Can you give me some advice???

[Nasoosie]

Well, now-----geat advice from all who have responded. Just this morning I have been cleaning out my cupboards, removing all the 'extras' I haven't used in the four years I have been camping, including some boondocking stints. I don't live in my trailer, yet, but pretty much do for the summers.

This morning, I am eliminating about 40 hundred extra mugs, glasses, plates, and so on, 'for the 'company' who never has shown up in all those years! I have saved about 4 of everything, in case, as Ava said, "somebody might visit me!' I do have one friend who always camps with me the first week in August at the VT Bluegrass festival for 5 days of boondocking in an open field. We always have way more than enough 'stuff' to last us for about a month, if we needed it!

I always, too, pack way more than enough clothes and cheap croc-take-off shoes. Undies are important, and I forgot those this year on my first campout! I had to go to Walmart and buy me some new ones! From now on, I will keep essentials in here all summer!

I use my microwave almost exclusively for cooking, as I HATE to cook. But I do have a 3-burner gas stove with an oven, should I ever get inspired. I toast my bread on a stove-top toaster which works fast and very well. I kept a small food processor in here in case I might want to make a dip of some sort, or chop ice for drinks. I have a stainless steel coffee percolator (stove top type) which I use to boil water to use my single drip coffee mug thing. I still need to tackle my pots and pans cupboard to see what can be eliminated from there, too.

As I don't live in here permanently yet, I haven't made permanent preparations for TV, internet access, or mail. It's interesting for me to read about those options for the future.

I keep first aid supplies, a few cosmetics, toilet paper, paper towels, real towels, and kleenex. Also as many tools as I can fit boh in here and in the basement section outside! I usually pack a ladder in the bed of the pickup, as it would take up too much space in here. I did need it once when my awning doohickey got jammed.

Rain gear of all sorts is imperative, as are jackets. I also pack an el-cheapo screen room to make more outside space that is sort-of protected.

My most despised chore related to RVing is dumping black tank! I am sure nobody loves this chore! While camped here in my own yard, I just use a pee bucket and empty it inside every day. I do use water for dishwashing and tooth brushing, etc., and just let the grey water run onto my lawn. I hope I will get more used to dumping procedures as I get more experience. ACK!!!

Don't forget to pack electrical connection adapters, in case some campground only has a certain configuration for hooking up power. I also pack a heavy-duty RV extension cord and exra sewer hose and adapters and connections, as I have been just short of being able to use the sewer facilities in some campgrounds.

Interesting thread you all have started here.

[retiredhappy]

Just read this article and thought you all might be interested.

Black and Gray Water Holding Tank Maintenance
By Charles Bruni

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By Charles Bruni Everyone who owns an RV should be concerned with maintaining its wastewater tanks. Problems with wastewater tanks that can be avoided should be avoided. Wastewater tank repair is expensive. Due to health concerns, many service facilities will not work on wastewater tanks and lines until the tanks have been completely emptied and sanitized. This may be quite difficult when the tank(s) is in need of repair. So, common sense dictates that the tanks should be kept relatively clean at all times. Additionally, improper use of the wastewater tanks can lead to a build up of solid wastes, which in itself may cause the system to fail.

I’ve discovered very simple, effective, and inexpensive methods of maintaining my wastewater tanks in a relatively clean condition at all times. I developed these methods myself through my understanding of chemistry, physics, and biology with a smidgen of common sense thrown in for good measure. I also read my RV owner’s manual. Although we are not full time RVers we use our fifth wheel camper at least one weekend a month. We never use public bathing and toilet facilities. In other words, our wastewater tanks are fairly heavily used. Since I’ve met a number of RVers who don’t seem to know how to maintain their wastewater tanks I thought many RVers would find my tips useful. If you have not been maintaining your tanks I believe you will be pleasantly surprised the first time you employ these tips. I do these things and they work.

1. DUMP A FULL TANK
When you are camping and your RV is connected to a sewer/septic intake, leave the drain valves closed until the tank is full and ready to dump. Dumping a full tank provides a sufficient quantity of water to flush solids from the tank. Leaving the drain valves open allows the water to drain off without flushing out solid waste. That solid waste will collect in the tank(s) and cause problems over time.

2. DUMP TANKS IN ORDER FROM DIRTIEST TO CLEANEST
In other words, dump the black (commode) water tank first, then dump the galley tank, then dump the shower and bathroom sink tank. This way you will be flushing out the dirtiest water with progressively cleaner water.

3. USE WATER SOFTENER
This stuff is amazing and it works. Buy a couple of boxes of powdered water softener at the grocery store. You’ll find it located with or near the laundry detergent products. I prefer Calgon Water Softener because it dissolves quickly in water. Cheaper water softeners work just as well but dissolve more slowly. Dissolve two (2) cups of the water softener in a gallon of hot water. Then, pour the solution down the drain into the empty tank. Use two cups of softener for each wastewater tank in your RV. The tank’s drain valve should be closed otherwise the softened water will just drain out. Then use the tank(s) normally until it is full and drain it normally. Add a cup of laundry detergent to the black (commode) water tank at the same time. This will help clean the tank.The gray water tanks should already contain soap through normal use.

The water softener makes the solid waste let go from the sides of the tanks. If you’ve ever taken a shower in softened water you know that after rinsing the soap from your body your skin will feel slick. That’s because all the soap rinses away with soft water. Softened water also prevents soap scum from sticking in the tub. Get the connection? With softened water gunk washes away instead of sticking. The same thing applies to your RV’s wastewater tanks.

I use one of those clear plastic elbow connectors to attach my sewer drain line to the wastewater outlet on my RV. It allows me to see how well things are progressing during a wastewater dump. Before I began using water softener regularly the black water tank’s water was brown, the galley tank’s water was brownish, and the bathroom tank’s water was white. The first time I added water softener to the tanks the water coming from the black water tank was actually black (not brown) and the kitchen tank’s water was also black (not brownish). The bathroom tank’s water remained white. That told me that the water softener had actually done what I had intended for it to do and made solid waste, which had been stuck to the interior of the tanks, let go and drain away. I added water softener to all the wastewater tanks for the next few dumps to be certain all the solid waste possible had been cleaned away. The wastewater only appeared black on the initial treatment. I now add water softener to each tank once after every few dumps to maintain the system.

Occasionally, I pour a gallon of liquid bleach into each tank to sanitize and disinfect them. I no longer use the blue toilet chemical because it isn’t necessary. I have no odors coming from my black water tank. Generic brand liquid bleach is cheap and very effective.

4. USE A WATER FILTER ON YOUR FRESH WATER INTAKE LINE

Most fresh water contains sediment. Sediment will accumulate in your wastewater tanks and your fresh water lines. It also tends to discolor your sinks, tub/shower, and commode. I use the disposable type and have found that they eventually fill up and begin restricting the fresh water flow resulting in low pressure. That’s how I know it’s time to get a new filter. It works, it’s cheap, it avoids problems, do it.

SOME OTHER THOUGHTS
• I believe occasionally traveling with partially filled wastewater tanks that contain softened water promotes cleaning by agitating the water. The same goes for chlorine bleach.
• I believe this process works faster and more efficiently during warm weather. However, I know it works well even during cool/cold weather.
• I believe the process works best the longer the water softener remains in the tanks. So, I don’t add water softener during periods of heavy wastewater generation. I wait until I know we won’t be generating wastewater quickly so that the softened water remains in the tanks for several days before dumping.
• I add a small amount of chlorine bleach to the fresh water tank twice a year to disinfect and sanitize the fresh water tank and fresh water lines. A weak chlorine bleach solution will not hurt you. However, it certainly makes the water taste bad. When we have chlorine in the fresh water system we use bottled water for drinking and cooking until the chlorine is gone.
• My tanks are plastic and my pipes are PVC.
• Don’t be afraid to use your tanks. Just use common sense about their care and maintenance.
• These tips are inexpensive to do. Some of them don’t cost anything. You have nothing to lose in trying them and I encourage you to do so. I actually feel a certain amount of pride in the condition and cleanliness of both my waste and fresh water systems. Naturally, these tips make dumping a much more pleasant and sanitary procedure.
• If you have odors in any of your water systems these procedures should eliminate them. Odors indicate a sanitary problem and degrade the enjoyment you derive from your RV.
• When my RV is parked and not in use I place stoppers in my sink and tub drains. This allows the wastewater tanks to vent through the vent pipes to the outside instead of through the drains into the RV.

This was in RV Travel newsletter.

[Cedar518]

Thanks or should I say 'Tanks Karen! that's good info, especially interesting about the water softener.

[Acadianmom]

Thanks, I printed the article to put in my RV. I had read about the water softener before and bought some but can't ever remember how much to put. I bought one of the clear plastic sewer adaptors to put in front of the sewer hose so I can see when a tank is through draining and if it looks like it is draining properly.

Martha

[Nasoosie]

Excellent article----thanks very much. I will print it out when I get into the house, and have already saved it to my documents. I also need to get a clear elbow so I can see what's up with the poop as I am dumping! I also have a blue, portable dump tank, which I got last year for when I had company who needed to use the black tank while parked here in the yard, (They were blind, and really appeciated the close confines of the trailer for their 'guest house----easy to find their way around in here.) I dumped the tank into the wheeled blue thingy, and then hauled it off to a deep hole in the back 40! I already bought me a cleaner wand that I stick down the toilet that sprays all over the sides of the tanks----connects to my bathroom sink faucet.

[Barbzeee]

Word to the wise... I have been using the Calgon method for years..like maybe over 15 years... when traveling.. stock up on the Calgon..cause in some areas it's like the 20 mule team borax..difficult to find...

It works fantastic and I've never had problem..along with using regular toilet tissue..Scott's.. plus I also do not dump a lot of toilet tissue in the commode.. I use the trash basket method..

Number 1 wipe dump in trash basket...

Number 2 flush it down ....oh my how wonderful..hahahaha.. but this has worked for me over the years..let me see now.. I've been Rving..for 38 years..ok.. it works.. LOL...

Make life simple for yourself..and less headaches..and the trips are joys..besides all the interesting facts we pick up from others along the way..

when hooking up to connect with water.. I run a little clorox through the hose flushing any nasty crap out..as hoses do grow junk too.. then I have wiped down the mouth of the faucet with clorox before connection hose.. then I put an outside filter on then hose and into the rig..why you ask..because of settlements that will effect your hot water heater and also build up in your lines.. plus you have a pressure adapter to the faucet.. Yes it looks like an out of space connection..but ask how many times have I had problems with my system... then you'll understand my answers....

It will all seem like sheer madness..but it's just basic science..these rigs can and will grow mold and you just have to remember that's something you will be absorbing if you don't keep it checked....

Same for your AC.. you have filters in them..depending on the type but they have to be cleaned periodically..aaaaah but you know what.. when you get yourself a system it will come easy..and you'll do it automatically.. Or.. Make your Check list of things that need to be done..

If you are stationary for a long time.. not too bad at all.. but if you are on the road and on the go.. well... then you'll join the rest of us...Like it's a job you must do when you hook up and un hook...and boy do you talk to yourself LOL...

All and all.. it really isn't that bad..it's rather fun at times...cause everyone when you pull in.. watches to see if you do something different then them.. ...

Oh and wear gloves..when doing the dump..cause well cause it's just the smart thing to do ..if you have none or they get destroyed..baggies work fine..

Above all have fun....

Ok.. I'm off my horse now.. and family is resting and so am I....

Maybe catch ya in the morning coffee

God Bless
Zeee...

[mitch5252]

Couple of things...

I have a clear 'straight' piece...didn't want anything having to make more turns than necessary!

Secondly, when that guy said he dumps a gallon of bleach down his tanks, does he mean straight bleach into an empty tank? If that's what he means, I'm pretty sure I'd not be be doing it. Undiluted bleach is a tad too strong for my taste - pity the poor gaskets.

[Barbzeee]

Mitch I've never dumped straight bleech in the commode.. I've done a mixture and I also use the wand when doing a super cleaning .. when I set up for long times.. being in storage.. I flush big time.. and then I do the clorox and water to clean both gray and black tank and open my holding tank.. Mine hold 100 gal of water.. I also open up my Hot water tank..all those valves are open and tanks are empty.. I do plug my sinks and tub up.. and I have the valves open.. but this is all in storage time.. plus I have a mesh that goes over my openning... I took a cap that I was able to hook a garden hose too .. but I left that cap off so it's open and put a mesh in the cap.. and screw it over ... the tanks are open but breathe..if you follow what I'm saying..

When I flush my holding tank I do use a Half gallon of Clorox..added to the water going in the tank.. then I flush and flush and flush all through my lines to sanitize..... before filling the tank.. even run it through the ice maker.. strange but it's a must... this is a long process..but I only do it.. 2xs a year...

One of these days they'll have a simpler method..but as for now.. this is what I do... and then I rest LOL


Hope you followed what I was attempting to explain... LOL

God Bless
Zeee

[Bethers]

I disagree with Zeee, but that's why there are so many different ways to do things. Hahaha. I tried the Calgon method and found it time consuming and no better than just using enough WATER. Occasionally after I dump when I'll be on the road to another stop for the night that has a dump station, I'll purchase a bag of ice and put it in my empty potty. Then I don't use the potty again until after I dump the ice out. Cleans it out unbelievably well. (I don't disagree with Zeee that the Calgon method works - as it does - but it isn't my cup of tea). As to using bleach to clean out the water storage tank - also make sure on a regular basis to run some bleach through your hose. You don't want to know what can grow inside of them. I actually replace mine just about annually and run bleach through monthly. If you are hooked up without moving, you won't have the same problem with needing to run bleach as often in the hose, but will need to run it in the storage tank and drain and rinse and drain a couple times after before using (as you won't be using that tank while you sit hooked up.)

And if you have a generator, and you're parked, you need to run it monthly for 1+ hours with a load to keep it in good condition.

That said - I've been fulltime in a 22 foot rv for 4 years, and got RID of my storage unit that everyone said I HAD to have. Nope, was really the most freeing feeling in the world to get rid of it after 1 1/2 years. I do have a closet at a friends house with pictures (both from the wall and the camera variety - the latter of which I want to get scanned one day).

You love to cook - then do NOT give up everything to do with that. Yes, go through things you can do without because they can be cooked in one of the other pots. Get rid of utensils that you can use another for, etc. I went without my crockpot and discovered I needed one, and purchased a new small one. Smaller, because I have less space - but big enough so that when I cook I get about 6 (sometimes more meals) from it - and I freeze the extra portions in freezer bags. I usually have 4-6 different varieties of homecooked meals in my freezer - so my freezer meals are my own creations. I've gotten rid of lots of spices, but not the ones I use frequently. And without a good oven, I rarely bake anymore.

Any extra space I have is taken up with books. But today - I got 3 books in an exchange at an rv park, and I left 4. I need to pare them down! But that is my crutch, reading, and I need to always know that I have plenty of books around.

Clothes, I have a rule that if I purchase something, something has to go out. I followed that rule religiously for 3 years, then let myself break it this year. Am working my way back down. Even though I have room for everything, I don't NEED it. I did laundry today - had over 8 paris of long pants and 15 tops and shirts in it. And I still could have probably gone another week or longer on pants and shirts (without including my dozen+ sundresses -too cool here for them most of the time.)

I'm going on and on - but hope some of this has helped you. But, don't get rid of things you use daily. Look carefully at things you have duplicates of - and think about replacing somethings. I spent quite a bit of money this year on a new set of pots and pans - they all fit inside each other, work on stove top and in the oven, and even have plastic lids to go directly in the fridge. I love them. But it's not important to do things like this immediately. Unless, of course, you're taking too much and there isn't room for it all.

In purchasing for the rv, think about lightweight and where it will fit. So, if you like to sit outside, fine. But make sure you dont' buy something you can't store when you travel, and that is too heavy (weight is very important).

Have fun!

[rvgrammy1953]

Wow!! Can't add much to all the info the "sisters" have given here....We do alot of the same stuff and methods.... We use a Toaster/Convection Oven instead of the oven in the 5th wheel....issues with it baking/cooking stuff too fast on the bottom....so the oven is my breadbox.... I manage to "scratch" cook quite often, but use small pots and pans, crockpot, campfire, grill and the toaster/convection oven. Clothing is a 5-7 day supply, interchangable for summer and winter, but since we're north in the summer and south in the winter, no heavy coats, boots, gloves, etc..."Hoodies & Sweaters" are warm enough...

As we are full-timers, we've learned we can live without alot of "stuff".....we have a notebook/laptop, printer, Verizon Wireless for the phone & the Air-card internet, Directv for our viewing pleasure......photos of the Grandkids and kids on the computer and in the wallet for "bragging"....

As we are retired military and VA Comp....our medical needs are covered where ever we go.....Bill paying and banking are done by cell phone, auto pay from the bank, and "cause I'm my father's daughter" I still write 1 or 2 checks a month...mainly the truck payment....makes me feel I'm still in control....

Hope we haven't given you too much to think about.....

Enjoy your new "lifestyle"......we do....

[HomeOnWheels]

I am SO-o-o-o glad that I asked!!!

The advice you girls are sharing is priceless! Not only do I get a great education on specific things I need to do to maintain my new home - I also get a glimpse at the varied lifestyles you each lead. It is truly PRICELESS! I thank you.

My transition from a traditional house is exciting! When I first started considering my options, I felt the need to hang on to a relatively long list of "stuff" to store for the future. As I process the real value of the stuff beyond the monetary value, I realize that I really don't have ANY need to hang on to them. I now believe that I will only keep those things that have a "non-monetary" value...like a few pieces of inherited furniture, some quilts, paintings, etc. I already recognize that I might be releasing those items some day too.

The lack of attachment to material goods is obviously exhilarating! You ladies are helping me see that fact. When I compare the advice for maintaining my home on wheels to the long list of maintenance needed to live in a traditional house - it sounds pretty foriegn, but quite manageable and much less time-consuming. I look forward to the life of freedom that awaits me.

[Liz]

A lot of good advice here. I'm not a full timer, but this trip to AK makes it seem like I am. What I've learned is that I brought too many clothes and towels, leaving not enough space for dirty laundry which seems to pile up quicker than the clean clothes pile goes down.

Another thing I've learned is that there is such a thing as downsizing too far. I have a very small RV, B van, so space is premium. To save space, I brought only a 1/4 cup measure and a 1/3 cup measure instead of the whole set, or a larger measuring cup, thinking I could make any combination from those. (1 3/4 cup, 2 2/3 cup....gets tedious after awhile) I'm also making my vegetable steamer basket do double duty as a collander, fork as a wire whisk, etc. There are a few more things I wish I'd brought and would have used.

Leave some cabinet space empty for things you might like to acquire as the need or desire arises.