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rgwarren718 · 06-22-2016, 09:21 PM

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?

BillJinOR · 06-22-2016, 09:37 PM

Normally when someone does something it's nice to have the person who does the job be present to demonstrate / guide the learner to the proper procedures. Sure reads to me like you said ok go ahead and left for the inside. Long ago I was in charge of training at a large business and I'd give the silent treatment too after I fired the trainer :-)
Personally if I become ill etc I want my DW to be able to do it all as well as I trade and do the inside work .. Last time we traded I forgot to lock the sliding door my degree didn't help me either I guess ! LOL

SpaceNorman · 06-22-2016, 11:02 PM

Great story! RVing certainly creates some interesting situations as folks learn to work together. My DW worked nearly 35 years as a pediatric intensive care nurse. She's smart as the come ... except when it means dealing with things mechanical / electrical and/or anything involving the laws of physics. We've owned our coach for a little more than a year - and she still struggles to put the pieces together in terms of what does and doesn't work depending on what our "utilities" status is (i.e., power source, water sources and sewer connection).

The fact that she HATES it if/when I try to tell her / explain it to her makes for some interesting dynamics as we travel. I'll see her trying to use something that worked yesterday while we were connected to a 50 amp full hookup site ... that doesn't function today as we dry camp in a Walmart parking lot. If I jump in and explain it or tell her what to do to make it work - she gets irritated. I've had to learn to just let her fumble a bit until she asks. Other times, when her fumbling has the potential to cause damage - and I jump in too soon ... she's not happy.

She's getting better with it ... but I suspect a lot of her progress is rote learning as opposed to really understanding why things work / don't work / need to be done in the proscribed manner. Slowly but steadily - we're learning to work together to make the RV lifestyle work for us!.

Mr_D · 06-22-2016, 11:07 PM

After just short of 30 years of marriage the DW doesn't offer to help me. She knows I have MY way of doing things and stays out of the way. In fact, sometimes too much out of the way! She's quite "explosive" but gets over it quickly.

Old-Biscuit · 06-22-2016, 11:23 PM

7 Ps
Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance

Wife has the Masters Degree.
You get the Darwins Award
(failure to show/instruct/train her and then telling her to 'check' toilets....didn't it dawn on you she would OPEN one to check it)

Teach her a lesson...........NO
All you did was cause a nasty mess......fecal matter/liquids inside your RV

Big Oil Guy · 06-23-2016, 12:47 AM

I think a couple of you guys need to lay off the caffeine and quit taking life so seriously. Pretty sure rgwarren718 was telling a STORY, rather than relating an actual occurrence! And... like SpaceNorman said, "Great Story".

0rion · 06-23-2016, 03:35 AM

yeah....it's his fault for not teaching her to READ. Come on guys.....it says "city water" right above the place you put the hose. How much training could that possibly require? This is the exact reason I do 99% of the stuff on ours when setting up and breaking down....because with the same thinking you guys have when my wife screws up somehow it's magically my fault.

Last year we're on a trip. We needed an exit. It's been a 15 year arrangement where I do the driving and she does the navigating. As we're passing the exit I asked if that's where we should've gotten off. She says "yes". Now lets rewind for a second and revisit the 15 years of her being the navigator. Her response....."you're the one driving and should've known where you were going." Pure magic.

Afubar · 06-23-2016, 04:48 AM

The above posts perfectly highlight that while I think men are the worlds best play toy I also don't feel the need to own one. LOL

Melmoses · 06-23-2016, 05:15 AM

I guess I am different from a lot of women. I want to know how to do everything on ours. I was brought up by my Dad to not define any job as his or hers. DH and I switch inside and outside setup to make sure we stay fresh on what to do so that if he is driving when we arrive, I do the outside and vise versa. I sure don't want to be stranded somewhere if he got sick. I admire the OP's wife for wanting to learn how to do outside setup. I think the OP made a serious mistake trying to discourage her by walking away when she wanted to learn. Not a good idea and he probably realizes his mistake now.

hondavalk · 06-23-2016, 06:09 AM

When we first pull into into a campground I drop the DW off at the camp store and retrieve her when I'm done setting up. Good point about them thinking the silent treatment is a punishment.

barmcd · 06-23-2016, 06:10 AM

Been there done similar and learned after the first time to keep my mouth shut. Great story though.

timjet · 06-23-2016, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpaceNorman

She's getting better with it ... but I suspect a lot of her progress is rote learning as opposed to really understanding why things work / don't work / need to be done in the proscribed manner. Slowly but steadily - we're learning to work together to make the RV lifestyle work for us!.

Yup, that's my experience too, except on our boat. I've given up trying to explain the difference between AC and DC power, but she knows the Air Conditioner and micro won't work unless we have shore power or the genny is on.

I won't let her or anyone else add water to our tanks on the boat. The water, fuel and black water tank caps are exactly the same. Yes they are labeled but can you imagine if water was inadvertently put in the fuel tank or even worse fuel into the water tank. I won't take that risk.

We don't have an RV but will soon. We've discussed some issues and for safety, she has agreed she will learn to unhook the toad. She also has agreed to do it at all our stops so she won't forget. Now driving...... she has no desire.

**NLOVNIT** · 06-23-2016, 06:42 AM

I'm also one of those that believes we both need to know the other's duties in regards to the RV. If the story is true, I know from experience, first time, if my DH hadn't walked me through outside set up, I could easily have messed something up. There's been more than once, even since, I didn't realize the lever was on fresh tank fill instead of city water & wondered why I didn't have any water flow when I turned on the kitchen faucet.

Live & learn.

Lori-