RV Camping; Tips, tricks & repairs

[codetrap]

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[Alterac]

Originally posted by hampstor
We decided to retire our tent and bought our first trailer on the weekend - 2003 Rockwood Premier (PUP) - 12ft.

Congrats.

Check that the fridge runs on each of the sources, propane, and 120v are the most important.

Don't run it on 12v unless you want your batteries to die real quick. It's generally only used to keep the fridge running while you are towing it to your campsite. Which is why you want a hot line (12v) from your tow vehicle.

Bring a small level, and some prices of 2x6 with 22.5* angled edges to level it left right. The built in jacks only do front back.

Once level, you can crank it up and down really easy.

And definitely make sure you have led bulbs.

[SOAB]

this is what I use to make side-to-side leveling easy as pie. no more boards, no more guessing how many 2x6's or any of that.

https://www.andersenhitches.com/Prod...r-leveler.aspx

[C_Dave45]

A few more camping things today:



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And I got this for my son. Want him to get excited for camping again. He loves it.


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[cidley69]

Off topic, but what are you guys using for outdoor carpet under awning area?

My trailer didn't come with one and wondering what to buy and where to get it?

[spike98]

Originally posted by cidley69
Off topic, but what are you guys using for outdoor carpet under awning area?

My trailer didn't come with one and wondering what to buy and where to get it?

The best place (IMO) is costco. The RV places have good ones but they cost a mint.

[SOAB]

or if you can wait, the RV show usually had great deals on them but that isn't until January.

[suntan]

Costco has (had?) an RV mat for $55.

[C_Dave45]

A big thank you to CodeTrap for walking me through the process.

I went to BBQ's Galore and they were awesome. It took some figuring, but with the pics I had taken of how my fittings were they had me setup with all the brass and hoses I needed. End cost was $144. Plus then I bought a box like his. So here is how mine turned out:



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[codetrap]

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[Cos]

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[ExtraSlow]

Discovered the hot water tank drain plug leaks. I think the threads on the tank are stripped or damaged somehow. I was using a brand new plug. This type:

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Anyone have suggestions for what to use to seal those threads a little better? I think I need something more than teflon tape, although i can try that.

[relyt92]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow
Discovered the hot water tank drain plug leaks. I think the threads on the tank are stripped or damaged somehow. I was using a brand new plug. This type:

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Anyone have suggestions for what to use to seal those threads a little better? I think I need something more than teflon tape, although i can try that.

You could try some pipe dope if the teflon tape isn't making a seal. Best bet would be to retap the hole though.

[C_Dave45]

Just popping in for a sec, currently down in Crowsnest Pass.
My drain plug leaked as well. I just put about a dozen revolutions of Teflon tape on the plug and cinched 'er down. Doesn't leak a drop now.

[hedge]

it looks like an Atwood tank with the plastic plug. You should buy a new plug, they aren't expensive. The plastic ones are kind of meant to sacrifice themselves over time to protect the threads.

I have a Suburban tank with the Anode rode and the brass threads, not a fan as it's hard to get threaded straight without cross-threading it, especially with the weight of the anode rod hanging off the end. I preferred my Atwood tank.

It also looks pretty rounded off, another good reason to replace it.

[s_havinga]

I thought my drain plug was leaking on my old Atwood water heater, turns out it was a crack above the weld... hope that's not the case for you.

I had my Aluminum welder at work fix mine up but they can get pretty pricey to replace.

[s_havinga]

On another note, I have some small stress cracks on my fresh tank which has now rendered it useless, anyone have luck repairing a tank or am I pretty much stuck with replacing?

[hampstor]

If anyone was looking for a solar panel... I just picked up the Coleman 40w kit at Canadian Tire for $99 (price on site is $249 right now though?).

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/home/e...tml?popup=true

[spike98]

Originally posted by hampstor
If anyone was looking for a solar panel... I just picked up the Coleman 40w kit at Canadian Tire for $99 (price on site is $249 right now though?).

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/home/e...tml?popup=true

While that is a good deal relatively speaking, you'd be better off getting a panel kit from amazon when they have their deals. 100w flex panel with controller for $200. Double the money but you get a way better panel, more power, and a controller that will support 200w.

[ExtraSlow]

Originally posted by s_havinga
On another note, I have some small stress cracks on my fresh tank which has now rendered it useless, anyone have luck repairing a tank or am I pretty much stuck with replacing?

I suspect it'll be tough to do a decent job of a repair on a plastic tank. If it's cracking, I assume it's pretty old, and the rest of the tank is quite brittle. Replacing isn't above the level of most do-it-yourselfers, and is my recommended route.