May 16, 2008, 12:08 am

Thanks for all the helpful info its really appreciated.  We have needed to get so many things for the camper we are overwhelmed.  From slide spray to rubber seal spray, to hoses and fittings and every other item we need or have to have its making my head spin and my wallet sag.  So much for ruffung it we are going to use up the 3000lbs cargo capacity before we pack it to leave yet.  So many different tanks and seals and they all have different chemicals and solvents and lubricants to help them and various intervals that need to be followed and maintained.  We are enjoying it and ready for our first trip in less than a few weeks we hope to get a few local overnites in before the big trip I am sure we need to do that to see if we are forgeting anything else.  Thanks again keep in touch and happy camping....Erik and Vera Fish 

May 12, 2008, 9:53 am

When I started full timing, I did the same thing you are doing now, aking questions from seasoned campers.

I got so many opposing answers that I had to decide for myslef. I erred on the side of preventative maintenance.

 

If the reccomendationd from the manufacturer said to use RV/TP that is what I used. I still use it. Yes, it is much more expensive, but I try to buy it on sale. Good luck to the folks who get away with regular TP, but I perfer to be on the safe side.

No matter what you do the tank will have a residue build up in it. You will need to do a good flush job with a water wand. I put a couple of bags of ice cubes down the toilet into a freshly dumped tank just before hitting the road.

The bigger the tank the more ice you will need.

The ice will slosh around and scrape the inside of the tank and help to loosen the build up.

 

I use AquaChem, because I like the smell. I buy it by the gallon and after a few times I can pour just the right amount without measureing. Using it in the gray water tank once in a while is good too.

Drinking water: I use two filters, one outside the camper, and one on the sink for filtering drinking water, coffee water, and cooking water. Any other water need is taken right out of the tap. I use a heavy duty outside filter, with brass fittings on each end.

The plastic ones are difficult to tighten and not have them leak.

I use taste pure for water purification in the water tank. I use tank water only in over the road conditions, to flush the toilet and when hook ups are not available which is very rare.

I also fill the water tank and use up the water in it once in a while to keep it fresher.

This reminds me to do this again soon.

If you have a wet cell RV battery check it twice a month, to keep it full of distilled water, not tap water. I use a squeeze bulb and tubing. You can get a water filling outfit from Campingworld. It's a lot easier than using a measuring cup.

 

 

May 11, 2008, 12:20 pm

welcome to camping.  this is our 7th year in a atraavel trailer.  before that it was only me camping with a girl scout troop in tents.  toilet paper.  i like SCOTT regular.  it is not as expensive as rv paper and it works well.  it is cheaper than rv paper.  i have a septic in my house and have found that soft cushy paper will clogg it up and i will not ever snake the septic out again!  we use a charcoal filter on the outside line for water but then we do not drink campground water.  we bring water from home, but then we are only two old people and a dog.  we only use campground wateer to wash and flush.  and we clean out our lines every now and then with a bleach and water  rinsing.  to kill molds, bugs, bacteria, and whatever.  a few camp trips and you will determine what you really, realy need.   happy camping y'all!   bnemeth

May 7, 2008, 10:37 am

Welcome to this wonderful world!  We have been full-timers since 2005 and we have been enjoying every mile. 

We have tried them all and have our favorites which many others have their own as well.  This is a learning experience and you will need to choose what is best for you too.  Our choice for toilet/tank chemicals is first of all to always use them...some people do not...we notice the difference and always use "Oxy Chem" drop in packs that can be purchase at Wal-Mart in the RV Section...we drop one packet whenever we dump in the black tank and then about once a month or when the sinks have a smell to them we close the grey tank and pour some down all the drains including the shower and allow it to stay in the grey tank as long as possible before dumping.

At first we always used the RV toilet paper but have since changed our minds on this...for the past year or so we use regular toilet paper and have had no problems.  A way to test your choice of TP is to take a few sheets and put it in some water and see how fast it dissolves, try to use the brand that dissolves quicker than others, usually one ply but we have used 2 ply at times that ended up dissolving quicker than the one ply.

As for your fresh water purifier, we use the charcoal activated filter that hooks up to your hose and bought at Wal-Mart in the RV section for about $20...we use it EVERY time we hook up since water in campgrounds for the most part is nasty...we replace it every few months...you will be able to taste it when it no longer filters the water.

Any other questions feel free to ask away and also feel free to check out our website for more information at www.hittheroadjackenterprises.com we have some great learning experience stories that will only come with more time living this lifestyle.

Jerry & Kimberly