Hey all. Last year I bought a KZ Spree bumper pull camper. 34ft, 2 slide out, electric everything. Really nice trailer. Used it for a couple months in texas, then brought it home to co and had it winterized & parked it for the winter. Going to take the family camping over the weekend of the 20th-23rd. What do I need to do to get it ready for use? I know I need to check the air psi in tires and the basics, but what about the water system, electric, etc? All advice will be appreciated and heeded!!
Thanks,
Kerry

 

I always fill with water at home cuz we like the softened water. Then I do all the pump/system priming and top off the tank so it ready to deliver water at the campsite. I got a $5 hydrometer at napa so I can make sure the batteries are capable. Operate the WH, slides, frig, AC etc to make sure you don't have any ohhsh!ts at the CG. How do you like GJ? It's on my radar for retirement. I did contract work there for ~1 year in the early 80s when it was REALLY a hick town. Sometimes I flew in from Denver and the baggage claim was the curb, out front, of the so-called terminal. I've been there since one of their booms, in about 2001 and I hear it's booming again. Have fun camping! Craig

 

Thanks for the advice!! I'll go thru everything you said. I unhooked the batteries, so hopefully they are in good shape and held a charge. I gotta get my propane bottles filled. I know they are dry. The campground we're going to is at Navajo lake down south of Pagosa Springs, we'll have full hook-ups. I'm not sure if I wanna pull the trailer with a full load of water over Red Mtn Pass.
As for living in Gj, I love it! The weather is great most of the year, winters are generally mild. Still has the small town feel that I love, but it is growing. But being spread out over a 40 mile long and 40 mile wide valley keeps it nice. Moab is only 90 miles away, Denver & Salt Lake are 3.4 to 4 hours, Vegas is only 7 hours. Great place to live and raise a family.
Must be a great place to retire too, we have lots of blue hairs and several really nice retirement communities. 3 or 4 golf courses too.

 

The most important thing in a trailer is the water supply you drink, you can fix everything else but not if you are sick from drinking bad water. As you are asking this question I suspect you don't know the trailer very well yet. My advice would be to take it back where you had it winterized and have them "un-winterize it". There are different ways to winterize a trailer water system, and if RV antifreeze was used in the potable water system it must be thoroughly flushed clean, I only use RV antifreeze in the drains never in the potable water which I blow out with compressed air then take the sediment bowl off the pump and drain it too. The toilet flush valve must be completely free of water and it can take awhile until it is. I always remove the drain plug from the water heater and only install it after sanitizing the water system in the spring. The water heater by pass will allow you to sanitize the hot and cold without getting bleach into the water heater.

By having the Rv place return the trailer to a useable state you can start off fresh in the fall and winterize it the way you want to and is easiest to start up again.

 

Good sound advice from both of you guys. Thank you. I'll be calling the dealer and getting with them for sure, and going over the other stuff myself too. Thanks guys

 

All good advice.
We use bottled water for drinking and making coffee etc when we dry camp. Mostly bottled when we have hookups for drinking.
I clean and re grease everything, hitch, sway etc.
We don't have to winterize much in this part of California.
Even if we are going to full hook ups I keep some water in the tank.
We too like the soft water from home. Good to replace water filter, been in some campgrounds with less than good water.
Work your slides and awning before you take off. I had a awning problem one year, surprise.
I keep a log in the trailer for things missing, wanted or broken.
It usually goes well for us but I have a nice tool chest for back up parts and fuses.

 

Here's my checklist:

Every trip:
1. Lug nut torque (once bitten twice shy).
2. Tire psi and condition, valve stem condition (if rubber replace with metal valve stems, again-once bitten....).
3. Battery fully charged. Gas for generator (if applicable).
4. Water topped off (unless for just a weekend, then 1/2 tank will do).
5. Propane levels, at least one full tank.
6. Close all vents, windows, lock medicine cabinet, fridge door closed all the way, stairs up, jacks stowed, inside storage compartments closed, outside storage locked. Cord for shore power rolled up and stowed.
7. Check wheel hub temp when you stop after long highway jaunts. Warmer then usual hubs could mean a bad bearing or grease.

Additionally, when bringing out of hibernation for the year:
1. Make sure the battery levels are topped off, also do this at least seasonally (every three months) throughout the year.
2. Fresh grease on the hitch, equalizer, etc. Do this again during the year as needed.
3. Close all faucets (I leave them open during the winter, have had them freeze and pop) and fresh water drains. Flush antifreeze (I blow mine out with air instead) and replace with clean water. Turn on the pump and check for leaks.
4. Make sure the water heater drain plug is installed, and fill the water heater tank with the pump. Check for leaks.
5. Spare tire psi (also check once or twice throughout the camping season).
6. Remove AC cover if applicable.
7. Deploy awning, get it dried out or it will mold. Try to deploy it every time you go camping to dry it out.

...I'm sure I forgot something.

 

More good ideas, thank you. I'm looking forward to getting home from work and getting everything squared away before we go camping.
On a side note, how do you like that Ranch hand Legend bumper Nick? I have one also, The legend bullnose

 

Thanks SOhappy, going to add lug nuts to my check list.
Part of the reason I did a check list, I keep a laminated copy in the truck, was in case someone else ever had to hook up my rig.
My Uncle had a medical emergency one year and I had to go and pick up his rig, he had a check list! Made my job much easier and he was more comfortable.

Kerry, love the Legend. Although it makes it a little longer for parking. Cows run when they see me coming now! LOL Haven't come close to hitting any deer since I put it on.

 

You are sooooo right.
Recently, and for the first time, I had a tire come apart on me. I packed my bearings like normal before a trip but decided to wait on the new rubber until after my trip.
Procrastinating bit me.
Luckily, I was close enough to my Sisters place in OR that I was able to park at her place to visit, use her stands to take all the tires off,
buy new tires and get them mounted and balanced on my terms.
If it had happened later (like in the middle of Portland or Seattle or the boonies it would have cost a lot more, I would have had to take what I could get and it would have been a real pain.
I will never take another trip with questionable rubber or bearings again.
Spend a little now or spend a lot later.

 

Hey all, just thought I'd drop an update. First camping trip went great! I used everyones advice on getting the trailer ready and had no problems. Family had a great time. We ran Hwy 50 & 550 over Red Mtn pass to Durango, Co, then On down to Navajo lake near Arboles Co. Truck ran great, pulled like a freaking train!!! My wife couldn't believe that we could actually pass people pulling that trailer!!!
I took several pics, I'm going to start a second thread here in a bit with some camping pics.
Thanks again everyone!!!

 

That's great. Best kind of trip, no issues.
Yeah, We love the power too. My rig is only 25', like it is not even back there sometimes.
I hated getting passed by slow semis when I was pulling with a gasser. I liked passing cars on Wolf Creek Pass!

 

Ya’ll are both wrong the best feature on these trucks is the exhaust brake, so you are not passing everything on the way down the pass with smoke behind you and your wife screaming.

 

I love my exhaust brake, use it all the time.
The OP was asking what to do to get his trailer ready for the season after being winterized.

 

yes I know but I only open my mouth so I can change feet the above all good advice . Just got to thinking about someIi have seen coming down the two passes and could not help myself