2 more newbie questions

[kt0819]

Thank you all for your help with my last electrical/wiring question. It was the fuse at the battery box that blew. We had a mobile tech come out (to fix the leak on the TT- on the dealer's dime) and he helped us troubleshoot and taught us a bit more about TT wiring. He put in a 40amp fuse and said that would keep it from blowing again.

However tonight when we were towing to our storage location we noticed that the TT outside running lights were not on. The brake lights came on when the brakes were applied, but no running lights of any kind. The TT is connected to the 2012 Yukon XL via a 7 pin connector. Could really use some insight as to why there were no lights on the TT and how to get them to go on. 🙂 This, yet again, was not something mentioned in our PDI. :S

Also, our TT comes with a black tank flush. From what I have read, when dumping, we keep all valves closed. Hook up hoses, open black tank valve. Do we close the black tank valve before we open up the grey or do we leave it open? So after we've done the black tank, we drain the grey to clear out the hoses. After this, we will use the black tank flush to clean things out. Do most dump stations have a water supply?(we've never used any sort of TT before so dump stations are a bit of a mystery at the moment- never hung out at one before).

From my reading here we are supposed to use a back flow preventer and have a separate hose for this purpose- correct? My question is, if my procedure so far is correct- how long does this separate hose need to be? We currently have a 50ft potable water hose, a 20ft potable hose. We will need to go and get a grey water hose. Is a 25ft hose sufficient for this?

Dh won't be building a storage compartment for the sewer hose this year so we will just be using a rubbermaid set aside for that use only. Can we keep the grey water hose with the sewer hose or would it go with the fresh water hoses? Neither seems like an ideal solution for some reason but there has to be a right answer, right?

I figure this will all come together once we try it (we have yet to use the black tank at all and have only put in maybe a gallon of water into the grey) but I like to be as informed as I can.

Thanks!!

[pf32450]

I had the light problem on a pop-up camper we had and bought a set of flat files (meaning thin files) and used them to clean all contact points of any corrosion. This took care of my problem, Hope this helps.

[handye9]

Very possible, the lack of running lights is a fuse problem. Check your owners manual for the Yukon. Look for a "TRL Park" fuse. Probably in the fuse box under the hood.

[2edgesword]

Ditto Iraqvet05 comment. Many TV's have a sensor to turn on the running lights when it gets dark. There is usually a manual switch to turn them on yourself. Use the manual switch to turn on the TV running lights and then check the lights on the trailer.

Our running lights went dark during a recent trip. It turns out a screw that butted up against a running light wire worked it's way through the insulation and shorted the running lights. The trailer fuse in the truck blew. Once the short was correct and a new fuse installed the lights worked normally.

[Iraqvet05]

Was it dark enough for the lights to switch from daytime running lights to full lights? If you have a multimeter or test light, check the pin at the 11 o'clock position for voltage at Youkon's trailer connector...it should be energized when the lights are fully on.

[LakeN]

Removed double post

[LakeN]

After flushing the black tank, close it. While flushing the gray you can connect your flush out hose (20' should be plenty) and run some water into the black tank. Most dump stations do have water spicket for this purpose, have seen some with a hose too. Then flush black tank. A clear attachment will allow you to see what is coming out. You probably want to flush, drain and repeat. As said, don't leave your black tank dry, add a few gal water + chemical. Keep your flush out hose with dump equipment. Ours is an old water hose that is wrapped with black tape to indicate dump hose.
Also, you want to flush black tank when it's about 3/4 full so it "whooshes" out. If not that full, add some water into toilet prior to getting to dump station. You want to be efficient/timely as you might have people waiting.
Have gloves ready & equipment easy to access.

[donn0128]

As for the lights? I would suggest looking for more fuses and the 7 pin plug. A bad ground will cause this problem also.
As for the sewer hose ? You only connect one hose to dump the tanks. Open the black tank valve. After it stios flowing, open the gray valve. You will be really lucky to find anyplace that has a hose for the flush system. Never connect any hoses you use for sewer to a potable water system. If your tanks are emepty and you have access to a sewer cleanout at home you can always flush the tanks at home dumping into the mucipal sewage system. RV parts stores sell those white plastic sewer hose carriers. Or he can make his own with a piece of 4 inch sewer pipe and a cleanout fitting and a cap. Coat will be about the same either way i suspect. Mount this down under the trailer and you'll be good to go. Once the tanks are empty and valves closed, you can add two or three gallons of water to the black tank for the next use.