When your wife offers to help -- RUN

[Pepper2]

Interesting read. We are in the I do the hook ups and she does the interior set up camp. Has worked well for us. And yes, silence can be golden!

[Jim T.]

I am handicapped to the extent that I'm mostly ballast. So my wife does it ALL: hook up, unhook, interior, exterior, driving, and the night before route planning. I do the on-the-road navigating, but if she disagrees, I defer to her. Sure, she makes mistakes, but so do I. We try to treat mistakes as an opportunity to learn. Occasionally things get tense, but life is an adventure!






Jim & Shirley & Abbie (Scottish Terrier)
2013 Newmar Canyon Star 3911
2005 Dodge Grand Caravan - Braun Accessibility Modified Toad
Remco Lube Pump
5 Star Tune
Progressive Industries EMS-HW50C
Coach Net Emergency Road Service

[SpaceNorman]

Originally Posted by timjet

I've given up trying to explain the difference between AC and DC power....

The one we just can't seem to get past is her glee when we pull up to a "Electric Only" sight with 100 gallons of fresh water in the tank and empty holding tanks - and she spots a water spigot that may be close enough to stretch a hose too.

I've had to explain that having access to more fresh water / without a way to dump the holding tanks get rid of the 100 gallons we've already got on board doesn't help us a bit - so many times that it's become an ongoing joke with us now. I kid her with an exaggerated "Oh look! A water Spigot!" every time we see one these days. Fortunately, even she's starting to laugh about that one!

[mel s]

Rather telling stories about mistakes AFTER they're made I much prefer explaining how things should be done BEFORE mistakes are made.
My wife is as capable of learning as I am and can do most any RV related job correctly...(even the "outside stuff" I'm normally responsible for).
Mel
'96 Safari

[TR4]

Funny story! I'm lucky, my wife is perfect!

[rgwarren718]

I actually do not mind my wife learning how to set up the RV and yes I could have and maybe should have shown her the A.B.C's of hooking up the water. However in my defense with only two ends of a hose and everything marked on the RV as to what every connection is I thought I was safe.

The next time we are out with the RV I told her she can try the 50 AMP hookup.

So if you see a bright flash on the horizon look for me next entry.

[jpharley]

We work as a team when setting up/tearing down. He does a few inside things like stow the coffee table and I help with outside things like working the Big Foot system. After 8 years of full timing, we know our assigned tasks but we always and I mean always check on each other to make sure we have not forgotten to do something. I know how each system works even though spouse mainly deals with hook ups and hitching/unhitching. I do not drive (towing or not) because he is an uncomfortable passenger whenever he is a passenger in anyone's vehicle. It does not have anything to do with my driving skill which he admits is excellent.

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by rgwarren718

While our last trip in the RV we had an interesting experience that I wish to share.

About midway in our trip we stopped at a KOA outside of Toronto, Ontario. My wife usually takes care of the inside stuff asked to help with the outside setup. I first said no but she insisted. She said how about I hook up the city water. Hmmm, that sounds like something she could handle after all she has a masters degree, what could go wrong.

I was inside the RV and she yelled in that it was all hooked up and the water was on. So I tried the kitchen tap and no water. So I went outside to the wet well to take a look. Instead of hooking into the plainly mark "city water" connection she attached it to the black tank flush. Now that may not have been so bad but before Toronto we were in a Provincial park that had no sewer hookup so after 6 days it was close to being full.

As I looked at the connection and heard the water flowing my brain was trying to tell me this is a very bad thing but it took me about fifteen seconds to realize the incoming water had NO PLACE TO GO BUT UP. I quickly turned the water off and showed my wife her mistake. Then she asked me how she did that. I quickly replied, your the one with the Masters Degree you tell me. Wrong thing to say but we wont get into that. I advised her to go into the RV and check the two toilets. Then she asked me what was she looking for. What I wanted to say is not printable here but what I did say is "You will know it when you see it". A minute later in a much more quieter tone I hear "Honey we have a problem". My response " No WE don't.

So I went to take a look and indeed the toilet directly over the black tank did it's best impression of Old Faithful. It was nasty but I did offer to help. I got the bucket, soap and rubber gloves for her.

But I do have a question. Why do you women think the silent treatment is some sort of punishment?

Shhhs! Don't tell them! Let them keep on thinking that!

[twogypsies]

It doesn't sound like you guys EVER make a mistake!

[raineman]

I must be with the OP's sister. Loves to help, hates for anyone to explain how something works no matter how approached. And if I am just in a quiet mood, she assumes I must be mad at her. That's when it is beer -thirty for me. Time to sit back, shut up and just watch. There are times she can have a whole argument with herself without me ever opening my mouth

[BobMontgomer]

I recently watched a YouTube video where a salesman was showing where to hook up a hose to rinse out the black water tank on a 2015 Leperchaun 230CB. The only problem is it was the city water hookup. There is no black water tank rinse hookup on this model. Dahhh.

[Pepper2]

Originally Posted by twogypsies

It doesn't sound like you guys EVER make a mistake!

Oh boy, do we ever. There's just a separate thread for those!

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by Pepper2

Interesting read. We are in the I do the hook ups and she does the interior set up camp. Has worked well for us. And yes, silence can be golden!

That's how we do it too, although when it's time to put the slides out she sits and waits for me to do them. Plus we take seven cats with us so we need to be sure they are out of the way.

[96 Wideglide]

Don't think my wife has ever seen the inside of the wet bay.

There's a good possibility she never will!