Roadtrek SS Agile 2016 User manual

Erwin Hymer Group North America, Inc.
PDF generated at: Fri, 22 Apr 2016 12:41:04 EDT
Owner's Manual
2016 SS Agile

Spare Tire Storage 72
Obtaining Service 74
Specifications 75
Warranty 76
Registration 80
Regulatory Notices 82
HOWTO: Monitor Panel 83
HOWTO: Setting Up Your Campsite 89
HOWTO: Shore Power 93
HOWTO: Potable Water Use 97
HOWTO: Waste Water Dumping 101
HOWTO: Cable and TV Reception 108
HOWTO: Propane System 114
HOWTO: Water System Winterizing 120
HOWTO: De-Winterizing 127

HOWTO: Monitor Panel 83
© 2016 by Erwin Hymer Group North America, Inc.
HOWTO: Monitor Panel
Monitor Panel
The monitor panel is located inside the side door, above the rear
captain's seat. Depending on the options you have, there may
be an inverter panel to the left of the main control panel and
there may be a gasoline generator starter switch and hour run
meter to the right.
The monitor panel monitors your battery and tank status, and
provides controls for all of the on-board utilities.

HOWTO: Monitor Panel 84
© 2016 by Erwin Hymer Group North America, Inc.
Battery Disconnect Switch
Battery disconnect switch on
The battery disconnect switch turns the coach battery power off
and on. When off, it prevents your coach batteries from being
drained while the Roadtrek is not in use. The lights, the water
pump, the fan, the refrigerator control board, even the igniters
for the propane cooktop need 12 volt power from the batteries. If
something electrical in your Roadtrek doesn't work, the first
thing to check is to make sure the battery disconnect switch is
on.
The battery disconnect switch is on the bottom left corner of the
monitor panel. To its immediate right is a blue indicator light
which illuminates when the switch is on.
You will hear a "clunk" as the battery disconnect switch is
pressed - this is a big relay connecting the coach batteries to the
electrical loads.
If you hear a clunk-clunk, or nothing at all, it's possible that your
batteries are depleted to the point where they cannot drive the
relay. Take steps to charge your batteries.
Inverter Switch with 750 Watt Inverter
Just as the battery disconnect switch powers the lights, fan, and other 12 volt electrical loads, the inverter powers some of
the 120 volt alternating current loads. This is the regular electricity you have in your house.
The inverter takes 12 volt power from your coach batteries and changes it into 120 volt electricity. It powers the television
and home theatre system, plus some other outlet or outlets, depending on model. With this inverter, you can watch television
or play a DVD while you are camping, without the need to plug into shore power or run your generator.
The inverter is rated for 750 watts maximum output, larger loads such as the air conditioner or microwave are too big to run
on the power produced by the inverter, and will not operate unless you plug in or start your generator. The inverter will shut
off if you try to draw too much power through it.

HOWTO: Monitor Panel 85
© 2016 by Erwin Hymer Group North America, Inc.
The inverter switch is on the left side of the monitor panel, above and to the right of the battery disconnect switch. It has an
indicator light inside it that comes on to let you it's on. If you are not using any 120 volt electricity, turn the inverter off to
conserve battery power, since it uses a small amount of electricity even when it's not powering any appliances.
The inverter will shut off if the battery voltage falls below a certain level. This is to protect your batteries, wiring, and the
inverter itself from damage. Battery voltage drops under load, so it is possible to have the inverter cut off under high load
when the battery voltage is normal with no load.
750 watt inverter switch 2500 watt inverter switch
Inverter Switch with 2500 Watt Inverter
If your Roadtrek has the engine generator and 2500 watt inverter option, your inverter switch will be on its own smaller panel
to the left of the main monitor panel. The switch has three positions: off in the middle position, power save auto in the top
position, and power save off in the bottom position.
In the power save auto setting, when you're not using anything with 120 volt power, the inverter will put itself to sleep. In this
mode, it still uses a small amount of power. If you turn on a 120 volt appliance, it senses a load and will come back on in
about 20 seconds. If you select power save auto you'll reduce the electricity it takes to keep the inverter powered, and your
batteries will require less recharging.
Pressing the bottom of the switch selects power save off. When this setting is selected, the inverter will be on continuously.

HOWTO: Monitor Panel 86
© 2016 by Erwin Hymer Group North America, Inc.
There is a shore power indicator light to the right of the switch to tell you the system is receiving shore power. There is also a
battery charging indicator light to tell you when the batteries are being charged by shore power.
Your refrigerator will run on either 12 volt battery power or 120 volt inverter power.
Patio Light
On the control panel, the top left switch is the patio light switch. Press the top of the button to turn the lights on, and the
bottom to turn them off. These are LED lights and use very little power.
Water pump switch Water heater switch and red indicator
light
Tank level indicators

HOWTO: Monitor Panel 87
© 2016 by Erwin Hymer Group North America, Inc.
Water Pump Switch
The button to the right of the patio light switch is the water pump switch. It should be on only when you have water in the
fresh water tanks and wish to use the sinks, showers, or toilet. The pump should not be run without water. As with the patio
light switch, pressing the top of the button turns the pump on, and pressing the bottom turns it off.
Water Heater Switch
The water heater switch is to the right of the water pump switch. As with all the other switches on the monitor panel, the
battery disconnect switch must be on for the water heater to work. Even though the water heater uses propane to heat the
water, all the igniters and controls are electrical. Be sure that the water heater is full of water before turning it on - if water
comes out of the hot water faucets when they are opened, the water heater has water in it. After turning it on, the red light to
the right of the switch will come on for a few seconds, than go off as the burner ignites. If the light keeps going off and on,
your burner is not lighting. Make sure that you have propane in your propane tank and that the main valve is open. If the
stove burners light, your propane supply is good.
Tank Level and Battery Charge Indicators
To the right of the control switches are the indicator lights for the battery charge level, the propane tank level, the fresh
water tank level, and the black and gray water tank levels. Press the button for each to see the display. These will give you
an approximate reading, to the nearest third, of how much is in each tank.
Roadtrek recommends that you keep a small amount of water in your gray and black tanks at all times. This will reduce the
likelihood of material sticking to the inside of the tank.
The four indicator lights for the battery are low, fair, good, and charging. Battery voltage dips under load; the greater the load
the greater the voltage dip. A battery under heavy load will show much lower state than one at rest.
The propane indicators will show full when the tank is at it maximum capacity. Due to the nature of propane, the maximum
fill capacity is 80% of the volume of the tank.

HOWTO: Monitor Panel 88
© 2016 by Erwin Hymer Group North America, Inc.
Generator switch and hour meter
Generator Switch and Hour Meter
To start the generator push START. Allow the generator to run
for a couple of minutes before turning on heavy loads such as
the air conditioner.
To stop the generator, first shut down all heavy loads, let the
generator run for 5 minutes to cool down, then press the STOP
side of the rocker switch.
The hour meter keeps track of how many hours your generator
has been running. This is important for servicing intervals such
as oil changes, etc. See your Cummings/Onan generator service
manual for details. There is a break-in oil change after the first
20 to 50 hours of use.

HOWTO: Setting Up Your Campsite 89
© 2016 by Erwin Hymer Group North America, Inc.
HOWTO: Setting Up Your Campsite
What Do You Need To Hook Up?
In a Roadtrek, the answer to this question is - a lot less than you think. Rather than slog through the setup ordeal that Class
As and fifth wheels and other trailers go through, Class Bs are much more nimble. We travel light and can set up and pack up
in minutes. Let's look at the differences in these different types of units and see why.
Full hookups - electric, water, and sewer - plus lots of
company
Most big rigs and trailers don't really have a self-contained
philosophy - they're basically like sticks and bricks homes on
wheels, which require what campgrounds call "full hookups"
(electricity, water, and sewer connections at each campsite) to
function. Roadtreks have big fresh water and holding tanks that
the other types of RVs lack, so it's usually easier just to plug into
the electricity, and not bother with the water and sewer
hookups. This makes your hookup procedure a five minute
process - park in a level spot and plug in. Maybe hook up the
cable TV, too, if they have it at the campsite, but that's about it.
It's a different philosophy because most large RVs plunk down
and don't move once they get to a campsite. They have a towed
vehicle - or the truck they haul their trailer with - to take short
trips around the area. Since you don't have a tow vehicle like
the big rigs, you need to be able to head out to the store or go
sightseeing in your Roadtrek, so the less elaborate the set-up
and pack-up procedures, the better.

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© 2016 by Erwin Hymer Group North America, Inc.
Connected Fresh Water vs. Using your Tanks
Filling your tanks
There's no real advantage to leaving the water hooked up all the
time - it's easier just to get your hose out and fill your tanks, and
then put the hose away. No leaks, no hose to trip over, no need
to disassemble and store all that stuff when it's time to hit the
road again. In a campground with shower facilities, your water
supply will last for days, and when it runs out you just get the
hose back out, fill it up again, and you're ready for another few
days.
Sewer Hookup vs. Dumping
The advantage of using your tanks for fresh water over a more
permanent water hookup is that you're automatically reminded
of when your waste water tanks are full. When you're close to
running out of fresh water, that means it's time to dump your
wastewater tanks. With a more permanent hookup, the reminder
may be waste water backing up in your sink or toilet, which is
not nearly as pleasant. The tank level indicators only tell you to the nearest third what your tank levels are.
Since you have a waste water discharge pump, the big rig's semi-permanent giant sewer hose on an inclined pathway to the
dump won't work for you - you have to run the pump anyway, so why not just dispense with all that unsightly and potentially
hazardous plumbing? Full hookup sites have a handy sewer dump right at your campsite. When your fresh water runs low,
refill your fresh water tanks, dump your waste water holding tanks, and you're good to go, plus you can drive off anytime
merely by stowing your electrical cord.

HOWTO: Setting Up Your Campsite 91
© 2016 by Erwin Hymer Group North America, Inc.
Why drive all the way back to town just to smell someone
else's woodsmoke? Camp where you are.
Simplify, Simplify
Campgrounds capitalize on the helplessness of
non-self-contained RVs by charging a premium for full
hookup sites. You aren't helpless. With an electric-only
hookup, you drive a short distance to the campground's
fresh water source and waste water dump every few
days. Do it on the way to the store or other trip that
you're going to take anyway, and it's no bother. In
addition to saving money, you'll also have a choice of
more campsites, since not all of them have full hookups,
or the even better choice of no campsite at all to take
advantage of the E-Trek's extended boondocking
capability. You can stay out there until you run out of
groceries if you want.
Freedom from hookups also opens up a whole range of
national and provincial forest campgrounds with limited
or no hookups to you. There is also dispersed camping in
national forests and crown lands and other boondocking
options, where you find your own campsite. There are rules for where you can and can't boondock, so check the forest
websites or drop in at the ranger station for information. Once you're out there, don't look around for those big rigs who are
dependent on hookups - they're all back in town. It's just you and nature, with the occasional backpacker.

HOWTO: Setting Up Your Campsite 92
© 2016 by Erwin Hymer Group North America, Inc.
Leveling your Roadtrek
Leveling blocks
Roadtreks don't have or need the built-in leveling jacks and stands large
RVs have - it's usually easy enough to move back and forth in your
campsite until you're reasonably level. However, many Roadtrek owners
buy and carry leveling blocks for those places where finding a level spot is
difficult. These are available in most camping supply stores or can be
ordered online. They go under your tires, and can be stacked in various
combinations to lift the low corner or end of your vehicle enough to get
comfortable. Many Roadtrek owners install a small bubble level in an
inconspicuous place visible from the driver's seat to assist with the leveling
process.
How level is level? In general, if it's level enough to be comfortable for you,
it's probably good enough for your plumbing. If you have a choice, it's
better to have the front of the Roadtrek very slightly higher than the back
for air conditioner condensate drainage. If you're not running your air
conditioner, it doesn't matter.

HOWTO: Shore Power 93
© 2016 by Erwin Hymer Group North America, Inc.
HOWTO: Shore Power
Connecting To Shore Power
Your Roadtrek has a shore power cord, which is stored beneath the sofa. Plug the large yellow end of this cord into your shore
power connection point directly in front of the driver's side rear wheel in the rear utility bay.
This plug goes in only one way - find the prong with the right angle (L-shaped) on the cord end and on the socket, and align
them. Once the plug is pushed in all the way, turn it slightly clockwise to lock it into place and tighten the black plastic
threaded ring around the outside of the socket.
Power cord stored under sofa L-shaped prong on plug, and
corresponding L-shaped hole in cord
end
Attached shore power cord
To disconnect, unthread the black plastic ring and rotate the plug slightly counterclockwise to pull it out.

HOWTO: Shore Power 94
© 2016 by Erwin Hymer Group North America, Inc.
Campsite Power Connections
Most RV parks and campgrounds have AC power of various voltages and amperages available at each site. The power will
typically be in a pedestal with a cover that flips up. If you cannot find your power pedestal or you're not sure how to open it,
ask the campground personnel.
50A / 240VAC outlet 30A / 120 VAC outlet

HOWTO: Shore Power 95
© 2016 by Erwin Hymer Group North America, Inc.
15A / 120 VAC outlet Breakers
A typical campsite’s power pedestal will have three types of plug-in receptacles: 15 amp, 30 amp and 50 amp. The 15A
receptacle is typically the same as you would find in your home. The 30A and 50A receptacles are specific to the RV industry.
Other receptacles look similar but may not be wired the same. If in doubt, check with campground personnel.
The pedestal will also typically have individual breakers for the 15A, 30A, and 50A services. Many campgrounds turn off
unused breakers so check that the breaker for the plug you will be using is turned on.
Your Roadtrek is equipped with a 30 Amp cord. Most power pedestals have a 30 amp receptacle.

HOWTO: Shore Power 96
© 2016 by Erwin Hymer Group North America, Inc.
15A to 30A adapter 50A to 30A adapter
It is possible that a campground (or perhaps a friend's driveway) will not have a 30A receptable available for your use. You
can purchase a 15A to 30A adapter and connect to an ordinary 15A household outlet.
Be aware that in those situations, you will have limited power compared to a 30A circuit. You will be able to run a single large
appliance at a time; you may need to turn off your air conditioner if you want to use the microwave, for example.
If you exceed the current capacity of the receptacle you may pop the breakers in the pedestal. If this happens, turn off some
appliances and reset the breaker.
It is also possible that you will find a 50A receptacle. Again, you can purchase a 50A to 30A adapter. In this case your power
should not be limited as you will have the full 30 amps available. Although you are connected to a 50A service, you can only
draw 30A; there is no advantage to connecting to a 50A service if a 30A service is available.

HOWTO: Potable Water Use 97
© 2016 by Erwin Hymer Group North America, Inc.
HOWTO: Potable Water Use
Your Roadtrek can operate in either fully self-contained mode, or can be connected to a water supply such as a campsite's
faucet.
The city water connection is in the front driver's side utility bay, to the left of the propane tank. Unscrew the white plastic
protective cap and connect your clean hose to the water faucet and to a water pressure regulator attached to this connection
point. Turn the faucet on and check for leaks, tightening the connections as necessary.
Campgrounds and municipalities vary greatly in supplied water pressure. Before connecting to external water
supplies, install a pressure regulator inline with the water connection.
In a typical campground you may see the faucet with a backflow preventer attached. These look similar to a pressure
regulator but do not affect the pressure. The backflow preventor is there to protect the campground. You need the pressure
regulator to protect yourself from excess pressure.
Backflow preventer Typical water pressure regulator (Owner
supplied)
Built-in pressure regulator
If you have the words "Pressure Regulator" stamped on your city water connection, you do not need an external
pressure regulator. If in doubt, use an external pressure regulator.

HOWTO: Potable Water Use 98
© 2016 by Erwin Hymer Group North America, Inc.
If you have any doubts about a water supply pressure situation, you can always fill your tanks from the water source
using the gravity fill, and use the water pump to supply water from the tanks.
The city water inlet connection is located in the front driver's side utility bay, just to the left of the propane tank.
Roadtrek recommends that you use a dedicated single purpose potable-water hose. These are usually white in color.
Buy a new one and use it only for filling your tanks and connecting to city water. View any hose lying around a
campground with extreme skepticism, especially it there's a wastewater dump nearby. Large RVs use hoses to flush
their wastewater system.
City water fill location Access to the city water valve, side door
area
To connect the Roadtrek's water system to an outside source:
•• Turn the water pump off.
•• Close the city tank fill valve by turning the handle to the across-the-line position. The city water valve is at the base of the
back of the bathroom, to the left of the side door opening (see photo above).
•• Close all interior faucets.
•• Flush old water and any contaminants out of the water supply faucet.
•• Connect your fresh water hose to the faucet.

HOWTO: Potable Water Use 99
© 2016 by Erwin Hymer Group North America, Inc.
•• Attach your pressure regulator to the Roadtrek's city water connection.
•• Attach a fresh water hose to the the pressure regulator.
•• Slowly open the faucet of the city water source.
•• The city water connection by-passes the water pump and fresh water tank. Therefore, the use of these items is not
necessary when connected directly to an external water source. Turn your water pump off when connected to city water.
City water valve in closed (handle
across the line) position
Attaching pressure
regulator to city water
fill location
Hose connected
To disconnect the city water connection:
•• Turn off the external water source.
•• Open a faucet to relieve the pressure in the system. Failure to do so will not damage your vehicle, but may result in an
unexpected shower when you disconnect the hose. The galley sink is a convenient place to do this.
•• Make sure the the city tank fill valve is closed (handle across the line).
•• Remove the hose from the city water connection, and replace the cap on the fill connection.
•• Disconnect the hose from the supply faucet and stow it inside your Roadtrek. Connecting the ends is a handy way to
prevent dirt or other contaminants from entering the hose while stored, and residual water from leaking out.
If you hear your pump running constantly and water pressure is low inside the vehicle after disconnecting from an
external water source, it is because you have not properly positioned the city water valve. Make sure the black plastic

HOWTO: Potable Water Use 100
© 2016 by Erwin Hymer Group North America, Inc.
handle is perpendicular to the water line when your water system is in self-contained mode.