Full Hookups Advice

[MelissaD]

We'd purchased a Progressive Industries hard-wired EMS system, after having a portable one for the trailer.
Laura

We have the Progressive Industry hardwired one also. Saved us a couple of times. Since there have been other threads on this subject I did not include it in my comment I like that it monitors so I don't have too

[Colliemom]

Thank you for all the info and advice. This is getting to be an interesting thread. I have all the necessary stuff you mentioned, just haven't used it as yet. I see where hooking up or not hook get up is a matter of choice. I have 30 gal. Holding tanks but only 20 gal for water. So while I am parked in West Yelloestone, wil hook up to water for sure although I have learned a few little tricks Ike taking empty milk jugs to the bath houses or laundry and getting hot water to do dishes or wash hair etc. and save my water and also propane by not having to use my HW tank.

I actually bought my sewer hose holder to use to lay my electric line in. Last spring while camping and one other time, my site, got flooded in a heavy rain, leaving my electrical cord laying in a lake. Now I know they are insulated etc. but you never know. So decided to lay it across the sewer hose holder and keep it off the ground and out of water. Haven't had to do that yet, but one of these times I'll be in a rainstorm again.

[JRKERMIT]

Since I seldom get out of the South I have been in a few campgrounds that have low power when the park is full and everyone is running the air conditioners. I keep the little electric monitor plugged in all the time that shows how much electric I am getting. Mitch reminded me that I was having a problem with my surge protector and I ordered a new one. Now to remember to use it.

Martha

Is the electric meter separate from the surge protector? I have a protector but to plug in on the post but it does not have a meter. I am wondering now if I need one.

[JRKERMIT]

Thank you for all the info and advice. I have learned a few little tricks Ike taking empty milk jugs to the bath houses or laundry and getting hot water to do dishes or wash hair etc. and save my water and also propane by not having to use my HW tank.

I actually bought my sewer hose holder to use to lay my electric line in. Last spring while camping and one other time, my site, got flooded in a heavy rain, leaving my electrical cord laying in a lake. Now I know they are insulated etc. but you never know. So decided to lay it across the sewer hose holder and keep it off the ground and out of water. Haven't had to do that yet, but one of these times I'll be in a rainstorm again.

I like the idea on the jugs for hot water for dishes and the sewer lift things for cords

[Carolinagal]

this thread has turned out to be a good one, Thanks Sue, I never thought of using the sewer rack for the electrical cord, and I have been so worried several times. It is not fun to see it laying in a lake of water, and to have to unplug, you never know when there might be a small pin prick that could get you hurt.

The little voltage monitor I have you can get at CW and you plug it in inside and it gives you the reading of how many amps you have coming in. My surge protector has guage on it too, but at night in the dark or bad weather I like seeing it inside monitor is inexpensive and relief you get from it, its priceless. Last winter CG was an iffy place for power especially at night when heaters were turned on, so handy to have that monitor and able to read inside.

CArol

[JudyJB]

I was told in the desert to keep electrical cords off the ground to prevent fire ants from using them as bridges. Sometimes I just make sure they are stretched tight enough not to touch ground. Sort of hang from post directly to RV.

But then again I do carry ant traps with me ever since had a line of regular ants marching across kitchen counter!!! Carry a mouse trP or two also

[dayspring39]

You learn a lot about what you actually need by taking short trips over the weekend... everyone has specific needs... but some are important like the water pressure regulator...
My first trip in my old MH was from MI to my home here in Illinois... all I had was my clothes... my daughter Gwen came down with me and it was a learning trip so we boon docked for a night...
I also made lists of what I thought I would need... it all worked out fine...
Sue you are such a planner you will surly have everything you need...
Kathy and Cheryl ah you will learn along the way!!! talking to others helps a lot...
Most of all enjoy!

[MelissaD]

Sue, when you're plugged in won't your hot water heater work on electric? I usually last all summer on one bottle of propane. Granted I have 30#'s and not 20#'s. The other advantage to the city water connection is you don't have to mess with the jugs. Having FHU's makes it more like being at home.

Enjoy your trip.

[Acadianmom]

I'll try to post a link to the the voltage meter. It's item #69127 at Camping World. You can plug it into an electric outlet in your camper and see at a glance if you are getting enough electricity.

Nope, can't figure out how to post the link.

Martha

[OregonLuvr]

Here you go. I have this same one.

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/it ... eter/69127

[gingerK]

Angel came with most everything I need for water, sewer and electrical, even an extra heavy duty electric cord and pressure regulators. I'm familiar with water/electric as that's all Pony had on her; I'm just learning about sewer and tanks open/tanks closed stuff. Not to worry about me, I have an ace in the hole--good friends are going to go over everything with me when I'm ready to go out (which will be soon!). They are real pro's at this. Years back we owned a 20' TT that we lived in (hey, I guess I was full-timing before it was a thing as this was while we were building our house 30 yrs. ago!) and she had all the amenities. I just never thought about what needs doing as DH took care of it all. Do believe I will be purchasing a Progressive. Can I do the less expensive one or should I get the fancy version with all the bells and whistles?

[Colliemom]

No Melissa, my HW tank is propane only.

Another thing I have thought of trying is, a couple of friend of mine discovered that putting some regular coffee cream on an ant hill took care of the ants. They disappeared and never came back. Wonder if that would work if one were to put a little pile near each end of ones, electrical cord and water hose where they turn upward from the ground

[Acadianmom]

I read somewhere, probably on Facebook, that a family always had problems with ants because their kids would drop chips and food and draw the ants in. The woman said she started putting chips around the outside of their site to feed the ants and keep them out. Guess it would be a good idea to draw them away.

Martha

[JudyJB]

I also carry borax for ants. Never used it, but you are supposed to sprinkle it in a circle completely around your RV.

Also, one thing I would strongly suggest you get right away is a small dishpan that will fit in your sink. Camping World has collapsible ones that fit well, at least in my sink. The reason for the dishpan is that it takes a lot less water than the larger sink, so you can save water. In addition, when you are done with the dishes, if you have more space in the black water tank than the grey tank, you can pick it up and dump the soapy water into the toilet.

Also, and this is a small thing, I find the easiest jugs for me to carry because of my sore hands are empty Chlorox half-gallon size. (They have an easy-to-grasp handle and are not too heavy.) I keep two or three of these on hand, and if I am some place with really good-tasting water, I fill them up and use them only for drinking water. That saves me from constantly buying bottled water and wasting plastic. Normally I drink tap water and use that to refill disposable water bottles so freeze in my freezer, but there are some parts of the country (like Florida) where the water is safe but tastes awful!! Most of the store-bought gallon water jugs are too heavy or have small handles I cannot manage.

[MandysMom]

RVSue carries those Arizona tea jugs that have a nice wide handle for her extra drinking water jugs. Said the plastic in them seems to hold up well.
I wonder how well the borax would work since there could just as easy be a ant hill directly under the rig which would be inside the ring of Borax around the vehicle. We got tiny ants in our bus in OKlahoma one afternoon. I sent hubby and his Uncle off to Walmart for Terro traps put several out in the bus and by next day ants were gone. Never did see a mouse the whole trip but then we did have our two energetic cats with us.
Velda