Explorer Group Avante 362 User guide

Owners Handbook
2006 Touring Caravans

Contents
WELCOME &
INTRODUCTION
GENERAL SAFETY
PREPARING FOR THE ROAD
Loading
Pre-Tow Checklist & Hitch Up
Towing & Driving
SITE ARRIVAL
CONNECTING SERVICES
Water
Gas
Electricity
SAFETY
Ventilation
Fire Safety
SECURITY
EQUIPMENT USE
Control Panels
Truma Space Heater
Taps
Pressurised Water Systems
Refrigerator
Oven, Hob & Grill
Smoke Alarm
Thetford Cassette Toilet
Air Conditioning
Rooflights
Windows
Blinds & Flyscreens
TV & Radio Antenna
Doors
Bed Make Up
CARE & MAINTENANCE
Care of your Caravan
Maintenance of you Caravan
STORAGE
WARRANTY
CODE OF PRACTICE
Water Ingress
CUSTOMER OBLIGATION
Servicing
CARAVAN CONSTRUCTION
Main Components
EQUIPMENT LISTS
ELECTRICAL WIRING
DIAGRAMS
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
General Questions
Towing Topics
Technical Related Questions
Parts Related Questions
Warranty Related Questions
Abbreviations Used
Glossary of Terms
INDEX
ANNUAL SERVICE RECORD
Individual Model Information
Vin No.
Contents
Explorer Group 2006 Touring Caravan Handbook
1

WELCOME &
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on choosing an Explorer
Group Touring Caravan.
This Owner's Handbook has been
prepared for your guidance to help you
derive the greatest amount of pleasure
from the use of your caravan and your
leisure time.
We strongly recommend that you read
this guide thoroughly so that you are fully
aware with all the caravan's features,
equipment and systems.
Additional information and detailed
appliance instruction manuals are also
contained in your Owner's Information
Pack.
Your new Explorer Group caravan has
been designed as a recreational vehicle
and is intended for recreational use only.
It is not intended for business use or for
permanent habitation. The Explorer
Group accepts no liability if the caravan is
used for any purpose other than
recreational/holiday use.
Your caravan is designed to be towed
behind a normal motorcar. Additional
care should be exercised when towing
with a 4x4 because of the 'off-road' nature
of the suspension. Owners should not tow
there touring caravans with commercial
vehicles (including light and heavy goods
vehicles).
When selecting a towing vehicle it is
recommended that you consult the
Caravan Towing Code, which is also
included in your Owner's Information
Pack.
By following the instructions provided in
this handbook and maintaining your
caravan in a first class roadworthy
condition, you are sure to have many
years of carefree use.
To ensure the very best quality and
reliability all touring caravan designs and
new developments are rigorously tested.
Therefore the Explorer Group Ltd will
accept no liability or uphold the warranty
if the caravan is altered or modified in
such a way that would adversely affect the
reliability.
Please Note: It is a condition of your
warranty that the caravan is serviced by
an Approved Retailer or Service Centre
once every twelve months, and that the
service record in the back of this guide, is
maintained in accordance with the
instructions (see page 78 Servicing).
Approved Retailers will be able to supply
any replacement parts for your caravan,
should the need arise, along with any
accessories you may require.
Please note that it is not possible to
purchase replacement parts direct from
The Explorer Group Limited.
Changing market and supply situations
may prevent us from maintaining the
exact specification details in this guide
and we therefore reserve the right to alter
specifications as materials and conditions
demand.
Enjoy your new caravan.
MODEL YEAR
Touring caravans are designated by their
model year. The 2006 model year runs
from 1st September 2005 to 31st August
2006.
2
Welcome & Introduction

In order for you to get the most out of your
new Explorer Group caravan it is
necessary for you to be aware of the
following.
1. Do not obstruct ventilators.
2. Inspect the flexible gas hose regularly
for deterioration and renew as
necessary, with approved type, and in
any case no later than the expiry date
stated on the hose.
3. It is recommended that you provide a
dry powder fire extinguisher
complying with ISO 7165 of at least
1KG capacity by the exit door and a
fire blanket next to the cooker. Ensure
you read the 'advice to occupier label'
fitted to your caravan.
4. Never use portable cooking or heating
equipment inside your caravan. Do
not use your fitted cooking equipment
as heating at any time.
5. Never allow modification to your gas
or electrical system unless qualified
persons carry them out. All
modification to the gas system should
be carried out by a CORGI registered
gas fitter. Any modifications carried
out on the electrical system should be
carried out by an electrician on the roll
of the NICEIC or be a member of the
ECA.
6. Never exceed your caravans
Maximum Technical Permissible
Laden Mass. (see Caravan Towing
Vehicle Weight Ratio page 6)
7. Never exceed the maximum hitch
weight specified for the caravan.
8. If your caravan is fitted with a lift up
bunk it is designed for a maximum
weight of 11 stone and is not suitable
for children under 3 years old without
supervision.
9. Ensure heavy and large items are
secured before towing your new
caravan to reduce the risk of damage
being caused while the caravan is in
motion.
10. Turn off all gas appliances and turn off
the gas supply before towing your
caravan.
11. Do not leave children under 14 years
of age unattended in your caravan.
12. When your caravan is connected to
your towing vehicle it should be level
or slightly nose down. An excessive
nose down attitude or a nose up
attitude could lead to instability when
towing.
13. When your caravan is loaded to its
MTPLM and the weight distributed in
accordance with the towing code,
your caravan is designed to be towed
at a maximum speed of 130kmh /
80mph. However, your attention is
drawn to the fact that in the UK the
maximum speed allowed for towing a
caravan is 100kmh / 60mph.
14. It is illegal to tow your caravan whilst it
is occupied.
15. If your caravan is fitted with a gas
Barbecue point it is not designed to
allow gas flow into your caravan and
should never be used for this purpose.
Important: Your attention is drawn to the
notice affixed in the caravan advising on
fire prevention, ventilation and what to do
in case of fire.
4
General Safety

PREPARING FOR THE ROAD
Before venturing out on to the road with
your touring caravan, it is important that
you prepare correctly.
LOADING
Always lower and secure the jockey wheel
and the four corner steadies with the
brace provided before entering the
caravan. This will ensure that the caravan
does not tip up when you are inside.
Please Note: Corner steadies should not
be used as a jacking device.
CARAVAN TOWING VEHICLE
WEIGHT RATIO
This ratio has a major influence on
stability. It is recommended:
1. The actual laden weight of the caravan
should always be kept as light as
possible. The lighter it is whilst being
towed on a road, the safer the outfit
combination will be.
2. The Caravan Club recommends a
maximum caravan/towing vehicle
weight ratio of 85% of the towing
vehicle’s kerb weight providing both
are properly maintained, fully
serviceable and the other
recommendations in this Handbook
are followed.
3. While you can legally tow at a higher
weight ratio than 85% (subject to
manufacturers’ towing limits and
driving licence restrictions) towing
more will increase the risk of instability,
especially at higher speeds.
4. The greater the actual laden weight
of the caravan in relation to the kerb
weight of the towing vehicle the
more careful and experienced the
driver needs to be and the lower the
speed at which instability could
occur.
IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THE
LOADED WEIGHT OF THE CARAVAN
DOES NOT EXCEED THE KERB
WEIGHT OF THE TOWING VEHICLE.
INTERNAL LOADING & CHECKS
When loading your caravan it is advisable
to distribute items evenly over the axle
and as low as possible to optimize road
holding and achieve the best possible
braking effect. Do not overload on one
side as this will cause the caravan to lean
and affect the road holding and stability.
• Do not stow tins, bottles or heavy items
in overhead lockers when towing.
• Loose articles should be stowed
securely to avoid movement and
possible damage.
Once fully loaded with your equipment
you should ensure that:
• All lockers and cupboard doors are
closed and secured.
• All bunks are secure (if appropriate).
• The main dining table is stored in its
transit position.
• If any fresh food is stored in the fridge
that it is set for 12v operation and that
the door is locked.
• All windows and rooflights are fully
closed and locked. Never tow with
windows on night setting.
• Leave all curtains and blinds open to
prevent damage in transit. If your
caravan has a rear window this may
aid visibility.
EXTERNAL LOADING & CHECKS
• Gas cylinders should only be stored,
correctly positioned, and secured in
the gas bottle locker. The gas should
be turned off.
6
Preparing For The Road

• The leisure battery is stored and
secured in the battery locker box, set
into the tray provided and secured.
• Any external connections (battery
chargers, connecting cables etc),
should be disconnected and stowed.
• Check that all exterior locker doors are
secure and locked.
• Secure and lock the caravan door.
PRE-TOW CHECKLIST & HITCH-UP
Having loaded the touring caravan and
secured the lockers and main entrance
door:
• Check touring caravan wheel nuts are
torqued to the required level (See
Index – Tightening Wheel Bolts).
• Check tyre pressures and tyre
condition.
• Ensure the jockey wheel is down, in
good contact with the ground, clamp
tightly secured, and the caravan hand
brake is fully on.
• Wind up the corner steadies.
• Reverse the car up to the caravan or, in
the case of a small caravan,
manoeuvre the caravan up to the car's
tow ball.
• Make sure the jockey wheel height is
sufficient for the hitch head to clear the
towing vehicles tow ball.
• Manoeuvre the hitch head over the tow
ball and lower the jockey wheel using
the winding handle, until the hitch head
opening sits comfortably over the tow
bar ball.
WINTERHOFF STABILISER - HITCH
HEAD OPERATION
Coupling - The opened ball coupling is
placed on the coupling ball of the towing
vehicle
The support load and possible additional
loading of the drawbar serves to cause
the ball coupling to close automatically
and the side securing lugs (1) are parallel
in relation to the securing surfaces on the
housing
Activating the stabiliser - Here, the
operating lever must be pushed down out
of its closed position to the stop. In doing
so, the spring assembly which generates
the pressing force via the friction pads
onto the ball coupling is tensioned. Upon
completion of this operation, the
operating lever is roughly parallel to the
axis of the drawbar. It is possible to drive
with the stabiliser deactivated, for
example, when manoeuvring.
Preparing for the Road
Explorer Group 2006 Touring Caravan Handbook
7

Switching the stabiliser off - Pull the
operating lever slowly upwards in order to
turn off the stabiliser.
Disconnection - Disconnect the lighting
plug and contact-breaking cable turn off
stabiliser, simultaneously pull back and lift
the operating lever such that the side
securing lugs swing over the securing
surfaces and the operating lever can be
moved to the open position. The caravan
can now be uncoupled from the towing
vehicle with the aid of the jockey wheel.
If not used for any lengthy period of time
the caravan should be parked with the
ball coupling closed. For this purpose, lift
up the open operating lever and at same
time pull the ball socket (movable element
with friction pad (Fig 8 Arrangement of the
Friction Pads - BPW Booklet) forward or
press the safety ball into the ball space
and slowly close the operating lever.
Checking the stabiliser - When the
caravan has been hooked up and the
stabiliser activated, the condition of the
friction linings can be checked. The wear
indicator located on the top of the
operating lever displays a bar graph
marked with + and - symbols. The ball
coupling is set at the factory such that the
pin visible in the oblong hole is positioned
under the + symbol on the bar graph
when new friction pads have been fitted.
Please note: The WS3000 ball
couplings can be locked both in
coupled and disconnected condition
with the ROBSTOP WS3000 by using
the hole on the side of the housing.
Note: when uncoupling, the overrun
device must be released i.e. the
bellow is stretched.
8
Preparing For The Road

ONCE THE HITCH HEAD IS CLOSED:
• Inspect the hitch. The hitch jaw must
fully enclose the ball-head and be
locked. Check the coupling head
fastenings at regular intervals for firm
seating.
• Wind up the jockey wheel until the
wheel supports locate into the cut out
sections at the base of the winding
section.
• Raise and secure the jockey wheel
using the clamp. The jockey wheel
should be parallel to the direction of
travel at all times.
• Secure the breakaway cable to the
traction vehicle.
WARNING: The 'break-away' cable must
be secured around the towing bar
assembly and not round the ball-head.
USE OF YOUR CARAVANS
BREAKAWAY CABLE
UK LAW requires that all caravans with
brakes (e.g. caravans, horse boxes, car
transporters etc), built on or after 1st
October 1982, are fitted with a safety
device to provide protection in the unlikely
event of the separation of the main
coupling while in motion. It's also a legal
requirement to use the breakaway cable
whenever it's provided.
The purpose of the breakaway cable is to
apply the caravan's brakes if it becomes
separated from its towing vehicle. The
cable assembly is designed to part,
allowing the caravan to come to a halt
away from the towing vehicle.
Construction - Usually a thin steel cable,
possibly plastic coated, and fitted with a
means of attachment to connect to the
towing vehicle.
Operation - The cable should be able to
pull tight to engage the caravan's brakes
without any hindrance to its action, if the
main coupling of the caravan separates
from the towing vehicle. It should never
become taut during normal use.
CORRECT PROCEDURE FOR USE:
• Check cable assembly for damage. If
in doubt contact your dealer or service
agent.
• Make sure the cable runs as straight as
possible, and goes through a cable
guide underneath the caravan
coupling.
• Determine whether or not you have a
designated attachment point (a feature
of the tow bar which has been
identified by the tow bar supplier as
being for the attachment of a
breakaway cable).
WHERE A DESIGNATED
ATTACHMENT POINT IS PROVIDED
ON THE TOW BAR
• Pass the cable through attachment
point and clip it back on itself (Figure 1
below); or
• Attach the clip directly to the
attachment point (Figure 2 below).
Note -this must be specifically
permitted by the caravan
manufacturer's guidance as the clip
may not be sufficiently strong.
Preparing for the Road
Explorer Group 2006 Touring Caravan Handbook
9
Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Fig. 3

WHERE NO DESIGNATED
ATTACHMENT POINT IS PROVIDED
ON THE TOW BAR
FIXED BALL - loop the cable around the
neck of the tow ball. If you fit the cable
like this use a single loop only (Figure 3
above).
DETACHABLE BALL - You must contact
the tow bar supplier for advice.
OTHER MEANS OF ATTACHMENT
Alternatively, it may be possible to attach
the cable assembly to a permanent part of
the tow bar structure with the approval of
the tow bar supplier, or to an accessory
sold for the purposes of breakaway cable
attachment.
WHEN THE BREAKAWAY CABLE IS
ATTACHED CHECK TO ENSURE
• That the cable cannot snag in use on
the caravan hitch, jockey wheel or any
accessories e.g. a stabiliser, bumper
shield, cycle carrier etc.
• That there must be sufficient slack in
the cable to allow the towing vehicle
and caravan to fully articulate without
the cable ever becoming taut and
applying the brakes.
• That it is not so slack that it can drag on
the ground. Leave it too loose, and the
cable may scrape along the ground,
and be weakened so that it fails before
doing its job!
• Connect the 12N and 12S plugs on the
caravan A-frame to the towing vehicle.
• Check that all tail-lights, brake lights,
road lights and indicators work
correctly.
• Ensure that the correct vehicle licence
/ registration plate is attached to the
rear of the touring caravan.
• Release the parking brake on the
caravan and adjust all rear and side
view mirrors from the driving seat
before setting off.
For peace of mind, you may wish
to check the state of the cable by
positioning the caravan and
towing vehicle at extreme angles
before setting off.
If having followed this advice, you
feel you cannot achieve a
satisfactory cable arrangement,
consult your caravan or tow bar
supplier or service agent.
10
Preparing For The Road

TOWING AND DRIVING
Please also refer to The Caravan Towing
Code which is included in your Owner’s
Information Pack.
REVERSING
It is advisable to have a second person
available when reversing the caravan.
Start practising by choosing a left-hand
bend for ease. Reverse slowly, turning the
wheel, initially the opposite way to the
direction you want the caravan to go.
Now the front of the caravan is nudged
out and is moving the rear in the intended
direction. Take care not to hit the van with
the car!
Midway through the manoeuvre, when
the caravan is correctly angled, slow to
crawl and gradually apply opposite lock.
Make the car follow the caravan round
then finally straighten up.
Proficiency at reversing can only be
achieved with practice.
SPEED LIMITS
Normal road towing: 50mph
Motorways (including dual
carriageways): 60mph
SETTING OFF
Let the clutch in smoothly.
Allow more engine speed to produce the
power to move the additional weight of
the caravan.
Avoid wear and tear on clutch and
transmission by taking extra care.
Change gears smoothly.
Try not to jerk the clutch.
CARAVAN HANDLING
Allow for the caravan being wider than the
car. Do not bump kerb with caravan
wheels.
When passing other vehicles, allow more
than the normal clearance for driving solo.
Allow longer to get up speed to pass.
Allow for the vehicle being twice its
normal length. Do not suddenly swing
out.
Carry out all manoeuvres as smoothly as
possible.
Use nearside wing mirror to check
caravan has cleared when overtaking.
Preparing for the Road
Explorer Group 2006 Touring Caravan Handbook
11

12
Site Arrival
SITE ARRIVAL
CHECK SITE REGULATIONS
On arrival at a camp site, you should
always check the site regulations. This
will help avoid any unnecessary conflict
with site management and other site
users.
SELECTING A PITCH
Carefully select where you wish to place
your caravan. The site should be as level
as possible, preferably not under or near
trees, well drained and away from
possible boggy areas. Consider how you
will move the caravan when it is time to
leave the site. On sloping ground it is
better to pitch facing downhill, especially
during wet weather.
SIDE TO SIDE OR LATERAL LEVELING
A quick glance at your pitch should tell
you if you are likely to need side to side
leveling i.e. leveling across the axle.
On uneven ground lateral levelling is
accomplished by the use of a leveller jack
or ramp and a spirit level placed 'across'
the caravan floor (not supplied).
Leveller Jack - Place the leveller jack,
folded flat, in front of the wheel needed to
be raised to level the axle. Tow the
caravan onto the leveller jack and adjust
the height until the spirit level shows that
the caravan is laterally level.
Ramp - Reverse onto your pitch about a
foot further back than you wish to end up.
Then place the leveling ramp in front of
the wheel that needs to be raised.
Place a spirit level parallel to the axle on
the A-frame or just inside the caravan
door. It helps to have two people at this
point. One should drive the car very
slowly forward moving the caravan wheel
up the ramp, and the other should
indicate when the spirit level bubble is in
the middle.
Whichever method you use, once level,
apply the caravan handbrake and chock
the caravan wheel if necessary. Lower the
jockey wheel to ground level before
unhitching. (See index uncoupling)
You should then park your car, usually
next to the caravan furthest away from the
door side.
(On upward facing pitches when the
hydraulically damped drawbar of the
hitch becomes fully extended, it will
be necessary to compress the
drawbar slightly in order to achieve a
'clean' unhitching). With the caravan
brake on, reverse the towing vehicle
about 2.54cm (1 inch) to release hitch
lock tension and using the jockey
wheel adjustment, unhitch the
caravan as previously described.

Explorer Group 2006 Touring Caravan Handbook
13
FRONT & BACK OR FORE & AFT
LEVELING
This should be done only when the lateral
leveling is complete.
Place the spirit level pointing front to back
just inside the caravan door or on the A-
frame, then raise or lower the jockey
wheel until the caravan is horizontally
level.
If there is a significant front to back slope,
you may need to place a block under the
jockey wheel.
Next, wind down the corner steadies onto
load spreaders (blocks of wood a
minimum of 15.25cm (6 inches) square or
'Big Foot' steady attachments) until they
are firmly set against the ground. It is
possible on very uneven sites that when
fully extended blocks may be required
under the corner steadies to achieve this.
It is important that the caravan is correctly
levelled to ensure the correct working of
the refrigerator, cooker etc.
Now that your caravan is level, place the
caravan step in front of the door ensuring
that it is stable and safe to use.
PARKING ON A REVERSE-SLOPING
SITE OR STEEP HILL
For successful parking on a reverse slope
or steep hill, the operator need only apply
the handbrake with one hand while gently
but purposely inching the caravan a small
distance backwards with the other.
CAUTION: Never enter the
caravan without first lowering
the four corner steadies with the
brace provided.
Corner steadies should not be used
as a jack. Take care not to lift the
caravan wheels.
Site Arrival

14
Connecting Services
WATER
Your caravan will be supplied with either a
Truma Crystal or a Truma Compact water
inlet and submersible water pump (refer
to Equipment Lists section to confirm).
Follow the relevant instructions below to
connect a water supply to your caravan.
Once you have filled your fresh water
container e.g. Aquaroll, from a suitable
water supply, return to the caravan and
stand the water container upright close
enough to the water inlet.
Place a suitable waste water container
e.g. Wastemaster, under the main drain
outlet usually positioned under the vehicle
to the rear.
Remove the container's sealer cap and
put in a safe place - not on the ground as
this may contaminate your water supply
the next time you use it, and place the
submersible pump into the fresh water
container, ensuring it is fully submerged
before operating the system.
For information on using a waterline with
an onboard tank see index.
WATER PUMP CONNECTION
RAISE THE LID AND CLEAN BOTH THE
WATER SOCKET AND THE PLUG OF
THE PUMP ASSEMBLY.
Align the plug and push the pump
assembly into the socket. This makes
both the water and electric connections.
Turn the top security clip anti-clockwise
and the bottom security clip clockwise to
lock the plug into place.
The pump system has been designed so
that it can not be fitted incorrectly.
Finally put the 'pump' switch on the
control panel to 'on' and turn the cold tap
on until water flows.
Vehicles fitted with an onboard water tank
have a float switch fitted inside the tank
which automatically switches off the
pump once the onboard water tank is full.
Please note: Prior to operation of
the water heater, ensure water is
flowing from the hot tap to confirm
that there is water in the heater.

To remove the pump assembly from the
water inlet, release the security clips and
pull the hose adaptor by using the finger
grips provided.
Do not remove by pulling the
hose or electric cable.
TRUMA CRYSTAL ROUTINE
MAINTENANCE
1. Ensure that the 0-ring seal on the hose
adaptor and socket are free from dirt.
2. To aid fitting of the plug assembly
smear the 0-ring with vegetable oil.
3. To help protect the electrical
connections smear both the male and
female terminals with petroleum jelly.
4. To change the filter cartridge. Turn the
cartridge anti clockwise to remove.
5. Ensure that the new cartridge is fully
tightened in the holder. If the cartridge
is difficult to fit smear the ring with
vegetable oil.
TRUMA CRYSTAL STERILISING
a. When cleaning the Water system at the
start or the end of the season it is
advisable to use a sterilising fluid e.g.
Chempro SDP or similar. It is
recommended that for this operation
an old filter is fitted as the fluid reduces
the effectiveness of a now filter.
b. Flush the system thoroughly to remove
the effective fluid traces.
c. After sterilising the system at the start
of the season it is recommended that a
new filter cartridge should be fitted
TRUMA CRYSTAL FILTER CARTRIDGE
1. After fitting a new filter cartridge it is
recommended that the system is
flushed through for approx. 30
seconds to remove any harmless
particles of carbon,
2. It is suggested that the filter cartridge
should be replaced after approx. 30
days of caravanning. After such time
the carbon filter will become less
effective,
3. Always ensure that the filter cartridge is
fully tightened in the holder. If fitting of
the new filter cartridge is difficult smear
the 0-ring with vegetable oil.
Connecting Services
Explorer Group 2006 Touring Caravan Handbook
15

TRUMA CRYSTAL - HOW TO
PREPARE YOUR WATER SYSTEM FOR
WINTER USE
During winter caravanning it is desirable
to keep the water container within the
caravan to prevent freezing. This can be
achieved by fitting a Compact Housing
unit inside the caravan in a location where
it is convenient to store a Container, e.g.
the washroom or under the sink etc.
This should only be done by an Approved
Explorer Retailer or Service Centre as
your warranty will be affected.
TRUMA CRYSTAL - NOTES
1. Never allow the pump to run dry.
Always ensure that the pump is
submerged in the water or the life of
the pump will be reduced.
2. Before winter storage the water system
must be completely drained and the
filter cartridge removed to avoid any
retained water within the filter freezing.
The filter hole may be sealed with an
old filter end cap or left open but do
ensure that the lid is firmly closed.
See Index - Draining Down The Water
System.
3. Clean the water system at the start
and end of the season with
sterilising fluid (see notes under
sterilising).
4. If the pump fails to deliver water the
most likely cause will be air in the
system. Switch off the pump and
shake the pump assembly in the water.
Then switch on again. And/or the filter
cartridge is not fully tightened. Ensure
that the filter cartridge is screwed fully
into its holder.
16
Connecting Services

Connecting Services
Explorer Group 2006 Touring Caravan Handbook
17
HOW TO USE A WATERLINE WITH
THE INBOARD WATER TANK
1. Place the pump switch on the control
panel to the 0 position.
2. Place tap next to the tank into the
centre position. See diagram below.
Pipe Tap Pipe
3. Connect waterline to water inlet on side
of caravan.
4. Turn on waterline
5. While the waterline is in use the pump
switch on the control panel must
remain in the 0 position.
6. Ensure that you return the tap next to
the tank to the inline position when you
wish to return to using the inboard
tank.

DRAINING DOWN YOUR WATER
SYSTEM
1. It is essential that you drain down your
caravan water system when it is not in
use. This is most important during
winter months to protect against frost
damage.
2. Disconnect the water pump and
switch of power supply.
3. Remove the water heater fuse from
the switch spur and store in a safe
place.
4. Open the safety drain valve on the
water heater located next to the water
heater.
5. Open all taps and remove all plugs
from sinks and showers. Lever
operated taps should have the lever
put into the up position.
6. Open the drain outlets on the outside
of your caravan.
7. If an onboard water tank is fitted
ensure that the drain tap on the tank is
open.
8. Adjust the level of the caravan to
ensure that the drain outlet is at the
lowest point of the caravan. This will
aid the flow of water to ensure all
water is drained off.
9. After 30 minutes level the caravan and
prepare it for storage if necessary.
18
Connecting Services
Closed
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Onboard water tank

GAS
Your caravan is designed to operate using
either propane or butane liquefied
petroleum gas at 30M/bar. Gas can be
obtained from your caravan dealer.
Your caravan is designed to accept a
maximum 2 x 7.5kg gas bottles.
TYPES OF GAS
BUTANE
Butane is supplied in the U.K. in Green or
Blue bottles.
All these have a male left hand thread
except for Camping Gaz, which has a
special female right hand, Calor 7.5 kg
bottles have a special clip-on connection.
Continental bottles usually have a male
left hand thread which is similar, but not
identical, to UK butane.
Butane is suitable for use at temperatures
down to 2°C but will not work below that.
PROPANE
Propane is supplied in red, or partly red
bottles which have a female left hand
threaded connector.
Scandinavian countries use the same
connector.
Germany or Austria supply propane with
a male connection.
Propane will work at temperatures as low
as –40°C and is therefore suitable for all
winter caravanning.
CONNECTION
Make sure that heating and cooking
appliances and gas cylinders are
switched off.
Your new Explorer Group Caravan has
been fitted with a fully approved gas
regulator designed to operate at a gas
pressure of 30Mbar. Your regulator is
fitted with a test point, which is accessed
via the inlet at the side of the regulator.
This access point is only for carrying out
gas pressure tests and should not be
used for any other purpose.
It is strongly recommended that only
CORGI approved gas fitters carry out any
work on your caravan's gas installation.
HOSES
You should only connect to this regulator
using an approved high-pressure hose of
length not exceeding 450mm from the
gas cylinder to the regulator. These
approved high pressure hoses are
available from your Explorer Group
Retailer. These hoses are connected
using screw thread fittings, which will
make a seal if connected and tightened
using a spanner.
Connecting Services
Explorer Group 2006 Touring Caravan Handbook
19