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©2022 TAXA INC. v.4.2.010122
©2022 TAXA INC. v.4.2.010122
SITE SELECTION
With time and experience, you will get better
at spotting and identifying good camping sites.
Although they will vary to some degree, all good
sites will be close to level and have a firm, not soft,
ground that will support the weight of jacks and/or
other support devices. There are also many public
camping sites that provide electrical and other
useful hook-ups or services.
Once you have chosen your site, refer to the
following important sections which will prepare
your habitat for your adventure.
LEVELING AND STABILIZING
The following steps should be followed in order to
ensure that your habitat is level and stable. These
steps should be completed in entirety before
proceeding with any setup steps.
1. Before uncoupling, level the unit from
side to side if desired with wood or
plastic leveling blocks. Place the blocks
on the ground forward of the wheels
and tow the unit onto the blocks
2. Lower the jack onto blocks or pad, if
necessary
3. Use a smartphone level to ensure
habitat is level
4. Once the unit is level, use wheel chocks
or blocks to prevent the habitat from
moving
5. Uncouple the habitat from the tow
vehicle, unplug 7 pin connector from
vehicle
6. Lower the stabilizing jacks until they
firmly engage. Be sure all jacks have
about the same pressure on them
NOTE: Before resuming travel, be sure that the
stabilizer jacks are fully retracted/raised and that
the habitat has been fully closed.
WARNING: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE JACK
STANDS OR STABILIZER JACKS TO JACK UP
THE HABITAT OR SUPPORT THE FULL WEIGHT
OF THE HABITAT. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO LEVEL,
RAISE, OR OTHERWISE PLACE ALL OF THE
WEIGHT OF THE HABITAT ON THE STABILIZER
JACKS. STABILIZER JACKS ARE NOT DESIGNED
TO BEAR WEIGHT.
WARNING: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE THIS JACK
TO LIFT EXCESSIVE WEIGHT OR TIRES OFF
OF THE GROUND. VEHICLE FRAME AND DOOR
JAMB DAMAGE MAY OCCUR. USE ONLY STOCK
HANDLE SUPPLIED. DO NOT USE A CHEATER
BAR ON HANDLE. DO NOT USE THIS JACK AS A
TIRE CHANGING JACK.
HABITAT SETUP
1. Ensure that the habitat is level.
2. Open roof (see below for more
information)
3. Connect to shore power, if available
4. Connect to site water supply, if available
5. Set up the remaining features and/or
options as needed
For instructions on setting up your roof, please see
the manuals that correspond with your specific
habitat.
VENTILATION
Good ventilation and indoor air quality is essential
to long-term enjoyment of your habitat. Inadequate
ventilation can increase indoor pollutant levels. To
maintain good air quality, be attentive to proper
ventilation of your habitat, keep it clean, and
prevent and avoid unnecessary air pollutants.
Common indoor air pollution sources include
molds, pollen, pet fur dander, secondhand smoke,
carbon monoxide from burning propane and other
fuels, and household cleaners.
Travel habitats are much smaller than homes.
Thus, the exchange of air inside a travel habitat is
significantly less than a home. Proper ventilation
is an ongoing process, occurring before, during,
and after use, and at times when the temperatures
and humidity are elevated. Decreasing the flow
of air by sealing the travel habitat may increase
the presence and/or concentration of indoor air
pollutants, such as but not limited to, molds and
household chemicals. Improve ventilation by
opening windows, using fans and opening vents,
running the air conditioner, or some combination
thereof. We also recommend that you do not
smoke or use any type of bug or other chemical
spray inside your habitat.
WARNING: YOUR HABITAT WAS DESIGNED
FOR RECREATIONAL USE AND SHORT-TERM
OCCUPANCY ONLY. LONG-TERM OCCUPANCY
CAN CREATE CONDITIONS, WHICH IF NOT
MANAGED PROPERLY, CAN BE HAZARDOUS
TO YOUR HEALTH AND CAUSE SIGNIFICANT
DAMAGE TO YOUR HABITAT.
VENTILATION & MOISTURE
SITE SELECTION & SETUP
The following are three (3) basic strategies
recommended by the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) to improve indoor air quality:
1. Remove Sources
Eliminate sources of
pollution and/or reduce their emissions.
Pollutants that this strategy can have
an impact upon are: (i) Biological
Contaminants such as bacteria, molds,
mildew, viruses, animal dander, and
pollen, (ii) Household Products such
as paints, varnishes, cleaning and
disinfecting solutions, cosmetics and
hobby products, and (iii) Pesticides.
2. Ventilation
Increase the amount of
outdoor air coming indoors. Typically,
habitat air conditioners, for example, do
not mechanically bring fresh air into the
unit. Simultaneously opening doors and
windows to allow fresh air in along with
turning on fans to take inside air out is
an effective way to improve ventilation.
Remember, if there is insufficient
outdoor air entering a habitat, pollutants
may accumulate to higher levels.
3. Air Cleaners
Air cleaners are designed
to remove particles from the air. There
are many types and sizes of air cleaners
available to you on the market. Note:
Air cleaners are not generally designed
to remove gaseous pollutants. The
effectiveness of an air cleaner depends
on how well it collects pollutants
from indoor air and how much air it
draws through the cleaning or filtering
element. For more information about
ventilation, indoor air quality and its
effects, please refer to www.epa.gov/
iaq.
MOISTURE/CONDENSATION
The relatively small volume and compact
construction of travel habitats means that the
normal activities of even a few persons can lead
to rapid, visible moisture saturation in the habitat,
especially in cold weather. Note: some estimates
indicate that a family of four can vaporize up to
three gallons of water through daily breathing,
cooking, bathing and washing. Just as the moisture
collects on the outside of a glass of cold water
during humid weather, moisture will condense
on the inside surfaces of the habitat during cold
weather when the relative humidity of the inside
air is high. Unless water vapor is carried outside,
it will condense on the inside of the windows and
walls. Thus, when you observe signs of excessive
moisture and condensation in the habitat, take
action to minimize the effects. Such action steps in
non-extreme hot or cold weather conditions may
include, but not be limited to, the following: Allow
excess moisture to escape by ventilating with
outside air. Open windows to provide circulation of
outside, drier air to the inside. While this ventilation
may increase the heating load during cold weather,
it will greatly reduce water condensation.
Minimize moisture released inside the habitat such
as steam from excessive boiling water or other use
of hot water. Remove water or snow from shoes
before entering the habitat. Avoid drying wet or
damp clothing, towels, gear and other items inside
the habitat.
Manage the inside temperature during cold
weather. Remember that the higher the
temperature inside (in cold weather) will cause
condensation to form on areas that are not
insulated as well as others (windows, vents, wall
studs, etc.); try to avoid drastic, quick temperature
reductions, which can increase moisture
condensation inside.
Properly maintain and secure the exterior of the
habitat. This will help keep a tight barrier against
water intrusion.
NOTE: Using your habitat in severe climates or
weather conditions such as extreme hot, humid
or cold weather, which is NOT recommended (see
“severe weather use” section), will require extra
care, attention and maintenance of moisture-
related issues and relative humidity conditions
inside the habitat.