Free RV manual

Heartland Wilderness Manual

The Heartland Wilderness is a travel trailer and fifth wheel built by Heartland. Federal safety records on it cover model years 2012 to 2021. 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	2012 to 2021
Recalls on file	8

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.

1 recall touches thisPropane, furnace and fridgeOpening the tanks, lighting the stove, running the furnace and fridge, and what to do if you smell gas.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 manualShore 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 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 8 recalls on file for the Heartland Wilderness. The most common areas are labels (2), oven and stove and cooktop (1) and LPG systems (1). 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 year 2021 · 21V453000, filed June 17, 2021

What is wrong. Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLC (Heartland) is recalling certain 2021 Mallard, Wilderness, Trail Runner and 2020-2021 North Trail trailers. The LP gas lines may not have been tightened properly on the outside cooktops, which could result in a gas leak.

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

The fix. Dealers will inspect and tighten the LP gas lines, and test the propane system for leaks, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 10, 2021. Owners may contact Heartland customer service at 1-877-262-8032.

Campaign 21V453000. See it on NHTSA

LPG systems · model years 2018 to 2021 · 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.

Carrier/rack · model year 2020 · 20V275000, filed May 14, 2020

What is wrong. Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLC (Heartland) is recalling certain 2020 Mallard, Prowler, Trail Runner, and Wilderness trailers equipped with a bumper-mounted spare tire carrier. The U-bolt that secures the spare tire may break, and cause the spare tire to detach during travel.

What can happen. If both U-bolts break, the carrier and spare tire can detach from the unit, resulting in an increased risk of injury and increase the risk of a crash.

The fix. Heartland will notify owners, and dealers will replace the spare tire mounting U-bolts, free of charge. The recall began July 7, 2020. Owners may contact Heartland customer service at 1-877-262-8032.

Campaign 20V275000. See it on NHTSA

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

Exterior lighting · model years 2016 to 2017 · 16V566000, filed August 1, 2016

What is wrong. Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLC (Heartland) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Wilderness and Mallard travel trailers, 2015-2017 Elkridge fifth wheel travel trailers, and 2017 Sundance and Torque travel trailers. The affected vehicles have an LED light on the front cap of the camper that may short circuit and overheat.

What can happen. If the light overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.

The fix. Heartland will notify owners, and dealers will replace the light with one that has built-in voltage protection. The recall began on September 1, 2016. Owners may contact Heartland customer service at 1-877-262-8032.

Campaign 16V566000. See it on NHTSA

Labels · model year 2017 · 16V332000, filed May 20, 2016

What is wrong. Heartland Recreational Vehicles (Heartland) is recalling certain model year 2017 trailers manufactured February 29, 2016, to May 5, 2016. The certification labels have incorrect tire pressure information, failing to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

What can happen. Improper inflation can cause the trailer tires to become overloaded, resulting in poor handling and increased risk of a crash.

The fix. Heartland will notify owners, and dealers will replace the certification label, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2016. Owners may contact Heartland customer service at 1-877-262-8032. Heartland's number for this recall is 99-01-25.

Campaign 16V332000. See it on NHTSA

Labels · model years 2012 to 2014 · 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

General RV equipment · model year 2016 · 15V199000, filed April 3, 2015

What is wrong. Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLC (Heartland) is recalling certain model year 2016 Big Country, Bighorn, Cyclone, Edge, Elkridge, North Trail, Prowler, Road Warrior, Sundance XLT, Torque, Wilderness and 2015-2016 Landmark 365 fifth wheel and travel trailers. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that attach the expanding room to the sliding mechanism chain may fail allowing the room to extend unintentionally while the vehicle is in motion.

What can happen. If the room extends while vehicle is in motion, there is an increased risk of a crash.

The fix. Heartland will notify owners, and dealers will replace the defective bolts, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2015. Owners may contact Heartland customer service at 1-877-262-8032. Heartland's number for this recall is 99-01-21.

Campaign 15V199000. 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 Wilderness 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 Wilderness have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 8 recalls for it. The most common area is labels. 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