Biggest hindrance to RVing
I just posted this in another group but it probably is more relevant here.
We all like to go RVing, camping, out & about the land but sometimes have a obstacle to surmount. Its different for all but still must be overcome. Ours as of late has been a PITA , toilet. Yep, you read correctly, the toilet, john, crapper, whatever you call it. Ours started leaking months ago, that faint odor gradually becoming more pronounced. I first replaced the bowl gasket, my first foray into RV toilet work. Getting into that cramped space to work was half the battle-almost. An hour or so later and much consternation, the gasket had been replaced and seal checked. Good to go, or so we thought. Next weekend outing, it worked fine for about one day. Ughhh, back to the drawing board. To make it less painful for all observers, I replaced every seal, gasket, valve I could find and-it still leaked. I surrendered, off to the shop for $$$s and professional repair. Then out we went for a long weekend, it didnt even last the day. Now its back in the shop for a new improved Thetford toilet. Maybe, just maybe, it will last. Wish me luck.
Update on our Threatford 300 series toilet from the defective 100 series which was a plastic wobbly thing and leaked septic gas after a 4 month summer. The replacement was the 300 series which was a porcelain type. 2 years in it would not hold water in the bowl so it would emit tank odor. Yes we use deodorizers and usually only have to dump the tank twice a 4month season.
After some research I found there is seal conditioner for the 300 to use or even how to replace the seal. I will replace the seal and buy the seal conditioner I spose.
We have found a very good cleaning of the waste tanks are needed and smelly pack added. Others have found clogged vent tubes and others believe in different vent toppers to create a venturi while driving to pull gasses out or when the wind blows when parked.
We use Dawn, pinesol and the smelly packs but mainly a good clean out. Flushing both tanks several times and leaving a just a bit of water on the bottom of the tanks so nothing will dry and stick.
Best of luck
I saw your comment on the Pine-Sol; I keep a quart bottle of diluted lavender Pine-Sol in the bathroom cabinet. When out camping, I pour just a small amount in the toilet each day to help keep any odor at bay. Upon returning home from a trip & dumping tanks, I add a little more to prevent problems until our next adventure. It really does help.
John I can appreciate the pine soil tip and something I will keep in mind. I use the black tank deodorant packs and I personally seldom utilize the commode that way I have less maintenance. It's handy for Luann and besides our dear friends next door have a full septic system and by gawd I have there door key ! :D
Rock, I use the same logic during our camping trips as well. I will normally walk down to the campground bath house and use the facilities there and leave almost exclusive use of the bathroom for Ruth. That way, as you said, theres less mess at the end of the day. Theres also a lot more room to shave in the bath house; you can actually turn around without bumping into the cabinet, toilet or shower stall! But, as said, well all press on.
Our *leftovers* from the December hard freeze have now been resolved. The mixing valve cartridges in the sink & shower fixtures froze during our 17F weather event. Having never messed with those types & finding a replacement part was a pain. After a few weeks of searching the internet & big box stores, I found exactly what was needed at our last remaining old school plumbing parts house. Its amazing what real knowledgeable pros can do! Anyway, after one install & another re-install, its working and almost ready for spring. Oil changes are due all around along with the still unresolved leveling jack issue but we*re getting closer. Yes-the light at the end of the tunnel is visible & its not a train!
I have struggled with low water pressure for a few years and yes it aggravated me. By accident I left the in-line water filter out when I put water to the camper. Problem solved! The heck of it is the filter manufacturer is a company I service. GRRR
Rock, I have one of those large cartridge type water filter on my camper and it works well. You might want to check the filter micron rating (size of the holes) and possibly go up one or two sizes. I am always concerned about the big stuff getting in the system and the larger micron (bigger hole & flow) will still get all that type of stuff. Just a thought. John
As an adder to the above post, I just changed the filter canister about two weeks ago. The old one had a slight drip at one end and when the other end started leaking also, a new one was installed. Our leak appears to be gone and the new filter is probably helping a little. I have also added the source water (hose bibb) filtration canister to the mix so our water should be as good as possible. As a note, I added a little bit of bleach to the water supply hose and flushed all the connections in the motorhome. I didnt have any funky goo coming through the motorhome sinks so it appears everything was in good shape. Thats always a good feeling.
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