The camper thread! Pulling, using, equipment, maintenance!
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Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
Likes: 42
From: Stevens Point, WI
Our sewer hose wouldn't fit in the rear bumper, well the hose would but the big orange ends wouldn't and we became tired of threading the ends on and off each time. So last Summer I made a storage system that works great. Here's what I did.
I used a 4 3/4 x 4 3/4 post and bought some 1 1/4" x 3/16" flat stock and bolted it to the 'leftover' pieces of the A frame, this is after they tie into the trailer's frame. I used stainless hardware with a nut as a spacer to keep it off the propane supply line. I then used 1/4" stainless bolts to attach the post to the flat stock, two per side. To lock the caps on I bought some aluminum rod, cut it down then drilled each end for the clips. So far I just drilled one vent hole per cap. I may drill more after I buy some screen to glue to the inside of the cap to keep the bees out. I used vinyl gutter from Lowes to use as a drawer that we can slide out. I still need to add a couple cabinet door ***** on the very end of the drawer (angled up on each side) this will let me wrap my fingers around them as I pull.
It fits nice and snug, very happy with the results.
I used a 4 3/4 x 4 3/4 post and bought some 1 1/4" x 3/16" flat stock and bolted it to the 'leftover' pieces of the A frame, this is after they tie into the trailer's frame. I used stainless hardware with a nut as a spacer to keep it off the propane supply line. I then used 1/4" stainless bolts to attach the post to the flat stock, two per side. To lock the caps on I bought some aluminum rod, cut it down then drilled each end for the clips. So far I just drilled one vent hole per cap. I may drill more after I buy some screen to glue to the inside of the cap to keep the bees out. I used vinyl gutter from Lowes to use as a drawer that we can slide out. I still need to add a couple cabinet door ***** on the very end of the drawer (angled up on each side) this will let me wrap my fingers around them as I pull.
It fits nice and snug, very happy with the results.
That is very slick! Mine is stored in the rear bumper "tube". But I am having a problem with the stupid rubber end caps that keep wanting to come off. I haven't lost one yet but they have been very close to falling completely off on the highway at times. Some day I will have to look over the situation and see what I can do with them.
In this pic the guy made a container to sit on top of the bumper but just to show my deal you can see the rubber end cap on the bumper. Those are the ones that want to fall off. I store my crap pipe in the bumper.
Another question, how do you guys go about getting "all the crap" (lol) out of the tanks when emptying? Right now I use a 5 gallon pail and just keep filling it with water and dumping it down the toilet to wash out the tank. But it seems no matter how many times I dump water down the tank there is always something left.
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: SE Missouri
I have those end caps also on mine also. Replacements are only $3 online. Thought about buying new ones to see if they will fit better, but haven't yet.
To clean the tank: I first used a wand with hose attached. That worked great other then having to run the hose around through the door. That was kind of a two person operation. I just installed a Tornado. I have read some good reviews on those. We shall see how that go's. One thing that helps a lot is to keep the tank about a quarter full of water once you get to the destination. That allows for no dry spots for things to stick to. Also aids in the flush.
To clean the tank: I first used a wand with hose attached. That worked great other then having to run the hose around through the door. That was kind of a two person operation. I just installed a Tornado. I have read some good reviews on those. We shall see how that go's. One thing that helps a lot is to keep the tank about a quarter full of water once you get to the destination. That allows for no dry spots for things to stick to. Also aids in the flush.
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From: SE Missouri
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,360
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From: Charles Town, WV
Snow, you could probably rig up a cheap 'leash' system for the caps. Drill a small hole in the cap then run a tiny cable through it. to the bumper. You could even crimp the other end of the cable into a small ring electrical terminal (think car stereo size) then screw that into the bumper.
We have an extra cheaper hose in our bumper but we only use that when we park backwards to awning up to a friend.
As far as our doo-doo flush, we have a built in back flush that we hook the hose up to after our final drain. It's like an internal wand. We were still getting really bad sewer odors when we set up at camp for a day or so even though we completely flushed the tank and added a chemical pack for the trip home. Now when we set up, before we even flush once, I re-drain the tank then hook up the back flush to re-freshen the tank and then fill a little with fresh water and add a chemical pack. This would be harder if you don't have a built in back flush but can still be done, you'll just have to break the sewer seal by flushing the toilet to get in there.
Damn I can't wait to get out. Two more weeks
.
We have an extra cheaper hose in our bumper but we only use that when we park backwards to awning up to a friend.
As far as our doo-doo flush, we have a built in back flush that we hook the hose up to after our final drain. It's like an internal wand. We were still getting really bad sewer odors when we set up at camp for a day or so even though we completely flushed the tank and added a chemical pack for the trip home. Now when we set up, before we even flush once, I re-drain the tank then hook up the back flush to re-freshen the tank and then fill a little with fresh water and add a chemical pack. This would be harder if you don't have a built in back flush but can still be done, you'll just have to break the sewer seal by flushing the toilet to get in there.
Damn I can't wait to get out. Two more weeks
.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 0
From: Charles Town, WV
.RV.Net has 185 pages of user mods. Sit back and take it all in, RV.Net Open Roads Forum: Travel Trailers: Cool Mods
Thread Starter
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Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
Likes: 42
From: Stevens Point, WI
The water supply at the campground I go to doesn't have a hookup for a hose. They have their own hose with a big water pick kind of nozzle on the end. It would be nice to have a port right by the drain where I could stick the hose in and it would be plumbed right into the tank and wash it out without even going in the camper.
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,608
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From: SE Missouri
May 12th we are headed for Oregon for a month via Utah (our rental house). 4,000 mi trip. Living in the TT the whole time. Going out on I-80 and back on I-90. Soooo ready.
Thread Starter
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Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
Likes: 42
From: Stevens Point, WI
Snow, you could probably rig up a cheap 'leash' system for the caps. Drill a small hole in the cap then run a tiny cable through it. to the bumper. You could even crimp the other end of the cable into a small ring electrical terminal (think car stereo size) then screw that into the bumper.
We have an extra cheaper hose in our bumper but we only use that when we park backwards to awning up to a friend.
As far as our doo-doo flush, we have a built in back flush that we hook the hose up to after our final drain. It's like an internal wand. We were still getting really bad sewer odors when we set up at camp for a day or so even though we completely flushed the tank and added a chemical pack for the trip home. Now when we set up, before we even flush once, I re-drain the tank then hook up the back flush to re-freshen the tank and then fill a little with fresh water and add a chemical pack. This would be harder if you don't have a built in back flush but can still be done, you'll just have to break the sewer seal by flushing the toilet to get in there.
Damn I can't wait to get out. Two more weeks.
We have an extra cheaper hose in our bumper but we only use that when we park backwards to awning up to a friend.
As far as our doo-doo flush, we have a built in back flush that we hook the hose up to after our final drain. It's like an internal wand. We were still getting really bad sewer odors when we set up at camp for a day or so even though we completely flushed the tank and added a chemical pack for the trip home. Now when we set up, before we even flush once, I re-drain the tank then hook up the back flush to re-freshen the tank and then fill a little with fresh water and add a chemical pack. This would be harder if you don't have a built in back flush but can still be done, you'll just have to break the sewer seal by flushing the toilet to get in there.
Damn I can't wait to get out. Two more weeks
.Was on the phone when you guys posted all this stuff. The link to the camper tricks is really nice! I like the idea of the outside hookup for the backwash black tank system. I think I will look over stuff today and see what can be done and stuff.
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Thread Starter
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Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
Likes: 42
From: Stevens Point, WI
We are headed out in a month. Sounds like allot of time to get stuff ready until there is only a week left and nothing seems to be done.
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,608
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From: SE Missouri
I rebuilt my sewer valves about a month ago. The assembly is still in the middle of the garage floor. LOL The PO of our TT had for some reason rebuilt the assembly so that it hung down real far. I can't see any reason why, but I still have to fix that. It may have been because they were camping in it full time and couldn't get it to drain properly. They didn't realize that you are supposed to let the tanks fill and then drain. Leaving the valves open to drain all the time will cause issues.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 0
From: Charles Town, WV
Yep, the ever gross Poo Pyramid.
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 0
From: SE Missouri
That guy has some good ideas, I'm stealing some .
RV.Net has 185 pages of user mods. Sit back and take it all in, RV.Net Open Roads Forum: Travel Trailers: Cool Mods
.RV.Net has 185 pages of user mods. Sit back and take it all in, RV.Net Open Roads Forum: Travel Trailers: Cool Mods
TreadLightly
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 0
From: SE Missouri
Here are a couple of other "RV Mod" sites that I have bookmarked:
RV-Forums.org - Your friendly online RV (recreational vehicle) forum resource
RV Mods, RV Modifications, RV Upgrades, RV Tips, RV eBooks | ModMyRV.com
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/...49708106rfiaSv
RV-Forums.org - Your friendly online RV (recreational vehicle) forum resource
RV Mods, RV Modifications, RV Upgrades, RV Tips, RV eBooks | ModMyRV.com
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/...49708106rfiaSv
TreadLightly
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 0
From: SE Missouri
Home made retaining clips for the bumper end caps:
<img src="http://inlinethumb63.webshots.com/49470/2128649580053947607S600x600Q85.jpg" alt="Bumper end cap & retaining pin">
<img src="http://inlinethumb02.webshots.com/49537/2197173980053947607S600x600Q85.jpg" alt="Cap & Retaining pin">
<img src="http://inlinethumb63.webshots.com/49470/2128649580053947607S600x600Q85.jpg" alt="Bumper end cap & retaining pin">
<img src="http://inlinethumb02.webshots.com/49537/2197173980053947607S600x600Q85.jpg" alt="Cap & Retaining pin">
Joe28443
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,163
Likes: 4
From: Hampstead NC
We are heading out May 18, we initially were going to myrtle beach sc and then we found out it was bike week! Now we are headed to jellystone for the first time with our new trailer
Those are some cool mods! I ended up going with a sewage hose that is rubber and it's about a inch and a half wide. You hook a hose to it and it pushes the waste down the line so you know when it's clean. That's my favorite so far
Those are some cool mods! I ended up going with a sewage hose that is rubber and it's about a inch and a half wide. You hook a hose to it and it pushes the waste down the line so you know when it's clean. That's my favorite so far