Total newbie needs help

[user 22017]

Hi everyone,

I didn't want to bother you again, but I don't know anything about my truck camper. I can't find a manual for it online and can't find a website with diagrams about how truck camper systems work. On top of that, I know nothing about electrical, heating and propane.

So far I've only managed to buy an adapter so I could plug the camper into my home shore power. So, I have lights and the frig works, but I can't find a battery anywhere. And the compartments don't open under dinette seats and the step to the bed loft (like my old camper). When I turn on lights I hear humming, or a fan, from behind a panel near the floor (inside that step to bed loft area).

I think I need to track down a manual.

Also, I've accepted that I'm stuck here for quite a while because tie downs are so expensive. I know I should have bought a van instead, but I want to make this work eventually.

Thanks

Ps. the TC is a 2001 Sun-Lite, hard side, 8 foot (about)

 

[maki2]

The latch for access under the step to the bunk might be under the carpet that is on the step.

 

[Jimmyflorida]

What kind truck fo you have I have an old set of happijac tiedowns mounts off my 2001 ram

 

[user 22017]

The latch for access under the step to the bunk might be under the carpet that is on the step.

There is a sign that says "not for storage" and the wood is screwed down. I'll take pictures tomorrow. Thank you.

Edit: I think you might be right. That is where the water tanks were on my last truck camper. (I never did use that camper. I sold it a month ago.)

 

[user 22017]

What kind truck fo you  have I have an old set of happijac tiedowns mounts off my 2001 ram

1995 Ford F250, long bed, gas

 

[Jimmyflorida]

1995 Ford F250, long bed, gas

Well the old truck mounts should work on your ford if you want/need them pm your address and I'll send you to you for free

 

[user 22017]

Well the old truck mounts should work on your ford if you want/need them pm your address and I'll send you to you for free

Thank you, Jimmy. What are truck mounts? I'm sorry I know so little

 

[user 22017]

How do I know when my water tank is full? Just fill it until it shows at the top of where I fill it? And the pic with the two water stem things underneath, one is for draining my sink? And the other for using a hose for my sink faucet? I think the seller said I could attach a hose there. Since it is October, I might skip filling it until spring.

Regarding the propane, I better get help the first time for that. And I think Bob Wells has a video about checking the lines for age. The seller said the heater works fine and I adjust the thermostat like one at home.

 

[user 22017]

The latch for access under the step to the bunk might be under the carpet that is on the step.

No idea how that carpeted step opens. And as you can see, the plywood forming the dinette benches is screwed down. (Pic is blurry, but there are screws)

Edit: See the black plastic thing near the GFCI, just under the top of the box/step? That thing turns & I thought it was used to lift the board (thus opening it). But when I turn it, it presses under the gold trim & starts to twist the trim. Do I remove the gold trim? The dinette bench has one of those black things that turns, too.

Ps. the carpet doesn't come up.

 

[highdesertranger]

to fill the water tank, that is the center picture the filler next to the Propane compartment. if you look close there is a breather/vent on the side of the cap. remove the cap and fill until water comes out the breather/vent. make sure you use a potable water hose. also if it hasn't been used in a while you might want to sanitize the system.

you can attach a hose to the other fitting but that doesn't fill the tank it pressurizes your system but bypasses your tank.

I only see 2 screws on the one piece of plywood. remove the two screws and see what's in there. I have no idea what that little black thing is the picture is to blurry.

highdesertranger

 

[user 22017]

make sure you use a potable water hose.  also if it hasn't been used in a while you might want to sanitize the system.

you can attach a hose to the other fitting but that doesn't fill the tank it pressurizes your system but bypasses your tank.

Thank you. I'll buy a special hose before I forget. And I'll sanitize the system (maybe in the spring).

The seller said I could use a hose on one of the other fittings and get my sink water from the hose. Will that mean the water will come out under pressure, as if I had a pump? That would be nice if I ever have hookups, but I won't 90% of the time.

I assume that is a pump faucet and I have no electric pump.

 

[user 22017]

I should have Googled that panel name on lower left. When on shore power, if I turn on a light, I hear a fan or humming sound coming from that. I'm guessing there is a battery behind it? But nothing works, unless I'm on shore power. And I thought campers had fuses

See why I'm so confused? The other panel is for a carbon monoxide detector

EDIT: It is a power converter. Found it in Google:
https://hibid.com/lot/18086612/centurion-3000-rv-power-converter/

There is a cord outside the camper. I guess it has to be hooked up to my truck?

 

[Cammalu]

Go to a campground for the night. All your neighbors will gladly help

 

[speedhighway46]

Or a local RV dealer. Pay them $20 and have them go over all your major systems, where they are located, and a basic explanation of how they function.

 

[user 22017]

Go to a campground for the night. All your neighbors will gladly help

That is a good idea. I planned on boondocking at dispersed camping sites mostly, but you are right... I should splurge & pay for campgrounds initially. I could learn much there.

 

[user 22017]

Or a local RV dealer. Pay them $20 and have them go over all your major systems, where they are located, and a basic explanation of how they function.

I'll ask them. I went to a local camping store and they referred me to an RV tech. He said for $75 an hour he would walk me through my TC. Still waiting for him to find time, but I just got an offer from someone in Illinois who is going to show me everything (for free). He is 6+ hours away, but I planned on camping near him anyway next month. So, things are looking up

Edit: Eww. One more trip using ratchet straps, lol. Maybe Brophy stake pocket tie-downs until I can afford happijak or torklift (someday).

 

[highdesertranger]

wow 75 bucks an hour to explain your systems? I would do it for 40 bucks an hour. just kidding I would do it for nothing if you were close by. BTW where are you located? highdesertranger

 

[user 22017]

I'm in Peoria, in north/central Illinois. The person who offered to help is in Carbondale in southern Illinois, but I had already planned on camping in Shawnee National Forest next month.

Edit: BTW, someone sent me a scanned copy of my TC manual and it explains quite a bit. It explained the water system very much as you did. Thank you

 

[maki2]

The centurion 3000 is your power converter. That is where your 12v fuses for the camper electrical things such as the water pump, lights, etc are located. It also contains the charger for your house battery. There are lots of wiring diagram images for that converter posted on the internet. But as it was used in quite a few different types of campers how individuals hooked wires up to it for their specific campers will likely not be exactly how yours was wired up. The website popupportal.com is a forum and that forum does have members who use that same converter. So some of them have posted images of it and also wiring diagrams, maybe even someone has an original manual scanned and posted. I would suggest you sign up for that forum for at least long enough to grab some of that information about the your Centurion 3000. That is what you need to know to get your electrical stuff up and operational. It might be as simple as engaging the main breaker in it, or that might already be turned on if you are hearing humming noises. The humming noise could be the battery charger that is part of that device if your model did include a battery charger. But I think you could find a fellow camper at a site to help you get at least that far. Choose someone who has a truck camper if you can.

Or stop for breakfast in a small town "tractor cap" cafe. There are very likely some old timers who go there every morning for coffee and conversation with their pals. They are likely to get a kick out of helping out a newbie. Lots of those farmer types have owned truck campers. It will give them something new to talk about at tomorrow's breakfast. You just have to know how agricultural small town society works, you will get lots of free advice at the cafe and at the feed supply stores where they sell propane.

 

[user 22017]

The website popupportal.com is a forum and that forum does have members who use that same converter. 
<snip> You just have to know how agricultural small town society works, you will get lots of free advice at the cafe and at the feed supply stores where they sell propane.

Funny you mentioned that site. Last night I Googled that converter and the best results went there. I tried clicking on images there, but it said I had to register. I'll do that.

I know what you mean about small towns. I've lived in towns like that & you are right.