Don’t know what I don’t know

[andyviv]

So much to learn and haven’t even camped yet! Just found out what the “Q” is—sounds like it is a cross between Woodstock ( which never attended), a nascar weekend when 1000’s of campers transcend on a little town outside of Detroit (Brooklyn. mi), and huge campground in Arizona that people flock to instead of Florida to avoid Midwest winters.

Also, just had toilet clog up today in our house. This hasn’t happened to us in years, but I finally cleared situation with lots and lots of effort(won’t go into details) — so thought what if that happens in motorhome? Probably even more likely there! So already told husband steps we need to do to avoid.

Obviously life is an adventure and even more so in rv.

[JudyJB]

That is a HUGE topic on various forums because we have all had it happen!! It has happened to me after I had company leave--namely small granddaughters who used a LOT of toilet paper!!!!

Some rules are:

1) Buy a motorhome with a black tank flushing system. This is a connection on the outside where you attach a hose, preferably a separate hose from your fresh water hose. When you are finished dumping your tank, you hook it up to the hose at the dump station and turn it on. It will spray water on the sides and bottom of your black tank. Only about 1/3 of dump stations have something you can hook a hose to, but it does help to flush out your tank once in a while. (There are hoses with a spray end you can put directly into the toilet, but they can be messy.)
2) Leave dump valve closed all the time!! (Except of course when you are actually dumping your black tank.) If you leave it open while you camp, the liquids will drain out leaving the infamous "pile of poop" or in my case, the "pile of TP" which will solidify if you store your RV that way.
3) Use as little toilet paper as possible but use lots of water to flush.
4) Wait to flush your black water tank until it is at least half full so it has a rush of liquids to flush out the solids.

Skip the chemicals and things like Drano. They won't work as well as using a lot of water and not flushing the tank too often.

If it does clog, there are lots of online videos on how to unclog it. I added water and used a strong stick to stir the "P of TP." Then I tried dumping it. Worked a little, so I added water and drove around a back road, doing weird things like swerving and coming to a hard stop to try to swish things around a bit. Tried dumping again, and mostly worked.

[Irmi]

Andyviv, we have never been to "Q" because we winter in Ocala FL. But lots of folks do go to Q. It just depends on what your druthers are. Campgrounds are available around Quartzite if that is where you want to go, but make reservations very early. We've never had a clogged toilet, but follow Judy's advice. It's not that complicated. You could have a home on wheels and go wherever you want. We've only been retired for 9 years and we are wintering in Ocala because we enjoy the milder climates. It was much warmer 9 years ago but it's still better than our home in MD. We are still learning as we go. But I would never want to go back and not do what we have and met the ladies we have. This summer we toured the country with friends we met in a campground. Keep an open mind.

[Bethers]

Love the header. Isn't that the truth? You're already way ahead of me when I started out. I got very lucky when things happened in finding helpful people who, for the most part, steered me correctly. And one of those first people warned me that if anything anyone told me sounded off, to trust my gut until I could find out. And that salespeople were not the most knowledgeable. Boy, is that true.

I don't have a tank flushing system. I've also never had a clogged tank (knocking on wood) but when I can and know I'll be driving and able to flush the tank right away again, I fill the black tank 1/2 to 2/3rd full with water for my drive to my next destination. The swishing around cleans my tank and then I dump again on arrival at the new location.

Keep asking questions. I look forward to meeting you on the road. There's a lady, Louise, who is a member but rarely comes on any more. She asked tons of questions here and figured out the rig she wanted. She went to the manufacturer she decided on and they customized a model to her specifications!

[monik7]

There's a lady, Louise, who is a member but rarely comes on any more. She asked tons of questions here and figured out the rig she wanted. She went to the manufacturer she decided on and they customized a model to her specifications!

Louise’s forum name is “Roadweaver.” Her journey from when she first joined the forum in 2012 to when she finally got her new, customized rig in 2013 was classic. She knew very little about RVs and RVing in the beginning and ended up with a rig customized to accommodate her love of weaving which she wanted to continue on the road. While she doesn’t post much anymore, she often attends the GTG in Q. Her journey might be interesting reading since she started out much like you with lots of questions.

You can find her posts and member comments by looking at the upper right of the forum opening page between “FAQ” and “Logout.” Click on “Members” and then search for “Roadweaver.” That will take you to her profile and you can then search her posts.
Sandi

[snowball]

some of us use the no paper in toilet system...that way at least it's not paper...also you can use other tp than rv tp just make sure it dissolves quickly I have taken a couple of squares and put in a qt jar of water let it set shake it up if it's in tiny pieces good to go... but then I put it in the garbage instead...
I've lived in my 5th wheel for 13 years and there is still a lot I don't know don't be afraid to ask
sheila