numbers. This compliance plate must stay attached to the Caravan or RV and can not be altered in any way. The Manufacturer’s name will be visible as well as the month and year of manufacture.
There are 4 important weights stamped into the compliance plate and they are the:
ATM (Aggregate Trailer Mass), the GTM (Gross Trailer Mass), the Tare Mass and the Tow Ball Mass.
·· The ATM is the total weight that your Caravan or RV may be fully laden. This weight includes the tow ball mass and your personal effects. This ATM is specified by the Caravan or RV manufacturer and must not be exceeded or you may void any warranty and insurance.
·· The GTM is the total permissible mass which includes your personal effects that can be supported by the wheels. This does not include the weight that can be supported by the tow ball.
·· The Tare Mass is the unladen weight of your Caravan or RV. This is the starting weight and will not include things like fresh water, where tanks are fitted, gas bottle(s), any other after market accessories and your personal effects.
·· The Tow Ball Mass is the weight applied to the rear of the towing vehicle via the tow ball through the coupling.

Vehicle Towing Capacity
Vehicle towing capacity is something that every person planning to tow should know. Different vehicles have different towing capabilities, so make sure that you’re aware of your vehicle’s towing capacity.
Your vehicle’s towing capacity is the maximum amount of weight it can pull without damaging your car or impairing your ability to handle it. Towing too much weight can make it harder to stop your car or avoid road obstacles. It can also damage your wheel bearings, brakes, transmission, engine, and axle.
In general, the manufacturer establishes the towing capacity of a vehicle, and towing too much weight may actually void your vehicle’s warranty. Luckily, there are good sources for information about your vehicle’s towing capacity.
Most new car manufacturers include towing capacity in the owner’s manual, and this is probably your best source for this information. If you own a used car that came without a manual or if you have misplaced your owner’s manual, you can look up a manual online or contact the vehicle manufacturer for more information.
If you can’t find your manual or simply want to confirm towing capacity for your vehicle, another great resource is your vehicle’s compliance certification label. You’ll find this label some place near the driver’s door.
The compliance certification label will provide information about the maximum safe weight of your vehicle. While there are several ways to define the maximum weight, you need to know your vehicle’s gross combination weight rating. The gross
combination weight rating includes the weight of your vehicle, all passengers, typical fluids like gasoline, cargo weight, and the total weight of your trailer. In order to avoid damaging your vehicle, you need to ensure that you do not exceed the allowable gross combination weight rating for your car.
Towing requires practice. Your car will handle differently when it is pulling a load, so it’s a good idea to get a feel for the car before heading out on the road. It’s important to learn everything you can about how your vehicle tows. Now that you know the answer to the question, “How much weight can my car tow?” you’re on your way to safely towing your caravan.

Your Caravan or RV runs on both 12V & 240V power
depending on your appliance type.
240V power enters your Caravan or RV through the power inlet usually situated on the road side of your Caravan or RV.
POWER CONVERTER
You need an approved 15amp to 10amp power converter to plug any 15amp lead into a 10amp socket. The converter has a 10amp breaker on it so if the current draw is greater than that of the breaker it will simply turn off. This means that you will eliminate the chance of over loading your electrical circuit. Illegal methods of plugging 15amp leads into 10amp sockets could result in fire, loss of property and if proven you will be without insurance to cover. You will need an approved converter which can be purchased from our Spare Parts & Accessories Department.

How this works:
It has an internal unit/ battery inside your RV and a breakaway switch on the A-frame. If the RV breaks away and the switch is pulled, the unit will activate the electric brakes and stop lights automatically. An orange light
means the RV is plugged in and operating/charging and the system is working correctly.
There is a test button located on the front of the unit that can be used to test the system and check the battery charge.
Note: The breakaway battery must be charged by the towing vehicle and in NSW a monitor is required in the tow vehicle to monitor that battery.
You can check that the breakaway system works by periodically pulling the pin on the A frame when not on your car and ensuring brakes are engaged.

If your fridge is a 3-way fridge you will not hear it running. Turn it on and wait a couple of hours. Test it by placing your hand on the bottom of the freezer and you will feel it getting cold.
If your fridge is a compressor (2 way) then you will likely hear it running (unless you’re a bit bad of hearing)
It is always a good idea to turn the fridge to 240 power a day or two before you plan to leave. Some other things to check:
·· Check that it is plugged into the power point.
·· Check that you have gas in the bottles if running on gas.
·· Ensure that the Caravan or RV is level across and from length to length.

How to reverse a caravan…

·· Before putting your caravan onto the site it is important to check the
site length and ensure that you have enough room.
·· When putting your caravan onto the site ensure that you back onto
the site with the awning over the slab.
·· The easiest way to reverse park a caravan is to actually have it
turning in a wide arc, where you can see the inside corner of
the van. This allows you to keep the pad you are putting it on in
view and make adjustments to its position with more ease.
·· We recommend you do not try to park on site without another
person to be your eyes for where you can not see. The other
person will stand on the far side of the ‘van, making sure the
unseen side is not going to hit anything.
·· Before attempting to reverse you should have a marker on the
pad which tells you where you want the wheels to go. Most caravan
sites are designed for a caravan on one half and an annexe on the
other, so the wheels will go roughly in the middle of the pad.
If you know where the wheels need to be you only have to
concentrate on them and not the rest of the caravan (your spotter is
responsible for that). By following this method you are in control
of the positioning and not relying on commands from your
spotter.
·· The spotter should only ever need to call out to tell you to stop.
Once you have your marker and spotter in place, drive the caravan all
the way past the pad. Engage reverse and immediately turn the
rear of the caravan towards the pad.
·· Once you start to turn the inside wheels will come into your view,
allowing you to either increase or decrease the radius of the turn
accordingly.
·· You should aim to have the caravan turning constantly until the last ½
Metre before its final position, meaning you will only lose sight of
it for the last tiny bit of reversing (which will be in a straight line).
·· Your spotter can then tell you if you need to go any further back
on the pad.
·· Ensure that the caravan is level from front to back and side to side.
Chocks may be required. The van being level is very important as
the fridge will need to be level to work properly and you will more
comfortable sleeping on a level area.
·· Another important step is to put down the stabiliser legs in each
corner of the RV (See page 47 for further information).
·· Ensure that you put the brake on your RV prior to unhitching
your car.
·· The next step is to plug in your power, water & set up water
sullage hoses. You will then turn on the gas. Make sure you
check your RV straight after turning on the water & gas to
ensure that you do not have any leaks. When you are leaving
your RV, even for just a short time, it is recommended that you
turn the water mains and gas off.
·· Wind up your TV antenna (See page 58 for further information).
·· If you have hot water – test it after approximately 20 minutes.
(See page 64 for further information)
·· Turn your fridge on. This will take a number of hours to come
down to temperature. It is always a good idea to turn the fridge
on the day before you leave and then run with it on twelve volt
when traveling. If your fridge is a three way fridge you will not
hear it running. To check if working, check the freezer after an
hour or so and you will feel it getting colder. (See page 31 for
further information).

SECURITY
Caravanning is very exciting especially when you are all packed up with the family and off on the road. Though there are some things you should be aware of when caravanning to keep you and your belongings safe. Here are a few things to keep in
mind when you are leaving your caravan unattended. The most common items that we see reported as stolen from within our customers’ caravan or RV are fishing rods, laptops, cameras and other small items that can be easily concealed.
We know how devastating it can be to discover your caravan or RV has been broken into. But there are a few simple steps that you can take to try and deter thieves and minimise the risk of theft:
·· Fully close your windows and lock your doors whenever you leave your caravan or RV, even if it is parked on your own property.
·· Try to store your Caravan or RV in an enclosed environment, for example, a fenced-off yard or storage facility.
·· At night, try to park your caravan or RV in a well-lit, populated and secure area.
·· Never leave your car or RV running while it is unattended.
·· Ensure you remove any valuable items such as wallets, mobile phones, handbags, cameras and laptops from your
Caravan or RV before leaving it unattended.
·· If you must leave personal items in your caravan or RV, ensure that they are out of sight, or concealed in a safe or security box.
·· Don’t hide a spare set of car keys anywhere in or around your car, caravan or RV.
Or if you want to feel even safer here is a list of products that are available for purchase to help keep your RV extremely safe:
·· Buy extra door and window locks to install on the inside and outside of your Caravan or RV. This, however, is not simply enough –
you need to make sure that all of these locks are engaged every time you leave the RV unattended.
·· Install a GPS tracking device somewhere on the inside of your Caravan or RV, preferably where it is hidden (so that thieves cannot
easily dispose of it), as this will give the police a better chance of recovering your Caravan or RV should it ever be stolen.
·· Install electric alarms inside your Caravan or RV that will go off when someone tries to enter while they are activated (and who would
have reason to enter the RV without a key other than a thief?).
·· Install a wheel clamp onto one or both of your Caravan or RV’s wheels whenever it is parked. This will prevent it from being towed
away (or will severely damage the RV if someone tries it).
·· Buy coupling or hitch locks to install on the part of your Caravan or RV that hitches up to a tow vehicle. They function very similarly to
a wheel clamp in that they physically prevent the RV from being moved.
There is no magic cure-all for Caravan or RV protection, but these steps will help you to make your caravan or RV as safe as it
can be. Although these tips are useful, the most sure-fire way to protect your caravan or camper is to make sure that it is insured at all
times.

You need an approved 15amp to 10amp power converter to plug any 15amp lead into a 10amp socket. The converter has a 10amp breaker on it so if the current draw is greater than that of the breaker it will simply turn off. This means that you will eliminate the chance of over loading your electrical circuit. Illegal methods of plugging 15amp leads into 10amp sockets could result in fire, loss of property and if proven you will be without insurance to cover. You will need an approved converter which can be purchased from our Spare Parts & Accessories Department

All Air conditioners run on 240V, however many owners require the versatility
to use a portable generator when in remote locations or the commonly used
term “free camping”. Any generator used should deliver high quality, alternating
current at 50hz and can handle the compressor kicking in on demand. Given
the various models available, discuss directly with the generator supplier
confirming the power requirements for your model.
Condensation is common with most models available whether it is a roof
mounted unit or cabinet mounted unit. This is caused mainly in areas of high
humidity including the inside of your RV, warm air mixes with the colder air
discharged from the system. Here are a couple of simple tips to minimize
condensation:
1. Close all doors, windows, hatches and blinds in direct sunlight – this
minimises humid air.
2. Adjust your A/C setting to run the circulation fan on HIGH – this will increase
airflow.
Prevention is always better than a cure – therefore periodic maintenance is
required to get the most out of your A/C system. The most common is filter
cleaning or replacement. This is normally a simple process- please refer to your
systems owners manual for recommendations and requirements. The majority
of systems generally require a monthly clean or at least based around using
your RV.
TIP: It’s a good idea to clean after a trip to minimise air borne particles. This will
help with mould and cleanliness next trip.

AERIAL –
The Wynguard antenna is a fully adjustable digital TV antenna that is mounted to the roof of your RV and is wired to the TV point inside.

SET UP – to get your TV operating you need to wind the antenna up. This is done by winding the centre handle clockwise until the antenna is vertical. You can then pull down & turn the outer ring of the antenna mount to change the direction of the antenna. This will help in picking up a better signal and therefore more channels.
TV –
Jayco RVs are wired with a TV input point on the RH/Off side of the RV. This can be used when you are in a caravan park by connecting a coax cable from the RV park supply pole into your RV, then you can connect your TV to the aerial points in your RV to set the TV reception.
You will need to re-tune your TV to receive any available channels for the area you are in.
When travelling with your TV we recommend that you remove the TV from its mount & place it face down on a bed with a pillow or blanket over it to stop it bouncing about. You can remove the TV from its mount by unscrewing the black retainer screw from the side of the mount, then lift your TV out of the mount.

The most important part of the wheel & tyres that need to be checked is the wheel nuts. Due to the different types of metals used and the pressure on the tyres when turning your RV they
can work loose over time. When Jayco Newcastle service your RV the wheel nuts will be done up to 150Nm, this is the recommended tension for the size of wheel nut and stud that is on your Jayco RV.

You need to check your wheel nuts before every trip and throughout your trip. Ensure that you do not overtighten them. We recommend use of a torque wrench.

Most RVs have fresh water tanks mounted under the RV. Some RVs can have up to 3 tanks. All of your tanks will have to be filled separately. You can fill your tanks by placing a garden hose in the filler tubes located inside the water door on the driver’s or off side of you RV, then turn the tap on about 1/3 of the way, the tanks are full when you get water flowing
back out of the breather tube which is located about the filler tube.

NOTE: The more water you carry the heavier your RV will be; most Jayco tanks are 82lts that means 82kgs of water per tank and this will affect the way your RV tows, your fuel economy and the braking of your RV and vehicle.
RVs with more than one tank will have a selector valve located on the chassis rail of the RV (driver’s / off side) this will allow you to select what tank you draw water from; the white arrow will point to the tank you are drawing from. When that tank is empty you will need to then turn the valve to another tank to get more water.
NOTE: Again keep in mind the weight of the water in your tanks and the balance of your RV.
Depending on the type of RV you have, the water in your tanks can be accessed two ways:
1. By turning on your 12volt water pump. This will run for a short time to pressurise the plumbing system in your RV and it will then operate just like at home; turn the tap on and the water will come out. Each time you turn a tap on the pump will restart automatically to maintain pressure and then cut back out shortly after you turn the tap off.
2. Camper trailers have a manual lift pump / tap set up, so to access water you will need to pump the tap up and down to draw the water from your tank.
If you ever need to drain your water tanks, there is a screw bung cap located on the bottom of the tank “T” piece, when you unscrew this cap you will drain the tank. Each tank will need to be drained separately.