What and Where? November 09, 2014, 12:25:44 pm Yahoo Message Number: 149393We are about to embark on our first trip in our LD 27 MB. It's actually our first RV trip ever. I'm trying to get things set up and am curious about what people put in the outside storage areas. Also, the temps may get below freezing at night but warm up during the day. Do we need to be worried about issues with the lines? Thanks in advance.The Debs 05 27MB
Re: What and Where? Reply #1 – November 09, 2014, 01:24:05 pm Yahoo Message Number: 149395"the temps may get below freezing at night but warm up during the day. Do we need to be worried about issues with the lines?"With that kind of climate, no. It takes extended freezing temperatures (daytime as well as nighttime) to freeze anything, and even then all you're likely to see is frozen dump valves. If you're worried about that, dump before your tanks are full, especially if the weather forecast calls for a cold snap.As far as your freshwater plumbing in concerned, the situation you describe won't cause any problems. Your dump valves, which are out in the open air, would freeze long before there's any chance of your inside-the-walls plumbing freezing.Have a great first trip! :-)Andy BairdTravels with Andy
Re: What and Where? Reply #2 – November 09, 2014, 02:26:18 pm Yahoo Message Number: 149396What we put in the outside storage:The sewer stuff: connectors, latex gloves, chemicals. These all get their own compartment near the dump valves.The folding chairs and outside mats and tables and the Coleman stove go in another compartment. We also put the dog tie outs in this compartment.The water hoses, pressure monitors, window cleaning stuff, electric line, and surge protector go in yet another compartment.We don't have enough stuff to fill all of the compartments, so we tend to roughly divide it by use.Syndi
Re: What and Where? Reply #3 – November 10, 2014, 10:21:25 am Yahoo Message Number: 149405We all have our own plan and strategies, but I have seen some things over the years that may be generalities. Inside storage is for things that might be damaged by heat or cold or stuff that is used on a regular basis. This includes medications, clothing, food, liquid detergent, water-based glue, and so on. Outside stuff is stuff that will not be harmed by temperature extremes, tools, and stuff that you use on the outside. This includes tools, compressors, hoses, dumping stuff, leveling blocks, and so on. A tour of my MB, starting on the outside left, finds: wood clamps, planes, a level and squares, and a long, heavy extension cord. The battery compartment became available for storage when I put AGM batteries inside, so that compartment holds my dumping stuff - a hose for non-potable water, a flush connector, gloves, etc. The left rear holds two potable water hoses, one 25' and one 50', two coax cable extensions for my satellite dish, one 50' and one 100', my surge suppressor and a 50 amp to 30 amp adapter. That is where I carry the 30 amp power connector cable. The right front opens to the compartment under the dinette seat. That space holds my whole house inverter and my batteries. The rear lower right compartment holds my compressor and leveling blocks. The rear upper right holds plastic containers with tools, spare parts, hardware and so on. Inside, the only general rule is to try to keep weight in lower compartments. Avoid storing books in upper compartments, where I keep many books. (No other spot works for me, but it is still a bad idea.) I am a solo act and I sleep in the back, so I use the area over the cab for bulk storage of guest sleeping supplies - sheets, pillows, comforters, etc.. It is bulky but light. I keep a guitar up there - again, bulky but light. Under the rear dinette seat I have a large plastic box that holds many tools used frequently such as drill bits, mallet, saws, sandpaper, and temperature sensitive stuff like varnishes, glues, caulk, tape, safety glasses, and so on. Storing in the container makes them easy to access. Alongside that container are a sewing machine and a spare water pump. Under the sink I keep pots and pans. Above the sink I keep coffee-making stuff, food, dish soap, olive oil, and Finish Kare Polyseal for "waxing" my RV. Over the stove are dishes. In the back, behind the TV is my DVR. The upper left area holds a surge suppressor and a scanner. The upper right holds books, a printer, and DVD's. The rear compartment holds a CPAP machine and supplies plus various odds and ends. Finally, over the dinette table, I store a wok, a large wooden salad bowl, books and miscellaneous other stuff. First RV trip, huh? My normal recommendation would be to do one or two weekend trips before doing anything major. That would help you sort out what you want to bring and what you don't need, as well as where to put it. As to freezing, when I first got my RV, I was in southern Missouri in late November, 2008. The days were in the 50's but the nights dropped well below freezing. When I was ready to leave, at about 9 AM I tried to dump. There was solid ice against the back of the dump valves and I could not even slide them open without risking stripping out the threads in the handle by pulling too hard. I parked in the sun with the left side toward the sun. I was able to dump around 1:00 in the afternoon. The lesson - if you are camping is sub-freezing night temperatures, dump in the afternoon, when the tanks are perhaps half full and the gate valves less likely to be frozen. That way, if the dump lines DO freeze you have a few days' grace to get them thawed before you are facing full tanks and frozen dump valves.Have a great trip.Ken F in NM
Re: What and Where? Reply #4 – November 10, 2014, 10:31:09 am Yahoo Message Number: 149406with regard to freezing dump valves (sunny days and freezing nights)....we have a light weight hair dryer we keep in the rig.....Ken's experience is perfect but if you're on a time crunch, you could use a hair dryer to speed things up a bit....my two centsBill 2013 30' TB
Re: What and Where? Reply #5 – November 10, 2014, 11:42:27 am Yahoo Message Number: 149407If you regularly camp in places where the drain pipe and valves freeze, they can be wrapped with thermostatically controlled electric heat tape, available at home centers or online. I use 120-VAC and either run it off shore power or use the generator to heat the tape. The pipe can be wrapped in foam for better results and less power consumption. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Frost-King-12-ft-Water-Pipe-Heat-Cable-HC12A/100032792 https://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/sets/72157602095133892/showIf you prefer, use 12-VDC pipe and valve heaters that are specialized for RVs http://www.annodindustries.com/shop/elbow-gate-valve-heaters http://www.annodindustries.com/shop/pipe-heatersIf below freezing daytime weather is expected, where the holding tanks are expected to freeze, electric heating pads can be glued to the exterior of the holding tanks, preventing them from freezing. The tanks can also be insulated, if desired. http://www.annodindustries.com/shop/tank-heatersMost of us, if we are smart, head south and avoid this kind of weather.Larry
Re: What and Where? Reply #6 – November 10, 2014, 01:54:12 pm Yahoo Message Number: 149413"I could not even slide [the dump valves] open without risking stripping out the threads in the handle by pulling too hard."In addition to Ken's (and my) recommendation to dump before your tanks are full if you expect to see freezing temps, it's a good idea to carry a spare dump valve handle (preferably a metal one). These are available from most RV dealers.In many cases these dump valves come with plastic handles, and when the valve gets stiff in cold weather, it's easy to break the handle by pulling too hard. At that point unless you're carrying Vise-Grips (also a good idea), you're pretty much out of luck.Andy BairdTravels with Andy
Re: What and Where? Reply #7 – November 10, 2014, 02:10:00 pm Yahoo Message Number: 149416It's a *very* good idea to carry spares of dumping equipment, i.e., hoses, fittings, and valves; here's one tank valve with an aluminum handle (many online vendors of this and similar and related products):http://www.valterra.com/product-category/rv-products/aftermarket/sewer-sanitation/bladex-waste-valves-with-metal-handle/Carry spare parts; you don't want to be caught "SOL"!(And, if the weather is freezing, it's a good idea to have gloves on when you go for that metal handle!)As ever, YMMV.Joan
Re: What and Where? Reply #9 – November 10, 2014, 06:00:12 pm Yahoo Message Number: 149422Thank you for the link Joan. My valves will need replacing soon and I'm going with the metal handle. Always felt the plastic OEM units were cheap.Bob
Re: Spare Dump Valve Handle Reply #10 – November 10, 2014, 06:48:55 pm Yahoo Message Number: 149425This just happened to me - without a spare on hand. Replaced the broken plastic handle and have a spare metal one for the other plastic handle. I learned from a youtube video that it's important to protect the metal rod to which the handle is attached from direct contact with a vise grip or whatever is used to hold it firm while the broken handle is unscrewed. I wrapped it in soft cloth before squeezing the vise grip onto the rod.Chris
Re: What and Where? Reply #11 – November 11, 2014, 11:24:01 am Yahoo Message Number: 149440Thanks to all for your insight and recommendations. We are watching the weather closely. We are not traveling that far from home - to Winthrop (the Methow Valley) from Seattle but the difference in temperature is significant. It's now looking like low 20's or teens at night but above freezing during the day. We'll play it safe if it looks like it won't get over freezing during the day. Don't want to have our first outing become an unpleasant experience.
Re: What and Where? Reply #12 – November 11, 2014, 11:46:13 am Yahoo Message Number: 149442A suggestion: Fill your water tank and use the pump instead of hooking up a hose to the spigot (if you're planning to stay at one of the RV parks around the area you mentioned.) Usually, if it warms to above freezing during the day (preferably, *well* above!), you shouldn't have a problem, but just using the onboard tank water/pump is "safer" than hooking up a hose and hoping it doesn't freeze.I learned his lesson many years ago in Leadville, CO! ;-)Joan
Re: What and Where? Reply #13 – November 11, 2014, 12:00:14 pm Yahoo Message Number: 149444"A suggestion: Fill your water tank and use the pump instead of hooking up a hose to the spigot (if you're planning to stay at one of the RV parks around the area you mentioned.)"You will find a lot of us here that use this method year round, never hooking up to and using the city water supply. Too many parks have unstable water pressure. High pressure spikes can damage RV plumbing. Unless you run a high quality pressure regulator, you are always running a risk.The only freezing problems we ever have is with the drain valves, after a long very cold night. Plugging in the drain pipe & valve heater, that's wrapped around the drain valves, fixes or prevents that.Always using the water in the tank helps preserve water the conservation habits that get thrown out of the door when 'unlimited' city water is available. I have enough bad habits already.Larry
Re: What and Where? Reply #14 – November 11, 2014, 02:20:29 pm Yahoo Message Number: 149447You will find a lot of us here that use this method year round, never hooking up to and using the city water supply.--- We do, indeed; I can't remember when I last hooked up to a city/campground water supply!But, as always, YMMV.Joan
Re: What and Where? Reply #15 – November 11, 2014, 04:10:43 pm Yahoo Message Number: 149450QuoteOn Nov 11, 2014, at 12:20 PM, [lifewithalazydazerv] wrote:You will find a lot of us here that use this method year round, never hooking up to and using the city water supply.Add my name to that list ..... We fill the water tank, use it and replenish. This removes the worry of city/campground 'blow outs' when we are not around and keeps the water fresh as we replenish.GlenQuote--- We do, indeed; I can't remember when I last hooked up to a city/campground water supply!But, as always, YMMV.Joan
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