Questions abou t new (to me) Northern Lite

[bkenobi]

I just picked up my first TC last week. I'm going to be taking my first trip next weekend and need to get a couple things figured out. The first is critical, the second is maintenance that will come into play down the road.

1) The NL TC is a 2007 10'2" RRQ (rear dinette, queen bed). It was kept in great condition by the original owner fortunately. But, the TC did not come with a sewer hose. There is a hole/door in the side of the camper that is 17" deep that I've been told is for storing the dump hose. I picked a relatively cheap one up from Walmart but found it does not fit either. It's both too large diameter (the hole is 3-3/4" diameter but the hose coupling is closer to 5"). Secondly, the hole is not deep enough to hold anything longer than 5' and can't hold the 90deg bend. I probably need to contact NL about this, but what the heck am I supposed to use in order to dump sewage without adding an aftermarket hose holder tube?

2) The Happijacks are functional and in good visual condition. However, there are some chips/cracks in the paint that some rust is coming through. What should I use to paint this? Since it's regularly going to get wet and has to take some abuse, I was leaning towards marine grade paint, but a recommendation for what others do would be nice. I'll probably look into contacting Happijack to see if they have a suggestion, too.

[Photomike]

The sewer hose was always a challenge with my NL. The first month I owned it I was driving from one campsite to another and when I arrived for the night I was missing the sewer hose, seems the size of the tube for storage was too short and when pushed in it the hose became a spring and on one of the bumps the door opened and the hose sprung out. Was not too sad as it was in bad shape so I bought another and kept an eye open when driving and fortunately saw it do the same thing on the next trip. So I went home and lengthened the storage tube to stop the high velocity escape :B

[bkenobi]

The bumper has welded caps so it would require modification to use. It's also pretty small and unlikely to fit a hose with the fittings.

[Homeless_by_Cho]

maxum1989 wrote:
You don't have the rear bumper you can use for your sewer hose?

Only a plain sewer hose without any plastic ends on it will fit in their bumper. I mounted a vinyl (plastic) hollow fence post on my truck bumper and carry my Rhino hose with fittings connected in that.

LeRoy

[maxum1989]

You don't have the rear bumper you can use for your sewer hose?

[bkenobi]

I figured that box might be too small for anything useful. If I fit a 5' hose in there, I'd still be well short of the dump station I stopped at yesterday for measurements. It looks like I can get within 5' of the hole, but I'd need around 10' to use it really.

How do you connect the DIY fence post to the camper? I could put it under the side by the truck rail or on the forward side of the bumper. I don't like the idea of drilling into the shell if it can be avoided.

[pastorbillv]

For my sewer hose, I have a shallow, square, plastic basin/bucket that I put in my empty generator compartment to put my sewer hose in. I put the grey water hose with it. works fine.

Bill

[Wardster]

bkenobi wrote:
But, the TC did not come with a sewer hose. There is a hole/door in the side of the camper that is 17" deep that I've been told is for storing the dump hose. I picked a relatively cheap one up from Walmart but found it does not fit either. It's both too large diameter (the hole is 3-3/4" diameter but the hose coupling is closer to 5"). Secondly, the hole is not deep enough to hold anything longer than 5' and can't hold the 90deg bend. I probably need to contact NL about this, but what the heck am I supposed to use in order to dump sewage without adding an aftermarket hose holder tube?

Most of us have fabricated a sewer hose holder out of a white vinyl fence post and a couple of caps. The sewer hose storage in the NL TC's, even in the new units, isn't capable of holding the sewer hoses that I have found available at the stores around me.

With respect to your Happijac question, their customer service was great to deal with.

[guidry]

daily double wrote:
Good luck contacting Happijac!! :R

I too just bought a used Northern Lite and when I contacted Happijac, they responded quickly and the tech was very helpful. Maybe I just got lucky but my experience was good.

[daily_double]

Good luck contacting Happijac!! :R