Life in an RV

[dave77]

I don't know how much it helps but with my friend's black water tank which is left hooked up to my septic tank we always add a couple of cap fulls of Rid-X after dumping and rinsing. Also found a clear 90 degree drain hose end so we can see when the tank is well rinsed. I also close the black water valve with the rinse water hose turned on for a bit to make sure the drain hose is well rinsed since we always leave the grey water tanks valves open.

[BigAl52]

I also use a clear elbow at the black tank hook up. There is a product that I like for black tank treatment called Unique like the powder. It works great better than anything I have ever tried. The scott RV toilet paper also is the best for dissolving that I have used.
https://www.amazon.com/Unique-Digest-Ho ... NrPXRydWU=

[dave77]

Wanted to stay with Rid-X as that's what I use in my septic tank. Had my tank pumped shortly after we hooked up the 5th wheel. Being that I'm single and that it's a 1200 gallon tank I had never used any treatment before and the guy said it looked good, only a few inches of sludge. Using the Rid-X now with 2 people, did not realize how much more laundry a single woman has compared to a single guy.

We are using Scott single ply tp, the RV stuff is too expensive.

[markiver54]

Wanted to stay with Rid-X as that's what I use in my septic tank. Had my tank pumped shortly after we hooked up the 5th wheel. Being that I'm single and that it's a 1200 gallon tank I had never used any treatment before and the guy said it looked good, only a few inches of sludge. Using the Rid-X now with 2 people, did not realize how much more laundry a single woman has compared to a single guy.

We are using Scott single ply tp, the RV stuff is too expensive.

No surprise!!

[Sir Henry]

Black stuff first, rinse the black tank, if you have that system, followed by the grey. Close the valves. Count to 30. Then disconnect the RV end of the hose, hold it high, and rinse it out well with the non-potable water hose near the dump hole. Dumping the black first gets the solids out of the way, you do not want to have them hung up in your hose.The clean POTABLE water spigot is always located away from the dump area, at least it is supposed to be....!

Wear disposable gloves and keep your lips closed tightly, splashes could be unpleasant. Wash your hands well before filling your fresh tank or even touching your fresh water hose....

I lived in Monroe for twelve years, a mile north of the race track (and left in 2004), my how that area has grown. Good luck.

John Davies
Spokane WA

Thanks John. Your description was how it went.

[Sir Henry]

I don't know how much it helps but with my friend's black water tank which is left hooked up to my septic tank we always add a couple of cap fulls of Rid-X after dumping and rinsing. Also found a clear 90 degree drain hose end so we can see when the tank is well rinsed. I also close the black water valve with the rinse water hose turned on for a bit to make sure the drain hose is well rinsed since we always leave the grey water tanks valves open.

I found another brand of the sanitizer and used it. One for the black and one for the grey. The instructions said use a lot when it’s hot and not very much when it’s cold.

[Sir Henry]

I’m camped at Deception Pass State Park. I organized stuff for a few hours. Some cupboards and drawers aren’t accessible with the slides in.

[Sir Henry]

How many hours can I run the generator before changing the oil?

[John E Davies]

Use the generator manufacturer’s oil chance interval. I think Onan says 100 hours. I change my portable Yamaha oil at 50 hours or annually in the spring. I normally put only 25 or 30 hours on it unless there is a big outage. If yours doesn’t have an hour meter, install one. I put this one on my Yammie.

[url] https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B081MY6Z ... UTF8&psc=1[/url

You can screw it down or use 3M VHB tape.

John Davies
Spokane WA

[BigAl52]

Do you have full hook ups there Gene.

[Sir Henry]

Do you have full hook ups there Gene.

50 amps and water. The sewer dump is a drive through near the exit. There is an overpriced convenience store about a hundred yards from my RV.

I sure sleep good even with the noise of the fighter jets from Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. It sounds like freedom and protection.

[BigAl52]

Thats a nice area. Ive been there many times. Also to an air show at the base. How long can you stay there

[Sir Henry]

Thats a nice area. Ive been there many times. Also to an air show at the base. How long can you stay there

Till December 1st then I go go Dosewallips State Park. On the Friday after Thanksgiving I have an appointment to put the tires on so I’ll be gone for a full day. I’m making a list of items I need and will stock up.

My propane went from full to 2/3 in a very short time. I think it was barely over the 2/3 mark (light) when I started because it’s been at 2/3 ever since.

[BigAl52]

If electric is free I use a couple ceramic heaters to save on the propane. Does the coach have heat pumps on it.

[Hatchdog]

Even if you’re paying for electric it’s probably a good idea to supplement you propane heat with a ceramic heater or two. I do not camp in the winter but from my reading on the Forest River forum those that do find they burn thru the propane tanks quickly.

Sounds like you’re doing good with your new living quarters.

[John E Davies]

It doesn’t matter yet, because you are in a mild climate. But do not completely rely on box heaters in winter where it is chilly, or your basement tanks and plumbing will freeze. OTH they are great for heating the bedroom while the rest of the cabin is cooler. They are a fire hazard, be wary of leaving them running when you are away. Speaking of which, have you checked your extinguishers? You might want to add a couple of more and keep the old ones as backups if they are older than ten years. It really helps if you write the purchase date on the top of the bottles.

These are wonderful, super light weight, run for 50 seconds, and never expire, but they are expensive compared to a Walmart throw away. Plus they do not leave a huge area of corrosive dry powder to clean up afterwards. I bought two last year, one for my Oliver, and the other for my truck glove box. I plan to buy more. If you want a longer run time, they do have a bigger one.

https://elementfire.com/products/element-e50

John Davies
Spokane WA

[Sir Henry]

Even if you’re paying for electric it’s probably a good idea to supplement you propane heat with a ceramic heater or two. I do not camp in the winter but from my reading on the Forest River forum those that do find they burn thru the propane tanks quickly.

Sounds like you’re doing good with your new living quarters.

I have a small 700 watt one and will be buying a bigger one.

[Sir Henry]

It doesn’t matter yet, because you are in a mild climate. But do not completely rely on box heaters in winter where it is chilly, or your basement tanks and plumbing will freeze. OTH they are great for heating the bedroom while the rest of the cabin is cooler. They are a fire hazard, be wary of leaving them running when you are away. Speaking of which, have you checked your extinguishers? You might want to add a couple of more and keep the old ones as backups if they are older than ten years. It really helps if you write the purchase date on the top of the bottles.

These are wonderful, super light weight, run for 50 seconds, and never expire, but they are expensive compared to a Walmart throw away. Plus they do not leave a huge area of corrosive dry powder to clean up afterwards. I bought two last year, one for my Oliver, and the other for my truck glove box. I plan to buy more. If you want a longer run time, they do have a bigger one.

https://elementfire.com/products/element-e50

John Davies
Spokane WA

This RV has factory winter heating wraps on the pipes. The big problem is they use a lot of electricity which is fine with shore power. Using the generator will burn through the fuel.

Thanks for the reminder about the fire extinguishers. They do need to be replaced.

[Ernie]

How is your cat doing through all this? I was curious about how it handles the traveling. Mine starts yowling as soon as I start the car and I have wondered if he would have the same problem in a motorhome.
Ernie

[markiver54]

How is your cat doing through all this? I was curious about how it handles the traveling. Mine starts yowling as soon as I start the car and I have wondered if he would have the same problem in a motorhome.
Ernie

It took a long time, but, our cat used to yowl all the time. Not anymore though. Have often wondered the same, if it would be better in a camper or motorhome.