Questions from a "Newbie" RVer
Moderator: Mike Clay
- Mike and Jo Anne
- Posts: 252
- Joined: Fri Aug 03, 2007 1:20 pm
- Location: California Lincoln
- Cardinal Owners: Cardinal, 2006, 30' with 3 slide's
- Location: California Lincoln
- Contact:
Re: Questions from a "Newbie" RVer
Welcome to the Cardinal Club, your going to have a great time. I've read over most of the advise given about what type of truck to buy. One thing missing is the rear gear ratio. That is one of the most important things that we have found for towing. We have a 1 ton Ford but we had to order ours built to our specifications. None of the Dealers had the right gear ration on a lot for what we needed. We choose a 4.30 rear end. We also choose a single axle without 4 wheel drive as it added more than 3,000 extra pounds of towning capacity. Ford has a good book, if you can locate one on the maximum required for towing different size trailers. I'm sure that Dodge would have something available too. And like the others said Trailer Life puts out a towning guide every year. Everyone has thier own preference as to what brand they like.
Good luck and looking forward to meeting you at a Rally.
Mike and Jo Anne
Good luck and looking forward to meeting you at a Rally.
Mike and Jo Anne
2000 Ford 350, Lariat, 2W,V10, 4.30r, crew cab, w/banks system
2006, 30' Cardinal 3/slides
Good Sam Life Members
We travel with our Dog Zoe-ee (Vizsla)
2006, 30' Cardinal 3/slides
Good Sam Life Members
We travel with our Dog Zoe-ee (Vizsla)
- pattyrn5
- Posts: 111
- Joined: Mon Jan 04, 2010 4:37 pm
- Location: Tennessee Chattanooga
- Cardinal Owners: Cardinal LE FW
- Location: Tennessee
Re: Questions from a "Newbie" RVer
We are staying at French Camp RV Park in Manceta maybe we could have a Newbie lunch and load you down with info from all us old folks. We have been full timers since 04 and we learn new stuff every day. (read the post about battery cables).
Re: Questions from a "Newbie" RVer
Finally stable. We finally got this thing leveled and stable. I used the x-chocks on the tires. Very easy to use. I put in a super kingpin tripod. I also used two each of the slide out stabilizers one each slide out. This thing is finally solid. Still learning all this stuff.
Re: Questions from a "Newbie" RVer
Claude&Carole.......gotta tell ya....there is always something new to learn That's one of the resaons our Club is so wonderful!
Re: Questions from a "Newbie" RVer
Question re sanitizing the Fresh Water system.
We have been living in the rig for two months on city water. The fresh water tank is still empty. I want to sanitize it as a back up. (We already lost city water once when a pipe broke)
I bought the tabs to put in the fresh water tank.
As I understand the procedure, I disconnect city water, put the tabs in the fresh water tank and fill it. Let it sit for several hours. Open all valves and let it drain. Flush and readd fresh water. My question is the hot water heater. I know it should never be allowed to go dry. Any ideas on what I may be missing before I start this? Thanks for sharing your wisdom. Claude
We have been living in the rig for two months on city water. The fresh water tank is still empty. I want to sanitize it as a back up. (We already lost city water once when a pipe broke)
I bought the tabs to put in the fresh water tank.
As I understand the procedure, I disconnect city water, put the tabs in the fresh water tank and fill it. Let it sit for several hours. Open all valves and let it drain. Flush and readd fresh water. My question is the hot water heater. I know it should never be allowed to go dry. Any ideas on what I may be missing before I start this? Thanks for sharing your wisdom. Claude
- Chief409
- Posts: 3945
- Joined: Sun May 20, 2007 8:21 pm
- Location: California Rosamond
Mojave Desert - Cardinal Owners: 2007 30WBLE
- Location: California Rosamond
Re: Questions from a "Newbie" RVer
Claude, unless you drain the hot water heater using it's drain, and leave that open, you should be OK. You should turn off the propane and the electric heater element while you're running the fresh water tank water through the system just to save the gas and ensure nothing bad can happen. Remember, you want to sanitize the line from the tank to the pump, and the pump. Additionally, this would be a good time to put some tank cleaner down the kitchen sink, and clean the Galley tank, too.
My procedure:
Drain and fill the fresh water tank, add the sanitizer. Follow the package directions for how long it needs to sit. When it's time to start flushing the tank and lines, turn off the city water and the hot water heater. Remove the water filter element, (bleed the water pressure off first) put it in a pot and reassemble the water filter. For a first time flush you need to flush the line to the water pump. But it's a good procedure to do any time you sanitize the fresh water tank. Turn on the water pump and open the cold water at the galley sink until the galley tank is about 2/3 full at least. I like to put in some tank cleaner and clean the galley tank when I do all this. Turn off the water pump, drain the fresh water tank, refill and repeat without the sanitizer. Do this until you can't taste any sanitizer in the water at the galley sink. Remember, don't over fill the galley tank. Since the tank cleaner needs some time to work, if the galley tank gets full, use the shower.
After the taste is gone, reassemble the water filter, fill the fresh water tank, turn on the city water, and if you didn't turn on a hot water faucet, the hot water heater should be OK after letting the hot water run for 5 - 10 minutes, then turn on the water heater. Oh, and drain the galley tank.
You'll do all this when you put "pink stuff" anti-freeze in, when you flush the system, if you put the trailer in storage sometime.
My procedure:
Drain and fill the fresh water tank, add the sanitizer. Follow the package directions for how long it needs to sit. When it's time to start flushing the tank and lines, turn off the city water and the hot water heater. Remove the water filter element, (bleed the water pressure off first) put it in a pot and reassemble the water filter. For a first time flush you need to flush the line to the water pump. But it's a good procedure to do any time you sanitize the fresh water tank. Turn on the water pump and open the cold water at the galley sink until the galley tank is about 2/3 full at least. I like to put in some tank cleaner and clean the galley tank when I do all this. Turn off the water pump, drain the fresh water tank, refill and repeat without the sanitizer. Do this until you can't taste any sanitizer in the water at the galley sink. Remember, don't over fill the galley tank. Since the tank cleaner needs some time to work, if the galley tank gets full, use the shower.
After the taste is gone, reassemble the water filter, fill the fresh water tank, turn on the city water, and if you didn't turn on a hot water faucet, the hot water heater should be OK after letting the hot water run for 5 - 10 minutes, then turn on the water heater. Oh, and drain the galley tank.
You'll do all this when you put "pink stuff" anti-freeze in, when you flush the system, if you put the trailer in storage sometime.
Jeff & Terry
U.S.N. Ret
2012 F350 Lariat FX4 6.7 Diesel Dually, Crew Cab, LWB, 50 gal Transfer Flow toolbox/tank
2007 Cardinal 30WBLE, "the 'Bird", ONAN gen.
The more I see in my travels, the more I realize there is so much more to see.
U.S.N. Ret
2012 F350 Lariat FX4 6.7 Diesel Dually, Crew Cab, LWB, 50 gal Transfer Flow toolbox/tank
2007 Cardinal 30WBLE, "the 'Bird", ONAN gen.
The more I see in my travels, the more I realize there is so much more to see.
- Don Wilson
- Region Leader Admin
- Posts: 7471
- Joined: Sat Mar 25, 2006 3:27 pm
- Location: California Riverbank
- Cardinal Owners: 2019 3350
- Location: New Mexico - California
Re: Questions from a "Newbie" RVer
Claude, Here is the procedure from Good Sam
Sanitizing your fresh water tank
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
•Drain your tank.
•Prepare a chlorine solution by mixing a quarter cup of liquid household bleach with a gallon of water. Use one gallon of solution for each 15 gallons of tank capacity.
•Turn off all the faucets and close all drain valves. Pour the solution into the fresh water tank.
•Fill the tank the remainder of the way with fresh water.
•Turn on the water pump. Open all faucets one at a time to remove air from the lines. When water begins to flow steadily, turn faucet off.
•Refill the tank with fresh water and let stand 3-6 hours.
•Drain the system by opening all faucets and the fresh water tank drain valve while flushing the system with drinking quality water.
•Continue flushing the system, allowing the water to flow for several minutes.
•Close the tank drain valve and faucets. Refill the system with drinking quality water.
Following these simple tips can prevent problems and provide you with a safe fresh water system.
Don
Sanitizing your fresh water tank
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
•Drain your tank.
•Prepare a chlorine solution by mixing a quarter cup of liquid household bleach with a gallon of water. Use one gallon of solution for each 15 gallons of tank capacity.
•Turn off all the faucets and close all drain valves. Pour the solution into the fresh water tank.
•Fill the tank the remainder of the way with fresh water.
•Turn on the water pump. Open all faucets one at a time to remove air from the lines. When water begins to flow steadily, turn faucet off.
•Refill the tank with fresh water and let stand 3-6 hours.
•Drain the system by opening all faucets and the fresh water tank drain valve while flushing the system with drinking quality water.
•Continue flushing the system, allowing the water to flow for several minutes.
•Close the tank drain valve and faucets. Refill the system with drinking quality water.
Following these simple tips can prevent problems and provide you with a safe fresh water system.
Don
We don't know a stranger only friends we haven't met yet!
Don
2019 Cardinal 3350RLX Luxury Edition
2014 Dodge 3500 2WD DRW Long Bed
2024 Nights Camped 46
2023 Nights Camped 33
2022 Nights Camped 24
Rallies Attended - 50
Frog - 5
Don
2019 Cardinal 3350RLX Luxury Edition
2014 Dodge 3500 2WD DRW Long Bed
2024 Nights Camped 46
2023 Nights Camped 33
2022 Nights Camped 24
Rallies Attended - 50
Frog - 5
Re: Questions from a "Newbie" RVer
Thanks so much. I will try this this weekend. Still learnin all this stuff. Whew!
Re: Questions from a "Newbie" RVer
Another question from ignorance...
Under what circumstances do I use a water pressure reducer? We are now in a mobile home park and connected to city water. The flow is much better without the reducer. Is there a danger here I am not aware of? I have to confess max ignorance.
Under what circumstances do I use a water pressure reducer? We are now in a mobile home park and connected to city water. The flow is much better without the reducer. Is there a danger here I am not aware of? I have to confess max ignorance.
Re: Questions from a "Newbie" RVer
Hi Claude and Carole, I use a regulator all the time, just to be safe. A lot of people don't like them due to low water pressure, especially in the shower. I like to be safe, not sorry. Your water pressure should be around 60 PSI or lower. Anything above that can literly blow your plastic lines apart. As Don said above use a quarter of a cup of bleach for every 15 gallons the tank holds. I think that boils down to a cup of bleach for a 70 gallon tank. I always have problems getting the cup of bleach into the bird, so now I just put one end of hose into the bird, go to the other end, disconnecting it from the house or another hose, and pour the bleach into the hose. Reconect and turn on water, and let the water pressure push the bleach into the tank. Keeps the bleach off of you. Hope this helps. John
- Chief409
- Posts: 3945
- Joined: Sun May 20, 2007 8:21 pm
- Location: California Rosamond
Mojave Desert - Cardinal Owners: 2007 30WBLE
- Location: California Rosamond
Re: Questions from a "Newbie" RVer
I use a regulator. I learned from a home inspector that water pressure at a faucet on a muni water system isn't steady, and can often jump by 20 - 30 psi, or more, for varying periods of time. And some systems often run as high as 70 psi or more to start with.
Jeff & Terry
U.S.N. Ret
2012 F350 Lariat FX4 6.7 Diesel Dually, Crew Cab, LWB, 50 gal Transfer Flow toolbox/tank
2007 Cardinal 30WBLE, "the 'Bird", ONAN gen.
The more I see in my travels, the more I realize there is so much more to see.
U.S.N. Ret
2012 F350 Lariat FX4 6.7 Diesel Dually, Crew Cab, LWB, 50 gal Transfer Flow toolbox/tank
2007 Cardinal 30WBLE, "the 'Bird", ONAN gen.
The more I see in my travels, the more I realize there is so much more to see.
- Mike Clay
- Council, Administrator
- Posts: 13249
- Joined: Mon Mar 13, 2006 8:53 am
- Location: Oregon Gresham
- Cardinal Owners: 2016 3850RL Estate
- Skype ID: Mike-Clay
- Location: Oregon Gresham
Re: Questions from a "Newbie" RVer
I use one all the time also, never use to but one park we go to all the time has very high water pressure
Mike, Susanna & Rudy
2016 3850RL Estate "Proto Grigio"
2019 Silverado 3500HD Dually D/A 4x4 LTZ
My dreams are too big for my wallet
Rallies attended - 32
Nights camping in 2013:159 2014:269 2015:Full Timers
2016 3850RL Estate "Proto Grigio"
2019 Silverado 3500HD Dually D/A 4x4 LTZ
My dreams are too big for my wallet
Rallies attended - 32
Nights camping in 2013:159 2014:269 2015:Full Timers
- WVcampers
- Posts: 1192
- Joined: Sun May 04, 2008 4:46 pm
- Location: West Virginia Pocatalico
- Cardinal Owners: 2018 Cardinal 3250RL Luxury
- Location: West Virginia Pocatalico
Re: Questions from a "Newbie" RVer
I normally use one, but last month we were in High Point NC at a city owned campground and the water pressure did not seem high when I flushed the connection. So I did not put the regulator on. After 2 days I noticed water on the floor an thought that someone had spilled the dog's water. I found out the next day that it was the lines connected to the kitchen faucet leaking. I was a plumber for 10 years and I know that water pressure can double during low usage hours, usually at night, but I thought that the shower would feel good with more pressure. Now I am hoping that there was no permenant damage to the plank flooring. I bet I won't hook up again without the regulator.
By the way I use a regulator from Lowes. It is a whole house regulator that is adjustable and I put hose connections on each end. The hose fittings can be purchased at Lowes too. The small ones that they sell for RVs don't seem to last very long.
By the way I use a regulator from Lowes. It is a whole house regulator that is adjustable and I put hose connections on each end. The hose fittings can be purchased at Lowes too. The small ones that they sell for RVs don't seem to last very long.
Randy & Carol
Elbie (weiner dog)
2018 Cardinal 3250 RLX Luxury Edition
2019 Ford F350 6.7PSD Lariat 4x4 SRW
Elbie (weiner dog)
2018 Cardinal 3250 RLX Luxury Edition
2019 Ford F350 6.7PSD Lariat 4x4 SRW