[a/s] lighting and gas questions

[Khstar@xxxxxxx]

Hello.  I have a question that i would welcome some help with.
I have a 73 31' international soverign.  this model has the twin beds in the 
center and the rear bath.
first question:  as i entered the trailer both this weekend and last month 
(first times out this season) all of the overhead lights worked, with the 
exception of the overhead light in the bedroom area and the two reading 
lights over the twin beds.  low and behold! they began working after i 
twiddled the thermostat...the a/c came on. i cut it off, then voila...the 
lights worked once again as they always had.  this happened in march, and was 
repeated identically this weekend.
2nd question:  twice over the weekend, and i have not experienced this before 
ever, i found that the hot water was only lukewarm.  upon investigation, i 
found that the pilot was off.  each time i restarted it easily.  the pilot 
remained lit on the stove, so i ruled out that the tank was empty.  first 
time out this year last month, it was very difficult to get the pilot on the 
H2O heater the first time.  finally after repeated unsuccessful attempts, a 
gentleman from the airstream next door came over.  he tapped and tapped with 
a tack hammer, and then tried and it lit....any ideas?  and since the control 
on the valve remains OPEN when the pilot is going out, i am concerned about 
gas issues. 
any help on the above would be greatly appreciated.  on the other wonderful 
note, the weather was grand, it was great to get into and air out the camper 
and everything else worked perfectly perfectly perfectly. lying in bed with 
the breezes at night and the ocean surf was just the therapy i needed. this 
camper is the best.
karen
31' 1973 sovereign international