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mgirardo's avatar
mgirardo
Explorer
Mar 22, 2017

Always go prepared...

We've been RV camping for almost 15 years, but I learned a valuable lesson last week that I wanted to pass on. The lesson is always go prepared. I always bring a cordless drill with me when camping and almost always bring my 201 piece mechanics tool set. We had a 5 day trip planned, but we were really busy the days leading up to our departure. I decided not to bring the tool set.

Unfortunately, that was a mistake. When I emptied the hot water heater last, I did not fully tighten the drain plug (we have a Suburban, so no Anode Rod). Sure enough, it leaked from the drain plug. I didn't notice it right away and had a nice size puddle under the camper. The campground was pretty quiet, so not really anyone to ask if they had a wrench and I could never pin down the host (we were out of the campground each day). I was able to hand tighten it to keep the water from really leaking, but never got it tight enough.

I did have a gallon bucket to catch the leaking water when we needed the hot water heater. I left the hot water heater in bypass most of the time to keep it from getting pressurized. The only time it leaked a lot was when there was pressure in the tank. Once the pressure was relieved, it only dripped every so often.

Like the drill, I will always bring my tool set, even when in a hurry.

-Michael

19 Replies

  • Oasisbob wrote:
    Are you a former boy scout? Always be prepared. Good advice. Often I can loan items out to neighbors who are in need. Batteries, lantern mantles. What do you use the cordless drill for?


    Actually, I was not a boy scout. I am a firm believer that chance favors the prepared.

    Almost everything in the camper is held together with screws and staples. If I need to get to the fresh water pump, 4 screws on the access panel. 4 screws on the access panel to get to the Converter, the inverter, the transfer switch and the back of the fuse panel and breaker panel. 4 Screws on the access panel for the furnace. Most of these are 2 inch or longer screws.

    I always have a screw driver with me (always in my laptop bag), but having a cordless drill is much more convenient. I have a cordless screw driver, but it is not as powerful as the drill and does not have a removable battery.

    -Michael
  • Jim-Linda wrote:

    If you have a Suburban, you do have an anode rod, no drain plug


    I could be wrong about it being a Suburban, but I'm pretty sure it is. I know for a fact it does not have an anode rod, just a drain plug.

    -Michael
  • Nothing goes in and out of the camper except food and clothes, and some of that stays in there too.
  • I bought a torque wrench from Aldi's, I think it's a Work Horse brand, $12! It came with a short extension and a couple of sockets, and bought socket one for the WH. I keep it in the TT for lug nuts and WH.
  • Murphy's law at it's finest moment! (my favorite soap box subject: About the time you get ready to fix mashed potatoes, you'll realize you forgot the potato peeler! ... Always be prepared! Keep a potato peeler in your camper!)
  • Are you a former boy scout? Always be prepared. Good advice. Often I can loan items out to neighbors who are in need. Batteries, lantern mantles. What do you use the cordless drill for?
  • mgirardo wrote:
    We've been RV camping for almost 15 years, but I learned a valuable lesson last week that I wanted to pass on. The lesson is always go prepared. I always bring a cordless drill with me when camping and almost always bring my 201 piece mechanics tool set. We had a 5 day trip planned, but we were really busy the days leading up to our departure. I decided not to bring the tool set.

    Unfortunately, that was a mistake. When I emptied the hot water heater last, I did not fully tighten the drain plug (we have a Suburban, so no Anode Rod). Sure enough, it leaked from the drain plug. I didn't notice it right away and had a nice size puddle under the camper. The campground was pretty quiet, so not really anyone to ask if they had a wrench and I could never pin down the host (we were out of the campground each day). I was able to hand tighten it to keep the water from really leaking, but never got it tight enough.

    I did have a gallon bucket to catch the leaking water when we needed the hot water heater. I left the hot water heater in bypass most of the time to keep it from getting pressurized. The only time it leaked a lot was when there was pressure in the tank. Once the pressure was relieved, it only dripped every so often.

    Like the drill, I will always bring my tool set, even when in a hurry.

    -Michael


    If you have a Suburban, you do have an anode rod, no drain plug
  • I also have a cheapo set that lives in the camper. I suspect you should as well.
  • This is why I keep little toolkits in everything I own.
    Vice Grips and a multy bit screwdriver stuffed in an old sock.They never leave the vehicle or trailer.
    YES. I do have a proper tool kit but I also have left it behind.