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TrinityTurret View Drop Down
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Joined: 26 Sep 2013
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Posts: 58 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Preflight & Setup Checklist
    Posted: 23 Oct 2013 at 9:42am
Thanks!
There's only one way...
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Oct 2013 at 9:03am
I would flush it a few times.  I don't know what chemical reaction there may be between the bleach and antifreeze, but no reason to take a chance.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 58 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Oct 2013 at 11:00pm
We just purchased our 171...camped in it all the way home from Ohio. I finished sanitizing today, and will winterize in a few days. Question...after I purge the sanitized water/bleach, do I need to rinse system prior to adding the antifreeze?
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jul 2013 at 9:30pm

I agree with leaving water in the hot water tank.  If you drain it and then accidentally turn on the electric element it will instantly blow (the element, not the whole water heater).  I leave mine full all camping season.  It takes a while to drain and then time to refill, just not worth the effort to save 50 pounds.

Even if you run out of water in the fresh water tank you can't drain the water heater by turning on the sink, so no worries there.  But like Sleepless we leave a few gallons in the fresh tank for the toilet and sink while traveling.  Not worth losing the functionality to save another 30-40 pounds.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Joined: 07 Jun 2013
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Posts: 556 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jul 2013 at 9:08pm
 

[/QUOTE]
Thanks for the edits, is there a particular reason to keep water in the system? Will hauling her empty cause damage?  [/QUOTE]

I always keep some water in the fresh water tank.  It allows us to use the bathroom and other facilities while we are traveling, keeps a supply of water available for our dogs, wash our hands when necessary, etc.  Another good reason is that you are assured that the hot water tank is never empty should it accidentally be turned on.

We also turn on the electric to our water heater several hours before we leave home.  The water will stay hot during that day without using electricity or LP.  Pretty handy.  I normally just leave the electric heater in the tank on all the time and never have to worry about burning out the element.

Please note that we don't stay at only one campground on our outings.  During our last trip, we were gone 21 days and stayed at over a dozen different campgrounds.  When you are driving all day, the use of the bathroom is a great convenience, and being able to use the kitchen sink is often necessary. 

We sanitize our fresh water system at the beginning of the season (although in Florida the season never ends) and always travel with the water heater full and probably 5 to10 gallons in the fresh water tank.  
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Posts: 21 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jul 2013 at 7:46pm
Originally posted by P&M

uploads/1442/Camping_Checklist.doc
 

To go along with your Pod list, here is our packing checklist of items, clothing and food that we use (pg 1) and a place to plan out meals for several days (pg 2).  This is customized for our use, but may be of benefit to anyone else who may be just starting out ... or is just getting old and forgetful like me!  Big smile

That's a great list! Thanks for sharing.
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Posts: 21 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jul 2013 at 7:40pm
Originally posted by Sleepless

Under Departure, add:Check fresh water level.  Add, as necessary.If this is the first outing for the season, add: Sanitize fresh water system.Under Setup, add:Turn on LP tankThe fresh water system, including the hot water heater, should be at least partially filled before departing. Delete the reference to filling the water heater.Under Return, delete:Empty fresh water tank.Correct spelling of the words preflight and chock.


Thanks for the edits, is there a particular reason to keep water in the system? Will hauling her empty cause damage?
My intention is to do one of two things (most of the time), fill up closer to our final destination or be camping in a place that has potable water or running water. I want to keep the weight down as much as possible since my TV isn't rated to tow a lot more than the Pod and family. The extra 400 (or so) pounds will make a pretty good difference in my load out.
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Posts: 556 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jul 2013 at 1:35pm
Under Departure, add:
Check fresh water level.  Add, as necessary.
If this is the first outing for the season, add: Sanitize fresh water system.

Under Setup, add:
Turn on LP tank
The fresh water system, including the hot water heater, should be at least partially filled before departing. Delete the reference to filling the water heater.

Under Return, delete:
Empty fresh water tank.

Correct spelling of the words preflight and chock.
2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD)
2009 Chevrolet Avalanche
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Posts: 32 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jul 2013 at 12:12pm
I always turn propane off before I drive
2013 grand caravan
2010 176t pod
Wife, 2 boys, and golden retriever. Can life get any better
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DavidW View Drop Down
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Posts: 129 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jul 2013 at 11:44am
I guess that each of our lists will be a little different depending upon our particular campsites.
 
In our case, many of our Provincial Park sites won't have electricity so I would amend the entry to "Connect to power (if available)".  I will also be reminding myself to fill my fresh water tank either at our RV storage location or on entry into the Park.
 
And, as we use an RV storage location, I can't plug in the fridge overnight to cool it down before a trip so I will have a "Night Before" note for me to cool the fridge with propane and then change to battery once I am ready to hit the road.
 
For the return trip, I will also have to add an extra entry to remind myself to retract the slide-out and put the step back.
 
Too much to do, or forget to do.
David & Liz
2014 R-Pod 178
2019 Chevy Traverse
And Lily (our 8 yr old Golden)
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