Just bought our first RV - Would welcome comments/advice!

Bordercollie wrote:
Regular dump setup is OK, takes no more than ten minutes to do, keep latex gloves handy, wash hands well afterward and go on with your life.

One last step before "you go on with your life": Remember to either put in your chemical treatment &/or to dump significant amounts of water (2-3 gallons isn't unreasonable) to keep the bottom of your black tank wet.

Regular dump setup is OK, takes no more than ten minutes to do, keep latex gloves handy, wash hands well afterward and go on with your life.

happybooker1 wrote:
Or get This

My primary concerns with the "Sewer Solution" type of sewer management system is that you need to hook up fresh water to run it. That involves another garden hose to carry that needs to be labelled "Bio-Hazzard" and must be stored accordingly. I would be concerned of it accidentally getting used for fresh water. You know what it's for, but someone else trying to help out may not quite get it.

Then there is the problem at dump stations. Not all have a red biohazzard water spicket to attach a garden hose to. You may be tempted to use the blue painted water source which is a very big NO-NO because of contamination. You would be handling fresh water and waste water at the same time with the same tools.

Sanicon is an electric version of that system, permanently built into the rig. Most people who have it, love it. We own a Phoenix Cruiser which comes with a Sanicon system and also has the standard outlet as a backup for if there was a problem during a trip. It is also there for extended stays when you want a 3" hose hooked up all the time. I really like the design of our system. Phoenix USA places all sewer management valve and flush controls & ports all in one place. It is quite nice. I have never used a 3" slinky.


Here is a late model Phoenix Cruiser with a Sanicon system. The macerator pump hangs down on our older 2007 model year.

Speaking of Ron's post and not drinking the water, we never drink the water in the rv. We always carry bottled water or get it from a purified source and store it in something small.

Or get This & bypass a lot of the directions below!

Bordercollie wrote:
Before you do dump holding tanks: Make sure that your sewer hose is in good condition and has end connectors properly installed. Have a small low stool to sit on while you connect the sewer hose to the RV dump outlet.(Camping world sells small collapsible stools). Put on latex gloves, make sure that you turn and latch hose connector securely to the RV. Insert sewer hose securely into sewer so it can't come out and spill all over. Place a rock etc. against the hose. The bigger dump handle is for the black (toilet waste) water. The smaller dump valve handle is for the grey ( sink and shower waste water). After you dump the black water tank, close its valve and open the gray water valve and wait until it stops draining. Disconnect hose from RV. If rinse water is available run clear water through sewer hose to flush out any remaining stuff and let it drain out completely, then put sewer hose away. Rinse any remaining stuff into the sewer if at the communal dump. Remove latex gloves and put into trash. Leave nothing behind for the next user. Wash your hands thoroughly and congratualate yourself on a job well done. Some RV owners never use their own RV toilet for fear/distaste of dumping chores, don't be a lily.

Practice setting up and taking down the awning and try to memorize or video how it is done.(there are You Tube videos) Make sure that awning is properly secured before driving off. Find out how to get generator power into the rig when not plugged into shore power. On some rigs you plug the shore power connector into the receptacle on the generator, the receptacle is ususally accessible inside a compartment next to the generator. There is an auxiliary battery switch usually on a control panel, it must be "on" for 12 volt interior lights, etc., to get power and for house battery to get charged while plugged into shore power or running generator. If you run the roof AC unit then shut it down for any reason, let it rest/release pressure for 10 minutes before attempting to restart it. Test TV and antenna and it's amplifier, green LED must be lit for reception unless you hook up to camp cable TV, then press button so green LED goes out. You may have to fiddle with TV's input menu to switch from antenna to cable and vice versa.

Rent the Robin Williams movie "RV" and don't do anything he does in the movie. :)

Before you do dump holding tanks: Make sure that your sewer hose is in good condition and has end connectors properly installed. Have a small low stool to sit on while you connect the sewer hose to the RV dump outlet.(Camping world sells small collapsible stools). Put on latex gloves, make sure that you turn and latch hose connector securely to the RV. Insert sewer hose securely into sewer so it can't come out and spill all over. Place a rock etc. against the hose. The bigger dump handle is for the black (toilet waste) water. The smaller dump valve handle is for the grey ( sink and shower waste water). After you dump the black water tank, close its valve and open the gray water valve and wait until it stops draining. Disconnect hose from RV. If rinse water is available run clear water through sewer hose to flush out any remaining stuff and let it drain out completely, then put sewer hose away. Rinse any remaining stuff into the sewer if at the communal dump. Remove latex gloves and put into trash. Leave nothing behind for the next user. Wash your hands thoroughly and congratualate yourself on a job well done. Some RV owners never use their own RV toilet for fear/distaste of dumping chores, don't be a lily.

ron.dittmer wrote:

This process must be done just prior to the start of "Every" camping season.

Unless you cycle enough water through your system to keep it clean. I never flush mine but I use it a lot. City water will keep for quite a while and many people use their RVs as "lifeboats" in the event they have to bug out due to disaster.

Welcome & Congratulations. Going to Red Stone Arsenal by any chance? Great RV Park, some of the biggest sites we've had. If you don't already know about it, be sure to check out www.militarycampgrounds.us.

Where to begin on the tips???/
1. Don't leave the black tank valve open until you are ready to dump.
2. Since you are new at this, Dump a LITTLE bit of the grey water first to see if everything is hooked up and working ok, THEN dump the black water, followed by dumping the rest of the grey water.
3. When plugging and unplugging the electric cord, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, flip the breaker on the campground pedestal OFF.

As others have mentioned, ask for help from fellow campers and if they tell you something that doesn't seem right, check it out further. Just because they have been camping "for years" doesn't mean they are doing it right.