Always go prepared...

[mgirardo]

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

[crasster]

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

Yes and DUAL purpose things. Trash cans can act as buckets. Get creative!

[Jpatrickc]

gbopp wrote:

mgirardo wrote:
I was able to hand tighten it to keep the water from really leaking, but never got it tight enough.

Interesting. Something that can't be fixed/patched with pop rivets or duct tape. :B

Pop Rivets is a new one to me.
For me it was always WD-40 if won't move and should or Duct Tape if it moves and shouldn't

[austinjenna]

I also have a cheapo set that lives in the camper. I suspect you should as well.

Yup, thats what Harbor Freight is for!

[toedtoes]

DutchmenSport wrote:
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!)

Ha! My last camping trip, a friend came out in her RV for a couple nights. The first night, she came over and asked for a knife to cut her tomato, then she came over to ask for a peeler. When she returned them, I asked her "how do you manage to go camping without me?" She laughed and said "when I go with you, I don't worry about what I forgot because I know you have it".

I have "RV tools" that are always in the RV. I also keep caulking, different tapes (duct, electric, plumbers', etc.), glues (gorilla, crazy, wood, etc.), and such.

[mgirardo]

opnspaces wrote:
OP, does your water heater have a plastic drain plug? If so it would be an Atwood.

I believe it is nylon, but yes, it is a drain plug. I could have sworn it was a Suburban, but I guess it's an Atwood.

-Michael

[opnspaces]

90 percent of teh time I carry my larger tool set. If not I have a large crescent wrench a screw driver and a hammer always in the trailer. Hopefully Murphys doesn't rear his head when I don't have the kit.

OP, does your water heater have a plastic drain plug? If so it would be an Atwood.

[malexander]

I have a small/medium tool box full of the basic socket set, allens, open/box ends, screwdrivers, etc. that stays in one of the bays of the MH. The only time it comes out is if I need something out of it while "camping". I also always take my tool pouch & volt meter with me.

[nineoaks2004]

I have always kept a tool kit and spare items in my RV storage area, plus I have a tool box mounted on the Pick Up bed too for other items that I might use or need when I do not have the RV tool handy.

[Veebyes]

One nice thing about not having a tool is that typically in a CG you won't have to go far to find somebody who has what you need. First one to try is the guy with the class A or 5er who looks like he might be a fulltimer. When you don't have a home to go back to you collect & carry all kinds of stuff.

[gbopp]

mgirardo wrote:
I was able to hand tighten it to keep the water from really leaking, but never got it tight enough.

Interesting. Something that can't be fixed/patched with pop rivets or duct tape. :B

[mgirardo]

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

[mgirardo]

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

[K_Charles]

Nothing goes in and out of the camper except food and clothes, and some of that stays in there too.

[WNYBob]

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.