Free RV manual

Heartland Pioneer Manual

The Heartland Pioneer is a travel trailer and fifth wheel built by Heartland. Federal safety records on it cover model years 2013 to 2024. This page shows how its systems work, every recall on file for it, and where to find the official owner's manual.

Built by	Heartland
Kind	Travel trailer and fifth wheel
Model years on record	2013 to 2024
Recalls on file	14

The official owner's manual

Heartland keeps owner's manuals online, free to read. Pick the model year of your rig. It is on the sticker by the entry door.

Heartland owner's manuals

Component manuals

Dometic · Fridges, air conditioners and awnings
Suburban · Furnaces and water heaters
Lippert · Slides, awnings, jacks and leveling
Thetford and Norcold · Norcold fridges and Thetford toilets
Dexter · Trailer axles, brakes and bearings

How its systems work

Our free manuals for every system on a travel trailer and fifth wheel. The ones its recalls touched come first.

5 recalls touch thisPropane, furnace and fridgeOpening the tanks, lighting the stove, running the furnace and fridge, and what to do if you smell gas.1 recall touches thisShore power and batteries30 amp and 50 amp shore power, the 12 volt battery side and the inverter. What runs on what, and how not to trip a breaker.Free manualFresh water and the water heaterCity water, the fresh tank, the pump and the water heater. How to fill it, turn it on and keep it clean.Free manualThe water heaterGas, electric or both. How to fill it, light it, drain it and care for the anode rod, plus what to do when there is no hot water.Free manualBlack and gray tanksThe order, the hose, the valves and what to put down the toilet. Dumping your tanks the right way, step by step.Free manualThe toiletHow to flush, what paper to use and how to keep the black tank from clogging or smelling.Free manualSolar and lithium batteriesHow solar charges your batteries, what lithium changes, and how to tell how much power you really have left.Free manualPropane, smoke and CO alarmsWhere each alarm is, what each one means, how to test them and why the propane alarm sometimes beeps on a low battery.Free manualThe refrigeratorGas and electric absorption fridges, 12 volt compressor fridges, how long they take to cool and how to keep food cold on the road.Free manualThe furnaceA propane furnace with a 12 volt fan. How it starts, why it drains the battery and what to check when it blows cold air.Free manualThe roof air conditionerHow much power it needs, why it freezes up, how to clean the filters and what to try before you call for help.Free manualRoof and sealsWater is the biggest enemy of an RV. How to check the roof and seams, which sealant to use and the signs of a leak.Free manualSlide outsWhen to open them, when not to, and what to check first. Slide outs are the most common repair on a rental, and most of it is avoidable.Free manualAwningsPower and manual awnings, how to set them, and why wind is the thing that breaks them.Free manualLeveling and jacksBlocks, tongue jacks, stabilizers and auto leveling. How to get level, why it matters and why stabilizers are not for lifting.Free manualWinterizing and spring start upDrain it, bypass the water heater and fill the lines with RV antifreeze. Then how to undo it all in spring.Free manualHitching a trailerCoupler, safety chains, breakaway cable and lights. A simple routine to hitch up the same way every time.Free manualTrailer brakes and breakawayElectric brakes, the brake controller in your truck, how to set the gain and how to test the breakaway switch.Free manualTires, wheels and bearingsTire age, pressure and load, lug nut torque and when to service trailer wheel bearings. The parts that cause the most trouble on the road.Free manualWeight and payloadWhat GVWR, cargo capacity and tongue weight mean, how to weigh your rig, and why sway almost always starts with weight.

Recalls on file

NHTSA has 14 recalls on file for the Heartland Pioneer. The most common areas are lines and fittings (3), labels (2) and LPG systems (2). Each one is listed below as filed. A recall is fixed free at a dealer, even on a used rig, and even years later.

Oven/stove/cooktop · model years 2023 to 2024 · 24V236000, filed March 27, 2024

What is wrong. Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLC (Heartland) is recalling certain 2023 Elk Ridge, Lithium, 2024 Eddie Bauer, Corterra, 2023-2024 Big Country, Big Horn, South Fork, Fuel, Gravity, Mallard, North Trail, Sundance, Milestone, Pioneer, Prowler, Torque, and Trail Runner fifth wheels and travel trailers. The LED backlight circuit board in the cooktop range may fail, causing the board to overheat.

What can happen. A circuit board that overheats increases the risk of a fire.

The fix. Dealers will disconnect and cut the circuit powering the LED backlights and terminate the wiring, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 9, 2024. Owners may contact Heartland customer service at 1-877-262-8032.

Campaign 24V236000. See it on NHTSA

General RV equipment · model years 2022 to 2023 · 22V591000, filed August 8, 2022

What is wrong. Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLC (Heartland) is recalling certain 2022 Cyclone, Elk Ridge, Fuel, Milestone, North Trail, 2022-2023 Big Horn Traveler, Gravity, Lithium, Mallard, Pioneer, Prowler, Road Warrior, Sundance, Torque, and Trail Runner travel trailers. The electric retractable awning has a welded seam on the fabric that may separate, potentially allowing the awning to drop beyond normal operation.

What can happen. An awning that drops or extends beyond normal operation can increase the risk of injury.

The fix. Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the awning, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed by September 8, 2022. Owners may contact Heartland customer service at 1-877-262-8032.

Campaign 22V591000. See it on NHTSA

Lines and fittings · model year 2022 · 22V432000, filed June 17, 2022

What is wrong. Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLC (Heartland) is recalling certain 2022 Cyclone, Gravity, Sundance, Big Country, Big Horn, Big Horn Traveler, Elkridge, Fuel, North Trail, Landmark, Lithium, Milestone, Torque, Trail Runner, Pioneer, Prowler, and Road Warrior travel trailers. The quick disconnect fittings in the LP gas system may be cracked, causing a gas leak.

What can happen. A gas leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

The fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the quick disconnect fittings, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 29, 2022. Owners may contact Heartland customer service at 1-877-262-8032. Heartland's number for this recall is 99.01.67.

Campaign 22V432000. See it on NHTSA

How this part works is in our propane, furnace and fridge manual.

Labels · model year 2021 · 21V491000, filed June 28, 2021

What is wrong. Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLC (Heartland) is recalling certain 2021 Heartland Pioneer SS171 travel trailers. The Federal Certification label has the incorrect Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and axle rating. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 120, "Wheels and Rims - Other Than Passenger Cars" and 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

What can happen. The operator may overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix. Heartland will mail replacement labels to owners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 9, 2021. Owners may contact Heartland customer service at 1-877-262-8032.

Campaign 21V491000. See it on NHTSA

LPG systems · model years 2018 to 2019 · 21V428000, filed June 4, 2021

What is wrong. Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLC. (Heartland) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Mallard, Shadow Cruiser, Sundance XLTTT, Wilderness, Prowler, Trail Runner, 2018-2019 Pioneer, Terry Classic, 2020-2021 Lithium, and 2021 North Trail trailers equipped with a Winntec model 6020 two-stage propane regulator. The regulator may fail, causing an increase in propane pressure.

What can happen. Increased propane pressure can enlarge the flames in gas appliances, increasing the risk of a fire.

The fix. Dealers will replace the regulator and test the propane system for leaks, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 3, 2021. Owners may contact Heartland customer service at 1-877-262-8032.

Campaign 21V428000. See it on NHTSA

How this part works is in our propane, furnace and fridge manual.

General RV equipment · model year 2020 · 20V084000, filed February 13, 2020

What is wrong. Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLC (Heartland) is recalling certain 2020 Bighorn Traveler, Elkridge, Milestone, and Pioneer Fifth Wheel trailers. The smoke detector may be incorrectly located in the bedroom.

What can happen. In the event of a fire, the smoke detector may not provide adequate warning for the occupants to be able to escape safely, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix. Heartland will notify owners, and dealers will either relocate the detector or add an additional one, free of charge. The recall began May 11, 2020. Owners may contact Heartland customer service at 1-877-262-8032.

Campaign 20V084000. See it on NHTSA

Wiring · model years 2017 to 2020 · 19V525000, filed July 12, 2019

What is wrong. Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLC (Heartland) is recalling certain 2017 Bighorn Traveler, 2016-2020 Elkridge, Elkridge Ex, 2019-2020 Milestone, 2017-2018 North Peak, 2016-2017 Oakmont, 2017-2020 Pioneer FW, 2016-2018 Prowler FW, 2017-2019 Sundance and Sundance XLTFW trailers. The A/C electrical connector may have been improperly installed, possibly causing increased electrical resistance and the connection to overheat.

What can happen. Overheating of the connection can increase the risk of a fire.

The fix. Heartland will notify owners, and dealers will correct the electrical connections, free of charge. The recall began on September 5, 2019. Owners may contact Heartland customer service at 1-877-262-8032. Heartland's number for this recall is 99.01.47.

Campaign 19V525000. See it on NHTSA

How this part works is in our shore power and batteries manual.

Visibility · model year 2019 · 18V852000, filed November 30, 2018

What is wrong. Heartland RV (Heartland) is recalling certain 2019 Heartland Elk Ridge, Milestone, Elk Ridge Express, Pioneer, Sundance, and Sundance XLT fifth-wheel recreational trailers. The forward reflectors on one or both sides may not have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

What can happen. If the reflectors are missing, the trailer may have reduced visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix. Heartland will notify owners, and dealers will install the missing reflectors, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Owners may contact Heartland customer service at 1-877-262-8032. Heartland's number for this recall is 99.01.43.

Campaign 18V852000. See it on NHTSA

Non-powered axle assembly · model year 2019 · 18V819000, filed November 20, 2018

What is wrong. Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLC (Heartland) is recalling certain 2019 Heartland Pioneer and Prowler recreational trailers, built on D28H, D35, D40 or D44 trailer axles. The inner hub bearings may not have been sufficiently greased, which can cause the bearings to overheat and fail.

What can happen. If the bearings overheat, the hub may fail, affecting handling and increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix. Heartland will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the hubs and bearings, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 7, 2018. Owners may contact Heartland customer service at 1-877-262-8032. Heartland's number for this recall is 99.01.42.

Campaign 18V819000. See it on NHTSA

Lines and fittings · model year 2019 · 18V760000, filed October 29, 2018

What is wrong. Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLC (Heartland) is recalling certain 2019 Heartland Pioneer recreational trailers, model BH280. A flexible liquid propane (LP) hose was installed on the outside cooktop running into the firebox of the stove instead of a rigid metal tube supply line.

What can happen. Heat from the cooktop can damage the hose, increasing the risk of a fire.

The fix. Heartland will notify owners, and dealers will replace the flexible LP hose inside the firebox with a rigid metal one, free of charge. The recall began November 16, 2018. Owners may contact Heartland customer service at 1-877-262-8032. Heartland's number for this recall is 99.01.41.

Campaign 18V760000. See it on NHTSA

How this part works is in our propane, furnace and fridge manual.

Non-powered axle assembly · model year 2019 · 18V634000, filed September 21, 2018

What is wrong. Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLC (Heartland) is recalling certain 2019 Heartland Mallard, Pioneer, Sundance XLT, Wilderness, North Trail, Prowler and Trail Runner travel trailers. The axles may be missing inner bearing races on the hubs, which can cause the bearing to burnout or cause the hub to overheat.

What can happen. The missing bearing race may cause premature hub bearing failure, possibly resulting in a separation of the hub from the axle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix. Heartland will notify owners, and dealers will replace the defective hubs with new hubs or replace the axles, free of charge. The recall began October 9, 2018. Owners may contact Heartland customer service at 1-877-262-8032. Heartland's number for this recall is 99.01.40.

Campaign 18V634000. See it on NHTSA

Lines and fittings · model year 2018 · 17V690000, filed November 1, 2017

What is wrong. Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLC (Heartland) is recalling certain 2018 Pioneer recreational trailers. The liquid propane (LP) manifold block may be mounted too close to the center shackle, allowing the shackle to hit the LP hose fitting and cause a propane leak.

What can happen. A leaking LP system can increase the risk of a fire.

The fix. Heartland has notified owners, and dealers will re-locate the manifold block further from the shackle area, free of charge. The recall began on November 14, 2017. Owners may contact Heartland customer service at 1-877-262-8032. Heartland's number for this recall is 99.01.37.

Campaign 17V690000. See it on NHTSA

How this part works is in our propane, furnace and fridge manual.

LPG systems · model year 2018 · 17V511000, filed August 18, 2017

What is wrong. Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLC (Heartland) is recalling certain 2018 Pioneer recreational trailers, models RD210, BH270 and BH250. The liquid propane (LP) hose may not have been properly secured to the frame near the tire and, as a result, the tire may rub through the LP hose causing a leak.

What can happen. A propane leak can increase the risk of a fire.

The fix. Heartland will notify owners, and dealers will properly secure the LP hose against the frame with a D-style hose clamp, free of charge. The recall began on August 23, 2017. Owners may contact Heartland customer service at 1-877-262-8032 or by email at warranty@heartlandrvs.com. Heartland's number for this recall is 99.01.34.

Campaign 17V511000. See it on NHTSA

How this part works is in our propane, furnace and fridge manual.

Labels · model years 2013 to 2015 · 15V482000, filed July 30, 2015

What is wrong. Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLC (Heartland) is recalling certain trailers of various models and model years. Click on "All Products Associated With This Recall" for a complete list. The tire certification labels applied to the vehicles may contain inaccurate tire sizing and/or inflation information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

What can happen. An owner or operator could rely on the inaccurate information in inflating the tires which could cause under or over inflation which, in turn, could lead to a tire failure or crash.

The fix. Heartland will notify owners, and dealers will send a replacement label with the correct information, free of charge. The recall began on September 29, 2015. Owners may contact Heartland customer service at 1-574-266-3988.

Campaign 15V482000. See it on NHTSA

Check your own rig. Put your VIN into the NHTSA recall lookup. It shows any open recall on that exact rig, including the chassis.

Questions owners ask

Where can I find the Heartland Pioneer owner's manual?

Heartland keeps its owner's manuals online. Look up your model year there. Our free manuals on this page explain how each system works.

Does the Heartland Pioneer have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 14 recalls for it. The most common area is lines and fittings. Check your own VIN on the NHTSA site to see if yours was fixed.

Is a recall repair free on a used RV?

Yes. A safety recall is fixed free by the maker's dealers no matter who owns the rig now or how old it is. Call the maker or any dealer for that brand with your VIN.

Where is the VIN on an RV?

Look for a sticker by the entry door, inside a cabinet near the door, or on the tongue or front frame of a trailer. The title and registration show it too.

Renting one from us? Call or text 909-259-RVDR before you try a fix. We would rather talk you through it than have you guess, and it is free.

Other Heartland manuals

HeartlandSundanceTravel trailer and fifth wheel, model years 2006 to 202416 recalls on file HeartlandTrail RunnerTravel trailer, model years 2007 to 202416 recalls on file HeartlandCycloneToy hauler, model years 2007 to 202517 recalls on file HeartlandProwlerTravel trailer and fifth wheel, model years 2012 to 202415 recalls on file HeartlandMallardTravel trailer, model years 2016 to 202412 recalls on file HeartlandElkridgeFifth wheel, model years 2010 to 202312 recalls on file

Every Heartland line we cover