Airstream 2008 Safari, Owner'S Manual

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CAMPING
WINTER TRAVELING
Traveling in sub-freezing temperatures will require certain precautions to protect the
plumbing system and your personal belongings from being damaged by freezing.
Whenever possible the heat should be kept on at a constant temperature. It is easier for
the furnace to keep a constant room temperature than for the trailer temperature to be
allowed to drop to 50 degrees Fahrenheit then attempt to raise it to room temperature.
The furnace on Safari models except for the 22 ft. and 23 ft, models is ducted to
provide heat to tanks and plumbing to prevent freezing.
The 22 ft. and 23 ft. models has 12-Volt heat pads installed with the fresh, gray, and
black water tanks. These pads are individually switched. This feature allows the saving
of battery power in a dry camping situation. To conserve battery power, RV antifreeze
may be used to protect the gray and black tank. Battery power will last about 3 hours
using all three heat pads.
The Bambi fresh water tank is above floor in the heated area of the trailer. The gray
holding tank is below floor, insulated and a 2” duct from the furnace supplies heat to
it. The black tank is insulated, however no heat is ducted to it. Use RV approved anti-
freeze in the black holding tank to prevent damage to it and below floor drain plumbing
if used in temperatures below the freezing point.
NOTICE
:
Drain and winterize all models if the water systems are not being used
during winter traveling. See winterizing section in this manual for instructions.
WARNING
: Always shut off the LP gas at the bottles when fueling a tow
vehicle.
Some states do not allow LPG to be turned on while moving. While traveling in these
states you must use your common sense. How cold is it? How long will it be before you
can turn the heat back on? Is the temperature dropping or raising? Remember, when
towing at 50 MPH the wind chill factor will cause the interior of the trailer to cool much
faster than a trailer that is parked.
When parked in sub-freezing temperatures make sure you keep a full supply of LP
gas and plug into a 110 volt power source whenever possible. A fully charged battery
will not last more than 8 to 10 hours if the furnace is running almost constantly and
110-volt power is not available.
Leave cabinet doors, wardrobes and bed doors partially open to allow warm air to
circulate around plumbing lines and fixtures. Insulate and/or wrap your exterior water
lines with heat tape.
EFFECTS OF PROLONGED OCCUPANCY
Your trailer was designed primarily for recreational use and short-term occupancy.
If you expect to occupy the trailer for an extended period, be prepared to deal with
condensation and the humid conditions that may be encountered. The relatively small
volume and tight compact construction of modern recreation vehicles mean that the
normal living activities of even a few occupants will lead to rapid moisture saturation
of the air contained in the trailer and the appearance of visible moisture, especially in
cold weather.
Just as moisture collects on the outside of a glass of cold water during humid weather,
moisture can condense on the inside surfaces of the trailer during cold weather when
relative humidity of the interior air is high. This condition is increased because the insu-
lated walls of a recreation vehicle are much thinner than house walls. Estimates indicate
that a family of four can vaporize up to three gallons of water daily through breathing,
cooking, bathing, and washing. Unless the water vapor is carried outside by ventilation,
or condensed by a dehumidifier, it will condense on the inside of the windows and walls
as moisture, or in cold weather as frost or ice. It may also condense out of sight within
the walls or the ceiling where it will manifest itself as warped or stained panels.