So This Is What Ill Be Towing From Now On

[OC455]

Given how some people drive around trailers, it probably isn't a bad idea - for whatever reason people don't seem to see the tail lights on them very well.

Are those stick-on, or screw-on? If they're screw-on I hope you used some silicone on the screws - I'd hate to see you develop a water leak in the corners.

I did not use any screws to secure them to the surface. They are flexible silicon type of strip, not rigid.

I used alcohol to clean and prep the surface and then used 3M adhesion promoter before using the 3M tape already attached to the back of the LED strips. They're not going anywhere. I wired the them up to a 4 pin trailer plug and plugged them in.

Nice setup! Towing a 5ver vs a TT is a night and day difference. It was always a pleasure to pull a 5ver, especially when you have enough truck to do it!

For bed rail clearance, try to stay as close to 6" as you can. Some campground pads are off kilter and anything less than 5" would be hair raising. I've almost kissed my bed rails with the 6" clearance in a couple of places. But... make sure at whatever height you're at for bed rail clearance that the rig stays level. You don't want to have it nose high or low.

Yeah, there's plenty of bed rail clearance and it doesn't appear to be nose high to me the way it is setup.

I will say this, I was a little bit annoyed with the dealer. Not only having delays with everything getting setup and going through the walk through and the like, I didn't find out until we took a shake down camping excursion this weekend (we're back now), that they apparently filled all of the tanks except for the fresh water tank.

We setup and discovered a wonderful odor from the bathroom when we went to use it....I pulled the dump levers one at a time, and it just flowed out, they were all full. So probably an 900-1000lbs of extra weight not needed. That and running the risk of damaging the tank mounts bouncing around while full in transit...

Anyway, it seemed that it towed a little better without all that waste and water in it....

If I wasn't on any hills, I was mainly in 7th gear while cruising.

 

[Tulecreeper]

I did not use any screws to secure them to the surface. They are flexible silicon type of strip, not rigid.

I used alcohol to clean and prep the surface and then used 3M adhesion promoter before using the 3M tape already attached to the back of the LED strips. They're not going anywhere. I wired the them up to a 4 pin trailer plug and plugged them in.


Yeah, there's plenty of bed rail clearance and it doesn't appear to be nose high to me the way it is setup.

I will say this, I was a little bit annoyed with the dealer. Not only having delays with everything getting setup and going through the walk through and the like, I didn't find out until we took a shake down camping excursion this weekend (we're back now), that they apparently filled all of the tanks except for the fresh water tank.

We setup and discovered a wonderful odor from the bathroom when we went to use it....I pulled the dump levers one at a time, and it just flowed out, they were all full. So probably an 900-1000lbs of extra weight not needed. That and running the risk of damaging the tank mounts bouncing around while full in transit...

Anyway, it seemed that it towed a little better without all that waste and water in it....

If I wasn't on any hills, I was mainly in 7th gear while cruising.

Are you saying someone at the dealership filled your black and gray water tanks with sewage? What were they doing, using it as an outhouse for customers?

 

[OC455]

Are you saying someone at the dealership filled your black and gray water tanks with sewage? What were they doing, using it as an outhouse for customers?

We bought the 2022 used, so what I am thinking as a part of their PDI/QC at the dealership, they filled the tanks with water to check for leaks. The fresh water dump valve on the bottom was left open, so they filled that, checked it and drained it, but did not empty the black/grey tanks before turning it over. The black and grey tanks probably weren't cleaned well by the previous owner.....

 

[Tulecreeper]

We bought the 2022 used, so what I am thinking as a part of their PDI/QC at the dealership, they filled the tanks with water to check for leaks. The fresh water dump valve on the bottom was left open, so they filled that, checked it and drained it, but did not empty the black/grey tanks before turning it over. The black and grey tanks probably weren't cleaned well by the previous owner.....

Well, they should be pretty clean now I guess. Especially if that black tank sat for a while full of mostly water. Should have loosened everything up quite a bit.

 

[2003F350]

We bought the 2022 used, so what I am thinking as a part of their PDI/QC at the dealership, they filled the tanks with water to check for leaks. The fresh water dump valve on the bottom was left open, so they filled that, checked it and drained it, but did not empty the black/grey tanks before turning it over. The black and grey tanks probably weren't cleaned well by the previous owner.....

You'd be surprised how many dealers get used units in, and NEVER check the tanks. I have walked out of nice units that at minimum the black tank was partially full. Some people just don't care.

 

[nlambert182]

It's actually good that they didn't leave your fresh tank full... They should have dumped your waste tanks though. But, consider it an added bonus that your tanks got a good cleaning while you traveled.

You'll get some smell from the black tank often times even if it's been left empty. I typically always added 2-3 gallons of water and one of the sanitary pods to my black tank and left that in there all the time once I emptied it. I found that it at least helped keep any type of smells to a minimum. Also helpful is if you can leave a bit of water in the toilet (just enough to cover up the seal).

Enjoy the new rig! I am itching to get back into another one but for now the wife is nixing my pleas to go camping again.

We're trying to hold out for a driveable rig this time. We're 2 travel trailers and 3 fifth wheels in... I guess this is the only one we really haven't tried. I want a Dynamax Isata because it sits on a Ram 5500 chassis but we're trying to get the kids graduated and the house paid off before we take the plunge. For now I'll just have to live vicariously through all of you guys.

 

[OC455]

You'd be surprised how many dealers get used units in, and NEVER check the tanks. I have walked out of nice units that at minimum the black tank was partially full. Some people just don't care.

I usually, after the last camping trip, empty and backflush my tanks before the winter time to get all the nasties out, then I put in the black tank treatment with a small amount of water. I add the anti-freeze just before the winter time....

I don't like the smelly surprises for the next trip, and usually don't have any. Anyhoo.

I want a Dynamax Isata because it sits on a Ram 5500 chassis

I saw one of those a little while ago....nice looking setup. Looked like they were pretty spacious.

 

[nlambert182]

Pricey too! I'd be fine sticking with a 5th wheel again (maybe a little shorter than 43' this time) but the wife wants to be able to travel and potentially get to the bathroom or take a nap while I drive. She also wants to tow a Jeep behind it and I want a Cummins, so that one kind of fit the bill for us both.

Is this your first camper?

 

[2003F350]

I usually, after the last camping trip, empty and backflush my tanks before the winter time to get all the nasties out, then I put in the black tank treatment with a small amount of water. I add the anti-freeze just before the winter time....

I don't like the smelly surprises for the next trip, and usually don't have any. Anyhoo.

Same goes here. A little water, some chemical treatment, and it's usually good to go. The chemicals break down anything, the water helps keep it liquid, and things stay relatively stink-free.

I have, however, had a couple used RVs that needed some work...one was particularly bad. I basically left 10-20 gallons of water and a healthy dose of chemicals in the black tank, and would dump when I GOT to the park we were staying at to get rid of anything that came loose. It took about a year, but eventually the large chunk that had settled right under the toilet broke up and came out. Things smelled a LOT better after that.

 

[nlambert182]

Since we're on the subject of the black tanks... (and IF this is your first RV...) I've seen some say to leave the waste valves open when you're hooked up at a camp site so that you don't have to drain the waste tanks. DON"T DO IT!

You'll get the poop pyramid and talk about a smell...… I would always connect to the black tank flush valve and make sure the black tank had 2-3 gallons of water in it before we ever used it. Made a world of difference and our tanks stayed clean.

 

[Tulecreeper]

Since we're on the subject of the black tanks... (and IF this is your first RV...) I've seen some say to leave the waste valves open when you're hooked up at a camp site so that you don't have to drain the waste tanks. DON"T DO IT!

You'll get the poop pyramid and talk about a smell...… I would always connect to the black tank flush valve and make sure the black tank had 2-3 gallons of water in it before we ever used it. Made a world of difference and our tanks stayed clean.

Agreed - as one who lived full-time in both a motorhome and a travel trailer, I will second this. Always leave both your gray and black tank valves closed until they are about 3/4 full, then dump them. And dump the black tank first, then the gray tank. The gray water will flush the "blackness" out of the hose left from dumping the black tank.

Leaving them full does not, however, mean you have to travel with them that way. If they are more than 1/4 full, go ahead and dump them before you leave. That way you aren't hauling that weight with you when you're towing. If they are less than 1/4 full, the extra weight is negligible and you can save taking the time and trouble to dump such a small amount.

 

[Riccochet]

Since we're on the subject of the black tanks... (and IF this is your first RV...) I've seen some say to leave the waste valves open when you're hooked up at a camp site so that you don't have to drain the waste tanks. DON"T DO IT!

You'll get the poop pyramid and talk about a smell...… I would always connect to the black tank flush valve and make sure the black tank had 2-3 gallons of water in it before we ever used it. Made a world of difference and our tanks stayed clean.

This. Water is your friend when it comes to black tanks. I usually start with 4-5 gallons in there and a healthy dose of Liquified tank treatment. That stuff really breaks down TP and waste like nothing else I've used.

Another thing I do at least twice a year, usually 1-2 days before heading on a trip, is fill all of my tanks with 10 gallons of water and a double dose of Liquified. I'll dump when we get to the campground and the water that comes out is disgusting. Helps keep the sensors real clean as well.

 

[Tulecreeper]

Again, on the subject of black tanks. I've asked the reps at Rothschild's Sewage and Septic Sucking Services, and they told me that there is no need to put any additives like RID-X or other supplements in your black tank to help break down the waste. Every time you flush last night's dinner it carries with it all the bacteria needed to keep the process chugging along just fine.

 

[danielmid]

Again, on the subject of black tanks. I've asked the reps at Rothschild's Sewage and Septic Sucking Services, and they told me that there is no need to put any additives like RID-X or other supplements in your black tank to help break down the waste. Every time you flush last night's dinner it carries with it all the bacteria needed to keep the process chugging along just fine.

There is a definite difference in the reaction process outcome and smell when going without a tank chemical versus with. I'll stick with adding one.

 

[Tulecreeper]

There is a definite difference in the reaction process outcome and smell when going without a tank chemical versus with. I'll stick with adding one.

If you're talking about a deodorizer, then that is different. I'm referring to the packets of stuff people put down their tanks that are supposed to add bacteria to help with the breakdown of the solids. That stuff isn't necessary.

 

[OC455]

This is my 2nd camper and I love it. Just surprised about those tanks being literally full to the top. But yeah, I'm trying another black tank treatment vs the toss in packet. It smells better and it liquifies any solids and breaks down the TP.

I've learned not to leave the valves open and let them fill and then empty. The old camper I would backflush the tanks before leaving the site.

I think the next go around, I'm going to add some of the heavy duty Boogey Light strips to the front in an amber color and run them down from the top front clearance lights along edge of the black decal on the front on each side.

 

[Riccochet]

If you're talking about a deodorizer, then that is different. I'm referring to the packets of stuff people put down their tanks that are supposed to add bacteria to help with the breakdown of the solids. That stuff isn't necessary.

While true, I still prefer to add Liquified. If anything it breaks down the TP quickly to the point it's not even recognizable as TP when I dump. I have a TP clog before and it sucks.

 

[Dodge 1500 4X4]

This is my 2nd camper and I love it. Just surprised about those tanks being literally full to the top. But yeah, I'm trying another black tank treatment vs the toss in packet. It smells better and it liquifies any solids and breaks down the TP.

I had a 16ft & 21ft TT and loved it, would like to get back into it but with some recent back surgery's it will be a while, great setup BTW how are the pups liking it!!!

 

[2003F350]

While true, I still prefer to add Liquified. If anything it breaks down the TP quickly to the point it's not even recognizable as TP when I dump. I have a TP clog before and it sucks.

This. I have seen SO MANY PEOPLE have issues with solids in the black tank. And if you don't get it out, it decays, stinks, and turns into an even bigger solid.

While it's true that for a stationary septic system you don't need to add anything to break down what goes down, black tanks in an RV are NOT the same. There's no two-stage tank to let solids settle out and degrade over time. The biggest RV tanks I've seen are good for a week, a week and a half at most, then they NEED to be dumped because they're full. If you've got some sizeable solids in there, and they get stuck together, you can EASILY clog up your drain tube. This leads to either the RV going to a shop, or a mobile guy coming out to fix it (because I really don't feel like messing with my own crap), and it's not always as simple as sticking a rotor rooter up the drain pipe - sometimes things have to be disassembled, and that's just a smelly mess.

Far better to put something in the tank that breaks it down and keeps things flowing.

 

[Riccochet]

This. I have seen SO MANY PEOPLE have issues with solids in the black tank. And if you don't get it out, it decays, stinks, and turns into an even bigger solid.

While it's true that for a stationary septic system you don't need to add anything to break down what goes down, black tanks in an RV are NOT the same. There's no two-stage tank to let solids settle out and degrade over time. The biggest RV tanks I've seen are good for a week, a week and a half at most, then they NEED to be dumped because they're full. If you've got some sizeable solids in there, and they get stuck together, you can EASILY clog up your drain tube. This leads to either the RV going to a shop, or a mobile guy coming out to fix it (because I really don't feel like messing with my own crap), and it's not always as simple as sticking a rotor rooter up the drain pipe - sometimes things have to be disassembled, and that's just a smelly mess.

Far better to put something in the tank that breaks it down and keeps things flowing.

That's my biggest concern. A lot easier to deal with a clog if you have a straight down shot from the toilet in to the black tank. But I do not. It's offset so there are 2x 90's to get down in the tank. Which means I can't stick a tank cleaning wand down in there. Luckily I have built in black tank flusher, but that only does so much. Which is another reason why I add water and chemicals a couple days before a trip. Really breaks down anything left and keeps the sensors clean.

9 years with my current camper and the tanks/sensors are in excellent condition.