Community Forums

rskrbina · 06-21-2014, 01:12 PM

I am generally a quiet and reserved kind of person

and have been around long enough to know when to speak and when not to speak. As I was getting the grill and griddle ready this morning for some sausage and eggs I noticed the family camped next to me has both grey and black tank dump valves OPEN.

I have chosen not to speak on this one.

and mind my own business. I'm now curious and interested in knowing what types of things you see out there (set ups) that you know will ultimately cause problems for the RV and do you say anything to the rv owner or not. Keeping the peace..

Oldkarphart · 06-21-2014, 01:14 PM

I'd leave it alone???

Annierufus · 06-21-2014, 01:19 PM

If you spark up a conversation with this person... Have you had good luck opening both tanks ? I used to do that and found out it works better to ........

Joe Fenech
1998 Itasca Sunflyer
Ford 460

pagosajoe · 06-21-2014, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Annierufus

If you spark up a conversation with this person... Have you had good luck opening both tanks ? I used to do that and found out it works better to ........

Sounds right to me - save someone the extreme hassle of having to fix/repair a system in the future...the approach suggested by Annierufus is a great way to help someone avoid problems. I'd certainly appreciate the help...

vsheetz · 06-21-2014, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Annierufus

If you spark up a conversation with this person... Have you had good luck opening both tanks ? I used to do that and found out it works better to ........

Joe Fenech
1998 Itasca Sunflyer
Ford 460

Yup. Do it this way or similar.

t55watson · 06-21-2014, 07:15 PM

I only interfere (un-asked) if I think it is a danger to them or someone else.
After meeting folks and getting a feel for their camping knowledge I ask about a odd situation, as the dump valve scenerio.

ChasA · 06-21-2014, 08:15 PM

Interesting question. My next door neighbor at my last wintering place had bought his 5th wheel in situ as a winter home, he didn't even have a truck to pull it. To him it was another house. I never noticed his hook ups, but did notice the smell when he had to have the local rv tech come out and clear the 18" log out of the sewer hose. People need be educated about these things.

gbburgess · 06-21-2014, 08:28 PM

I have watched couples with no knowledge drive or pull in a MH or 5er and then yell and scream at each other trying to get the "thing" level and hooked up. I have chosen to just go inside and hide. A few times someone has asked for help and I have gone out of my way to be of help. If someone is honestly confused and calm about it I have offered. Unfortunately, most seem to be less interested in asking than in arguing so I mind my own business. They also seem to be the ones with obnoxious kids and dogs. Oh Well!

Tomtall · 06-21-2014, 08:43 PM

Quote:

I noticed the family camped next to me has both grey and black tank dump valves OPEN.

I thought that's why drains have traps. Keeps the smell down.

Chuck 1935 · 06-21-2014, 08:57 PM

I have found that after watching folks at the dump station get into their Hazmat suit, face mask and gloves. And then set about dumping, rinsing, dumping and more rinsing for half an hour or so, that a long blast of my air horn will generally get a conversation started !!
I am then able to question them as to what in the lords name are they doing and when do they think they might be done ?
Surprisingly these conversations never seem to go well with the dumpor becoming highly vexed by my query.
My offers to help always seem to go unheeded and often turn to suggestions in finding a new place to mount my air horn ! OUCH !!

PapaBobby · 06-22-2014, 12:53 AM

My wife and I pulled into the Contra Costa fairground rv park to dump our rig after a 3 day graduation trip. Just as I was putting my hoses back into the storage area, a older rv pulled in, two stalls over and asked if I could give them some instruction on dumping their rig? It didn't take long for me to see this was going to be a disaster waiting to happen. They didn't know where the sewer lines were, let alone the fittings. They pulled out one of the collapsable water hoses, with a garden sprinkler on one end and they didn't know where the dump tank valves were. I gave them a run thru of the process, step by step, gave them a hand full of gloves and told my wife " get in the rv, let's go."

catonine · 06-22-2014, 03:50 PM

I try to help anyone that I can if I know how to do something and they don't. If I see something wrong or a potential problem, I try and strike up a conversation with the folks and then kinda ease into helping them. I have been helped by many people over the years I have been rving, and appreciated their help. Sure, sometimes when you try to help someone they get an attitude, but at least you tried to do the right thing.

cowrv39 · 06-22-2014, 06:33 PM

I have been at many dump station where I have observed the worst practices ever. The worst was watching a couple dump the black tank and having raw sewage spewing from there hose because they didn't have the right connection. It was and OMG moment. I had to get out and educate them. It was a young couple who just brought a new high end class A and this was there first trip out. there was sewage everywhere. Lucky the way the dump station pit contained the raw sewage and I had boots to wade through and open the latch to allow it to drain. I educated them on how to properly connect the hoses and dump there tanks. I also gave them some bleach to clean up the area before I even moved my rig in place to dump. I just couldn't believe they didn't even read up on or watch videos on you tube. I gave them the rookie of the dump station award. At least they felt bad enough to thank me for the bleach and helping them learn. So they were forgiven.

RickO · 06-22-2014, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pagosajoe

Sounds right to me - save someone the extreme hassle of having to fix/repair a system in the future...the approach suggested by Annierufus is a great way to help someone avoid problems. I'd certainly appreciate the help...

X3

That's a great approach.

I've more often found myself in this kind of situation with folks having trouble getting a large Class A into their spot. It's usually a problem with the communication between the driver and spotter... but also a serious lack of knowledge on the part of the spotter.

I usually just keep my distance until I can make eye contact with one of them and then try to signal my willingness to help if they would like. Always awkward though.

Rick