New to camping

[Woody735]

We have a 2023 Coleman Lantern 17b we are new to camping yesterday when we pulled into the campground it smelled liked something was burning and it was coming from the tires area, when we got to our spot we noticed the caps came off of both tires and there was a blue mess on the tires. What happened? We are also having problems with the control panel, it has a short in it , we put the fuse in and it sparks and lights go off, take the fuse out and lights come back on. Plus our 12 volt refrigerator doesn’t work anymore. We have been doing a lot of boondocking. We are now plugged in, but still no refrigerator. Help

[chily3]

If this a new trailer, take it to the dealer and have them fix the problems. Sounds like the wheel bearings were not packed correctly and may have to take apart and repack before moving the trailer. Control panel will be a dealer thing.

[persistent]

"2023 Coleman Lantern 17b we are new to camping yesterday when we pulled into the campground it smelled liked something was burning and it was coming from the tires area, when we got to our spot we noticed the caps came off of both tires and there was a blue mess on the tires."

Something melted. Is it grease or plastic?

The burning smell means something got hot.

It is possible the electric brake is "ON". This generates heat and can melt things.
There is an "emergency brake" switch on the tongue of the trailer. If you pull the plastic pin out, the emergency brake turns "on". Reinsert it firmly to turn the brake "OFF""

It is possible the brake got hot enough to melt plastic parts in the brake. It needs expert evaluation and repair for safe operation.

"We are also having problems with the control panel, it has a short in it , we put the fuse in and it sparks and lights go off, take the fuse out and lights come back on."

Most travel trailers have multiple fuses. Mine has a panel with about a dozen. Can you be more specific about which one you pulled?

A fuse will spark when inserted when ever there is a load on the circuit. It means nothing.

What lights go "off"? Mine has a light next to each fuse. The light turns "ON" when the fuse is pulled and it goes "off" when the fuse is reinserted.

The light is intended to signal a blown fuse.

Post make and model of fuse distribution panel, or like mine it may have 120 volt breakers, 12 volt fuses, and a built in battery charger. Mine is a WFCO.

"Plus our 12 volt refrigerator doesn’t work anymore. We have been doing a lot of boondocking. We are now plugged in, but still no refrigerator."

Ten years ago I had a trailer with an absorption refrigerator. It worked on propane, 120 volts, and 12 volts. When on 12 volts the battery went dead fast.

My late model trailer has a refer that works on propane, or 120 volts. It uses 12 volts for controls, but will not cool from 12 volts only.

Post make and model of refrigerator for better advice.

[Woody735]

Thank you

[franktafl]

When they pulled the wheels off my RV, one of the wheels was over packed with grease and got all over the brakes. Tech said it was like that from the factory! That being said, not only dutchmen can make mistakes, Lippert can too!