New To RVing (all inclusive)

[Madman]

Ace, for cleaning your black tank you can install a flushing system to aid in cleaning the tank after every dump.

We have one from the factory on our new trailer and I love it. I bought one for our old trailer, but sold the trailer before I installed the kit.

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...ccess-kit/7332

[Ace]

^ Thanks, I actually had an installed black tank flush written as part of the deal, and at the last moment they informed me that there was no room or space to install it on my unit. I ended up finding this part which should so a pretty close job, i hope...(great reviews)

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...ush-king/20522

In theory this will allow you to flush both tanks

[Madman]

Be careful with that part.

If the piping for your black tank doesn't come straight out of the tank directly to the dump valve, then it won't work. Take a look under your trailer, if there are any curves in the pipe then the water stream from that will be useless - I bought one some years ago and it was a waste of time.

Oh, and if you piping is ok do not use that part for both tanks - they need to be separated at all times, and that includes flushing.

[Nufy]

Originally Posted by Diemenz

I have never ever used the bathroom in my trailer since I purchased it.

Am I the only one who doesn't want to deal with that drama? Lol

how are you at using public washrooms...

You paid for it use it !!!

The 5 minutes it takes to dump a RV tank is nothing compared to trying to do a #2 in an outhouse at a campground...at 4 in the morning...drunk...

[Madman]

A better option would be one of the wands you stick down the toilet from inside the trailer, much better cleaning than from down at the dump valve.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows....jsp?locale=en

[Ace]

^Thanks, I bought one of those wands too, and I booked a site for may long with sewer, i'm going to test everything out. The Flush King BTW is a little different than other flushers. It actually traps the water which allows you to "fill" the tank, not just flush the drain. I understand it won't have the same sprinkler effect, but it should still help loosen stuff. I'll use the wand as well from time to time I think.

Good tip on the cross contamination, I guess it's probably never a good idea to flush the grey tank since they share the same dump drain...

[Nufy]

I typically use whatever water is left to fill the black water tank.

The trip to the dump station splashes it around enough that it cleans it to my satisfaction.

If I am really concerned I will take a hose and fill through the toilet to ensure the tank is full before dumping.

Small bit of advice...

Dump your black water tank first...then your grey...the wash water flushes the crap out of your dump line...Then rinse the grey out of the hose before storage.

If you keep your valves closed, run a bit of water into each to ensure flow when you do dump.

Personally I would close the valves and fill to half full to ensure it drains properly.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by mrbanffgirl

Just bought a 27' RV (older) and was wondering 1250 v Generator is enough to power a few things in it like Microwave, tv, coffee maker? (not all at same time mind you)
Don't need anything fancy, just something to help out when no shore power is available.
Suggestions? (saw one at Wally World for $245)

I'm guessing it was a 1250 watt generator. Which means it can handle a surge of 1250 watts for a millisecond. It probably has a max continuous output of closer to 900 to 1000 watts.

Your microwave likely takes 1400-1600 watts, and coffee maker is closer to 1000 watts. Your TV will take somewhere between 30-200 watts; so it would run the TV.

Get a percolator for the coffee, forget the microwave, and buy a TV that works on 12 volt power. RCA LED Tvs are good for having a 12 volt input.

As for the other discussion about dumping the black tank, I keep my sewer hose in it's own Rubbermaid container. I also bought a box of latex gloves so my hands are covered just in case of an accident. Using you own washroom instead of the outhouse is worth a few minutes of discomfort. Just also be sure to flush the black tank first, and then the grey tank. That way the soapy water is the last thing to go through the hose.

[Madman]

Originally Posted by Nufy

Dump your black water tank first...then your grey...the wash water flushes the crap out of your dump line...Then rinse the grey out of the hose before storage.

Dump dirtiest to cleanest. (I have 2 grey tanks, so this helps me remember which order to do them in)

Never have both tank valves open at the same time. Dump one, close valve, then dump the next.

[Ace]

In most trailers (assuming this is how mine works), is the way to drain the fresh water tank basically: empty it into either gray or black tanks?

I's there another way?

[Tailgator]

Hey Ace - the fresh water tank will have a drain valve underneath your trailer. I usually open that valve and let it drain out as I'm driving. Once you've filled your black or grey tanks (or have enough water in them to flush), there's no need to keep running more water into your tanks. It's just time consuming.

[Madman]

I always try to fill my black tank as full as possible before dumping it - so that's where spare fresh water goes first.

And then like Tailgator I open up my tank drain after the dumping station and let it drain out on the way home.

[Ironhorse]

Originally Posted by Ace

From what I've seen emptying your black tank and flushing it clean doesn't seem "that bad", we'll see in practice though.

Get yourself some disposable nitrile gloves. You'll thank me later.

[Ace]

So i've learn't quickly as a new rv owner that I need a better battery charger, where can I pick up a really good one fast?

[ken0042]

Why do you need a charger? Is the one in your trailer not charging the battery?

[Ace]

I'm not able to get the trailer near a power source normally, so i need to take the batteries out to charge them before i use them.

My regular charger at home isn't the greatest...After reading online for a bit i think it will be worth it to invest in an intelligent charger for winter storage anyway...

[Diemenz]

I switched to 2 6volt and my batteries have been great since. Me sure you get the proper charger as some overcharge and will actually decrease the life of your battery.

I ended up buying a toolbox and mounted my batteries in there. When I park my trailer after a trip I take the toolbox with me and put them in the garage on charger.

Pm me if you need any details.

[Ace]

^that toolbox idea is a good one!

[Slava]

OK, its not an RV (in the grander sense that you guys are talking about trailers for the most part), but has anyone here replaced/repaired tent trailer cables? I'm trying to do this and having a tough time. It's not rocket science but apparently I'm just a little off or something. Hoping someone can give me some pointers...

[Ace]

Anybody dealt with this guy?

http://www.tonysmobilerv.com/