Dutchmen Kodiak 300BHSL - User Manual

How to setup a Dutchmen Kodiak 300BHSL
1) Inspect campsite.
a) Find out where the campsite drain for grey and black water is located
b) Check to make sure campsite is big enough to extend 2 foot long Mega-Slides on driver side
and 1.24 foot kitchen slide on passenger side of trailer.
c) Check for any tree branches, power lines and other objects that could possibly damage the
trailer. If such is present do not remove them yourself or try to go around them. Simply
point out that the spot is not suitable for the RV and have campground personal assign you
a new spot.
2) Positioning the trailer
a) Back in, or pull through (if possible) the camp spot and stop approximately 1 foot short of
where you want the RV to be parked.
b) Take level (usually located in the “bear cave” at the front of RV) and place it on the back
bumper and see if trailer sits level.
- If level, pull/back the remaining foot and continue with next step
- If not level, take orange pads or wood blocks and place them in front or in back of the
lower sides’ tires. Pull trailer onto them. Remember, if the bubble of the level is all the
way to the right (passenger side), that means the trailer is lower on the driver side. So
therefore put leveling blocks under lower sides’ tires.
- If not level, pull trailer off leveling blocks and add more leveling blocks and repeat
process until trailer is level.
3) Install power cord from trailer to campground outlet or generator (if generator is used, turn on
generator at this point to avoid battery drainage during leveling of trailer and extending slides).
The cord should be connected to a 30 AMP outlet. On the trailers power inlet it is required to
push plug into trailers electrical inlet, then turn it a quarter inch clockwise (to the right) then
install the grey safety nut by turning it clockwise until snug tight. Don’t over tighten. No
excessive force is required. Do not forget to turn on breaker at trailer parks power outlet were
you plugged in the cord. If there is power then you should see a small blue light on trailers
electrical inlet cover lid. If light is off and breaker turned on please ask campground personal for
help.
4) Remove power cord from pulling vehicle.
5) Remove safety pin from hitch latch of trailer
6) Lower power tong jacks leg to ground but don’t lift yet

Summary

Inspect Campsite Setup

Locate Water Drains

Identify the location of grey and black water drains on the campsite.

Verify Campsite Space

Confirm campsite is large enough for trailer slides and clearance.

Check for Obstructions

Inspect for overhead hazards like branches or power lines and report unsuitable spots.

Position and Level Trailer

Initial Parking

Back in or pull through to park the trailer approximately 1 foot short of the final spot.

Trailer Leveling

Use a level to check side-to-side balance and adjust with leveling blocks under tires.

Connect Power Supply

Disconnect from Towing Vehicle

Remove Power Cord

Disconnect the power cord from the pulling vehicle.

Release Hitch Latch

Remove the safety pin from the trailer hitch latch.

Lower Tongue Jack

Lower the trailer's tongue jack leg to the ground, but do not lift yet.

Secure Trailer and Detach

Install Wheel Chocks

Secure trailer tires with chocks to prevent movement after disconnecting.

Release Hitch Ball

Lift the tongue jack to release the trailer from the hitch ball.

Remove Safety Chains

Remove towing safety chains from the vehicle once the trailer is clear.

Store Hitch Pin

Place the trailer hitch safety pin in the trailer's toolbox.

Move Towing Vehicle

Move the towing vehicle 5-8 feet forward away from the trailer.

Install Tongue Lock

If necessary, install a safety lock on the trailer tongue.

Final Leveling and Stabilization

Front-to-Back Leveling

Use a level on the floor to ensure the trailer is level front-to-back with the tongue jack.

Corner Jack Stabilization

Lower corner jacks onto blocks for stabilization only; do not use for leveling.

Connect Utilities and Systems

Install Sewer Hoses

Connect sewer hoses to the front black and grey outlets.

Connect Water Supply

Install water hose but do not turn on water; use a pressure regulator.

Lower Entrance Stairs

Deploy the trailer's entrance stairs.

Extend Trailer Slides

Extend Kitchen Slide

Extend the kitchen slide first.

Secure Interior Doors

Close and latch interior doors before extending the living room slide.

Extend Living Room Slide

Extend the living room slide, stopping when a loud noise is heard or movement ceases.

Extend Bunk Bedroom Slide

Open the bunk bedroom door and extend its slide.

Activate Water System

Prepare Appliances and Systems

Propane System Check

Turn on propane bottles and light stove burners briefly to purge air.

Water Heater Activation

Turn on the water heater using propane, electric, or both for faster heating.

Fridge Operation

Turn on the refrigerator on its auto setting.

Thermostat Adjustment

Adjust the thermostat for heating, air conditioning, or fan operation.

TV Antenna and Cable

Raise the TV antenna or connect cable TV.

Toilet Treatment

Insert chemicals into the toilet's holding tank.

Stow Equipment

Put all tools back into the toolbox and lock the storage area.

Ventilate Range Hood

Open the vent latch for the kitchen stove range hood.

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Usage Features
3. Maintenance Features

This document outlines the comprehensive setup procedure for a Dutchmen Kodiak 300BHSL recreational vehicle (RV), detailing steps from initial campsite inspection to final system activation. It serves as a guide for users to properly position, stabilize, connect utilities, and prepare the RV for occupancy, emphasizing safety and correct operational sequences.

Function Description

The Dutchmen Kodiak 300BHSL is a travel trailer designed for recreational camping, offering living space, sleeping quarters, and essential utilities for extended stays. The setup process described in this manual enables the RV to transition from a towed vehicle to a stationary, fully functional living unit. This involves:

• Site Preparation: Ensuring the chosen campsite is suitable for the RV's dimensions and features, particularly its slide-outs, and free from obstructions.
• Leveling and Stabilization: Achieving a stable and level platform for comfortable living and proper operation of internal systems. This is crucial for the functionality of appliances, drainage, and overall structural integrity.
• Utility Connections: Establishing connections for electrical power, fresh water, and sewer drainage, which are fundamental for operating lights, appliances, water systems, and waste disposal.
• Slide-out Extension: Expanding the living space by extending the slide-outs, a key feature for enhancing interior comfort and usability.
• System Activation: Turning on and preparing internal systems such as propane, water heater, refrigerator, and climate control for immediate use.

Usage Features

The manual details a step-by-step approach to using the RV's features during setup, ensuring a smooth and safe experience.

• Campsite Inspection (Step 1): Before positioning, users must verify the campsite's suitability. This includes checking for the location of grey and black water drains, ensuring ample space for the RV's two-foot Mega-Slides on the driver's side and the 1.24-foot kitchen slide on the passenger side, and identifying any potential obstructions like tree branches or power lines. If obstructions are present, users are advised to request a different spot from campground personnel rather than attempting to clear them independently. This proactive step prevents potential damage to the RV.

• Trailer Positioning (Step 2): The RV should be backed in or pulled through the camp spot, stopping approximately one foot short of the desired final position. A level, typically found in the "bear cave" at the front of the RV, is used on the back bumper to check if the trailer sits level. If not, orange pads or wood blocks are placed under the lower sides' tires. The manual provides a clear indicator: if the bubble is all the way to the right (passenger side), the trailer is lower on the driver's side, requiring leveling blocks under the driver's side tires. This iterative process ensures the RV is perfectly level before proceeding.

• Power Connection (Step 3): The power cord is connected from the trailer to either the campground outlet or a generator. The cord requires a 30 AMP outlet. The plug must be pushed into the trailer's electrical inlet, turned a quarter-inch clockwise, and then secured with the grey safety nut, tightened until snug without excessive force. Users are reminded to turn on the breaker at the power outlet. A small blue light on the trailer's electrical inlet cover lid indicates power. If the light is off, campground personnel should be contacted. This ensures a stable and safe electrical supply.

• Hitch Disconnection and Stabilization (Steps 4-15): This sequence involves removing the power cord from the pulling vehicle, detaching the safety pin from the hitch latch, and lowering the power tongue jack leg. The trailer's tongue hitch latch is lifted and pulled back. If it doesn't move, rocking the pulling vehicle in neutral may help. The tongue jack continues to lower until the trailer lifts off the pulling vehicle's hitch ball. Once detached, the towing safety chains are removed. The towing vehicle is then moved 5-8 feet forward. A safety lock can be installed on the trailer tongue. The level is placed on the "Bear-Caves" floor, parallel to the sides of the trailer, to level it front-to-back using the tongue jack, with a recommendation to keep the front slightly higher than the back. Finally, all four corner jacks are lowered onto leveling blocks until snug, with one more turn of the crank. The manual explicitly states that these jacks are for stabilization only, not leveling, to prevent damage.

• Utility Hookups (Steps 16-17): All sewer hoses are installed, preferably to the front black and grey outlet, as bathroom tanks tend to fill faster than the kitchen grey water tank. The water supply hose is connected, but water should not be turned on yet if at a campground. For dry camping, this step is skipped. A critical safety warning is provided: NEVER HOOK UP HOSE TO TRAILER WITHOUT A PRESSURE REGULATOR, as this will damage the trailer's water pipes.

• Slide-out Extension (Step 19): The manual outlines a specific order for extending slides to prevent damage. A second person is required to watch outside the trailer to ensure no obstructions. The sequence is:

  • Extend the kitchen slide.
  • Ensure the dining room to back (bunk bed room) bedroom door is closed and latched to avoid ripping the door off its handle when extending the living room slide. Extend the living room slide until a loud banging noise is heard or the slides stop moving.
  • Open the bunk bedroom door and extend that slide.

• Water System Activation (Step 20): All faucets are opened, and the water supply is turned on (or the water pump if dry camping). The water pump switch is on the control panel (top right upon entering the RV). Users wait for most air to escape the pipes, then shut all faucets except one hot water faucet, allowing the water heater to fill and air to escape.

• Propane and Appliance Activation (Steps 21-25): Stove burners and the oven are ensured to be off before turning on propane bottles. All three stove burners are turned on one at a time and lit for a few seconds to purge air from the propane lines, then turned off. On the control panel, the water heater is turned on. There are two switches: propane and electric. Both can be used for fast hot water, or electric only to conserve propane. For dry camping, propane is recommended. The refrigerator is set to auto. The thermostat is adjusted for heating, AC, or fan only.

• Entertainment and Final Touches (Steps 26-30): The TV antenna is raised (using a crank between the TV and couch in the ceiling) or connected to a cable TV connection. Chemicals are inserted into the toilet's holding tank (from under the bathroom sink). All tools are returned to the toolbox and locked in the "bear cave." The vent latch for the kitchen stove range hood is opened. Finally, users are encouraged to enjoy their KODIAK!

Maintenance Features

While the document primarily focuses on setup, it implicitly includes elements that contribute to the longevity and proper functioning of the RV, which can be considered maintenance-related usage features:

• Preventative Damage Measures: The emphasis on checking for obstructions before extending slides, using a pressure regulator for water supply, and following a specific slide-out extension order are all preventative measures that avoid costly repairs and maintain the RV's condition.
• Correct Usage of Jacks: The clear instruction that corner jacks are for stabilization only and not for lifting the trailer prevents damage to the jack mechanisms and the RV's frame.
• Proper Utility Connections: Detailed steps for connecting power, water, and sewer lines, including warnings about over-tightening and using safety devices like pressure regulators, ensure that these critical systems operate correctly and are not damaged during setup.
• Air Purging: The process of purging air from propane lines and water pipes is essential for the efficient and safe operation of the stove and water heater, preventing potential issues and ensuring system readiness.
• Tool Management: The instruction to return and lock tools in the "bear cave" promotes organization and ensures tools are available for future adjustments or minor maintenance tasks.

The document serves as a comprehensive operational guide, ensuring that the Dutchmen Kodiak 300BHSL is set up correctly, safely, and efficiently for an enjoyable camping experience. It prioritizes user safety and the preservation of the RV's systems through detailed, sequential instructions and clear warnings.

Dutchmen Kodiak 300BHSL Specifications