Maiden Voyage a Success

Moving Target · 07-07-2011, 06:34 AM

Our first trip to the lake last weekend with our 23' Flight G2 was great!!! Only little problem was the hitch latch did not want to open to release from the ball. Had a neighbor camper guy come over and help me with it. New paint was making it stick.

Everything worked in the TT. Even though I conserved water doing dishes and very quick showers, my grey tank filled at the 2 day mark. (35 gal tank, I think) Can this tank be upgraded to a larger capacity?

I am trying to find an enclosed outdoor shower to use outside with my outdoor shower hookup. Any ideas?

Looking forward to the Roper Lake trip in Sep.

Thank you all for the boost of confidence before I took our trip.

Kathie

wiscampsin · 07-07-2011, 06:54 AM

Glad to hear your maiden voyage worked out well. Have you considered a portable waste tank by Barker or Thetford? Cheaper than retrofitting your stock tank if it can even be done.

http://tweetys.com/portableholdingtanks.aspx

Denise · 07-07-2011, 10:09 AM

Glad you first trip went well Kathie! Nice that you were able to interact with your "neighbors". We've pretty much had a lot of luck with other rv'ers in a cg. Great group of people and very helpful!

Moving Target · 07-08-2011, 06:55 AM

Thanks, Healthi. It was a great trip and looking forward to the next one.

Wiscampsin, thank you for the Tweety site. Lots of good stuff on there and I think I will pick up a portable tank for gray water.

Kathie

TexasA&M · 07-08-2011, 08:32 AM

If possible, find a portable tank that is larger than your biggest waste tank (yours are probably both 32 gallons). Get at least a 35 or larger portable tank. Then you won't have to worry about cutting the valve off at the right time and the job will be easier/cleaner, especially when it comes time to empty the black tank.

Moving Target · 07-09-2011, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexasA&M

If possible, find a portable tank that is larger than your biggest waste tank (yours are probably both 32 gallons). Get at least a 35 or larger portable tank. Then you won't have to worry about cutting the valve off at the right time and the job will be easier/cleaner, especially when it comes time to empty the black tank.

TX, I didn't fill up the black water tank but the grey water tank filled within 2 days. If I go for a 4 day trip I would like to dump once at the end of the trip.

Parcany · 07-10-2011, 09:19 PM

Congrats on your first trip. Had the same problem with the latch, fixed it by putting grease where the ball hitch goes. it lubes everything up, and makes it work easier. I also have a thetford 32 gallon tank and let me say it was one of the best things we bought for the trailer. again congrats Ernie

Moving Target · 07-11-2011, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parcany

Congrats on your first trip. Had the same problem with the latch, fixed it by putting grease where the ball hitch goes. it lubes everything up, and makes it work easier. I also have a thetford 32 gallon tank and let me say it was one of the best things we bought for the trailer. again congrats Ernie

Ernie, I am going to go purchase the white lithium grease spray for the ball and hitch.
32 gal tank will be a purchase also.
And thanks for the help.

Retired Army

Kathie

PS. lol How does the tank actually hook up to the RV?

**Crabman** · 07-11-2011, 11:54 AM

Great first trip. We also use a tote tank for grey water as many of the parks we frequent do not have sewer hookups. No big deal, fill it and tow it to the dumpstation.

**Crabman** · 07-11-2011, 12:05 PM

Quote:

PS. lol How does the tank actually hook up to the RV?
__________________

I just use the sewer hose that came with my Barker Blue tote tank, hook it up to the trailer and the tank and pull the grey water valve. The small vent plug on top of the tank must also be partially unscrewed to allow air to escape when filling. There is also a small hose that comes with it and an adapter that can be hooked up to the dump valve on the trailer and to the tank for grey water use only. If you dumped black water you would have to use the large sewer hose previously mentioned. I have never yet dumped black water, never had to.

Terry · 07-12-2011, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crabman

I just use the sewer hose that came with my Barker Blue tote tank, hook it up to the trailer and the tank and pull the grey water valve. The small vent plug on top of the tank must also be partially unscrewed to allow air to escape when filling. There is also a small hose that comes with it and an adapter that can be hooked up to the dump valve on the trailer and to the tank for grey water use only. If you dumped black water you would have to use the large sewer hose previously mentioned. I have never yet dumped black water, never had to.

My hose that came with my Barker got a pin hole in it not long after I got it...it is fairly cheap - so I just use my Rhino hose.

I used mine once for Black. It was not that exciting, lol -- the vent smell was quite unpleasant but you know - it was better than packing everything up and going to the dump station. I just made sure I only partially filled it and then ran some gray to clean the pipes. Once I got it dumped, I opened up the top cap and ran lots of water to rinse it out. I would not want to do it regularly, but it was not that bad.

Having that Barker is great when we are without sewer. I just make it a daily chore to empty the gray water - mainly in the early evening when everything is winding down. It is just more enjoyable for the family to be able to take showers and use the sink, etc and because of that they want to camp more -- well worth the trouble as far as I am concerned.

Moving Target · 07-17-2011, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crabman

I just use the sewer hose that came with my Barker Blue tote tank, hook it up to the trailer and the tank and pull the grey water valve. The small vent plug on top of the tank must also be partially unscrewed to allow air to escape when filling. There is also a small hose that comes with it and an adapter that can be hooked up to the dump valve on the trailer and to the tank for grey water use only. If you dumped black water you would have to use the large sewer hose previously mentioned. I have never yet dumped black water, never had to.

Which is a better tote? The Barker Blue tote or the Thetford?

Moving Target · 07-17-2011, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parcany

Congrats on your first trip. Had the same problem with the latch, fixed it by putting grease where the ball hitch goes. it lubes everything up, and makes it work easier. I also have a thetford 32 gallon tank and let me say it was one of the best things we bought for the trailer. again congrats Ernie

Ernie and Crabman, thanks for all the advice and help with the portable tote and ball and hitch issue.

Looking forward to the trip in Sep. Tote and grease in hand!! lol
Kathie

Terry · 07-17-2011, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moving Target

Which is a better tote? The Barker Blue tote or the Thetford?

I did quite a bit of research. The Thetford seemed to have a better hookup system to the camper, but the Barker had much better ratings and opinions throughout the various online shopping sites. I know when I am camping around here, I see probably 5 to 1 blue totes over the Thetfords if that tells you anything.

29BHS ECO · 07-17-2011, 09:16 AM

Moving Target, try cabela's for the outdoor shower Larry

Moving Target · 07-18-2011, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tafische

I did quite a bit of research. The Thetford seemed to have a better hookup system to the camper, but the Barker had much better ratings and opinions throughout the various online shopping sites. I know when I am camping around here, I see probably 5 to 1 blue totes over the Thetfords if that tells you anything.

Probably the best research is looking to see what is being used the most out there. Thanks, Taf.

Moving Target · 07-18-2011, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 19H F250

Moving Target, try cabela's for the outdoor shower Larry

Larry, I love Cabela's. I will look online. Thanks!!
Kathie

**Crabman** · 07-18-2011, 06:39 PM

The Barker totes do seem to get good reviews, as does their customer service. and Barker stuff is made in Michigan, at least I know their tongue jacks are. Not Isyakistan or China. I also have a Barker tongue jack. All this stuff gets easier with a little experience. Enjoy your new trailer!

Parcany · 07-18-2011, 09:39 PM

I have a thetford. the first one that I bought had a problem of not draining all the way. Called Thetford and they sent me another one free, was told that I could keep the first one also. so customer service for thetford was great. One thing I will say is putting new tires that you can fill with air is not as easy as the barker. [doesn't make as much noise when pulling]. All in all I am very happy with the thetford. EErrnie

Parcany · 07-18-2011, 09:50 PM

One more thing that I just remembered, whichever one you buy set your truck up like you are going to tow the trailer and then hook up the tank, make sure it goes over the 2 5/16 ball. and then tow it down the road for a little bit. I take another hitch with a 2 in ball and when its time I put that in the reciever and tow the tank.Later Ernie

You may also like: