Airstream Touring Coach Interstate 19 2023 Leveling User Manual
Leveling
When you plan to stay in the same place for several days, weeks, or months, you will want your touring coach to be as level as possible. Check the attitude with a small spirit level set on the inside work counter. If a correction is necessary, then you must first level from side to side. This can be done most easily by driving up a small ramp consisting of 2 in. x 6 in. boards tapered at both ends. Airstream does not recommend placing tires in a hole for leveling. Refer to Section 7 – Sprinter Van for more information on tires.
Effects of Prolonged Occupancy
Your touring coach was designed primarily for recreational use and short-term occupancy. If you expect to occupy the touring coach 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 touring coach 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 touring coach during cold weather when relative humidity of the interior air is high. This condition is increased because the insulated walls of a recreation vehicle are much thinner than house walls. Estimates indicate that two adults can vaporize up to one-and-a-half 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. Appearance of these conditions may indicate a serious condensation problem. When you recognize the signs of excessive moisture and condensation in the touring coach, action should be taken to minimize their effects.
NOTE
Your touring coach is not designed, nor intended, for permanent housing. Use of this product for long term or permanent occupancy may lead
to premature deterioration of structure, interior finishes, fabrics, carpeting, and drapes. Damage or deterioration due to long-term occupancy may not be considered normal, and may under the terms of the warranty constitute misuse, abuse, or neglect, and may therefore reduce the warranty protection.
To avoid condensation problems, try to follow these tips to help alleviate excess moisture:
- Allow excess moisture to escape to the outside when bathing, washing dishes, hair drying, laundering, and using appliances and non-vented gas burners. Always use an exhaust fan when cooking.
- Keep the bathroom door closed and the vent or window open when bathing and for a period of time after you have finished.
- If you are experiencing condensation, you may want to reconsider hanging wet clothes in the touring coach to dry.
- In hot weather, start the AC early as it removes excess humidity from the air while lowering the temperature.
- Keep the temperature as reasonably cool during cold weather as possible. The warmer the vehicle, the more cold exterior temperatures and warm interior temperatures will collide on wall surfaces, thus creating condensation.
- Use the ceiling vent to keep air circulating inside the vehicle so condensation and mildew cannot form in dead air spaces. Allow air to circulate inside closets and cabinets (leave doors partially open). Please keep in mind that a closed cabinet full of stored goods prevents circulation and allows the exterior temperature to cause condensation.
- The natural tendency would be to close the vehicle tightly during cold weather. This will actually compound the problem. Simply put, you need to remove some of the warm air and allow some cool outside air to get inside the vehicle so the furnace will not recycle the humid interior air.
- Minimize the use of incandescent lights, which produce heat and contribute to condensation.
About Molds
What are molds
Molds are microscopic organisms that naturally occur in virtually every environment, indoors and out. Outdoors, mold growth is important in the decomposition of plants. Indoors, mold growth is unfavorable. Left unchecked, molds break down natural materials, such as wood products and fabrics. Knowing the potential risks is important for any type of homeowner to protect their investment.
What factors contribute to mold growth
For mold growth to occur, temperatures, indoors or outdoors, must be between 40°F and 100°F and also, there must be a source of moisture, such as humidity, standing water, damp materials, etc. Indoors, the most rapid growth occurs with warm and humid conditions.
How can mold growth be inhibited
By controlling relative humidity, the growth of mold and mildew can be inhibited. In warm climates, use of the air conditioner will reduce the relative humidity. Vents are located in the bathing and cooking areas and constant use is advised during food preparation and bathing, even during colder weather. Additionally, opening a window during these activities will assist in ventilation. In extremely humid conditions, the use of a dehumidifier can be helpful. If using a dehumidifier, please read and follow all manufacturer instructions and recommendations to the use and cleaning of the dehumidifier. Frequent use of your touring coach or cleaning regularly is an important preventive measure. Further, any spills should be wiped up quickly and dried as soon as possible. Avoid leaving damp items lying about. On safe surfaces, use mold or mildew killing cleaning products. Check sealants regularly, and reseal when necessary to avoid water leaks. Proper preventive maintenance to the touring coach and its accessories, as described both in this manual and in accompanying literature, will provide the best protection to the touring coach.
Waste Water System
The main parts of the waste water system are the toilet, holding tanks, and tank dump valves (see Section 9 – Maintenance for dump valve information). The system is designed to provide complete self-contained toilet facilities, while on the road or parked, without being connected to a sewage line. It may also be used when parked while connected to a sewage hose. Keep the dump valves closed with either method and empty the tanks when they are nearly full. The idea is to send a large volume of water through the tanks and hose at the same time to float solids away.
After the sewage tank has been emptied, close the dump valves and charge the tank by putting a few 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 the sewage holding tank. The addition of a deodorizing agent like Aqua Kem will help prevent odors. Should you ever have a buildup of solids, close the valves, fill the tanks about 3/4 full with fresh water, drive a distance to agitate the solids, and drain the tanks.
Things Not to Put into Toilet or Drains
- Facial tissues and feminine hygiene products (they do not dissolve like toilet paper).
- Automotive antifreeze, ammonia, alcohols, or acetone.
- Table scraps or other solids may clog the drains.
Drain System
- Lavatory Sink strainer
- Gray Water Tank
- Galley Drain
- Gray Water Tank
- Clean out tee
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. While traveling, simply 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 rising? Remember, when driving at 50 MPH, the wind chill factor will cause the interior of the touring coach to cool much faster than a touring coach that is parked.
- You should have a plentiful supply of fuel as the heat from the furnace warms the touring coach and keeps the fresh water lines and black water holding tank from freezing.
- If your stay is longer than overnight, you should endeavor to have 120-volt electricity available. Of course, you can run your generator to recharge the battery, or even use the generator continually, keeping an eye on your generators fuel. Since the generator starts off the house battery, it is recommended to start the generator prior to running the batteries down.
- Minimize use of electricity if 120-volt power source is not available.
- Leave cabinet doors, wet bath doors, and wardrobe doors slightly open at night to allow circulation of air in and around all components.
- Save 12-volt power by using non-toxic RV-approved antifreeze in the gray water holding tank instead of the heating pad to prevent freezing. Quantity of antifreeze needed will vary with ambient temperature and the amount of liquids in tank.
- For extended stays in cold weather, insulate all water lines outside the touring coach. You should remember that low temperatures in combination with high winds cause an equivalent chill temperature much below what your thermometer is reading. For instance, with an outside temperature of zero degrees, and the wind velocity of 10 miles per hour, the equivalent chill temperature is -20°F.
- Remember to remove and drain the exterior shower faucet to prevent freeze damage.
Heated Tanks
The touring coach has 12-volt heat pads installed with the fresh and gray water tanks to help prevent freezing. The tank pads are controlled by either of the touch screen Multiplex control panels located in the front or rear of the touring coach. When the outside temperature is near freezing, simply switch “ON” the holding tank heaters. Built-in sensors will activate the heat pads when the contents of the tanks drop to 44°F. Once the liquid is heated and rises to 64°F the heat pads will automatically deactivate. Switch the power “OFF” when the ambient outside temperature remains above freezing or if the tanks are empty. The tank heaters will quickly deplete the house batteries unless the unit is plugged into an external AC power source or the generator is ran to operate the inverter/charger. To conserve battery power, RV antifreeze may be used to protect the gray and black tanks.
NOTE
The black tank is installed above the floor where heat from the furnace will keep it from freezing.
NOTE
Drain and winterize all models if the water systems are not being used during winter traveling. Refer to Section 9 – Maintenance in this manual for winterizing instructions.
Reference Links
View Full User Guide: Airstream Touring Coach Interstate 19 2023 User Manual
Download Manuals: https://www.airstream.com/owners/manuals/
