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RE: Gray tank not vented?
If you GT Vent is stopped up, it is likely that draining the grey tank will suck some or all of the water from the P-traps of any fixture emptying into the grey tank and could cause some odor issues. Not near as big a deal as the black tank, but could also be the source of the "glug glug"...
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jwcgc29
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06/20/08 02:13pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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UV Water purification options
Just wondered if anyone has, or has considered intalling a UV water sterilization unit in their 5th wheel.
Just installed one on our 08 Cameo and found an excellent resource for the Sterilite and other RV water purification products at very reasonable prices. Would be happy to share info with anyone interesting in doing such an installation.
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jwcgc29
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06/20/08 02:02pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Carri-Lite by Carriage
We dont own a Carri-Lite but do own an 08 Cameo...they are all built on the same assembly lines by the same employees.
Carriage seems to do a nice job with certain aspects of their 5th wheels. Before making a decision however, I would ask the dealer to pull panels, appliances, etc revealing the substance behind the apparent beauty. I have found numerous examples of shoddy workmanship and QC in our 08 Cameo. They are nice units overall, but seem to the product of certain QC compromises being deemed acceptable. They claim to be the finest 5th wheels in the world, and as such, invite much closer scrutiny than "run of the mill" units. I would be certain you feel that moniker is deserved before handing over your hard earned cash.
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jwcgc29
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06/20/08 01:46pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Have you checked the capacity of your holding tanks ?
The tank may very well be the size the manufacturer stated in the literature, but if the pipe ends down in the tank, it will limit the amount of fluid the tank will hold.
Ameri-Kart says 40 gal on engineering drawings. 5th wheel manufacturer states a capacity almost 30 percent greater. Cant see how DWV pipe intrusion fits into the equation. Please help me out here ?
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jwcgc29
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05/23/08 08:25am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Have you checked the capacity of your holding tanks ?
Skip...good point, certainly worth considering and as an advertising and marketing copywriter, one of the first issues I researched, however, the manufacturer failed to include this disclaimer on their website specs page. To their credit, they are not currently using this as an "out". They have admitted the tanks are not of the stated capacity and that they were unaware of such, essentially eliminating misprint or change in design as a defense. Ignorace and incapacitty are not typically a desirable explanations for the errors of large corporations. I can live with it, but it places my 5th wheels HT capacity far below that of the competition and now that the facts are known, can adversly affect the resale of the unit, as I will not lie to any future buyer.
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jwcgc29
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05/23/08 08:17am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Have you checked the capacity of your holding tanks ?
Signature clearly indcates the trailer's brand ?? The signature is a combination of initials and a date, and has nothing to do with any brand of 5th wheel.
The grey and black capacity is off by a total of 30 gallons...not 3. And 30 percent of your hypothetical 30 gallons is 9 gallons, not 3....and we do semi-dry camping(no septic) frequently and dont care to hook the 5th wheel up and tow it to a dump station because the tanks are of insufficient capacity.
Please give "two hoots" about facts and correct mathematical calculations before dissing on my initial post and/or concerns.
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jwcgc29
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05/23/08 07:55am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Have you checked the capacity of your holding tanks ?
No one is "fussing" about tank capacity. My shower flows 1 GPM. If I know the capacity of my grey tank, I know how many mintues I can shower before filling the tank. I apologize for wanting the know the facts. As for sharker 6 checking the dimensions on the tank drawing, what part # are you referring to ? Ameri-Kart lists HT512 and HT 513 as 40 gallon tanks right on the engineering drawings. Why waste your time calculating capacity when the tank manufacturer has done the hard work for you and have already considered wall thickness, shape intrusions. etc. As for DWV drain piping extending into the tank limiting capacity, please explain. Fluid will find it's own level, no matter where the outlet ends in the tank. It will eventually entirely fill the HT tank, except perhaps for trapped air, and will overflow at the lowest fixture drain in the system.
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jwcgc29
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05/23/08 07:21am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Having second thoughts
Do the math....
1000 mile trip @ 10 mpg will burn 100 gallons of whatever fuel your TV uses. If fuel is 1 dollar more than last summer, your trip will cost you 100 dollars more. 1.50 more..150....my point is obvious. Try staying at a nice Hampton Inn for 14 hours for less than 100 bucks (well you do get that great "continental" breakfast)
Sure the increased fuel prices hurt, but still represent a small percentage of the cost and fun of RVing.
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jwcgc29
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05/23/08 07:08am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Have you checked the capacity of your holding tanks ?
Thanks for the input Bill. Most gas cans (plastic) have a fill line indicated on them that represent the 5 or 2 or 1 gallon line, so accuracy shouldnt be a problem. I cant really see how the depth of penetration into the tank by any given DWV plumbing would affect the overall capacity to any noticeable degree. The plumbing between the tank and the fixture drain would add some capacity, but not usable in the real world.
Those of us who have researched the tank makers specs show that the 5th wheel manufacturer has overstated the capacity by amost 30 percent and they are now saying they dont know how it happened and that is wasnt actually their fault. Nothing like taking responsibiity for your mistakes !!
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jwcgc29
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05/23/08 06:50am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Have you checked the capacity of your holding tanks ?
As for testing, I would take a 5 gallon plastic gas can, and fill it as many time as necessary to fill your tanks. Your DWV plumbing will typically hold a few gallons (especially the potty, since the drain is 3" diameter) If your specs say 50 gallons, see if you can pour 10 x 5 and so on. To get really exact, also use a 1 gallon milk jug, etc. Testing the black will also have the added benefit of rinsing it out.
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jwcgc29
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05/23/08 05:39am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Have you checked the capacity of your holding tanks ?
It is my understanding and observation that in most units, the shower drains to the grey tank. (I think you meant black and not grey in the first reference in your post) I have read where some makers drain the vanity and/or kitchen sink into the grey, but since the shower uses the most water of the group, I would find it odd to have it drain to the black. I have seen the DWV plumbing in our unit and only the potty drains to the black.
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jwcgc29
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05/23/08 05:35am |
Fifth-Wheels
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Have you checked the capacity of your holding tanks ?
We recently discovered that all the holding tanks in our new 08 5th wheel are almost 30 percent smaller than the factory literature and specs stated. (the manufacturer shall remain nameless until it has had an opportunity to address, explain and remedy the issue) It appears that the capacities are based on highly optomistic, theoretical physical dimensions and not the capacity stated by the tank manufacturer, Ameri-Kart.
Has anyone tested their holding tanks to assure that they hold what your particular manufacturer states ? Is overstatement an RV industry standard or are capacities typically accurate ?
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jwcgc29
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05/23/08 05:21am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Excessive wire gauge wasts costly copper
Well...I certainly touched off a firestorm with my question and reply...need to be more careful in the future. I appreciate all the constructive input regarding the issue I raised and thank those respondents for not taking issue with the specifics of the verbiage I included in my OP or reply. For a bunch of folks that love to talk about relaxing, some members sure can get testy about the nuances in the delivery of any given message. I agree...RELAX....even if you dont like exactly how I state my case, please.....RELAX.
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jwcgc29
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05/14/08 11:14am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Excessive wire gauge wasts costly copper
OK....Everyone calm down. Cant we have a little discussion without egos getting in the way ? I can imagine why anyone could consider 15 feet of excess 6 gauge wire acceptable. We are not talking stubbed out runs for later use....I have re-wired 2 houses, wired 2 from the gound up, as well as the 3 airplanes I mentioned in my "rude" response. I understand leaving extra circuits for later use. Being proactive is dandy...waste is not.
The one thing I have discovered in my short time as an RV'er is you dont question anything, less you become a basher, whiner, etc.
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jwcgc29
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05/14/08 08:01am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Excessive wire gauge wasts costly copper
Rude ? I posted a concern and I basically got "copper is cheap" and "overkill is good"..neither of which is true.
Not trying to be rude, just trying to qualify the responses of those that took the time to reply to my post. Has everyone become to thin skinned that anything but a "thanks for the response" is considered rude ? If I get a reponse I dont necessarily agree with, I cant question the response ? There actually can be a right and wrong way to do things....questioning the way it is done, or feedback about such, is not rude.
As a child I was taught manners and respect, but was always allowed the opportunity for open discussion, and the right to disagree and speak my mind. I wish my Dad, who would be 95 if he were alive, were here. I miss his wit, intelligence and open mind. It is tough to find others of his ilk with which to have open discourse without being considered a snotty brat.
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jwcgc29
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05/14/08 07:52am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Excessive wire gauge wasts costly copper
Copper wire is cheap ? I dont know how to reply to that. What company did you work for and in what circumstance did you leave 2 to 3 feet of extra wire for future use ?
Also, aircraft use a common buss and grounding system...I know, I have re-wired 3. If it is good enough for Beechcraft, Cessna and Piper it should be good enough for an RV.
As for overkill being better than appropriately sizing the wire for the load, I would assume your next house will have 10 gauge wire on all the 15 amp circuits..."just to be on the safe side". Try finding an electrician that would call that a good idea.
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jwcgc29
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05/14/08 07:24am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: What new trailer has a computer desk and room for washer?
Cameo F34CK3....we use it as a mobile office...
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jwcgc29
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05/14/08 07:16am |
Fifth-Wheels
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Excessive wire gauge wasts costly copper
This topic has been moved to another forum.
You can read it here: 21411196
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jwcgc29
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05/14/08 07:06am |
Fifth-Wheels
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Excessive wire gauge wasts costly copper
Just wondering if anyone has noticed that their unit has excessive wire gauge or length ?
I have been doing a fair amount of rewiring to our new unit, adding dimmers and switches to a number of circuits, and I am amazed at the waste of expensive copper wire. I removed almost 15 feet of excess 6 ga 3 conductor wire between the generator transfer box, breaker panel and shorepower inlet plug. All the 12 v wiring in the unit appears to be 12 gauge, even if it is suppling a single 15 watt bulb. Given the cost cutting measure used elsewhwere, it seems absurd to waste costly copper wire. The wiring is also routed ineffeciently, not taking advantage of common grounding or buss methods.
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jwcgc29
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05/14/08 07:06am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: PD inspection checkllists
Look BEHIND the obvious. Remove any panels, including basement bulkheads, that are nominally accessible. Pull the breaker panel cover and see how neatly (or not)the wiring is done (when I got around to this, long after purchasing the unit, I found a piece of the ceiling, cut out for wire access, lying on top the box and sawdust IN the breaker box) It appears that manufacturers are pretty good at making their trailers look nice on the outside, but you may be surprised how sloppy the workmanship is behind the scenes !
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jwcgc29
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05/14/08 06:54am |
Fifth-Wheels
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