“Gilly” - Rig Guide

  • Hitching

    Make sure back of trailer and front of trailer (A and B) are level. The trailer hitch C should be at 23”. Make the ball (D) 1 to 1 -1/2” higher than the trailer (about 24”)

    Step 1: Connect the hitch to your tow vehicle.
    Lift the hitch into the receiver and ensure you put in the linch pin (Cotter pin) is in place

    Step 2: Hook the trailer to your tow vehicle
    Back up the truck to align the hitch and the ball mount. Use your backup camera or a 2nd person to ensure you do not hit the trailer. Put the truck in park and put on the E-Brake.

    Drop the jack until the FULL WEIGHT of the trailer down on the ball. Front end of the trailer should be about 1” to 1-1/2” lower than the back. Attach the tension plate to the bottom of the ball housing by securing it with the pin and clip provided.

    Ensure the plate is perpendicular to the Trailer frame. If not, raise the trailer jack off the ground and use the tow vehicle to move the Trailer forward or backward at an angle until the plate is close to perpendicular to the trailer frame

    Step 3. Connections

    1. Hook up the RV’s breakaway cable
    2. Attach safety chains in crisscross (X) formation
    3. Attach the 7-pin connector (ensure the tab on the connector is aligned with the truck tab)
    4. Raise up the jack
    5. Remove the chocks from the trailer and raise the 4 stabilizing jacks on all the corners

    Step 4. Checklist – Walk around

    Walk around the rig to ensure everything is safe
    Ensure no loose items
    Ensure no unlocked doors
    Check the RV Brakes via the indicator light on the brake controller
    Check the brake lights on the tow vehicle and the trailer
    Check the turn signals on the tow vehicle and the trailer

  • Packing the trailer

    Loading the trailer properly for towing

    1. Ensure all cabinets are closed and doors are closed.
    2. Move all objects out of the way of the slide as the slide will almost touch the kitchen countertop.
    3. Ensure all items that can move are secured away properly.
    4. Distribute weight of objects to ensure proper loading and weight distribution. Too much weight behind the trailer will increase chances of sway and too much weight at the front will increase tongue weight on the hitch. Place heavier items close to the axles.

  • Unhitching

    To Unhook the trailer from tow vehicle

    1. Once you are parked, chock the tires of your trailer and remove your safety chains (not the Tension Chains).
    2. Use your trailer’s jack to lift the trailer and take the weight off of the back tires of the tow vehicle.
    3. Remove the pin and clip attached to the bottom of the ball and Tension Plate
    4. Remove the TensionPlate — you can leave the chains and shackles attached to it
    5. In some cases you may need to lower the coupler, placing the weight of the trailer back onto the ball so it centers itself in the coupler, then raise the coupler back up and completely off of the ball.

  • Parking and Leveling

    Parking the Trailer

    Make sure you give yourself room to maneuver the trailer. The trailer will cut the turns short so plan ahead. Always use a spotter to assist with directions. If you can’t see the spotter stop and make them move to where you can see them for safety. Ensure there is enough space for the slide to open and the cables to reach their respective location (water/ electrical/ sewer).

    Get out and walk around to ensure you are not hitting anything. When in doubt just get out and go check. A quick walk around and look from the outside can save you 30 min of back and forth driving/parking.

    Leveling the trailer

    1. Ensure you are leveling the trailer Left to Right using the leveling block under the wheels to ensure plum. You can measure the left side to the right side with a measuring tape or use the small level provided in the tool kit.
    2. Level the trailer front to back using the Power Jack. You can measure the front of the trailer to the with a measuring tape or use the small level provided in the tool kit.
    3. Once level use the stabilizing jacks to reduce movement when going in and out of the trailer. Stabilizing jacks are NOT made to level the trailer but only stabilize the movement walking around. Use the Power jack and the leveling block to level out the trailer.

  • Connections (Hook up Sites)

    1. Connect Power to the trailer
    Make sure you are putting the power in at an angle to fit the handle and once inserted twist counterclockwise slightly to secure. Once secured twist the black screw to ensure a good watertight seal.

    2. Connect City Water
    Make sure you are putting the pressure regulator on the connection before connecting the white water hose. City water has stronger pressure than the trailer can withstand, and you must always use the regulator. The white water hose is BPA free and made for drinking. The orange hose is NOT acceptable.

    - If not using a full hookup you can use a hose to fill the Fresh water tank to the right of the city water connect for “Dry camping” or “Boondocking” (remember to add the weight of the water to your cargo carrying capacity to ensure you are not overweight)

    3. Orange Connection
    The Orange water hose is for the Black tank rinse only. This hose is NOT made for drinking and should not be used for City water hookup. This will be used before you depart your campsite. Connect the Orange hose to this connection to spray the black tank to help flush everything cleanly. ALWAYS remember to flush the Black tank first THEN the Grey tank last before leaving to ensure clear pipes. First open the Black tank flush, once empty turn on the orange hose to clear out the pipes fully. After that is done and clear water is running down the hose you can turn off that water and then dump the grey tank.

    4. Connect TV Cable / Satellite
    If campsite provides

    5. Turn on the Propane
    There is a regulator in the middle that should be Red. This ensures there is no propane in the lines. One you turn on the tank (Open = Counterclockwise) the meter should turn green showing the propane is on and running. If the tank gets empty and you would like to switch to the 2nd tank, simply flip the black knob on top to point to the other tank you would like to use. (The propane will run the furnace so if it is cold outside you must keep the propane on to run heat)

  • Inside Setup

    A/C
    The Air conditioner runs on electricity so you need to be hooked up to shore power or run it off the battery.

    Heater
    The heater runs of propane and is only adjusted and turned on by the thermostate by the couches. The roof a/c has heater settings but they do not heat enough to warm the trailer. The a/c on the roof is only for cold air or fan only.

    Refrigerator/ Freezer –
    Ensure you turn on the Freezer/ Refrigerator button above the Freezer. You only need to turn it on/off. The other button will automatically turn it from electrical to propane if electricity is disconnected (Do Not Touch).

    Using the 3 Burner Stove Top
    The use the stove the propane must be turned on in front of the trailer. You open the glass topper which should only be closed when the stove is cold. Find the knob with the burner you would like to light and turn it to On. Once on you can turn the Igniter knob all the way to the Left and rotate it to spark the plug. Do NOT leave the burner knob on long without igniting the spark as gas will built up inside the trailer. Keep turning the Igniter knob until you get a flame and then adjust the burner knob until you have the desired temperature setting. One you are done using the stove top let the stove have time to cool down before lowering the glass as the glass will break with extreme heat. Always turn the ignition knob clockwise Only.

    Using the Oven
    To light to over you turn the oven knob to the ignite section. You can find the ignition through the reflection of the glass partially open or bend over to see there is a spark inside the oven. One you turn on the oven knob turn the ignition knob and keep turning it until you see a flame spark in the back of the oven. If you have not been running the propane long it may take a few turns of the ignition knob to light. Always turn the ignition knob clockwise Only.

    Converting the Dinette into a bed
    To convert the dinette into a sleeping area you must remove the cushions from the sides, remove the top of the table and remove the two metal legs. There is a wooden lip the the table will rest ontop of. Once set you place the cushions of the dinette over the table to form the bed. The three back cushions usually fit well to cover the area.

    Outdoor Grill
    To use the outdoor grill you must open the back compartment and pull out the grill. Make sure the propane is in the ON position in the front of the trailer. Take the Quick disconnect hose out of the drawer in the back compartment and connect it to the grill. Connect the other side of the Quick Disconnect hose to the Quick Connect extension right by the tires near the front door.

  • Breakdown

    Clean the trailer and organize

    Ensure all cabinets are closed and doors are closed. Sweep under the slide and move all objects out of the way. Ensure all items that can move are secured away properly. Distribute weight of objects to ensure proper loading and weight distribution. Too much weight behind the trailer will increase chances of sway and too much weight at the front will increase tongue weight on the hitch. Place heavier items close to the axles.

    Connections – Disconnect #1
    1. Disconnect the white water hose and remove the pressure regulator from the trailer
    2. Disconnect the TV / cable if applicable

    Connections – Disconnect #2 (After you dump the tanks)

    1. Disconnect Sewer hoses
    2. Disconnect the power cable and make sure you pack the Battery Surge Protector as well

  • Dump the tanks

    Step 1. Be sure you Sewer hoses are not frozen and are tightly fastened (you do not want a mess on you). Ensure the gray and black tanks are relatively full. (Fill the tanks with as much water before you dump to fully clear tanks.
    Step 2. Flush the Black tank FIRST. Be sure if you need to add water to the black tank to rinse you do this before flushing. This will allow the black tank to fill and flush easier.
    Step 3. Flush the gray tank SECOND to clean out the pipes. Make sure you allow a few minutes and the tanks are fully flushed before disconnecting the sewer hoses.
    Step 4. Place the cap on the trailer to ensure you are not sloshing around and dropping water once you leave.
    Step 5. Be sure to put the sewer hose back into the camper and you are not leaving anything behind.

  • Inside Breakdown

    1. Close the Slide

    Make sure there is nothing in the way of the slide as it comes right up to the kitchen counter. Be sure you do Not stop halfway and start/stop as this will damage the two motors that work the slide. Ensure everything is clear on the outside and inside and run the slide until you hear the winning noise.
    2. Retract the awning
    3. Turn off all the lights
    4. Turn off the refrigerator/freezer
    5. Turn off the water heater (electric and propane)
    6. Turn off the water pump (if using fresh water and no water hookup)
    7. Turn off Main batter disconnect in front of the trailer (behind the propane tanks)