Delays and more delays have made it so I'll only really have one good weekend to work on my RV until we'll be taking it on a trip, and I'll also be changing out the roof a/c unit, so less than a weekend .
I have had absolutely no time to try to figure out how the water and toilet systems work. I need to de-winterize, fill, figure out how to dump, etc. The whole shebang. Unfortunately, the RV is in the shop getting some suspension work done so I don't have it here to give specifics, but I remember it having 2 inlets for water, too? I'll have to come back with some pictures when I can...
Are there any good video series anyone would recommend that I can pull up on a video site that cover these systems pretty well? Maybe you live near Granite City, IL and could stop by and go over some things with me?
You Tube has a lot of videos on the subject just go there and put in Rv dumping or water fill or what ever you are looking for I have found a lot of good stuff there.
Rv doctor is a good one on You Tube
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I am sure the videos will help, but you should know the basics.
Your RV will have a fresh water system and a waste water system.
For fresh water, there are usually two options.
1) A "city water" connection which is a hose from the campground faucet to an inlet on your rig. This connection bypasses the fresh water tank. It also supplies the water pressure.
2) A fresh water tank which you can fill before you hit the road. These can hold anywhere from 20 to 60 gallons of fresh water. The water pressure is supplied by a 12-volt water pump. This system is useful when you are not at a campground with water hookups.
Personally, even if I expect to have a water connection, I like a little water in the fresh water tank, in case I want to flush a toilet or something at a rest stop. If you are going to have a water connection at your camp site, you probably don't want to travel with a full fresh water tank. A full 40 gallon tank weighs about 280 pounds.
For the waste water, there are two separate systems, the Grey water tank, and the Black water tank. The grey water is from the shower and sink, the Black water is from the "other" drain in your RV. The dump valve is on the drivers side of the RV. You need a sewer hose to connect from the exterior drain port to the sewer port, whether at your campsite or the dump station. At the dump station, dump the black tank first, then the grey. Dumping is achieved by opening the valve, after you have connected the sewer hose.
Stop! don't touch that button! You'll be ejected thorugh the secret trap door in the ceiling like a missle heading for the moon! Oh no! Too late .... Thar he goes! ....
Nah!
Just kidding. You be fine. You'll get it figured out. Think how much fun this will make your first camping trip!
When you pick up your camper from the repair, ask the service guy to walk you thorugh the water and dumping stuff. If he has some time, he'll probably do it for you. If not, I promise,... you ask help from the person camped next to you, and they'll gladly take time with you and your camper. I haven't met a neighboring camper yet that doesn't enjoy helping someone just starting out with some new to camping.
DutchmenSport
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Richard covered it pretty well, but a couple of tips: if you are hooked up to a sewer connection at a camp ground it is OK to leave the grey tanks open, but NEVER the black. ALWAYS have the black tank at least 3/4 full before you dump, better to be completely full. That helps flush solids out of the tank.
When we are stationary for three months in the winter we leave the grey tanks open until a day or two before we are due to empty the black tank, then close them so they are close to full as well. The grey water flushes out the sewer hose.
When you are camping with or without a sewer hook-up, you will probably find that the grey tanks fill faster than the black tank. So, always use PLENTY of water when you flush the toilet, more is better. We also use a dishpan in the kitchen sink and then dump it in the toilet to help balance the tanks- just make sure you got all the silverware out of the dishpan!
Get a small spray bottle and fill it with a mild bleach/water combo, keep it by by your fresh water connection and before you connect your water hose spray the spigot with the bleach for sanitation.
As noted above, we try to keep a half tank of fresh water "just in case". A few years ago we were in a campground where someone ran over a water spigot and broke the pipe. After the geyser was shut off we were without water for the better part of a day, just switched to our fresh tank, no worries.
Most important of all, relax and don't worry, we were all newbys once and there is always someone around a campground wiling to answer questions and help out if you get stuck.
As far as de-winterizing goes, ask the tech at the dealer to show you the hot water tank bypass and how to light the hot water tank once it is full. Otherwise it is just a matter of hooking up fresh water and flushing the system. No harm in dropping a 1/4 or 1/2 cup of bleach in the fresh tank when you fill it the first time.
Enjoy your trip and have fun!
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First off, thanks for all the input so far.
Secondly, any movie Robin Williams stars in is great. haha
I'll have to go spend some time at YouTube and see what they've got for me. My RV is from 1984, so I can't imagine it's too complicated. I just really don't want any surprises ...especially when dealing with waste water.
Anyone have any suggestions on parts I need to/should get? I've looked at the starter kits and it looks like I should pick up at least 10' of drain hose, special RV toilet paper, drinking water hose, water pressure regulator, and a basic water hose to flush the tank. Does anyone recommend something like the dual flush pro? Any adapters or fittings?
RRinNFla wrote: 1) A "city water" connection which is a hose from the campground faucet to an inlet on your rig. This connection bypasses the fresh water tank. It also supplies the water pressure.
2) A fresh water tank which you can fill before you hit the road. These can hold anywhere from 20 to 60 gallons of fresh water. The water pressure is supplied by a 12-volt water pump.
DutchmenSport wrote: When you pick up your camper from the repair, ask the service guy to walk you thorugh the water and dumping stuff. If he has some time, he'll probably do it for you. If not, I promise,... you ask help from the person camped next to you, and they'll gladly take time with you and your camper. I haven't met a neighboring camper yet that doesn't enjoy helping someone just starting out with some new to camping.
Problem is that we ended up taking it to a truck repair place versus an RV place. I'm guessing we'll probably put your advice to the test and bug whomever is near us when we get there.
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