Beginner, beginner, beginner - Event Date: 12 Jun 2013

  I didn't know there was so much to learn.  Thought we just bought the r-pod and brought it home:started camping.  Never thought about supplies,etc. My DIL told me to get camping toilet paper_never knew there was such a thing! Bought our 177 from a private party, NOW I guess I had better find out how to stock it. Any suggestions? Will have to read the manuals.  Husband was in bad car accident 10 years ago and suffered a TBI. He is doing really well, but new things are difficult for him. I am lucky to still have him. He will do most of the driving with his Toyota Tundra. I will make a check list of just how to set it up for him. 

Not to argue, but regular TP can be more prone to cause problems with the level censors in the black water tank and the drain valve.  It doesn't break down as well.

There is an old, tried and true test, among people that live full time in an RV.  Take a couple of sheets of TP and put them in a quart jar, half full of water, give it a couple of hard shakes.  If the tP breaks up you can use it in an RV.  Some home types work and some don't. 

Taking apart a full black tank to fix it is not something anyone wants to do.

Terry

Originally posted by Kickstart No argument here either. The shake test will lead you to a much cheaper and easily available brand of TP. One of the Scott single plys passed that test for us, and is what we use. Sears catalogs, not so good.

  OUCH!

Terry

Originally posted by Keith-N-Dar I suppose the old corncobs are out of the question...

Talk about clogging your blackwater valve!

All good information... here is the summary.
1) Do NOT leave your black tank dump valve open even if you have full hookups.
2) Collect black and gray water and dump. Black then Gray.
3) Before leaving the campground, do a black tank flush that way TP does not dry and harden inside the tank on sensors or other areas.
4) Put a black water treatment in the tank from the beginning. Add a little fresh with it. Don't wait until you notice an odor to treat.
5) Do not use your fresh water drinking hose to flush the black tank. Cross contamination can occur.

Don't sweat the small stuff. Most missteps can be corrected.