Questions about my 2009 171

Thanks for the input everyone. The first tank dump today went smoothly enough. I have now ordered a Rhino Flex hose kit off Amazon.

Originally posted by techntrek  Best method for waste tanks:  it is ok to leave the gray dump valve open if you have full hookups,

Doug,

Let me take slight issue with this recommendation. Just yesterday at a full hookup CG with my Camplite I left the gray valve open and my wife again noticed the sewer smell in the bathroom. My take is the vacuum breaker/vent in the gray water line (under the sinks) somehow allows a backflow of gas from the public sewer, especially when aided by the exhaust fans running. I had the same issue with the RPOD even with windows cracked open when the fan was running.  I know this isn't supposed to happen, but somehow it does. My evidence is not conclusive because there is a path from the rooftop stack back through the open bathroom vent (fan off) if the other ceiling fans are running. Still under investigation, but it has happened to me on several occasions on two different campers so it's a caution..

Now back to your newest fixer-upper project.

     When we had our 2009 171 I would fill the toilet to the top a few times with a bucket of water and flush the toilet with the drain valves open. You have a nice camper we enjoyed ours for the 5 years we had it, I miss it. The first r-pods were built with hardwoods the newer ones are built with soft pine. Enjoy camping with it. 

  I think most people leave their brake controllers mounted forever.  Why not?  But it's up to you.

  As for an extension cord, "regular" is a relative term.  You'll need a adapter to go from your 15 or 20 amp outlet (unless you have a 30 amp outlet, which is somewhat unusual), and depending on how far you need to go, you'd do well to go to Home Depot or some such place and get at least a 12/2 with ground extension cord.  If you're going 50 feet or more you might want to go 10/2 with ground.  I think of a "regular" extension cord as one of those flimsy little thing you might use in your living room because a lamp won't reach an outlet.  Those won't do.

  TT

I just got home from picking it up and will need to dump the black and gray tanks for the first time tomorrow. Is there any way to flush the tanks out? Or do I just flush the toilet a bunch of times?