How to Ensure Your Camper Trailer Is Load Secure
Ever thought about what might ruin your camping trip with a camper trailer? The wrong way to load it could be the problem. Learning how to load a camper trailer safely is key to a secure trip. This guide will give you tips on loading your camper trailer and how to stay safe on the road.
How to setup your Elecbrakes Brake Controller
Quick Setup Guide for your new Elecbrakes brake Controller Learn how to setup the app for your new Elecbrakes brake controller. Elecbrakes Setup Instructions If you have purchased an Elecbrakes system for your new camper – this will come pre-installed on your trailer. Your next step is to set up the Smartphone app on your phone and make sure it is communicating with your controller. Here’s the instructions on how to set it up, and how to configure and test your controller. App Setup 1) Download the Elecbrakes smartphone app. Android Play Store / Apple App Store 2) Connect your trailer to your tow vehicle and sit in the drivers seat. 3) Either switch your headlights on, or just your parkers (Do not use automatic headlights, as this may switch off during your trip) – This is what powers up your Elecbrakes Unit. 4) Check your phones Bluetooth has been turned on. 5) Open the Elecbrakes app. It should search for your controller for a few moments and then connect. You will know this is working because the big tick will appear in the home screen circle. IMPORTANT – Keep your headlights turned on while driving to ensure Elecbrakes stays powered on and operating smoothly. Mounting Angle The Elecbrakes unit itself can be installed on your trailer in any angle, while Platinum will always install it on your drawbar, in a horizontal position – the unit needs to set this angle before your first major trip away. It is an automatic, relatively simple process to do. 1) Connect the trailer and take for a drive. On a straight road increase speed to at least 50 kph and press moderately on the brake pedal for 4-5 seconds. 2) The angle the unit is mounted at will be measured, and an installation angle set. 3) To confirm installation angle is set go to: Settings Page > Device > Angle After braking the angle should be set between 0-360 4) If the angle is not set after the first braking effort, continue braking the tow vehicle and trailer. The Elecbrakes controller will assess each brake response and set the angle for you. This could take 405 brake responses. 5) The mounting angle is continuously measured and refined on every application of the brakes. Installation is now complete. Configure and Test your Brake Controller After you have the app communicating with your controller, the next step is to make sure your controller is getting enough power from the tow vehicle, via the headlight and brake light circuits. What you will do next is open your app, wait for it to connect, and then click on the data tab. Like in the image below. The first section “VOLTS IN” is where you need to look, this shows you how much voltage is being received by the controller – Basically we want to see a number of at least 10 here. The tail light subtitle is where the number should be – as this is showing you that your headlights are on, and they are supplying voltage to the controller. You should also see a green light next to tail light. Now – Press your brake pedal down. A number should appear next to the brake light subtitle, and a green light next to Brake light in the “ON/OFF” section. If both numbers are above 10 – You are good to go. If they are not showing up, or they are too low – Elecbrakes have an amazing customer support team, give them a call on 02 4058 3980 and they can help you troubleshoot the problem over the phone. Configuring your Response Settings Your Elecbrakes controller has 5 braking programs. These are there so you can have different brake response settings ready to go based on your trailer load weight and driving conditions. For example: We recommend you setup a program for Unloaded, Fully Loaded, Beach Driving, and Off-Road. In your brake programs, there are 4 settings you need to set: 1. Forward Response – Driving in normal conditions (> 50kmh). 2. Reverse Response – Backing trailer in reverse. 3. Minimum Response – Driving in normal conditions at slow speed (25kmh). 4. When Tapped – Manual Override When you are ready to configure your brake response settings, go to settings and select a program you want to edit. Setting Forward Response 1) Tap on Program 1 to open 2) Select ‘Forward’ under Brake Response -Factory set at 40 3) When driving at 50kmh apply moderate brake pressure and assess trailers braking response. 4) Increase or decrease brakeresponse to suit conditionsand weight of trailer. 5. Continue adjusting responseuntil satisfied that the traileris responding correctly.Elecbrakes recommend adjustments in 5-point increments initially. Fineradjustments can be made to gain a smooth braking response. Note: Trailer should brake evenly with car in normal driving conditions. Examples:• Car Brakes > Trailer Pushes Car >Increase Trailer Brake Response• Car Brakes > Trailer Pulls Car >Decrease Trailer Brake Response Setting Minimum Response 1) Select ‘Minimum’ under Brake Response – factory default is set at 10 2) When driving at 25kmh apply light pressure and assess trailers braking response 3) Increase or decrease brake response to suit conditions and weight of trailer 4) Continue adjusting response until satisfied that the trailer is responding correctly Elecbrakes recommend adjustments in 5-point increments initially. Finer adjustments can be made to gain a smooth braking response. Note: The Minimum Response should be set up to ensure a smoother braking performance. Poorly adjusted Minimum Response will have the trailer brakes lock up or shudder at low speed. Example: Driving slow in a town and the brakes lock up Setting Reverse Response 1) Select ‘Reverse’ under Brake Response – factory default is set at 10. 2) When driving slowly in reverse apply light brake pressure and assess trailers braking response. 3) Increase or decrease brake response to suit conditions and weight of trailer. 4) Continue adjusting response until satisfied that the trailer is responding correctly. Elecbrakes recommend adjustments in 5-point
How to use a Poly Block Hitch
How to hook up your camper trailer with a Polyblock Hitch Learn all about your new Poly Block Hitch, and how to connect your trailer to your vehicle. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzOEcfcv8xM&t The Anatomy of your Poly block Hitch Before we start hooking up your trailer – I believe it is a good idea to get to know your hitch and understand what all the parts do. In this article, we will be looking at the Platinum Poly block Hitch, the same that is included as standard with your new camper trailer. There are a number of other hitch options that we can offer, but this is a great hitch for first timers and seasoned campers alike. It is very easy to hook up with a 70 degree up and down motion and a complete 360-degree turn. From back to front, you have: – A Handbrake – Brakes the wheels.– Grease Nipples – You need to periodically grease these nipples, it keeps everything moving smoothly.– Mechanical Brake Latch – Used for mechanical braking, for most camper trailers you should Always leave this down. – Spring Pin – Connects your hitch to the receiver. – Poly Block – The main block– Couple / Hitch Receiver – This gets installed on your vehicle and replaces your tow ball.– Lynch Pin – This locks the Spring Pin in place How to Hitch up using a Poly Block Hitch We have made this quick video to show you what you will need on your vehicle, how to remove the old tow ball (if you had one), how to connect your new receiver and of course, how to hitch up your new camper trailer to your vehicle. Step 1: Remove your spring pin Step 2: Reverse closer to your camper Step 3: Raise or lower your camper with the jockey wheel, to line up the hitch with the receiver Step 4: Move the camper, or reverse your vehicle to insert the block into the receiver Step 5: Drop in the Spring Pin and secure with the lynch pin Step 6: Cross and connect chains to your vehicle Step 7: Connect your Anderson plug (optional) and trailer plug Step 8: Check your lights and also check your brake controller is communicating with your brakes Step 9: Raise your jockey wheel, and handle is secured Step 10: And of course – check your wheel nuts before every trip Questions? Still have questions? Shoot us a message or give us a call and we would be more than happy to answer any questions you have regarding our hitches, how to use them and how to maintain them over time. Drive Safe & Happy Camping!
New LPG Gas Fittings Have Arrived in Australia
New Gas Fittings LCC27 New LPG Gas Bottle Fittings have arrived Here’s what you need to know. The New LCC27 LPG Gas Cylinder Fittings for Australia Here’s a quick video from Platinum Campers explaining everything you need to know about the new gas fittings. LCC27 fittings have improved safety features LPG cylinders will be coming out soon with a new fitting called a LCC27. There’s a good chance that your current gas bottles use a Type 21 or POL connection. LCC27 fittings offer improved safety features, including an easy-to-use right-hand threaded external ACME connection, and a back check valve that must be engaged before gas can flow. In addition, there is a thermal cut-out on the LCC27 appliance connection. What you Need to know about the new Gas Fittings Do I need an Adaptor? The new gas regulations state that you cannot use an adaptor with the new LCC27 gas fittings. However – the new bottles are backwards compatible to appliances with POL connections – so you won’t need an adaptor anyway. You will not need to change anything to use the new gas bottles with your current appliances (Your BBQ will still work!) However – New appliances, like camper trailers from now will have the new LCC27 gas connection. And these are not backwards compatible with your old gas bottles. So, if purchasing a gas appliances (including camper trailers) from now, you will need to get the new bottle. POL connection phasing out Over the next 10 years, the LCC27 will take over from the POL Connection across the board. Leisure gas cylinders have a 10 year test cycle, so by 2031 – you will find the LCC27 is the main bottle in use. Still safe to use? Yes, your current gas appliances with a POL connection are still safe and reliable for use, and will still plug into the new bottles. So on your next swap – look out for the new bottle and get yourself future proofed! Read More
How to set up the gas stove to work for the first time
Platinum Camper’s How to connect the gas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJXSEwB50Q4 Watch this quick video showing you how to connect the gas to your stove How to setup the Gas stove on your camper trailer Setting up your gas stove for the first time is not difficult. Platinum Camper trailers include 9kg gas bottle holders as standard (some two) – You can purchase gas bottles from service stations, Bunnings and most camping stores. Here is a quick guide on how to connect it to your camper trailer for the first time. Step by Step Guide Step 1 – Make sure your gas bottle still has gas. The easiest way to check is to give the bottle a shake – you should be able to hear the gas moving around. If this doesn’t work, you can also try hot water. Just grab a jug of hot water and pour it over the bottle. Run your hands down the bottle until it feels cold, and that’s the level the gas is at. Step 2 – Place the gas bottle in the supplied holder. Step 3 – Connect the gas bottle to the gas regulator – this is located near the holders. Ensure you have a good connection, turn the gas on and make sure it is not leaking. Step 4 – Using the supplied gas hose – connect the stove to the bayonet fitting on the camper trailer. Step 5 – Connect the other end of the hose to your stove. Step 6 – Turn on the desired gas hob, and press down on the knob to ignite the stove. You may have to hold down the knob for a few seconds while it warms up. Note: It sometimes takes a few moments for the gas to come through all the lines – give it a minute. And please exercise caution at all times when dealing with gas. If you are unsure on how to start the stove, or have any troubles, please contact our team and we would be more than happy to assist you.