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Maintenance

8-6

2023 Caravel

wear. Severe underinflation brings about an increased 

risk of tread separation, handling difficulties, and 

possible tire failure, caused by overheating.
When minimum inflation pressure requirements are not 

met, tire durability and optimum operating conditions 

are compromised. Tire inflation pressure should always 

meet the guidelines for vehicle weight.
Observe the following:

• 

It may be necessary to inflate your tires at a truck 

stop or truck service center in order to achieve 

adequate air pressure for your trailer’s needs. 

• 

Only permanent air seal metal valve caps should be 

used.

• 

Be safe - if a tire has been run in a 20% underinflated 

condition, it must be dismounted and inspected by a 

trained professional. It should not be aired up without 

a full inspection or without using a safety cage. Use 

a calibrated gauge. If your tire is rated for higher 

inflation pressures, a special gauge will be required 

designed for larger tires. 

• 

Do not bleed air from warm tires to reduce pressure 

buildup. 

• 

Do not inflate tires to cold PSI rating beyond rim 

specifications.

How Overloading Affects Your Tires

Tire pressure is what enables your trailer tire to 

support loads, thus, overloading can have serious 

consequences. Too much weight can cause stress 

on the suspension system components, brake failure,  

handling and steering problems, irregular tire wear, 

and possible tire failure. If you discover that your tires 

cannot handle the load, lighten the weight of the load 

on your tires.

Weighing Your Trailer Or Towed Vehicle

Since a trailer or towed vehicle adds to the load on the 

tires, it is crucial to properly weigh towed vehicles; 

see 

Loading on page 7-3

 and 

see Weighing Your Trailer 

on page 7-4

Tire Care

The most important function of tires are to provide 

traction while moving, and grip when steering or 

stopping. The tires on your trailer are designed for 

highway use and must be properly maintained in order 

to maximize tire life, as well to provide a safe mode of 

transportation.

Tire Care Tips

To reduce the risk of tire failure, we strongly 

recommend the following: 

1� 

Check the pressure in your tires, including your 

spare, at least monthly when the tires are cool 

(after the vehicle has stopped three hours and then 

driven less than one mile). Do not reduce pressure 

when tires are hot. Use a tire gauge to check 

pressure and maintain it at the recommended level. 

2� 

Never overload your tires. Heed the maximum 

load-carrying capability of your tires.

3� 

Check your tires frequently for scrapes, bulges, 

separations, cuts, or snags resulting from use. See 

your tire dealer immediately if any such condition is 

discovered.

4� 

Never operate your vehicle in excess of lawful 

speeds or the maximum speeds justified by driving 

conditions, or in excess of speeds recommended 

for the tires you are using. 

5� 

Make every effort to avoid running over objects 

that may damage the tire through impact or cutting, 

such as chuck holes, glass, metal, etc. 

6� 

Never drive on smooth tires. Tires should be 

removed when 2/32 in. of tread depth remains. In 

most states it is illegal to drive with less than 2/32 

in. remaining tread depth.

7� 

Park out of the sun whenever possible when in 

warm climates. In desert regions, use tire covers to 

prevent ultra violet light deterioration to tires. 

Tire Inspection and Storage

Before taking your trailer on a trip or when removing 

it from an extended storage period, make it a practice 

to inspect the overall condition of your tires. Check for 

any type of condition or damage that might result in 

failure. A thorough check should include both inside 

and outside sidewalls, tread area and the condition 

of hardware such as valve stems, valve caps, and 

wheels. The tread should be checked for any unusual 

wear, cracking, penetrations and/or cuts. An uneven 

wear pattern can indicate misalignment or worn 

suspension parts.
Since many RVs are used seasonally and sometimes 

stored for extended times, it is possible that tires will 

take many years to wear out. Tires, as any rubber 

product, will age over time. If tires show cracking 

in the sidewall or tread surfaces that are more than 

2/32 in. deep, they should be replaced before your 

next trip or vacation. Store your RV in a cool dry area 

Summary of Contents for Caravel 2023

Page 1: ...2 0 2 3 C A R A V E L O w n e r s M a n u a l SCAN ME...

Page 2: ...ons and specifications contained in this manual are based on the latest product information available at the time of publication approval If and when new materials and production techniques are develo...

Page 3: ...Electrical 5 7 Entertainment Systems 5 12 Appliances 5 13 EXTERIOR 6 1 Cleaning 6 2 General Information and Operation 6 3 TOWING 7 1 Tow Vehicle 7 2 Brakes 7 2 Loading 7 3 Hitching Up 7 4 Towing Tips...

Page 4: ...2023 Caravel NOTES NOTES...

Page 5: ...packet included with this manual to be more detailed All information illustrations and specifications contained in this manual are based on the latest product information available at the time of pub...

Page 6: ...2023 Caravel 1 2 Introduction NOTES NOTES...

Page 7: ...2 Chemical Sensitivity 2 2 Formaldehyde 2 3 Ventilation 2 3 Do Not Smoke 2 3 Medical Advice 2 3 ALARMS AND DETECTORS 2 3 Smoke Alarm 2 3 Liquid Propane Gas LPG Carbon Monoxide CO Detector 2 4 Low Vol...

Page 8: ...bility of your vehicle see Tire Care on page 8 6 Also be sure to read the Tire Safety Manual Addendum included with your owner s packet Appliances and Equipment The appliances stove and equipment hot...

Page 9: ...to proper ventilation of your trailer please do not hesitate to contact your dealer or Airstream Ventilation To reduce or lessen exposure to chemicals from off gassing it is of utmost importance that...

Page 10: ...gerous levels of LPG NOTE If the low voltage warning sounds the detector will need to be reset by disconnecting the battery before normal operation will occur Detector Test If the Silence Test button...

Page 11: ...gas at the sensor Important Safety Precautions Carbon Monoxide is produced by the incomplete combustion of fuels such as wood charcoal coal heating oil paraffin gasoline natural gas propane butane et...

Page 12: ...a or calling for assistance Also young children and pets may be the first to be affected WARNING Test units used in RVs after the vehicle has been in storage before each trip and once a week while in...

Page 13: ...4 Normal Wear 3 4 Accident 3 4 Abuse 3 5 Chemical Gassing 3 5 Exposure 3 5 Overload 3 5 SERVICE 3 5 Reporting Safety Defects 3 6 CAMPING 3 6 Suggested Pre Travel Check List 3 6 Interior 3 6 Exterior...

Page 14: ...air remedy and the back up remedy must both be exhausted and these remedies must fail to fulfill their essential purpose before you can seek other legal or equitable remedies for breach Limited Warran...

Page 15: ...pairs in a timely manner Failure to use reasonable efforts to mitigate damage caused by defects Failure of this express warranty or for breach of any implied warranty This limited warranty is not a wa...

Page 16: ...ibility upon acceptance of delivery unless Airstream is notified and the person making the delivery verifies the damage Glass breakage whether obviously struck or mysterious is always accidental and c...

Page 17: ...d that can be safely transported depending upon speed and road conditions and reasonable cause to believe these factors have been exceeded could void the Airstream warranty For additional information...

Page 18: ...r stack securely all loose hard and sharp objects 7 Fasten sliding and foldette doors 8 Drain toilet bowl 9 Turn off interior lights 10 Lower wall mounted tables to be even with dinette seats Place Pe...

Page 19: ...for the night your Airstream is built to be safely parked in any spot that is relatively level and where the ground his firm Your facilities are with you You are self contained Unless the tow vehicle...

Page 20: ...f you expect to occupy the trailer for an extended period be prepared to deal with condensation and the humid conditions that may be encountered Moisture can condense on the inside surfaces of the tra...

Page 21: ...tural materials such as wood products and fabrics Protect your investment by understanding the potential risks that mold imposes Contributing Factors To Mold Growth For mold growth to occur temperatur...

Page 22: ...and put approximately five gallons of water in the sewage holding tank using the black tank flush inlet This will spray the interior of the tank with water and help prevent solids from building up in...

Page 23: ...or of the trailer to cool much faster than a trailer that is parked 1 When parked in sub freezing temperatures make sure to keep a full supply of LPG and plug into an external AC power source whenever...

Page 24: ...2023 Caravel 3 12 General Information NOTES NOTES...

Page 25: ...LANS AND SPECIFICATIONS SPECIFICATIONS Section 4 Section 4 FLOOR PLANS 4 2 16RB Caravel 4 2 19CB Caravel 4 2 20FB Caravel 4 2 22FB Caravel 4 2 SPECIFICATIONS 4 3 Specification Chart 4 3 Specification...

Page 26: ...Floor Plans And Specifications 4 2 2023 Caravel Floor Plans 16RB Caravel 19CB Caravel 20FB Caravel 22FB Caravel...

Page 27: ...aluminum wheels ft lbs 110 110 110 110 Lug nut torque Max steel wheel spare ft lbs 100 100 100 100 Tire size ST225 75R15 Tire Max cold inflation pressure psi 80 Tire Max load rating lbs 2830 The term...

Page 28: ...s built with its options Located on the front roadside of your trailer are the Tire and Loading and Vehicle Manufacturing tags The Tire and Loading information tag lists the Size and Cold Inflation Pr...

Page 29: ...Biological Chemicals 5 6 Faucets 5 7 Galley Faucet 5 7 Lavatory Faucet 5 7 Faucet Cleaning and Care 5 7 ELECTRICAL 5 7 Battery 12 Volt System Information 5 7 Battery Disconnect Switch 5 8 Inverter 5 8...

Page 30: ...sor 5 14 Cleaning Instructions 5 14 Exhaust Vent 5 15 Operation 5 15 Cleaning Instructions 5 15 Fuse 5 15 Furnace 5 15 Ducted Roof System 5 15 Microwave Ovens 5 15 Monitor Panel 5 16 To Read a Water o...

Page 31: ...not use abrasive cleaners or utensils on the aluminum skin as it is coated with a clear coat that could be damaged Airstream recommends using Pledge All Purpose Cleaner to clean interior surfaces incl...

Page 32: ...by the switch at the entry door Some light fixtures may have a push button switch located on the fixture Gently squeezing the lens in the middle and pulling down will remove the lens The bed and loun...

Page 33: ...ayers of lighter clothing will usually keep you warmer are more versatile and are easier to store WARNING Keep flammable material away from the furnace Plumbing Water System Self Contained Fill the wa...

Page 34: ...a few times and depressing the foot pedal Drain and Waste System Your trailer has a drain and waste system that includes waste holding tanks made from corrosion free molded plastic with trouble free d...

Page 35: ...the converter and then to the rest of the trailer Open the decorative door on the front of the converter to access the panel and its fuses For more information see Electrical Diagrams on page 8 17 If...

Page 36: ...n the tow vehicle from the tow vehicle alternator through the 7 way cord This charge will flow to the batteries regardless of the battery disconnect switch position Likewise if ON or OFF the solar pan...

Page 37: ...ervice Although the converter is an excellent battery charger the converter does not require a battery to be connected to it for proper operation NOTE When installing a battery s always observe polari...

Page 38: ...lectrical System City Power When your trailer is hooked up to external AC power the converter system automatically charges the trailer batteries regardless of the battery disconnect switch position an...

Page 39: ...oreline outlet NOTE When operating with city power make very certain that the service is 120 volt and not 240 volt To operate self contained simply disconnect the power supply cable Ground Fault Circu...

Page 40: ...tion or visit www Airstream com to use our dealer locator Entertainment Systems TV and Sound System Your Airstream comes with an LED HDTV and a radio with built in Bluetooth Please refer to the docume...

Page 41: ...ature reaches the set temperature and then shut off NOTE Review the air conditioning literature supplied in your owner s packet before proceeding NOTE It is recommended to clean filters Weekly when A...

Page 42: ...screen with soap and water solution dab dry with a soft cloth and reinstall CAUTION This product has been manufactured using prime UV stabilized Polymers for maximum toughness and durability However t...

Page 43: ...re the fuse in the holder Furnace The manufacturer of the furnace in your trailer has been well known in the RV industry for many years The furnace burns LP gas and is powered by 12 volt current from...

Page 44: ...d forth between two values 3 If another button is pressed before the 5 second time is up for the BATT button the display will immediately switch to show the value for the new button The 5 second time...

Page 45: ...en We suggest placing a towel in the bottom of the refrigerator to catch excess moisture Now that the unit has been defrosted the interior can be cleaned with a non abrasive cleaner Do not use Brillo...

Page 46: ...he ON OFF button to exit system set up This will remove any error code reset the system and allow you to re program the thermostat Water Heater The Caravel is equipped with a continuous water heater f...

Page 47: ...te This process could take up to 60 seconds to register WARNING The water heater has built in FREEZE PROTECTION and will intermittently cycle the burner when the water temperature reaches 3 C 38 F To...

Page 48: ...2023 Caravel 5 20 Interior NOTES NOTES...

Page 49: ...rds 6 3 Stainless Steel Rock Guards 6 4 Awning 6 4 Gravity Water Fill 6 4 City Water Hookup 6 4 Exterior Shower 6 5 Shoreline Power Supply 6 5 120 Volt Outlet and TV Satellite Inlets 6 5 Hitch Coupler...

Page 50: ...ing that cannot be removed by normal washing procedures Airstream recommends using DX 330 Acryli Clean made by PPG Industries Follow all directions and warnings on the product container Acryli Clean s...

Page 51: ...ependently by releasing the slide bolt and swinging the screen door away from the main door CAUTION Always reattach the screen door to the main door prior to closing the main door otherwise damage may...

Page 52: ...ter tank by inserting a high pressure RV Marine FDA approved drinking water hose of at least in diameter made from material that is tasteless odorless and non toxic It s a good idea to let the water r...

Page 53: ...receptacle is located on the curbside of the travel trailer and is labeled for your convenience The trailer must be plugged into a shoreline power supply for the outlet to operate The TV satellite inl...

Page 54: ...es automatically shut off the motor The jack is wired directly to the battery and has an spade fuse located in the battery box between the battery and the power head For fuse information and part numb...

Page 55: ...letely unnoticed If however an appliance is left on or there is a leak or open flow in the system the bypass pressure will not be able to equalize and allow the flow limiting device to re open Symptom...

Page 56: ...the tanks in position on the A frame and tank cross member so that it rests on the upper collar of both tanks with the collar rims engaged in the grooves on the underside of the bracket If your traile...

Page 57: ...ithin a vehicle LPG tanks are equipped with safety devices that vent gas should the pressure become excessive WARNING Do not use cooking appliances for comfort heating Cooking appliances need fresh ai...

Page 58: ...2023 Caravel 6 10 Exterior NOTES NOTES...

Page 59: ...ualizing Hitch Load Distribution 7 5 Wireless Observation System 7 5 TOWING TIPS AND INFORMATION 7 5 Tracking Observation 7 5 General Information 7 5 Cooling System Overload 7 6 Downhill and Non level...

Page 60: ...ad you must pull Consolidate items in shelves lockers and in the refrigerator It is better to have one full and one empty locker than two half empty ones Special care must be taken not to overload the...

Page 61: ...ic scales Weigh each axle of your vehicle Refer to your axle weight and tire limits to see if you are within a safe range see Specification Tags on page 4 4 Total all axle weights ensuring you are bel...

Page 62: ...hroom scales on the ground in line with the trailer hitch jack as shown It should be so spaced that a short piece of pipe or other round piece will lay exactly one foot from the centerline of the jack...

Page 63: ...ll allow you to see what is behind you while towing and provide visibility when backing up the trailer NOTE Carefully read and understand all manufacturer s instructions provided in your owner s packe...

Page 64: ...he trailer brakes only This will bring the tow vehicle and trailer back into a single line Chains do not help trailer wheels Off Road Towing When driving in mud and sand let the momentum carry the rig...

Page 65: ...when stopping on a hill or slope Leaving your tow vehicle in gear is not enough for standstill safety Do not use trailer brakes as parking brakes Controlling Sway or Fishtailing Sway or fishtailing is...

Page 66: ...heel as straight as possible until stability is regained 3 Do not jam on the brakes or attempt to press on the accelerator to speed your way out of the fishtailing Both actions make the situation wors...

Page 67: ...Drums Bearings 8 8 Nev R Lube Bearing Inspection 8 8 Brakes 8 9 POWER JACK 8 9 Replacing Power Head 8 9 Power Jack Maintenance 8 9 Breakaway Switch 8 9 BATTERY 8 10 Battery Amp Draw and Testing 8 10...

Page 68: ...uminum wheels to 110 ft lbs Steel wheels to 100 ft lbs Breakaway Switch Pull pin and lubricate with household oil see Breakaway Switch on page 8 9 7 Way Plug Spray with contact cleaner Every 5 000 mil...

Page 69: ...placement fixture will be required Interior 12 Volt Lighting LED Shower Light PN 513961 LED Light w Switch PN 513707 LED Light with switch Double PN 513706 LED Swivel Overhead Light PN 513673 NOTE Mos...

Page 70: ...ge Hood PN 512210 100 Touch up Caulking Caulk Seamfil White PN 360301 02 Caulk Seamfil Autumn PN 360301 20 Fil Stik Black PN 28431W 01 Fil Stik Grey PN 28431W 02 Fil Stik White PN 28431W 03 Fil Stik L...

Page 71: ...when reinstalling If the aluminum forged wheel is to be mounted on a different drum it is important to sand all loose corrosion from the mating surfaces WARNING Wheel separation can occur 1 On first t...

Page 72: ...Tire Care Tips To reduce the risk of tire failure we strongly recommend the following 1 Check the pressure in your tires including your spare at least monthly when the tires are cool after the vehicl...

Page 73: ...s lbs and tire pressure in pounds per square inch psi on your original equipment tires Choose a tire with equal load ratings For tire size inflation and load specifications see Specifications on page...

Page 74: ...arrier is a 1 in tube protruding out from under the front A frame on the curbside It is secured by a bracket and bolt along the inside of the A frame rail Removing the bolts allows the front on the ti...

Page 75: ...ch year for corrosion Clean with a solution of baking soda and water and then apply a thin coat of grease The motor ground screw and mounting bolts must be cleaned too if a ground continuity problem o...

Page 76: ...tery Cleaning Battery maintenance is an important issue Maintain a clean battery top and check terminals and cables for tightness and cleanliness A dirty battery will dissipate its charge through surf...

Page 77: ...model however it may be helpful to know how to locate them should this information become outdated due to a change mid production To locate internal low point drain valves 1 Look for a water line usu...

Page 78: ...nk pan described above Be sure to watch closely and turn the pump off when the tank runs dry Pump damage can occur if the pump runs dry for more than a few minutes Sanitizing Potable water systems req...

Page 79: ...Dumping When you are in a park and connected to a sewer outlet keep the main holding tank dump valve closed and empty the tank every few days or whenever it becomes almost full Only by sending a large...

Page 80: ...heater and the water storage tank Instructions for draining the water system are explained in the following paragraphs on winterizing The main consideration in winterizing your trailer is to guard aga...

Page 81: ...es and showerheads that were disconnected in the previous steps 2 Close all the drain valves 3 Open the sink and shower drains if they are closed 4 Open all the faucets including the showerhead faucet...

Page 82: ...on the door Main door has come open at some point introducing a change to the contour of the door frame check for sheared rivets on interior skin of door When using the stabilizers for eliminating mo...

Page 83: ...Electrical Diagrams The following electrical diagrams are representative of the National Electric Code NEC and Canadian Standards Association CSA All circuits are NEC with the exception of CSA circui...

Page 84: ...om Receptacle CSA 1 0 Amps E HDMI Receptacle 1 0 Amps E HDMI Receptacle CSA 1 5 Amps Circuit 3 15 Amp GFCI F Microwave 12 0 Amps Circuit 4 15 Amp GFCI H Outside Receptacle 1 5 Amps H Outside Receptacl...

Page 85: ...Above Refrigerator Receptacle CSA 1 0 Amps G TV Receptacle 1 5 Amps G TV Receptacle CSA 1 0 Amps H HDMI Receptacle 1 5 Amps H HDMI Receptacle CSA 1 0 Amps Circuit 5 15 Amp GFCI J Bathroom Receptacle...

Page 86: ...F Inverter Receptacle 0 0 Amps G HDMI Receptacle 1 5 Amps G HDMI Receptacle CSA 1 0 Amps H TV Receptacle 1 5 Amps H TV Receptacle CSA 1 0 Amps Circuit 5 15 Amp GFCI J Dinette Receptacle 1 5 Amps J Din...

Page 87: ...mps F Dinette Receptacle 1 5 Amps F Dinette Receptacle CSA 1 0 Amps G HDMI Receptacle 1 5 Amps G HDMI Receptacle CSA 1 0 Amps H TV Receptacle 1 5 Amps H TV Receptacle CSA 1 0 Amps Circuit 5 15 Amp GFC...

Page 88: ...Maintenance 8 22 2023 Caravel Standard 30 Amp Circuit Breaker Layout Breaker label content may vary...

Page 89: ...r display The best way to reach the Cat 5 cable is to remove the Seelevel Monitor The solar panel display can be mounted in the area near the Seelevel Monitor panel by routing the proper hole size The...

Page 90: ...K CONNECTIONS SHOWER FAUCET CONNECTIONS SHOWER WAND CONNECTION CROSS CAR DROPS CROSS CAR DROPS LOW POINT DRAINS TOILET CONNECTION FRESH WATER TANK ABOVE FLOOR TANK DRAIN THROUGH HOLE PROVIDED IN FLOOR...

Page 91: ...Maintenance 2023 Caravel 8 25 19CB Caravel LOW POINT DRAINS TOILET SUPPLY WATER HEATER BYPASS FRONT CITY WATER CONNECTION TANK FLUSH COLD WATER SUPPLY...

Page 92: ...Maintenance 8 26 2023 Caravel 20FB Caravel TOILET SUPPLY REAR FRONT FEED PUMP W FILTER WINTERIZATION KIT LAVY FRESH WATER TANK LAYOUT TANK FLUSH LOW POINT DRAINS...

Page 93: ...Maintenance 2023 Caravel 8 27 22FB Caravel FRESH WATER TANK PUMP FEED W FILTER BLACK TANK FLUSH OUTSIDE SHOWER TOILET CITY WATER LAVY SHOWER WATER HEATER COLD GALLEY HOT GALLEY COLD...

Page 94: ...eam Answer If your Airstream has the solar option your dealer will install AGM batteries All others will have lead acid 5 Do you recommend using a surge protector when plugged into shore power Answer...

Page 95: ...reception is poor What can I check Answer Verify your antenna booster is set to proper selection On for antenna and Off for cable You should also make sure connections are tight on your TV Appliances...

Page 96: ...s hard to open is this normal Answer Your main door is designed differently than a flat surface door The door is over bent in order to apply more pressure at the top and bottom of the door for better...

Page 97: ...ooring 5 4 Windows 6 2 Clearance Light 8 3 Condensation 3 3 3 9 Controlling Sway 2 2 7 7 Converter 5 9 Cooktop 5 14 Curtains 5 3 D Detectors 2 3 Dinette 5 4 8 18 8 19 8 20 8 21 Door Lubrication 8 16 L...

Page 98: ...Hill 7 7 When Being Passed 7 6 Sanitizing 8 12 Satellite 6 5 Service 3 5 Shoreline Power Supply 3 10 6 5 Solar Panel 5 17 Solar System 5 17 Specifications 4 3 Step 6 3 Operation 6 3 T Tanks Draining...

Page 99: ...ting campaign it s a reminder that together we can make a difference Leave it Beautiful is a call to action to pick up the litter toss it in a can and not simply step over it and pass it by Your purch...

Page 100: ...428 West Pike Street P O Box 629 Jackson Center OH 45334 0629 Phone 937 596 6111 Fax 937 596 7939 www airstream com...

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