User Guide Video Outline for the Airstream Basecamp: Click below to go to video section or scroll through each section.
Exterior - Front
The 7-Way Plug
Liquid Propane (LP) Tanks Cover and Understanding the Regulator
Low-Pressure LP Port
Solar Plug Port
Breakaway Switch
Hitching to Your Tow Vehicle (Hitch Jack and Coupler)
Safety Chains
Front End Protection - 3M Film (Standard Models)
Front End Protection - Rock Guards (X-Models)
Front Window Guards - Cleaning Access (X-Models)
Exterior - Curb Side (door side)
Entry Door Light
Entry Door Lock, Latch, and Screen
Entry Door Step
120-Volt Electrical Outlet
Exterior - Road Side
Power Cord and Electrical Hookup
Battery Vent
Exterior Storage
Black Tank Flush
Emptying the Holding Tanks
Low Point Drain Valves
Water Hookups and Tanks
Exterior Shower Access and Use
City Water Inlet and Water Pressure Regulator
Furnace Vent for Basecamp 20
Heater Vent for Basecamp 20
Setting up the Tent
Exterior - Rear
Rear Cargo Door and Screen
Spare Tire Access for Basecamp 20
Spare Tire and Socket Access Basecamp 16
Raising and Lowering the Stabilizer Jacks
Exterior - Care
Lug Nut Torque and Tire Pressure
Basecamp Exterior - Front of the Travel Trailer
Basecamp 7-Way Plug
There is a 7-way cord that powers running lights, turn lights, brake lights, brakes, and will charge the battery if there is a battery charger connected while towing.
Using LP Bottles and Propane Regulator
Learn how to turn your Airstream Basecamp propane "on" and "off".
Open the front LP storage by releasing the two fasteners and pushing the lid up.
Remove the power cord and stabilizer jack from the storage compartment.
Pull up the tray to reveal the propane tanks.
The two 20 lb. LP bottles have a two-stage regulator. To select which tank to use, turn the regulator switch towards that bottle. When it is good on propane, the regulator will show a green light. When the tank is empty, it will show a red light. Rotate the knob back the opposite direction to select the other tank.
The LPG tanks are equipped with fill valve connections RV Type I Acme. The large, green, nylon swivel nut is a right-hand thread and is designed for hand operation only. The valve features an internal spring-loaded module that will not allow gas to flow from the cylinder until a positive seal has been made at the connection.
The valve outlet has 1-5/16 in. Acme threads on the outlet exterior, and female POL, left-handed threads on its interior. This feature allows for connection of the new wrenchless, right-handed, Acme RV connection while still accommodating the standard left-handed POL fittings used for filling propane cylinders.
The mating, green swivel nut and brass nipple also incorporate new features: the green nylon nut swivels on a black bushing that is heat-sensitive. Between 240 and 300°F, the bushing will yield (melt) allowing the spring-loaded module in the valve to push the brass nipple back (approximately 1/4 in.), closing the module and stopping the flow of gas from the cylinder. Inside the brass nipple is a flow-limiting device designed to sense excessive gas flow. If an excessive flow is sensed, the flow-limiting device shuts the flow down to a maximum of 10 SCFH (Standard Cubic Feet per Hour) or less. This is also referred to as the bypass flow.
Bypass flow is extremely important in the proper operation of this connection. The flow-limiting device may activate if the cylinder valve is opened quickly. When all appliances are off, the bypass flow allows the pressure downstream from the flow-limiting device to equalize. When pressure is equalized, the flowlimiting device will supply normal flow to the system. Equalization occurs in approximately 5 seconds and, in most cases, goes completely unnoticed. If, however, an appliance is left on or there is a leak or open flow in the system, the bypass pressure will not be able to equalize and allow the flow-limiting device to reopen.
Symptoms of this condition would be appliances that light but have lower than normal flame or starve out from lack of gas, a substantial reduction in the flame when another appliance is operating, or pilots that are difficult to light. If this should happen, the following steps should eliminate the condition:
1. Close LPG cylinder valve.
2. Extinguish all flames and smoking materials.
3. Be sure all gas appliances, including their pilot lights, are off.
4. Open LPG cylinder valve slowly. Do not snap open.
5. Wait at least 15 seconds before lighting appliances.
6. If operational difficulties continue, there may be a leak in the system. Immediately close the LPG cylinder valve and have the system inspected by a qualified RV service technician. When reconnecting a full cylinder to an auto changeover regulator, it is not necessary to shut off the appliances or close the valve of the cylinder already in service.
All models are equipped with a two-stage automatic change-over gas regulator that offers the convenience of automatic changeover from empty to full gas cylinders. Both tanks are connected to this regulator.
Make sure there is propane in both tanks before you start. Rotate the white knob on the top-front side of the regulator toward the cylinder you want to use first. This will be the service cylinder and the other will be the reserve cylinder. Slowly open both cylinders valves. Open both cylinder valves completely, then close about 1/4 turn. This will allow you to easily check to see if valves are open or closed. The indicator on top of the regulator will turn bright green. The indicator will stay bright green as long as there is fuel coming from the service cylinder. When the service cylinder empties, the regulator will draw fuel automatically from the reserve cylinder, providing an uninterrupted fuel flow to the system. When it switches over, the indicator will change from green to red. This red color indicates the service cylinder is empty and needs to be filled.
The following procedure outlines the proper method of removing and installing LPG bottles:
1. Unhook the two shock cords from both sides of the tank cover to open the top for access. Remove the shelf to expose the LPG tanks.
2. Turn the knob on your automatic regulator until the arrow points to the tank opposite the one to be removed. Shut off the gas valve on the tank to be removed.
3. Disconnect the rubber gas line at the tank to be removed. (The green plastic fitting is a right-hand thread and no tools should be used.)
4. Turn the large clamping T-handle counterclockwise until the hold-down bracket is loosened enough to be able to remove the tank.
LPG Tank Installation:
1. Place the tanks in position on the A-frame and tank cross-member so that it rests on the upper collar of both tanks with the collar rims engaged in the grooves on the underside of the bracket. Make sure the hold-down rod projects up through the hole in the shroud center bracket.
2. Replace the T-handle and tighten down until the tanks are held firmly in place.
3. Test fittings with liquid soap free of ammonia or chlorine, or products deigned for testing, such as Snoop® liquid leak detector.
If you have allowed both tanks to run out, air may have gotten into the lines. In this event, the air must be forced out through the lines by gas pressure before you will be able to light the pilots. Hold a match to the pilot of the appliance closest to the tanks until it lights and stays lit. Then move to the next-closest appliance, etc.
Low-Pressure LP Port
Note: This port is designed for low-pressure appliances and should not be used for anything else.
After you insert the hose into the LP port, rotate the valve to turn on the gas.
Solar Plug Port
Going off the grid? The Basecamp has a plug on the front of the trailer to hook up solar panels. Connect the cable directly to the trailer and keep your batteries charged.
Breakaway Switch
The trailer comes equipped with an emergency break-away switch that will lock up the breaks if the trailer ever comes disconnected from the tow vehicle. Note: It is not recommended to use the emergency break-away switch as a parking brake and always make sure the pin is in place before towing.
Hitching to Your Tow Vehicle
Hitch Jack and Coupler
The Basecamp hitch-jack has a 2,000 lb. capacity and is used to level the trailer or lift it to connect it to the tow vehicle.
Safety Chains
There are safety chains at the front of the Basecamp. It is recommended to cross the chains when connecting them to the tow vehicle so the trailer will be cradled if it ever becomes disconnected.
Front End Protection - 3M Film (Standard Models)
Front End Protection - Rock Guards (X-Models)
Front Window Guards - Cleaning Access (X-Models)
Basecamp Exterior - Curb Side (the side with the primary entry door)
Entry Door Light
Entry Door Lock, Latch, and Screen
It is recommended that both locks are secured when traveling.
There is a hook located on the of the Basecamp to latch the door in the open position.
There is a screen door on the Basecamp that slides and latches into place with two magnets.
Entry Door Step
To open the main door entry step, pull the step straight outward and then push down to level it out.
120-Volt Electrical Outlet
Located on the exterior curb side of the travel trailer.
Flip up the cover on the side of the Basecamp to reveal a 110V outlet that is GFCI protected.
Basecamp Exterior - Road Side
Power Cord and Electrical Hookup
The Basecamp comes equipped with a 30-amp shore power cord. The cord has a red power indicator light that will let you know for sure that you are getting power to the trailer. When connecting the power cord to the inlet, line up the cord and twist clockwise to attach and then rotate the tightening nut to securely fasten the cable.
Battery Vent
Exterior Storage
Black Tank Flush
Emptying the Holding Tanks
Low Point Drain Valves
Fresh Water Hookups and Tanks
For filling the fresh water tank and attaching a hose to the city water inlet.
Unlock the door, twist off the cap, and fill with a potable water hose. There is a small vent on the same panel to allow air to escape while filling with water.
The city water hookup is on the bottom. Twist off the cap and attach the potable water hose directly to the nozzle. The port has a built in regulator at 50 p.s.i.
Exterior Shower Access and Use
City Water Inlet and Water Pressure Regulator
Furnace Vent for Basecamp 20
Water Heater Vent for Basecamp 20
Setting up the Tent
The inflatable tube frame tent attachment is exclusively available for the Basecamp to extend your camping and living space. This tent includes two entry points and two rooms.
Basecamp Exterior - Rear
Rear Cargo Door and Screen
For the times when you have the door closed and want to block out the light, roll down the shade on the rear cargo door over the window and snap it into place.
When you have your cargo door open and need some shade, roll the screen downward and snap it into place.
Spare Tire Access for Basecamp 20
Spare Tire Access for Basecamp 16
The Basecamp’s spare tire is held on the end of a cable stored under the rear of the trailer using a winch system. A ratchet, stored under the curbside dinette seat, has been provided to assist in changing a tire. To lower the spare tire turn the winch, accessed through the hole in the rear lower trim, counter-clockwise using the provided 3/4” socket. To secure a spare tire turn the winch clockwise to raise the cable and tire up into position.
NOTE: The spare tire is intended for emergency use only and is not to be used as a long term replacement. Airstream recommends driving on the spare tire at a maximum of 50 MPH for up to 50 miles.
Refer to the following table for wheel specifications -
Raising and Lowering the Stabilizer Jacks
Use the included stabilizer wrench to turn the jack until the feet are snug on the ground.
Note: this stabilizing system is not used to level the Basecamp, only to keep it from rocking while moving around inside the trailer.
Basecamp Exterior - Care and Maintenance
Lug Nut Torque and Tire Pressure
Lug Nut Torquing
Trailer wheels must carry much higher loads per wheel than passenger car or truck wheels. Each wheel may carry 1,000 pounds and higher. Furthermore, wheels on tandem axle trailers do not steer, and are subjected to very high side load stress whenever the trailer makes a tight turn. When going around corners, especially on slow, tight turns, the wheels are subject to very strong side loads. This tends to flex the wheel and gradually loosen the wheel nuts. Although the materials and manufacturing methods are maximized for this kind of service, these extra loads can cause stress, which can result in flexing and loosening of wheel nuts.
Before each trip and any time a wheel is replaced, be sure to tighten the wheel nuts, following the lug-pattern sequence shown below. If the wheel was replaced, check the torque every 10, 25, and 50 miles.
A 3/4” Thin Wall Socket will be needed to tighten or remove the Basecamp’s lug nuts.
If you notice wheel wobbling, or hear a rattling sound coming from a wheel, especially at low speeds, a wheel lug nut may have come loose. This problem is usually caused by improper tightening, or by faulty or damaged lug bolt threads. If suspicious of a loose lug nut, safely stop the vehicle as soon as possible. Put up warning devices. Remove the lug caps and check the tightness of all the lug nuts. Tighten all lug nuts to the specified torque (110 max ft. lb.), using a torque wrench. If stud threads are damaged or faulty, get professional service help.
A Goodyear ST225/75R15E tire inflated to 80 PSI (MAX) has a load capacity of 2,830 lbs.
A Goodyear 235/75R15 tire inflated to 51 PSI (MAX) has a load capacity of 2,039 lbs
A Goodyear ST235/80R16 tire inflated to 80 PSI (MAX) has a load capacity of 3,420 lbs.
A Goodyear LT235/85R16E tire inflated to 80 PSI (MAX) has a load capacity of 3,042 lbs