Questions on equipment...

[BarbaraRose]

I need a new sewer hose system. How long do I need and any suggestions on which brand/type is better?

Also water hoses...how long and any type better than others? Do I need two hoses, one for drinking water and another one?

How about electric surge protector or voltage meters?

Any other must=haves for the outside? Nothing much came with this camper and what did (sewer hose and white hose) need replacing. I already got a water pressure regulator.

How about tire covers? Do I need those now or can that wait?

[grammynmaggie]

I started out with the 10 feet with the red sewer hose you can buy them at Walmart... as I camped more I decided I needed another 10 foot... and I started out with a 25-foot weight water hose and then I camped in a few places that I needed more so I got to 25 foot white hoses.... you can start with pten and see how it goes with both... and I found out that you need to have a water filter before the water goes into your camper... even though I didn't drink it I thought well I don't need it but my line's got corroded and I had to have some replaced RV Tech told me that's why I should have the water filter... the definite yes on the surge protector that you put on the post... I'm sure others will come up with more so happy for you and your new life

[snowball]

if you get 2 10 ft sewer hose then you can put them together if needed....i rarely do but there are those times
as well as with the white hose get two shorter ones when you need the extra length you will have it..is there an external
space to put your sewer hoses? if not see if you can figure out where to put them...when I was coming back up north had
something escape it's area and hang on so when I finally found a stopping place turned out to be an old sewer hose that I didn't use
put the others in the interior of the truck whew!!! that lasted awhile then I thought not inside the 5th wheel right now so that is were
they went till I got to the stopping spot then outside now they are where they belong until I leave again...need to figure out how to fix the
bin where they are stored at...when we had our tt my husband figured out something to do with the bumper but it has been so long I
really don't remember what it was...I don't have a surge protector but wish I did...would relive some of the stress...
I am sure you will gets lots of ideas...
sheila

[JudyJB]

The external water filter is a good idea. I use one sometimes even though I have an internal "whole house" filter. Do you know if you have one of those? If so, you need to change the filter and put in a new one.

Also, while you are about it, you need to sanitize the water system by putting in some bleach, but make sure you get the regular old-fashioned bleach with nothing else added. You can wait to do this until you take your first trip so you have a place to dump the water out after running it through all your pipes and faucets and letting it set for a couple of days. Just add a bottle of bleach to your shopping list.

I do drink my water, by the way, although I did buy new, so I am pretty sure I know what has always been it in.

[Acadianmom]

What ever type of sewer hose you decide on get the heaviest duty you can. The regular ones don't last any time. The last one I got was a kit that already had the attachments. It can be pushed together like an accordion so it doesn't take up much room. I have a plastic container to put the sewer hose in so it doesn't leak into the bin. Two smaller water hoses are a good idea. One long one is hard to handle when you try to roll it up. It's a good idea to store the water hose and the sewer hose in different places. I only have one outside compartment so I have to keep my water hose in the shower.

Martha

[BarbaraRose]

Thanks for the suggestions! I will get two of each hose.

Sheila, I have a "hollow" bumper that I know a lot of people use for their sewer hoses. Will have to figure that out. Anyone on here use that?

Judy, I will check to see if I have an inside water filter. Would that be under the kitchen sink or somewhere else? It is still winterized so will have to do the bleach thing. Will get the outside filter anyways.

I have two underneath storage areas. One narrow pass-thru and a larger one that is under the bed with access from outside.

How is the black tank rinsed out? Do you use another water hose for that?

Also, is there any particular surge protector I should look for?

[JudyJB]

You might have an outside, built-in flush mechanism for flushing the black tank. Mine has an outside hookup that is clearly labeled and right next to the city water inlet. But many older and smaller RVs do not, so you can buy an attachment for a hose that you run down your toilet. Some of those have a thing on the end that swivels around. Here is an example of one without the swivel feature: http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/it ... wand/14497

There are others that go on the flush valve on the outside. However, I have not used either of these, but I do use my built-in flush a LOT!

The water filter, if you have one that is built-in, is probably next to the water pump. Good luck in finding that! It took me several months and having to ask someone in a rest area in a 5th wheel to help me find mine! If you don't have a water filter built in, no worries because you can use the kind you attach to the hose. I use the double because I do drink the water and because Florida water is horrible even when filtered, so I got the second filter down there his past winter.

By the way, if you do a YouTube search on some of this stuff, there are lots of "how-to" videos people have made. I used one to replace my toilet seal two years ago. Here is just one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ovyd2x_Nx6k

[Colliemom]

Yes, don't go cheap on sewer hoses. I have a Rhino flex which stores into a 3 foot long piece when it's pushed together and extends to 20 feet if needed. As to the bumper storage, after a few years of sewer hoses being in them, they can rust out from inside. I made a sewer hose carrier from a white vinyl fence post and a gutter that slides inside it. Mounted to the top of my bumper. Camping World carries sewer hose carriers that can be mounted on the bumper too. I carry two 25 foot white water hoses, but so far haven't needed to use both. Also get another 30 amp extension cord as you never know when you will need it. Don't use the orange type cords as they are not made for the load and can overheat. But it doesn't hurt to carry one along for something else you may want to use it for.

I bought 3 plastic boxes, long enough and wide enough to store this stuff in. 6 iniches is deep enough. One contains my sewer related stuff, one has everything electrical and the other, everything water related. Then I know where something is if I heed it. They go in my storage compartment. Also have a little plastic box that holds my disposable gloves and clear elbow for when I dump my tanks.

A small tarp is nice to have around, as is one of those kneeling pads for gardening. Nice if you have to kneel down on damp ground for some reason. Spare hitch pin for the tailer hitch, spare pins for the WD bar chain brackets and Sway controller in case you lose one. , a spare cover for the sewer connection pipe in case the one on there breaks. A set of various size electrical adapters for the power boxes. I also found that a 90 degree elbow that screws into the city water hookup is handy as it lets the hose hang straight down rather than maybe get a kink in it when hooked up to city water.


If you haven't done so, get a membership to God Sam club as you will save green at Camping World.

[MelissaD]

I need a new sewer hose system. How long do I need and any suggestions on which brand/type is better?

Like Sue said I like the Rhino sewer hoses. The accordion so they take up less space for storage. I also like the clear 45 degree elbow https://www.walmart.com/ip/Camco-RhinoFLEX-45-Degree-Swivel-Fitting-Clear/29764334 between the trailer connection and the hose so I can see when it's done draining. I keep mine in a tote in a storage container. They sell a starter kit https://www.walmart.com/ip/Camco-39741-RhinoFLEX-20-Sewer-Hose-Kit-with-Swivel-Fitting/54307392 with the part that screws into the CG sewer connection. Also need to support the sewer hose if you leave it out. Many CG's have rules you have to keep the hose off the ground and the angle helps it drain. The Sidewinder is the most stable and my favorite https://www.walmart.com/ip/Camco-15-Sidewinder/14504353 Dump black, then gray, to help flush the stink out of the hose.


Disposable rubber gloves are nice to have on hand. I keep soap and paper towels by my sewer hookup since my outside shower is there to wash my hands when done.

Also water hoses...how long and any type better than others? Do I need two hoses, one for drinking water and another one?

I have two water hoses because sometime 1 just won't reach. The white ones are for drinking water. I have a brown garden hose I use for flushing tanks, washing things, non-drinking applications. I don't drink the CG water. I make coffee from and drink bottled water. I only shower and wash dishes with the CG water for the most part. For me it's all about the shower and so the fewer restrictions in the water line to my camper the better shower pressure I get. Like I said for me that's all that counts. So I don't run any extra water filters and my water regulator is rated for a higher flow rate than the standard water regulator they give / sell you. That's just me.

How about electric surge protector or voltage meters?

I have a Progressive EMS system hardwired into my RV so I don't have to worry about hooking it up. Some people say you don't need them but I think it was worth my money as it's saved my stuff a couple of times already. Comparison https://www.rvupgradestore.com/rv-surge-protection-comparison-guide-a/279.htm Never hurts to have a little voltage meter. A tote with some basic tools in it will also come in handy. I bought a basic kit then as a needed a tool for the camper I bought it and put it in the tote so I'd have it for the next time.

Note: It's been my limited experience that commercial CG's the services tend to be closer to my camper than at a more rustic CG like a State or Federal Park CG. So I've never needed an extension cord for my power since I tended to stay in commercial CG's. If you lean the State and Federal Park way, a longer power cord should probably be on your wish list. I believe you have a 30 amp camper so you will need something like this https://www.walmart.com/ip/Camco-55191-30-Amp-Extension-Cord-With-Handles/21009152

Any other must=haves for the outside? Nothing much came with this camper and what did (sewer hose and white hose) need replacing. I already got a water pressure regulator.

I say camp near a Walmart the fist time and make a list as you need something. Then run to Walmart. There are all kinds of gadgets that look neat you can waste your money on. I have a craft box with partitions full of fuses and when I buy a light bulb I buy 2 or 3 and put the extras in the box for the next time. I was hooking up one day and blew the fuse on the landing gear. I was stuck in that I could not unhook the truck and I could not pull the trailer. I learned quick I have some 30 amp fuses for my landing gear on hand. Clearance isle and Dollar General took care of most little items like plastic plates and cups. Find a comfortable chair for the campfire and maybe a little table to set you drink and book on. I found a little folding table I like at Lowes. I don't like packing so the camper is set up like a 2nd house.

How about tire covers? Do I need those now or can that wait?

Now that I am parked at a seasonal site I will probably look into some tire covers. Guess it depends on how much you move your camper and how much it sits in the sun. If I lived in AZ or CA I might feel more motivated to buy them.

We are all different, so we all pack different stuff. That should be the basics but the rest is more on the personal preference side.

[retiredhappy]

Surge Protector YES, YES, YES. If you buy the one you put on the electrical post between your camper and the electric box, be SURE to invest in the lock to keep it from being stolen. They are expensive and easily stolen without a lock.

WATER HOSES I had two ten footers. Also, get yourself a short (5') at walmart for rinsing your sewer hose. The dump sites usually have a water spigot but often no hose. You DON'T want to use your white hoses for anything sewer.

INSIDE VOLTAGE METER: I had a meter that I think I got at Sears. It plugged into the inside wall plug and gave a digital readout of the incoming electric. If it went below 110 you shut your AC and stuff down or you can have a brownout situation and burn up your electrical stuff. In a brownout all your stuff will work and you might not realize you have a problem. I have been in campgrounds where every afternoon when everyone turned on their AC it did drop below 110. I've also found CG's where there wasn't enough juice coming from their electrical post. I kept it plugged in the entire time I was camping.

Also had adapter to go from 15 to 30 amp. First thing I did when I pulled into a CG was to check their electrical post to be sure it was well above 110 because it will drop from the post to the RV. Also showed if post was not grounded, etc.

Just remember, for storing stuff, plastic tubs are your friend.

[BirdbyBird]

My story on the sewer hoses. I have two heavy duty quality hoses that I have only ever used when parking for longer time frames in FL. I can use them separately or connect them depending upon where the sewer connection is located. I have a cheaper one (and quite a bit shorter) that I just use at dump stations where the distance is generally more predicable. Since I can usually go at least 8 days without dumping (good Navy showers, campground showers and wet wipes) I use dump stations going into or out of campgrounds the most. The shorter lighter hose also requires very limited space to store.

My heavy duty hoses are a little harder to get to but since I don't use them often I don't care.

And after just reading Karen's post I can say that yes, the Surge Protectors are expensive but in ten years of camping I have never had mine stolen and I don't use a lock. This doesn't mean that I won't be telling you something else next weekend from the fairgrounds here in Ohio.....but I also sometimes don't lock my storage doors.......

I also have the adapter inside my rig so that I can see trends in the electric whether I have the surge protector on or not. It will only tell you trends because given the size of our units it isn't as if we are going to be staring at it all day and night. Just sort of nice to check in. Mine is in the bathroom so checking in isn't very difficult! It is also useful at older campgrounds or when I go to dog shows at old fairgrounds and need to check if certain electrical boxes are even still functioning or turned on.....

[JudyJB]

Also, if you possibly can, make sure all the bins and plastic boxes you buy are clear plastic. That way you can see at a glance what is in which. That will save you a lot of searching for stuff! I learned that the hard way and had to replace several of mine.

[Birdie]

There are now available 'sewer end caps'. They fit over the end of the sewer hose and stop any leaking. Really quite neat. I got those so I would not need to put my hose in a plastic bin. My hose would fit in the sewer compartment but the extra had to be consigned to a bay. But in the name of space I black trash bagged them. I recently purchased a Sewer Solutions System recommended by Anita, Chalet05. I really like it. Still keeping a set of the stinky slinky.

[BarbaraRose]

How does that Sewer Solutions system work? I read that it takes longer. Is it worth it?

Thanks for all the suggestions! Very helpful!!! I will be making notes from this before I buy any of it.

[snowball]

[quote="Colliemom"] I made a sewer hose carrier from a white vinyl fence post and a gutter that slides inside it. Mounted to the top of my bumper.

it might be helpful if you could post a picture on that project
sheila