How to Winterize a 15ft Boondock Lite Travel Trailer
First Time
Owners.
The Original A-Frame
The great outdoors is calling. Are you ready to answer? Hitching up an Aliner and hitting the road allows for adventure, exciting new experiences, relaxation, and quality time with family friends.
If you're new to campers, Aliner, or camping in general, understanding the numerous options and choices available will help you to select the camper that's right for you. We will help you to gain the knowledge you need to make your travels smooth and memorable.
Let's get down to business by reviewing things you need to know before you buy and then getting you comfortable with your new gateway to exploration.
"NEVER LOSE AN OPPORTUNITY OF
SEEING ANYTHING BEAUTIFUL."
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE BUYING A CAMPER
You have decided you are ready for adventure. Congratulations! Whether you are a camping novice, flying solo, or camping with the family, there is an Aliner trailer that is right for you. There are a few fundamental questions you should consider before you start the buying process. They include initial ideas to get you thinking about your ideal trailer:
- How many people will be consistently traveling and needed spacing in your trailer?
- Do you have the means to move this trailer around and space to store it?
- What amenities would make your travels more enjoyable?
- What is your camping style? (ie. remote camping vs. campgrounds)
The great thing about Aliners is no matter which model you decide on, all are extremely lightweight, towable, and easy to maneuver.
PICKING THE RIGHT ALINER FOR YOU
With 10 Aliner (and 3 Ascape models), there is a wide variety of our campers to pick from ranging in weight, size, equipment levels, and optional amenities.
ALINER WEIGHT
The Aliner has models ranging from 1180 lbs to 2300 lbs. The good news is that Aliner products are most likely towable with the vehicle you already own. With an average weight of 1750 lbs, Aliner products are towable by some 4 cylinder vehicles and most 6 cylinder vehicles. This includes sedans, crossover vehicles, smaller SUVs and minivans. Unsure of your vehicle's towing capacity? We recommend calling your local car dealer to inquire about the maximum towing capacity of your specific make and model.
SIZE DIFFERENCES:
Choosing the right size Aliner will largely depend on who you plan to camp with and how much space you prefer.
SMALL
Size:
10.5 Box on 13 Foot Frame
Perfect For:
Solo Camper or
Adventurous Couple
MEDIUM
Size:
12 Box on 15 Foot Frame
Perfect For:
Couple who enjoy
extra space, who like
to include their
four -legged friend
or a Small Family
LARGE
Size:
14.5 Box on 18 Foot Frame
Perfect For:
The Whole Family
EQUIPMENT DIFFERENCES:
When it comes to deciding on the right equipment package, think about the kind of camping you'll be doing. Do you exclusively camp at designated campgrounds, or are you more of a remote, off the grid camper?
STANDARD
Electric only with water hookups. no propane systems included, great for weekend trips to campgrounds with amenities
UPGRADED
More complex plumbing system with propane options and holding tanks, giving you the freedom and comfort to camp anywhere
DELUXE
Everything our upgraded package comes with plus some.
- Stove (with inside/outside options)
- Larger fridge
- Larger windows
- Electrical receptacles on the outside
- Stabilizer jacks at all four corners
VIEW CAMPER SELECTIONS
OPTIONAL AMENITIES:
The detailed specs for each model will further break down your options for the exterior of your trailer, the interior, appliance choices, and additional amenities.
These optional amenities can include:
- Soft or hard dormers
- An outside shower
- Furnace
- Wall A/C Unit
- Exterior outlets
- A sink or toilet
- A microwave or stove top
- An outside grill
- Water heater
Aliners also offer two types of High Wind Kits, which many campers find helpful when encountering less than ideal weather. One is the Cable Wind Kit which is a steel cable on each side of the campers roof. When engaged, it ensures no movement or chattering of the roof panels in high wind situations. The other option is the Lift Bar Wind Kit. Instead of a steel cable on each side of the camper, you will have two metal bars. This is a dual function option where you can help lift the roof panels of the camper during setup and secure the camper during high winds.
HOW TO BUY AN ALINER
All Aliner products are sold through our approved dealers. Aliner strives to find the best dealer in every major market from coast to coast. The vast majority of dealers have financing options available at the time of purchase. Aliner believes in the quality of our product and what we offer to our customers. We want you to be completely satisfied with your new trailer though so we offer a 1-year warranty from coupler to bumper. Some of the appliances also offer a 2 or 3-year warranty.
FIND A DEALER
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR TRAVEL TRAILER
Now that you have selected the right trailer for you, there are some important things to remember as you gear up to take on that first big adventure! Taking a little bit of time to understand and practice with your new trailer will allow you to get comfortable and enable a smooth and stress-free transition to camping.
Practice Setting Up Your Travel Trailer
The Aliner design provides for the easiest set up in the industry. In under a minute, you can have your Aliner set up and ready for use. It literally takes longer to read this tip than to actually set up your Aliner!
Practice Towing & Backing Up Your Travel Trailer
Especially if this is something you have never done before, towing and backing up a travel trailer is something to get used to. While it may be intimidating to do the first time, you will find it's not as difficult as you may think. The Aliner was designed with easy maneuverability in mind. With a little practice you will be going down the road and feeling confident. Backing up is the thing that takes the most practice. A large mall parking lot is a great place to practice backing in and out of spaces.
Learn & Maintain Your Travel Trailer's Equipment
Aliner travel trailers have the option to add amenities like furnaces, air conditioners, or water heaters for hot water at the sink and outside shower. Your dealer will show you how to operate and maintain all of your appliances and systems. Be sure to ask them questions or to show you something again if you have any questions or didn't understand. If any issues arise, contact your Aliner dealer, or reach out to our manufacturing plant directly.
ESSENTIAL TOOLS & NICE-TO-HAVES FOR YOUR CAMPER
While you will find that your Aliner is well-equipped with the things you need for your adventure, there are some tools and things you will need and want to have prepared before you go.
Nice-to-Have Options
There are some things that experienced campers will tell you that are nice-to-have along, but not necessarily something that will make or break your trip. Many experienced campers bring a 10'X10' shade tent. There are also awnings you can purchase to fit your Aliner.
TAKING CARE OF YOUR TRAVEL TRAILER
The beauty of most Aliners is that you can likely store it in your garage during the off-season. Before you kiss the camping season goodbye, it is important to properly winterize and store your travel trailer. This will ensure your Aliner is cleaned and prepared to sit while not in use. It will also make the opening of next season much easier!
REGULAR MAINTENANCE
Winterizing is a must to ensure your plumbing system and water heater won't freeze up or crack. Greasing your axle bearings is suggested at least once per year but it does depend on the miles you have put on your camper. It is also a good idea to keep an eye on the rubber gaskets and silicone caulking around the windows of your trailer
TIRE CARE
Checking your tire pressure a few times throughout the season is recommended to ensure you catch any leaks before they become a bigger problem. At the end of season, you should check the pressure once more before storing. Also, take a look at the treads on your tires to look for alignment concerns or how much the tread may have deteriorated during the season.
PROPER COVER
We recommend you purchase a cover made from a breathable fabric to place over your trailer while it's stored. This type of fabric is highly recommended so that it won't trap moisture and mildew while not in use. It can also be tightly secured.
STORING LOCATION
With the low profile of the Aliner, some owners store them in a garage. When garage space is not available, it's okay to leave your camper outside in the up or down position. If you live in an area where parking RV's is prohibited, there are many storage areas available. Look into a self-storage location near you that will focus on security, but you can enter as you please with a passcode or key card.
IMPORTANT TERMS TO KNOW FOR FIRST-TIME CAMPERS
POP-UP CAMPER
A pop-up camper is vehicle used for leisure activities that can be folded down or collapsed for easy hauling and storage
DRY WEIGHT
This is the final weight of your camper but before you fill all water, propane and place in your personal items. Aliner puts a real weight sticker on each camper after they are weighed. This shows you an exact dry weight with your options. The sticker also shows an unloaded hitch weight.
TRAVEL TRAILER
Is sometimes also referred to as a caravan. It is a camper or trailer that is towed behind a vehicle that can be used for sleeping and/or eating.
HITCH WEIGHT
The weight that will be added to the rear suspension of your tow vehicle via your hitch. Both the dry weight and hitch weight are important to know before making a buying decision. You want to make sure your tow vehicle is as comfortable as you are!
BOONDOCKING
A primitive style of camping where you do not have electric or water hook-ups. You will be using a combination of your battery and propane system to run things like lights, refrigerator, furnace etc.
OFF ROAD PACKAGE
It increases your Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of the axle and tire size. It also increases the axle angle providing 4" of additional ground clearance.
How to Winterize a 15ft Boondock Lite Travel Trailer
Source: https://aliner.com/first-time-camper/