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Re: New Lazy Daze owner with (more) questions
Reply #25 –
I also bag it. No toilet paper in the tank for me.
2007 MB
Re: New Lazy Daze owner with (more) questions
Reply #26 –
Hi Gini, well in my experience, the TP doesn't settle to the bottom, but floats near the top. I have a clear section on my 'sewer solution' emptying setup, to protect the little tabs on it from wear. So I can see what comes out first. I hope that isn't too graphic, but I'm just sitting there with nothing else to do. When the tank is empty, I flip the lever to shoot water up into the tank. On a TK the outlet is on the bottom of the tank, so several fill/dump cycles do a good job. (And it is a small tank, 18 gallons or so.)
   I just got some flushable Kirkland wipes, and tested one for dissolution speed. I use a clear quart plus sized container with a screw on lid, about 1/2 full. in about half an hour I shake the container, and the whole wipe turned to a white pulpy mess. I'm sure it would empty cleanly. I've been using Campa-chem TP or similar for over 35 years and haven't had a problem with any blockages yet. RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: New Lazy Daze owner with (more) questions
Reply #27 –
I wouldn't use just any TP. Some is quite thick and heavy, designed more for "comfort" than ability to dissolve, usually in a municipal sewer and treatment system, not your motorhome. Why not just use Scott single ply septic safe TP, readily available in most grocery stores? Ability to dissolve is best tested by putting a piece or two in a mason jar of water, with the lid on, and shaking briefly. I never notice the Scott paper through my clear hose attachment when dumping. It fully dissolves in the tank.

Using the method from Phred's Poop Sheets (as in the Navy saying, What's the poop?, not #2), I've not found it necessary to make a big production of rinsing the black tank. Fred said, dump the black tank, fill a collapsible bucket with water, dump that down the toilet as a simple rinse, let that drain and close the black valve. Then, while draining the gray tank, fill your bucket again, add a bit of enzyme based holding tank treatment (Eco Save is good), and dump that down the toilet.

This keeps water in the tank at all times so residual solids can't solidify. We usually dump when leaving a camp if possible to avoid arriving somewhere with full tanks and unable to dump. But my form of rinsing is to occasionally leave the tanks full while moving from one camp to the next. The agitation of a MOL full tank while driving keeps things clean I think.
Terry
2003 26.5'RB
Gardnerville, NV
Re: New Lazy Daze owner with (more) questions
Reply #28 –
After 23 years of LDing, we have never had an issue using any type of TP.  Frequent tank flushing has made the difference.
In our 1983 LD, we used a Hydroflush and  flushing stick, stuck down the toilet, with the hose entering through the bathroom window.
I found this to be a pain to use so our 2003 LD had in-tank flushers installed right after delivery.
They clean the tanks from the inside.
Holding tank flusher | Flickr

Once every summer, when it's good and hot out and the rig is going to be parked for more than a week,  I fill the tanks with fresh water and add a cup of septic tank enzymes to each tank, letting them sit for one to two weeks, before dumping.
This treatment digest the buildup off the inside walls of the holding tanks, maintaining their proper volume and also helping keep the flush nozzles clean.  It makes the tanks smell better too.

One other suggestion when dumping is too drive around a bit before dumping, it stirs up the contents into  a slurry, helping to prevent buildup. Now you have an excuse to take hot laps around the campground.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: New Lazy Daze owner with (more) questions
Reply #29 –
I not sure whether I made a mistake with my black water tank.

I bought the RV five weeks ago with empty holding tanks and drove it for four days down from Washington to Arizona. I did not shower in the RV during that trip but I used the toilet - and used not much water with it. According to the readout display the black water tank is almost empty (and I know that this meter is not very reliable). Since I had read that the black water tank should not be emptied until it's rather full I did nothing and had the vehicle just standing in front of my house.

Today I noticed that there was no water in the toilet bowl - and I also noticed a faint not so delicious smell (it's getting hot in Arizona). I put water into the bowl and about six hours later it is still at the same level and there is no smell anymore.

On Friday I go on a nine-day trip to California and will be staying for a week in an RV park.

Now I'm wondering whether it was a bad idea to have the black water tank with some stuff in it standing around for five weeks. Should I just put a bucket of water into the toilet to dilute the stuff a little, go to California, fill up the tank there and then empty it there? That would possible have the additional advantage of having people around me that could give me some practical tips for doing this. Or do I have to do something here? More water in the tank to have it slushing around while I'm driving? A bottle of Aqua-Kem on top of the water (I just bought two bottles for $1.50 on a garage sale)? Or something else? Or just relax? I'm a little insecure here how much worry and care is necessary.
2001 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: New Lazy Daze owner with (more) questions
Reply #30 –
Seems there are several things you might do in this situation.  If you have a local dump station, then fill the black tank to about 3/4 full using an outside hose and then dump.  Then put about 4 gallons in the tank and feel free to add whatever special ingredient you'd like to deal with odor and so forth.  In my book, if the black tank gets regular and complete 1-2 full flushes it seldom needs help with special ingredients.

If you want to add a bit of water to the existing tank and let it sloush around during your next trip, that certainly can help to break up any of the solids.  I'd be sure to add at least a 3-4 gallons of water if you suspect the black tank is nearly empty but with solids.

Finally, I'd guess that when your bowl was empty of water, it was because the previous Toilet User was too gentle in closing the valve.  It should just be released so that it shuts and seals the valve.  Since the bowel is now holding water, the seal may still be in good condition. 

Now there's a whole bunch of toilet discussions on this Forum and especially in the The Lazy Daze Companion .  For example, it's important to regularly treat the bowel with a vinegar treatment which I believe is discussed in The Companion along with other suggestions and guidance.  

I'm thinking you're okay especially if you make sure there's adequate water in the black tank.  So I hope this little bit of guidance will be helpful.
Re: New Lazy Daze owner with (more) questions
Reply #31 –
One more bit of advice: DO NOT use Aqua-Kem! It's formaldehyde-based, which would be great if you wanted to preserve your poop in solid lumps. Aside from that, it's terrible for the environment, and is banned in many campgrounds because it poisons septic systems. The MSDS for this product says it contains formaldehyde and methanol.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: New Lazy Daze owner with (more) questions
Reply #32 –
"Today I noticed that there was no water in the toilet bowl - and I also noticed a faint not so delicious smell (it's getting hot in Arizona). I put water into the bowl and about six hours later it is still at the same level and there is no smell anymore."

It's normal, and would be especially true in dry climates, that the water in the toilet will evaporate over time.  When it does, the 'seal' may be diminished or lost, and it's quite possible that some odor may find its way into the coach.  Since you added water and the level hadn't dropped a few hours later, the seal is probably okay.  I keep my coach at home, check the level every few days, and add a cup or two of water when needed.
Bill
2003 -- 23' FL
Re: New Lazy Daze owner with (more) questions
Reply #33 –
"One more bit of advice: DO NOT use Aqua-Kem! It's formaldehyde-based, which would be great if you wanted to preserve your poop in solid lumps. Aside from that, it's terrible for the environment, and is banned in many campgrounds because it poisons septic systems. The MSDS for this product says it contains formaldehyde and methanol."
----
Thanks, Andy; beat me to that admonition; the stuff is toxic! Using plenty of water with each flush of solids, a bacteria/enzyme tank product , e.g., Pure Power, Digest It, or Eco-Save (optional, but very helpful in both black and grey tanks) and flushing the tanks thoroughly, preferably after each dump, are the best practices.
2003 TK has a new home
Re: New Lazy Daze owner with (more) questions
Reply #34 –
Thanks again for your answers. Aqua-Kem will go into a box with paint and other stuff, waiting for special recycling. I ordered some enzyme-based deodorizer/digester from Amazon. And I understand now that trying to save water when flushing solids is not the best idea.
2001 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: New Lazy Daze owner with (more) questions
Reply #35 –
3.) Tire pressure (revisiting). I have 5 tire pressure meters (2 digital, 2 analog on a 12 volt pump that came with the RV, 1 mechanical). Of these the cheaper digital and the main analog meter show the same pressure, the 3 others show other numbers. I used now - at 6 o'clock in the morning - the cheaper digital meter to adjust the pressure on all tires to 75 PSI. I guess that's OK for now.

However, it remains the question how to find out which meter is really correct. Could I find out i. e. at Big O Tires or similar stores? Do they have calibrated meters?
2001 26.5 Mid-Bath
 
Re: New Lazy Daze owner with (more) questions
Reply #36 –
My dad used to say " A man with two watches never really knows what time it is."

Harold
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
Re: New Lazy Daze owner with (more) questions
Reply #37 –

"Could I find out i. e. at Big O Tires or similar stores? Do they have calibrated meters?"
----
I've never found a pressure gauge at a tire store or a garage or an RV shop to be reliably accurate; YMMV.

You might want to get a "recommended", easy-to-use tire gauge and stick with its readings so as not to drive yourself nuts. This is the gauge I use:

Amazon.com: Accutire MS-4021B Digital Tire Pressure Gauge: Automotive

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
2003 TK has a new home
Re: New Lazy Daze owner with (more) questions
Reply #38 –
Thanks. I ordered the Accutire MS-4021R (in red).
2001 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: New Lazy Daze owner with (more) questions
Reply #39 –
Like many of us, I have several tire gauges in the ol’ corral. I currently use my Tire Minder Digital gauge. So much easier to read than an analog dial.

As Joan said, “I've never found a pressure gauge at a tire store or a garage or an RV shop to be reliably accurate; YMMV.”

This is even stated on the Tire Minder Digital ($25) and Analog ($15) gauge packaging.  +/- 1-2 lbs off on these gauges. When you couple that with the stated accuracy on the TPMS itself, it can make for a bit of added confusion. I now rely on the gauges acurracy and just monitor the TPMS for hazard alerts.

Relying on the TPMS for departure pressures can be a little misleading due to early morning temperature differences on opposite sides of the rig. If I’m feeling really cautious, the Flow through valves and the Digital gauge makes checking tire pressure a two minute operation all around.

For the cost of a good gauge, you may want to “chuck” your old gauges for a new one.

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: New Lazy Daze owner with (more) questions
Reply #40 –
Quote from: desertman  - 
Could I find out i. e. at Big O Tires or similar stores? Do they have calibrated meters?

Calibrated tire gauges are out there but be prepared to pay a hefty price.  If it's good enough for your plane, it's probably good enough for the LD:

Tronair 14-6807-6011 Aircraft Tire Air Pressure Gauge (CE)
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: New Lazy Daze owner with (more) questions
Reply #41 –
When I purchased my Michelins I went to an authorized dealer.  They have calibration gauge to test tire pressure gauges.  I had my gauge  checked at 80 and 30 (lbs per sq in) and next time I get tires I have it rechecked.  Just ask if your tire dealer dealership has one. I happened to see the thing in the corner when I pulled up.  It is a bit thing and hard to miss.  Looks a little like a barometer with a tire valve. 

 Note; this place worked on trucks, fleet and emergency vehicles.
Currently: 2008 36' Tiffin Open Road
Previously: 2007 Mid Bath
Re: New Lazy Daze owner with (more) questions
Reply #43 –
Or...

“A broken clock is right twice a day”.
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: New Lazy Daze owner with (more) questions
Reply #45 –
Quote from: desertman  - 
I bought a couple of weeks ago a 2001 26 1/2 Mid-Bath Lazy Daze with only 54,500 miles in Washington and drove it down to Arizona in four days. This is my first RV and the trip from Washington to Arizona was the first time that I traveled with such a vehicle. I think I bought a very well maintained motorhome from a woman who owned it for 12 years (as second owner). I have a long and detailed list of maintenance and repair procedures. It includes three visits to the Lazy Daze factory, the last one in 2017 when the roof got a complete overhaul.

Now the Lazy Daze is parked in my driveway in the Arizona sun (yesterday we had for the first time this year 95°F), waiting for the adventures ahead. My plan is to move into the Lazy Daze full-time later this year and spend the next couple of years traveling - mainly boondocking - through the United States. In two weeks I want to go onto a 10-day trip to California and live in the RV while attending a 7-day seminar.

When I started to look for an RV (and at RV's) it became soon clear to me that what I would love most to have was a Lazy Daze, and now I happily own one! At first I wanted to have a rear-bath "party model" with a couch and two chairs in the front. Now I'm very happy that I have a mid-bath model. On my trip back to Arizona I slept very well on one of the couches in the back. A width of 36" is absolutely enough for me and I liked very much that I could close the door to the "automotive part" of the vehicle. It's almost like having a separate bedroom with the additional benefit of an attached bathroom.

Well, let's get to the questions - of which I have many (in-spite of watching many videos and reading many articles). I will start with some questions that I think are most important and then by and by add more (I hope it is OK to put  many questions into one thread). And I sure hope that I will get some help and information here.

1.) Batteries, battery switch, shore power. I have two 'Interstate Deep Cycle Battery GC2-XHD Flooded Lead Acid 6V 232Ah' batteries. They are about three years old. The vehicle is now standing since more than three weeks in my driveway. The battery level is still at "Good." The batteries as such look very good and clean. Questions: When, if at all, should I turn the house batteries off? Should I have the rig connected to shore power?

2.) Leveling. How level is level enough? The previous owner used for 12 years nothing but two small spirit levels (one on the driver door, one on the dashboard), and the refrigerator is still working good. I don't think it is possible to level an RV with these tiny devices always perfectly. I bought now a round level that I placed in front of the fridge. A picture is attached here. Is what this level is showing level enough, or would that destroy the fridge quickly? (The fridge is not running right now.)

3.) Tire pressure. I need - for now - a ball park number for the tire pressure. I will be using the RV almost always alone. I guess I will have an average amount of stuff in the vehicle. What tire pressure should I use for now? Do the dual tires in the back both get the same tire pressure? Is it a good idea to have an automatic tire inflator (like this one: Amazon.com: Audew Portable Air Compressor Pump, Auto Digital Tire Inflator,...) so that I can adjust the tire pressure early in the morning when the tires are still cool? The vehicle has Michelin tires in excellent condition.

4.) CB radio (not so important but kind of interesting). The vehicle came with the original CB radio. This radio is right now not working because the antenna cable broke directly at the antenna. Not a big deal to repair. However, I'm wondering whether CB radio still has any use and value at this time. Are other people here using their CB radio, and if so, what for?

5.) Converter. The vehicle survived the last 17 years with the original single-stage Parallax (Magnetek) 7345 converter. However, I have been reading in several places that it is at least good if not important to upgrade to a modern multi-stage converter. How important is this? If I want to do that, does it matter that I also want to install a solar system with 400-500 watts? Does a solar system change what kind of converter should be installed?

I think that's it for now. I will be grateful for all replies.

Greetings - Nick


So you are the lucky
Quote from: desertman  - 
I bought a couple of weeks ago a 2001 26 1/2 Mid-Bath Lazy Daze with only 54,500 miles in Washington and drove it down to Arizona in four days. This is my first RV and the trip from Washington to Arizona was the first time that I traveled with such a vehicle. I think I bought a very well maintained motorhome from a woman who owned it for 12 years (as second owner). I have a long and detailed list of maintenance and repair procedures. It includes three visits to the Lazy Daze factory, the last one in 2017 when the roof got a complete overhaul.

Now the Lazy Daze is parked in my driveway in the Arizona sun (yesterday we had for the first time this year 95°F), waiting for the adventures ahead. My plan is to move into the Lazy Daze full-time later this year and spend the next couple of years traveling - mainly boondocking - through the United States. In two weeks I want to go onto a 10-day trip to California and live in the RV while attending a 7-day seminar.

When I started to look for an RV (and at RV's) it became soon clear to me that what I would love most to have was a Lazy Daze, and now I happily own one! At first I wanted to have a rear-bath "party model" with a couch and two chairs in the front. Now I'm very happy that I have a mid-bath model. On my trip back to Arizona I slept very well on one of the couches in the back. A width of 36" is absolutely enough for me and I liked very much that I could close the door to the "automotive part" of the vehicle. It's almost like having a separate bedroom with the additional benefit of an attached bathroom.

Well, let's get to the questions - of which I have many (in-spite of watching many videos and reading many articles). I will start with some questions that I think are most important and then by and by add more (I hope it is OK to put  many questions into one thread). And I sure hope that I will get some help and information here.

1.) Batteries, battery switch, shore power. I have two 'Interstate Deep Cycle Battery GC2-XHD Flooded Lead Acid 6V 232Ah' batteries. They are about three years old. The vehicle is now standing since more than three weeks in my driveway. The battery level is still at "Good." The batteries as such look very good and clean. Questions: When, if at all, should I turn the house batteries off? Should I have the rig connected to shore power?

2.) Leveling. How level is level enough? The previous owner used for 12 years nothing but two small spirit levels (one on the driver door, one on the dashboard), and the refrigerator is still working good. I don't think it is possible to level an RV with these tiny devices always perfectly. I bought now a round level that I placed in front of the fridge. A picture is attached here. Is what this level is showing level enough, or would that destroy the fridge quickly? (The fridge is not running right now.)

3.) Tire pressure. I need - for now - a ball park number for the tire pressure. I will be using the RV almost always alone. I guess I will have an average amount of stuff in the vehicle. What tire pressure should I use for now? Do the dual tires in the back both get the same tire pressure? Is it a good idea to have an automatic tire inflator (like this one: Amazon.com: Audew Portable Air Compressor Pump, Auto Digital Tire Inflator,...) so that I can adjust the tire pressure early in the morning when the tires are still cool? The vehicle has Michelin tires in excellent condition.

4.) CB radio (not so important but kind of interesting). The vehicle came with the original CB radio. This radio is right now not working because the antenna cable broke directly at the antenna. Not a big deal to repair. However, I'm wondering whether CB radio still has any use and value at this time. Are other people here using their CB radio, and if so, what for?

5.) Converter. The vehicle survived the last 17 years with the original single-stage Parallax (Magnetek) 7345 converter. However, I have been reading in several places that it is at least good if not important to upgrade to a modern multi-stage converter. How important is this? If I want to do that, does it matter that I also want to install a solar system with 400-500 watts? Does a solar system change what kind of converter should be installed?

I think that's it for now. I will be grateful for all replies.

Greetings - Nick


So you are the lucky person that bought that Lazy Daze. You got a great deal! Congratulations. I called on it but she said it was sold and would call me if the deal fell through. Fortunately I found another good deal shortly thereafter and flew down to San Diego to buy it and just got home to Washington state. I bought a 1997 24 ft front lounge that needed TLC but was in good shape. I resealed the roof immediately and spent the last two days bringing the paint back to life with 16 ounces of Turtle Wax and lots of elbow grease. The 1500 mile trip home was fun except the stretch through LA and the 460 performed great. Good luck with yours I am loving mine.

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
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