Extended Stay; Leveling; Stabilizing Jacks; Effects Of Prolonged Occupancy - Airstream Basecamp 2020 Owner's Manual

General Information

Extended Stay

Making a long trip in your Airstream is not very different
from making a weekend excursion� Since everything
you need is right at hand, you are at home wherever
you go� When packing for an extended trip, take
everything you need, but only what you need�
When you plan to stay in the same place for several
days, weeks, or months, you will want your trailer to
be as level and steady as possible� Check the attitude
with a small spirit level set on the inside work counter
or the trailer hitch A-frame� If a correction is necessary,
you must level from side-to-side first. This can be done
easily by backing the trailer up onto one or more 2 x 6
boards� We do not recommend placing tires in a hole
for leveling�

Leveling

Block or chock the wheels to keep the trailer from
rolling� Level from front to rear by disconnecting the
hitch from the tow vehicle, and adjusting the jack up
or down until you are level� Use stabilizing jacks at the
two rear corners, as shown in the diagram, to eliminate
the natural spring action of the axles�

Stabilizing Jacks

The stabilizing jacks are located at the rear corners of
the trailer� Use the manual handle to hand crank the
jacks into position� Stabilizers should only be lowered
enough to make contact with the ground� Stabilizer jack
handle can be stored under the curbside dinette seat�
Stabilizing jacks are designed to stabilize the trailer
only. Misuse of the stabilizer jacks to level or lift
the trailer may result in damage to the jacks and
potentially the trailer.
3-8
WARNING
Whenever the trailer must be lifted with a jack, as
when changing a tire, always place the lifting jack
under the main frame rail. A label is provided to
indicate the proper position for the jack. Never use
stabilizing jacks to lift the trailer.
Refer to Section 8 - Maintenance for further information
on jacking�

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�
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 insulated walls of a recreation vehicle are much
thinner than house walls� Also, the relatively small
volume and tight, compact construction of modern
recreational vehicles means that the normal living
activities of even a few occupants will lead to rapid
moisture saturation� 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�
Appearance of these conditions may indicate a serious
problem� When you recognize the signs of excessive
moisture and condensation in the trailer, action should
be taken to minimize their effects�
WARNING
2020 Basecamp