First Time Out - Problems

[ftroop82]

We bought a 2010 1795QB, our first camper (only used twice per CW), two months ago and this was the first time out, paid $230 for complete check up by CW, prior to pickup). Truck (2006 Chevy Silverado 1500 5.3L) pulled the camper fine other than cutting my gas mileage in half (rpms around 2000 to 2300 at 65 mph in tow mode), got the the camper set up no problems, tried to light the hot water heater(suburban) and the pilot light took forever to light, finally lit and the blower cut on, sounded like a jet engine. It was close to 28 degrees so walked inside cut the furnace on(suburban) and furnace ran great. Raised the tv antenna, no stations (Wineguard w/Wingmaster). Ran to nearest Walmart near campground; bought an indoor antenna- instantly picked up 6 channels. Problems start... hot water heater jet engine shut down, I could not get the pilot light re-lit after holding the pilot button down until my finger was blue and my lighter almost ran out of butane; gave up on hot water. Around 0400 hrs, the furnace shut down and the blower would come on, but no heat, never would heat up. Threw another quilt on the bed. Next day back to walmart to pick up a electric heater. Overall, we like the camper experience other than the problems right off, just dropped the camper off at CW for repairs. I do not get good feelings about CW, but we will see......

Anybody out there have this same camper? How do you like it??

PS... Is it normal for the water pressure pump to be LOUD?

[msp2jxr]

I'm really surpised the hot water heated doesn't light itself? Most newer tailers are self igniting with the DSI . Is there a switch inside the camper to turn it on?

[ftroop82]

No switch inside TT, it's only propane.

[hankpage]

I could only find specs for a 1790qb but it showed that the DSI w/heater was optional. (Silly question .. are your propane tanks full and BOTH turned on??) Also, did you turn on the amplifier for the Wineguard antenna. (Little green or red light on RF connector)

Try burning a stove burner for a while to purge any air or moisture from the lines. JM2¢, Hank

Yes! most water pumps are loud.

[SteveC7010]

If both the hot water and the furnace would not fire up, you probably ran one of the propane tanks dry. Either turn the second tank on, or flip the valve on the regulator, depending on which you have.

Camping in 28 degree weather with the furnace running will use up propane. Were the tanks full when you started the weekend? Cold weather camping pretty much requires you to start with full tanks. With our last trailer, we always carried a spare 20# or 30# that was fairly full. Depending on what type of camping we do this coming year, we will continue to travel with at least one spare 30# bottle.

For the TV, did you turn on the amplifier? Some where in the TT, probably the bedroom is the antenna connection and a 12vdc outlet. There is a little slide switch on the panel and a red LED. Turn the switch on (LED lights) to enable the antenna system throughout the trailer. This should be how the TT is wired, and it does not matter which TV antenna connection you use as they all go through the amplifier.

Yes, the water pumps are moderately loud.

I have not seen a newer trailer in several years that does not have auto ignition and propane/110vac energy sources for the water heater. You might want the dealership to look this over and verify that you really do have a propane only, manual pilot water heater.

[ftroop82]

You are correct it is a 1790QB and both propane tanks were full and both opened all the way, we cooked dinner in the oven so the propane was working at least to the stove/oven, the amplifer (green Light ) was on.

[SteveC7010]

The control panel for the antenna system looks like this in many of the trailers. Yours may be the same or fairly similar.
http://www.keystoneforums.com/attachments/photobucket/img_23849_0_33b7cbc5c7ec47e62a57b954769b55b0.jpg

[ftroop82]

Mine looks similar but has a push button and a green light when the amplifier is on.

[hankpage]

You are correct it is a 1790QB and both propane tanks were full and both opened all the way, we cooked dinner in the oven so the propane was working at least to the stove/oven, the amplifer (green Light ) was on.

Ok, now we seem to be getting somewhere. Not sure of your level of trailer experience but you seem to have a good grasp of things so far. There should be a switch for the water heater inside the trailer that lights up when on just like the water pump switch. The main burner(jet engine) should go off when the water reaches temp but the pilot should stay lit. If the pilot lights while holding in "Pilot" button but goes out when button is released there is a problem with thermocouple .. Either not adjusted or bad. There may also be a reset switch on the W/H sealed under a black rubber circle with barely readable letters saying "RESET". Wind can also drive you crazy blowing out the pilot. It has been a long time since I had a heater like that but I do remember them being a pain at times. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress, Hank

[mhs4771]

Be carefull of some CWs. They fill both the tanks on my unit when new, but never purged the air out of them. Ran ok for a while, then there was more air than gas giving very little flame, if you could get one at all. Just something to think about.