Dumb things I did II

[jestal]

The site were on last weekend required a sharp turn of the Rhino slinky exiting the hole in he wetbay. I had to put the tall end of the slunky bridge close to the hole to get correct drainage and route to avoid Aquahot exhaust. Every thing seemed great and trial black and gray drainage went fine.

Two days later I was dumping th black tank an decided to close the valve partway thru and hook up the black tank shower. Closed the black valve too quickly while the flow was heavy and got the surprise of my life. The "water hammer" effect of the full slinky suddenly stopping tipped the entire graduated slunky bridge over which twisted it enough to disconnect the 90 degree fitting at the sewer.

I grabbed the Rhino slinky hose just under the floor of the coach. Next I noticed there was a growing puddle under the coach and there was blood in it and running down my hand.......

Lesson: Check those screws that secure the ring around the sewer exit port. They stick out quit a ways below the bottom of the coach floor and they are sharp as razors. One had sliced the Rhino hose when it tipped over and one nabbed the back of my hand in my haste.


Don't shut the sewer valve quickly enough to cause the slinky hose to move. Luckily the Rhino fitting reseated after trmming the cut section away and I only lost about 6 inches of hose.

My sewer screws now have rubber stopper caps RTV'd over the sharp ends.

Big mess but no permanent damage.

[frankdamp]

I hope that getting sewage into an open wound didn't do any additional harm.

[hawgguy]

Originally Posted by frankdamp

I hope that getting sewage into an open wound didn't do any additional harm.

Nah, what could happen? Rub some dirt on it :-)

[hawgguy]

Not dumb. Just unfortunate.

[jestal]

That's why I keep my tetanus shots up to date

[fla tom]

On our last coach I replaced the sef tapping screws with stainless screws and nuts so no sharp edges

[brobox]

I cut those screw off with a drumel as soon as I brought the MH home. I did the same thing on my first hookup pushing the hose up through the bottom. Those screws are murder in an emergency situation! Good advice and one others should heed before it is too late.

[jestal]

Good idea on the screws and nuts. I thought the same thing this afternoon but didn't think to stop at Lowes to get the stainless steel items. First thing tomorrow afternoon!

[Cruzer]

On our last coach they were all over the place. I couldn't work underneath there on a creeper without ripping some clothing. Dremel tool works great.

[HRvindeb]

Originally Posted by jestal

The site were on last weekend required a sharp turn of the Rhino slinky exiting the hole in he wetbay. I had to put the tall end of the slunky bridge close to the hole to get correct drainage and route to avoid Aquahot exhaust. Every thing seemed great and trial black and gray drainage went fine.

Two days later I was dumping th black tank an decided to close the valve partway thru and hook up the black tank shower. Closed the black valve too quickly while the flow was heavy and got the surprise of my life. The "water hammer" effect of the full slinky suddenly stopping tipped the entire graduated slunky bridge over which twisted it enough to disconnect the 90 degree fitting at the sewer.

I grabbed the Rhino slinky hose just under the floor of the coach. Next I noticed there was a growing puddle under the coach and there was blood in it and running down my hand.......

Lesson: Check those screws that secure the ring around the sewer exit port. They stick out quit a ways below the bottom of the coach floor and they are sharp as razors. One had sliced the Rhino hose when it tipped over and one nabbed the back of my hand in my haste.


Don't shut the sewer valve quickly enough to cause the slinky hose to move. Luckily the Rhino fitting reseated after trmming the cut section away and I only lost about 6 inches of hose.

My sewer screws now have rubber stopper caps RTV'd over the sharp ends.

Big mess but no permanent damage.

Thanks for sharing and what things not to do. Always want those kind tasks to go as smooth as possible!

That's what make this forum such a great place to learn.

[wa8yxm]

One of the smarter things I was told when I started RVing was this:

To insure the tank is truly empty and not still drizzling.. put a clear plastic extensioon on the "exhaust port" (hose connection) That way you can visually verify empty... My guess is some folks have unhooked the hose while it was still full.

Well this advice had a side, ro in this case bottom effect.

On my coach (Yours may need a different size) the 5" extension puts the hose connection JUST BELOW the port (under the coach) and I hang an elbow (usually 45 degree) on the extension.. They also make 30 and 90 degree elbows.. this means the hose is not as stressed, it does not go past those nasty screws (only the hard plastic is in that area ) the screws never have a chance to puncture it.

And let me tell you 2 weeks ago when Sal came to visit (that's Sal Monilla) That hose got a good workout.

[Gordon Dewald]

This is not one of those "What Were They Thinking" moments but it would/could have made money on Americas Funniest Home Videos.

The pictures have been blotted and the names have been changed to protect the guilty and innocent alike.

As mentioned it was unfortunate but 'shlt happens'.

Glad you are OK.