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Kostyan's avatar
Kostyan
Explorer
Jul 27, 2017

Newb questions

Hi guys

I am getting ready for my 1st trip and have some questions. The trailer is a 2007 Trailer Light by R-Design C21RBH hybrid and appreciate some pointers.


- the sticker on exterior AC receptacle says 30 AMP but there are some camp sites that offer 50 AMP service. Will I fry my trailer's wiring if I plug my trailer into the 50 AMP outlet?

- Water heater and fresh water system use in general. It looks like the water heater in my trailer was replaced and the fresh water tank mostly drained. Seller told me that the trailer was previously winterized and that I need to pour chlorine solution in and flush it out again. Do I need to be concerned over solution getting into water heater tank? Also when hooking up to "City Water" how do I know there is water in water heater tank before I turn it on (afraid to fry it by turning the element when empty)?


- How do I winterize this thing at the end of the season? I read about need to bypass water heater to save 6 gal antifreeze but do not know how to bypass that

18 Replies

  • kerrlakeRoo wrote:
    Kostyan wrote:
    Trying to sanitize the water system but cant figure out how to pour bleach solution in through City Water plug. Howdo you guys do that

    There should be one there marked as tank fill use a funnel and pour it in there. Then fill the tank from a (new) hose that is specifically for fresh water.


    Any idea where that tank fill might be on my trailer? I cant find anywhere
  • Kostyan wrote:
    Trying to sanitize the water system but cant figure out how to pour bleach solution in through City Water plug. Howdo you guys do that

    There should be one there marked as tank fill use a funnel and pour it in there. Then fill the tank from a (new) hose that is specifically for fresh water.
  • Trying to sanitize the water system but cant figure out how to pour bleach solution in through City Water plug. Howdo you guys do that
  • ependydad wrote:
    As for water in the water heater, open a hot water tap inside the camper to draw water in. Then open the overflow valve on the water heater itself periodically to see if it is full. Depending on winterization valves, don't trust that because you got water at the tap that the water heater is full; check it with the overflow valve.


    By the "overflow valve" you mean the P/T valve on top, this will collapse the air bubble at the top of the tank that acts like an expansion tank. It absorbs the expansion and contraction of the water in the tank as it heats and cools. Collapsing the air bubble will cause the P/T valve to leak. I don't think you want to do this.
  • 1) As mentioned, you can use a dogbone adapter to go from 50 to 30. Though, most sites with 50amp service also have a 30amp plug. It's rare you find a 50amp only site.

    2) Sanitize the system:
    http://learntorv.com/eww-stinky-water-sanitizing-the-fresh-water-system/

    As for water in the water heater, open a hot water tap inside the camper to draw water in. Then open the overflow valve on the water heater itself periodically to see if it is full. Depending on winterization valves, don't trust that because you got water at the tap that the water heater is full; check it with the overflow valve.

    3) Winterization:
    http://learntorv.com/winterizing-your-campers-water-system/

    Otherwise, checkout my Newbies, Get Started Here section of the site.
  • In your home would you want you cold water supply clean but be unconcerned about your hot water supply? Pull out a basic RV book on fresh water or look on line. Should take you about an hour to read. Then ask questions.
  • Watch videos and read it requires knowledge to do things right
  • Kostyan wrote:
    Hi guys

    I am getting ready for my 1st trip and have some questions. The trailer is a 2007 Trailer Light by R-Design C21RBH hybrid and appreciate some pointers.


    - the sticker on exterior AC receptacle says 30 AMP but there are some camp sites that offer 50 AMP service. Will I fry my trailer's wiring if I plug my trailer into the 50 AMP outlet?

    - Water heater and fresh water system use in general. It looks like the water heater in my trailer was replaced and the fresh water tank mostly drained. Seller told me that the trailer was previously winterized and that I need to pour chlorine solution in and flush it out again. Do I need to be concerned over solution getting into water heater tank? Also when hooking up to "City Water" how do I know there is water in water heater tank before I turn it on (afraid to fry it by turning the element when empty)?


    - How do I winterize this thing at the end of the season? I read about need to bypass water heater to save 6 gal antifreeze but do not know how to bypass that


    The 30 amp plug will only fit 30 amp outlets. If you end up at a site that doesnt have a 30 amp, you use an adapter to allow you to connect to a 50 amp source. These units may have a short section of cable (about a foot) with the 50 amp male plug on one end and a 30 amp female on the other. Or it can resemble a hockey puck with male prongs on one end and the female 30 amp slots on the other.
    Also make sure you get a surge protector to prevent problems in the trailers wiring. In your case just get a 30 amp and use it between the source and your plug if you are connecting to a 50 amp or straight to the outlet on a 30 amp.

    There should be three valves near the water heater, to put it inb operation the lines into and out of both need to be open, and there is a crossover line that goes between the two lines that needs to be closed.

    To ensure water is in the tank, after making sure those valves are open run water at a sink until water comes out from the hot water faucet, you should have it belch some air at first until the tank and lines are full.

    To clean the lines and tank go to www.sanidumps.com/sanitizervfreshwatersystem.php
    They cover it well including tank sizes for mixing.

    Happy motorin