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Thread: First Long Trip Questions
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06-09-2019, 08:34 PM #1
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First Long Trip Questions
We are on our first long trip (6-8 weeks) and I've got a couple of questions.
1) We're having difficulty with the 303RLS auto leveling system. Quite often we get an "out of stroke" message. When we are successful, often one set of wheels is slightly off the ground which concerns me. I just bought a set of lynx levelers which I hope will allow me to have more control over the process. Comments/Suggestions?
2) How often should you empty the black water tank? I'm ready horror stories of emptying too early or too late!
Thanks!Bill and Tracy
2019 Reflection 303RLS
2015 Dodge Ram 2500 6.7 Turbo Diesel
Arizona
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06-10-2019, 01:33 AM #2
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Out of stroke means the legs can not extend any further. Your site is likely not very level. You should not extend the legs past the 6th pin per the manufacturer. If you need additional extension then most folks used blocks of wood or just a stack of cut up 2x4’s. What we do is use the Andersen Jack Blocks. They’re plastic buckets that you can put under the legs before extending them. This way the leg legs don’t have to extend so far. We stack 2 buckets in front and use singles for the rear. Less leg extension also means the trailer is more stabile.
We have 5 in our family so we dump our black tank every other day. I don’t go by the sensors because they are notoriously unreliable.2017 Ford F450 - our kids call her "Big Red"
2018 Grand Design Reflection 28bh
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06-10-2019, 03:03 AM #3
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I wait to dump the black tank until it is about 3/4's full. That way, you have enough liquid to move the solids. I also add a couple of gallons of water and a package of oxidizer when I first set up.
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06-10-2019, 06:47 AM #4
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Long roadtrips are fun! Hope you have a great time.
We have a dated 303 pre auto leveling so can't offer up much advice there. But I have read leveling the old way side by side helps with some issues. Using blocks or the buckets under the feet will help some with any wiggle or bounce.
The black tank emptying when we are road tripping is done with no less than half a tank, if you dump with less utilize the flush/cleanout until the tank runs clear. Let the tank fill some before opening the gate valve while doing a flush, that will help get rid of any developing mounds. We tend to flush every few tank fulls and when the trailer isn't going to be used for a period of time (which doesn't happen often) before it's put to bed.
Be sure to use enough water vs TP when flushing. This is one place water conservation can cause a big problem.
Marcy & Gary
2014 Grand Design - Reflection 303RLS
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06-10-2019, 07:45 PM #5
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Geoff and Cheri
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06-11-2019, 09:57 PM #6
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Thanks everyone for your help! I like the Anderson buckets. May be investing soon.
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06-12-2019, 11:52 AM #7
Ditto on the buckets! Been using ours for 14 months of full timing and they’re still perfect. Way lighter than wood, don’t soak up water and don’t crack like the plastic blocks. We don’t use the leg extensions at all, helps with trailer stability big time.
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06-12-2019, 12:50 PM #8
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06-18-2019, 12:38 PM #9
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As others have said, get the trailer close to level (eyeball it) side to side before auto leveling. We also use the Anderson buckets. If you haven't already, I recommend re-calibrating the leveling system. Initially, ours claimed to be level when it clearly was not. On a particularly flat campsite, we took the time to level the trailer the old fashioned way using a bubble level and manual control of the individual jacks, then reset the "zero point". Now it is perfect. I really love the auto leveling feature.
At whatever point you decide to dump the black tank, the key is to have plenty of liquid in it so the solids get flushed out. 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 or full, it will be fine as long as you have a high ratio of liquid to solid. Prior to travel days, I use the tank flush connection to make sure it is free of all solid waste. Leave some water in the tank when driving so it sloshes around and takes care of any residual.2022 F450 Platinum
B & W Companion
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06-18-2019, 01:58 PM #10
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