GBlack
Evansville, Indiana
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Joined: 08/10/2006
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Hi Folks: We just got back from our second ever RV trip in our 5th wheel. I was wondering about three basic things:
1) After we return the 5er to the storage lot after each trip, is it necessary to extend the rear stabilizer jacks? Or do they only need to be used whenever people are going to be staying inside?
2) Do you drain your hot water heater after every trip, or just once while winterizing at the end of each year?
3) Although I know to empty my black tank before emptying my grey tanks, do you FLUSH your black tank before or after you empty your grey tanks (or does it even matter?) Seems this choice may have a slight effect on how clean the sewer hose is when finished.
Thanks!
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THE BIGPUNN
west michigan
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Joined: 10/23/2002
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1. when i want the rear of the camper more stabile is when i extend the rear jacks.
2. you probably should drain it or you will get a rotten smell develope after that water sits for so long.
3. you should dump and flush it before grey. i have never flushed mine, i just put deodorizer down the toilet after we dump.
others i suppose may have a different opininon, have fun!
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ak_traveler
Fairbanks, Alaska
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Ok my turn...
1. We only put our stabilizers down if it is going to sit awhile between trips - and in our short summer that ain't long! When we are using it we'll stabilize it and come fall we put the stabilizers down as well.
2. Again between trips we don't bother because the water is only in it a short while. We drain it when we winterize. Also remember we don't get many of those 90 degree days up here!
3. We drain our black tank, flush it with the grey tank(s), then rinse it with the built in Tornado flusher to make sure everything is clean. That's our protocol.
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Bumpyroad
Virginia
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3) if you don't have a black tank spray flusher, get one.
bumpy
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Oakman
MO
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1.) No, you don't need to put the stabilzers down when your unit is in storage.
2.) No, you don't have to drain the water heater between trips. The only time we drain ours is for winterization.
3.) It certainly won't hurt to flush the black tank after you dump. We always add three gallons of water with the chemicals to the tank between trips.
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Dick_B
Palos Heights, IL USA
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It's amazing how different campers procedures are with regard to almost any task.
We dump black, flush with No Fuss Flush, shut off black valve, open BOTH grey tank valves to not only empty but flush drain hose.
If you flush black after grey you put black stuff right back into the hose!
and BTW always use disposable gloves when handling anything associated with dumping; including opening and closing valves. and don't touch anything not associated with dumping with them on! Pretend like it's brain surgery and you are the doctor.
Dick_B
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jbeletti
Chicago (Streamwood), IL USA
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Hi Gary,
Same as the last two replies for me:
1. I usually do not put down the rear stabs unless I am going to use the camper for a while at my storage spot.
2. I have never drained the water heater except to winterize - but we do use our trailer every other week or so in season.
3. I try to drain and flush the holding tanks before returning to our home CG. But sometimes I am not able to. So long as it's not longer than a week to the next camp-out - works for me. We do not have sewer hookups at our home CG. It is rare that I will pull back home with anything in those tanks but it has happened.
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lat471
Lebanon, PA
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1 You don't need rear stabilizer in storage.
2. I don't drain the hot water heater unless it's going to be parked longer then a few weeks.
3. Dump the black use the spray flusher. close the black dump then empty the gray. After a little chemical and a few gallons of water in each and were good to go.
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Vulcaneer
Northern New England
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You have received good advice above. So i will not answer those questions.
But should point out that when you drain your hot water heater, be sure to stand at the side of it. So when the water gushes out, you won't get hit with it. Packs a lot of force, when that plug is disengaged. Mine blows out a good 15 to 20 feet.
And certainly the water heater should be off for a couple of days before, to allow the water to cool to normal unheated temperature.
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SCR
Full Timer - I'm really not sure where I am
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Vulcaneer wrote:You have received good advice above. So i will not answer those questions.
But should point out that when you drain your hot water heater, be sure to stand at the side of it. So when the water gushes out, you won't get hit with it. Packs a lot of force, when that plug is disengaged. Mine blows out a good 15 to 20 feet.
And certainly the water heater should be off for a couple of days before, to allow the water to cool to normal unheated temperature.
Be sure to shut the water off to the RV before starting and double check that the electric heat element is OFF if you have one. An exposed heat element will burn out in a heart beat without water.
Lift the high pressure relief valve handle before pulling the plug, it will relieve the pressure you speak of. Once you pull the drain plug you can again lift the handle on the high pressure relief valve to speed up the tank drainage.
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