OP15 Setup Guide

Ready to kick off your off-road adventure? Setting up your OP15 is a breeze with this step-by-step guide! Based on the official 2024 OP15 User Manual, these instructions are designed for ease and safety, ensuring you’re camping comfortably in no time. It’s best with 1-2 people and takes about 15-30 minutes once you’re familiar. Always review the full manual for safety warnings and warranty details. Let’s get started!

Before You Begin

Towing and Parking: Find a level, firm spot for your OP15, avoiding soft or uneven ground to prevent shifting during setup. Refer to the towing and hitching sections (Pages 4-6) before unhitching.
Safety Checks: Give your camper a quick visual inspection for damage or loose items. Keep the area clear of people and obstacles.
Power Up: Turn the red key on the control panel to activate the electrical system.

Quick Setup Overview (For Experienced Users)

This summary covers the six key steps from the manual’s quick guide (Page 5). Use it as a handy reference after a few setups:

Position and Stabilize: Apply the e-brake, lower the tongue jack, and deploy the corner steadies to level the trailer. Fold down the spare tires. Disconnect the roof latches.
Open Rear Panel: Unlock the rear panel and lift it to the roof. Pull and rotate the side panel spring bolt.
Set Up Rear Bed: Unlock and fold down the rear bed section, then lift and secure the rear end wall with pins and latches.
Deploy Kitchen: Slide out the kitchen and connect the water and gas quick-connects.
Interior Prep: Open the door, turn on power and lights, fold down the steps, and set up the main bed.
Raise Roof: Remove the securing pins, lift the roof with interior bars (front first, then rear), and lock with pins.
Tips: If you’ve upgraded to lithium batteries, use the manufacturer’s app for monitoring. Always support heavy panels to avoid injury.

Full Detailed Setup Guide

This expands on the manual’s full setup instructions (Pages 8-10). Follow these steps in order, with warnings highlighted from the manual.

Step 1: Position the Trailer

Drive your OP15 to your chosen camping spot and engage the e-brake to secure it. Choose a site that’s as level as possible with firm ground to prevent shifting.

Step 2: Unhitch from Tow Vehicle (Optional)

If you’d like to unhitch, use the ARK 750 Dual Tongue Jack to lower the trailer tongue until stable. Disconnect the Cruisemaster DO35 hitch by removing the locking pin and unhooking the two hook plates (see Page 4 for details). Store the safety chains and breakaway cable.

Step 3: Level Horizontally

Adjust the tongue jack wheel to level the OP15 horizontally. For uneven terrain, place a block or rock under the wheel for support.

Step 4: Deploy Stabilizer Legs (Corner Steadies)

Pull the blue handle outward on each of the four stabilizer legs until they drop to a 90-degree angle. Use the included winder (or a cordless drill with a 3/4" hex socket) to wind down each leg until it touches the ground.
Adjust as needed to level the trailer width-wise using a bubble level.
Important: These legs stabilize but don’t bear full weight—avoid using them to lift or level alone. Support each leg as you lower it to prevent bolt damage.

Step 5: Release Roof Latches

Disconnect the four roof securing latches. Push the release pin with your thumb, then lift the handle to fully release it from the hook. Have a helper assist if needed.

Step 6: Prepare Spare Tires

At the rear, unscrew the black spare tire securing bolts until they can be fully removed from the holes.

Step 7: Fold Down Spare Tire Bracket

Disconnect the spare tire securing latches using the red lever handle. Fold the handles and triangle pin downwards to clear the way, then fold the bracket down (assisted by gas struts) as far as it will go.

Step 8: Lift Rear Panel

Use the push-buttons to open the rear panel securing locks, then lift the back panel upwards to the roof position.
Warning: The panel won’t stay up without further securing—hold it or have a helper assist to avoid it falling.

Step 9: Secure Side Panels

With one hand (or a helper) holding the roof panel up, pull and rotate the spring bolt that secures each side panel until it’s vertical, allowing the panels to swing outward.

Step 10: Open Side Panels

Open the left side panel fully to 90 degrees, ensuring it meets the top left corner groove of the roof panel for a full seal. Repeat for the right side panel, checking the canvas alignment.

Step 11: Release Rear Bed Latches

Holding the bed panel securely, release the two rear bed panel securing latches and begin folding down the bed section.
Warning: Ensure you or a helper holds the panel before releasing latches—it can shift on inclines. Failure to support could cause injury or damage.

Step 12: Lower Rear Bed Panel

Carefully lower the rear bed panel to the horizontal position, ensuring it rests evenly.

Step 13: Secure Rear End Wall

Use the handle to lift the rear end wall panel into place. Slide the two locking pins in, then secure with the latch clamps to hold it firm.

Step 14: Deploy Kitchen

Open the two push-button latches and fold down the kitchen door to form a prep surface.
Unhook the two locking spring-bolts, then slide the kitchen unit out completely. Quick-connect the water and gas lines at the kitchen points and the side of the OP15 (see Gas System on Pages 18-19 and Water System on Pages 15-17).

Step 15: Set Up Drainage

Route the sink drainage hose from the bottom of the kitchen into your designated grey water carrier or disposal system.

Step 16: Access Interior

Open and latch the OP15 entry door. Turn on the power at the control panel (right of entry) and switch on the LED lights. Fold down the manual steps for easy access.
Inside, fold down the main bed mattress (72” x 70”) to prepare the sleeping area.

Step 17: Prepare Roof Lift

Pull out the securing pins for the front and rear lifting mechanisms to release the roof.

Step 18: Raise and Secure Roof

Use the interior roof lift bars to push the roof up—start with the front end, then the rear end. Slide the securing pins back in to lock the roof lifting mechanism in place.
Tip: Lift steadily to avoid strain on the aluminum frame and fiberglass interior wall.

Post-Setup Checks

Control Panel (Page 7): Turn on the master power and check the battery level (aim for >50% for full use), voltage (>12.2V under no load), and amp usage. Monitor water tank levels (front/rear potable, grey, black).
Electrical: Connect to 30 Amp shore power if available and test 12V outlets, lights, the Dometic CFX75 fridge, and the inverter.
Water and Gas: Fill the 63-gallon potable tanks with a potable hose. Test the 12V pump, Truma Combi hot water (Pages 15-17), and sinks/shower. Install the gas cylinder and test the 4-burner stove (Pages 18-19).
Interior Features: Set up the bunks (bottom 80” x 42”, top 80” x 33”) and deploy the 8’ Girard retractable awning (Page 26), Dometic 13,500 BTU A/C (Page 26), Truma Combi heater (Page 25), and entertainment (TV, radio, speakers, Page 28).
Safety: Test the CO/LP detector, check the fire extinguisher, and ensure emergency exits are accessible. Verify brakes and lights if planning to tow soon.

Common Tips and Warnings

Teamwork: Always work with a partner for heavy lifts like panels or the roof to avoid injury.
Level Ground: If not level, panels may not seal properly, risking water ingress—adjust with steadies.
Weight Limits: Avoid overloading (cargo capacity: 1,640 lbs; GVWR: 6,393 lbs).
Packing Up: Reverse these steps (see Pages 20-21).
Maintenance: Grease and service annually; check brakes and tires (Pages 31-36).
Support: If issues arise, contact your dealer or Opus Camper USA at info@opuscamper.us or 925-215-7215.

Enjoy your setup! For visuals, refer to the manual’s diagrams. Reach out to 925.215.7315 or info@opuscamper.us if you need help. Happy camping!