Really dumb newbie questions

[IrishIroamed]

Thank you ladies - I'm adding all this information to my notebook (i.e. my version of Rving for dummies), until this all becomes 2nd nature to me (yea - like that will ever happen!).

Thanks so much. I'm sure that once I actually camp, May 1st weekend is scheduled & booked), that I'll have more. So rest up your brains until then.

[Redetotry]

So while we are doing questions, Sue mentioned that it is the law that you turn your propane off at gas stations. Does that mean inside (like the fridge) or the outside (main) shutoff.
Thank for the tip about the hose Beth, I may need to get a new one as things tend to mildew in my ONE storage compartment.

[judi]

Cheryl, I think the best way to learn is to just get out and do it. Take your manual, and do what makes sense. It's really quite easy once you do it a few times. When I got my first RV a few years ago I didn't know there were forums like this, and I was petrified but determined. I guess it was obvious to others that I was a newbie, and the first time I hooked up (hook up means a whole different thing nowadays....) a gentleman came over to ask if I needed help. I asked him to watch me so I don't screw anything up, and I did just fine. After that, I had confidence. Granted, it's very easy to hook up a small Class B RV like mine. You will do fine!

[gingerK]

A word of caution about screwing the hose together. Yes, mine is right now, but doing that locks the moisture inside. Inside a cool, dark place. That promotes mold. So please, it should only be done for short times. If you have the time to unhook and lay the hose out temporarily to dry out, so do.

Whenever connecting your water hose, first run the water for a minute. Connect the hose to the spigot and run the water again. Then connect to the RV.

You could also run a small amount of bleach/water mixture through it before putting it away.

[dayspring39]

What great help everyone is... things come to mind as I read these tips... when locking my outside storage bins I spray the lock with WD40... that keeps them working fine...
Carol (All The Way to Argentina) added the correct number of drops of bleach to their fresh water tank every time they filled it and they never got sick from water... the water tank can become spoiled rancid when sitting a long time so be sure to drain it if not using! It takes drops not a lot!
I do not drink the water from the fresh water tank... I use gallon jugs of fresh water for drinking...

[JudyJB]

Here is the solution for the fresh water fill so you don't have to kink your hose or run back and forth to the faucet shutoff: http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/it ... valve/4674

I bought one, and it works great. I put it on the end of the fresh water fill hose, turn the valve to the off position, then turn the water on. You can also get a regular shutoff valve from your local hardware, but I like this one because of the flexible hose to stick down your fill opening. Always run some fresh water through it before you stick it in your tank, however, just to make sure nothing has crawled into your hose while it was stored. (I don't screw the ends together, but they do make soft rubber covers that let a bit of air in and would prevent mold.)

Now, the really tricky water fill places are the ones that you have to hold the campground faucet lever up with one hand while sticking your hose into your tank with the other. At one deserted campground, I came close to doing the splits for the first time in 60 years! Hopefully, you will not encounter one of these until you are an expert.

[IrishIroamed]

BJ - The dealer told me I can drive with the propane on for the refrigerator, but also said the propane must be turned off at the tanks when fueling.

Judi - I absolutely agree about getting out there & doing it. I'm probably a little weak in the knees because I have never known anyone with any type of RV and didn't grow up camping, except at go away camp. I also don't want to blow things up, cause a fire or a flood because of total stupidity. I think when I've had the chance to do everything at least once, I'll feel better and then I can just do the dumb stuff that I know is going to happen sooner or later. And like you mentioned, even having someone watch as I attempt 'the firsts' will help me be braver.

I do appreciate the support from everyone and hopefully, I'll get to meet all of you and thank you in person some day.

[monik7]

I still remember the first time I drove up to a dump station to dump. I was so scared I said a prayer as I was driving up. Thankfully everything went fine with no problems. Now it's a breeze and I kind of chuckle at how nervous I was. But maybe that's why all went well. I was nervous enough to read all I could and ask questions ahead of time like you're doing so that when the time came, "a piece of cake!" I'm sure it'll be that way for you and you'll have great memories.
Sandi

[Bethers]

A word of caution about screwing the hose together. Yes, mine is right now, but doing that locks the moisture inside. Inside a cool, dark place. That promotes mold. So please, it should only be done for short times. If you have the time to unhook and lay the hose out temporarily to dry out, so do.

Whenever connecting your water hose, first run the water for a minute. Connect the hose to the spigot and run the water again. Then connect to the RV.

You could also run a small amount of bleach/water mixture through it before putting it away.

NO NO NO - ask LIz lol. YOu can run a small amount of bleach/water to clean it - then RINSE thoroughly. Do not leave it inside the hose - you'll end up with holes in the hose - really, truly lol I do clean mine with bleach water, but I also usually replace my hose annually - or at least every other year.

[Bethers]

I can find no laws that say you have to turn your propane off when fueling. Smart, yes. Laws? If someone can find one, please post it.

That said, I usually remember to turn my fridge off. Admittedly, I was better about it when it was on the side of the rig the gas tank was. In this rig, it's on the opposite side and I sometimes forget

I have had to turn my propane off for some tunnels and when taking ferries.

[JudyJB]

I think by fueling they may mean refilling the propane tank. The person refilling it turns it off and also asks you to turn off anything with a pilot light or that might turn on automatically. For me that means my water heater and refrigeratorbb

[JRKERMIT]

When you talk about leaving propane on are you talking open leaving the valve open on the tank or are you meaning having an appliances on such as the fridge in the rv?

[JudyJB]

I turn the appliances to off, and the person filling the propane tank turns it off from the outside.

One weird thing is the different rules propane fill stations have. Most of them turn it back on immediately, but I had one guy insist I drive half a mile down the road and then stop and turn the outside valve back on!

Now, I always check to make sure they turn it back on. I don't want to assume they have and then have everything melt.

[Colliemom]

This article gives some food for thought on the dangers of driving with propane on

http://www.gypsyjournal.net/traveling_with_propane.htm

[judi]

Very good article Sue. That information is exactly what I was told by a fire chief. I am glad my refrigerator runs on elec or battery - not propane. And my hot water is on-demand. I have no reason to drive with the propane turned on at the tank. I turn it on when I hook up, and turn it off when I unhook.