First time in the RV

jawsthemeswimming428 wrote:
What do people use to level front to back?

The tongue jack, 'though I do also use a 4x stack under the tongue jack for reasonably level and tongue high campsites in order to reduce tongue jack extension.

You must have forgotten those jumper cables that were suggested?

first, you should post what valve was shut and where is it? pics are always helpful.

second, the CO/propane alarm will sound when the battery is low, since it's hardwired. you need to recharge the battery. otherwise you have to cut the wires to it, which is not advised.

Well, it was a great weekend but definitely a few issues. My battery was almost dead after 12 hours. We were pretty surprised and thought something was wrong. We were right.

We had no water coming out of the faucets and couldn't figure out why. The pump was on, and it worked before. After going crazy trying to figure it out, my stepdad figured out that for some reason there was a valve closed and no water was getting to the pump. So, the pump had been running nonstop the whole time. I'm thinking that's what drained the battery so much.

Then, since the battery was low, our carbon monoxide detector kept beeping. Is there a way to make this stop? I realize it's a good warning, but once I'm warned and don't have a way to remedy the situation right away, I'd like it to stop. It's so loud we actually had to disconnect the battery and not use ANYTHING since it was audible all over the campground.

2 questions:

1. Do certain valves need to be open/closed depending on the situation your in? Like when I have a city water hookup vs using the tank? When I have a city water connection does my water pump need to be on? Or does it use the pressure from the connection?

2. Is there an easy way to do something about the carbon monoxide detector?

Bonus question:

What do people use to level front to back? I used wood but didn't know if there was something better.

Thanks again.

Take pencil and paper. Make a list of things you, forgot, want to change or any repairs that may be needed. Keep the list handy so the co-pilot can add things while on the road.

I turn off the water pump and water heater when not in use.....most of the time unless I forget, lol. Just in case of leak for the pump.
1 battery may be tough to stretch that long. However without a generator or hookups to charge, you could start your truck and then swap it into the truck to charge if necessary.
With no showers, that seems like enough water if you conserve. But if it's hot and you're using it for drinking water then that'll eat up a few gallons unless you live on beer. (That's my excuse, conserving water!)
Bring a bunch of tools. Especially if the camper is brand new, but either way, nothing sucks more than a problem that is easily fixable but you got no tools.

we always shut our water pump whenever we leave the trailer.
same thing for the propane side of the WH.

I agree with Atlee, especially about dry camping.

Water is a huge limiting factor. If a leak develops, you are going to start pumping water into your gray tanks or overboard. You cannot afford waste water in a dry camping situation.

Further switching off the hot water tank will cause little problem. Those tanks are heavily insulated. Even with the burner off all day they will retain considerable heat. When you switch the pump and tank back on recovery will be swift.

Actually there is a benefit to cutting off the water pump when not using it.

It's true, the pump doesn't run except when needed to keep the system pressurized. When a faucet is turned on, the pressure in the system (many times 45 psi) drops causing the pump to begin working.

The same thing will happen if a leak develops in the water system. Leak begins, water pressure falls, pump starts pumping. If you're a sound sleeper or if you are away from the RV, the pump will continue to flood the area, until the fresh water tank is empty.

I always cut my pump off when it's not needed.

SpeakEasy wrote:
As to your question #4 - there is really no benefit in turning off the hot water or pump. The pump doesn't run except on demand (when you're drawing water). The water heater doesn't require electric for ongoing operation. You wouldn't want to start with a cold tank of water every time you needed hot water. It's best to keep it on and keep it hot for when you need it. It doesn't use very much propane to keep it hot.

-Speak

SpeakEasy wrote:
As to your question #4 - there is really no benefit in turning off the hot water or pump. The pump doesn't run except on demand (when you're drawing water). The water heater doesn't require electric for ongoing operation. You wouldn't want to start with a cold tank of water every time you needed hot water. It's best to keep it on and keep it hot for when you need it. It doesn't use very much propane to keep it hot.

-Speak

Thanks, that makes sense.