Posts Tagged ‘RV’

It has been said to everything there is a season. Hurricane season is considered between the beginning of June until mid to late November and should be of some concern to RVers.

Here are some bits of information that may help RVers in understanding hurricanes and in planning survival preparations.

• Hurricanes don’t appear without warning as tornadoes sometimes do.
• Hurricanes slowly develop from tropical depressions into tropical storms before becoming named hurricanes. The process takes days, sometimes weeks. By the time they are named they are being followed closely by weather media.
• As they develop they grow in size. Average is 200 to 400 miles across. The big ones grow to 550 or more miles wide.
• Hurricanes move forward slowly along their way which is not a straight line. They have been known to twist and turn and double back or go in a loop.
• Some Hurricanes carry huge quantities of rain while others transport very little water.
• A danger of hurricanes comes from flying debris picked up by the winds and thrown or dropped with great force.
• Tornadoes are frequently spawned by hurricanes which tends to be a reason why hurricanes cause so much widespread damage
• What should RVrers do? Above all, use common sense and remain calm.
• Planning and preparation is where you start. As an RVer you are already a step ahead in getting ready for a hurricane.
• Evacuation is the key to safely surviving a hurricane and your RV gives you a great advantage.
• Don’t wait too long and chance being stalled in heavy traffic with unprepared, last minute evacuees. As soon as you know a hurricane is likely to come your way load up your RV and head out.
• It may actually take days to reach a safe destination. The path of the storm may change requiring you to change directions so stay informed as you travel.
• Full time RVers will probably have many of the supplies needed to live for several days or more. Part time RVers should check the contents of their rigs in preparation for the season.
• Keep your fuel tank and propane tank topped off because there will be long lines at gas stations when the evacuation rush is on.
• Even if you’re among the first to evacuate you may find full RV parks and campgrounds. Lay in supplies as though you are going off to boondock somewhere for a week. Take extra water.
• Don’t forget plenty of batteries and a portable radio with a weather channel. Replenish your first aid kit, check on prescription medications. Make sure you have clothes and supplies for babies, youngsters, pets and yourself. Keep cell phones and two way radios charged. Keep everyone in your family, or group, informed of plans.
• If for whatever reason you find that it is too late for an evacuation and the hurricane is on track to hit your location here are a few suggestions of what to do in what little time there is.
• Move the RV out of reach of trees that can fall on it. Park close to a building on the opposite side from which the wind will hit. Face the RV with the front into the oncoming wind. Second choice would be the back into the wind. Keep in mind that wind direction will change as the hurricane moves through the area. If you have access to city or RV park drinking water, fill as many containers as you can. Go inside, latch doors, close vents, cover windows and keep a portable radio with a weather channel with you to hear constant weather updates.
• By the time a hurricane is named you should be following it’s location and be pretty well prepared.

For more information on RVing during hurricane season visit RVBasics.com

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As I said in my previous post this topic usually generates lost of comments.  The comment below come form friend and fellow RVer.  Since his comments are extensive I thought they warranted there own post.:

While I never use chemicals, I’ve never said it would not work.  I just think there are better ways.  On the down side, cleaning with chemicals is very slow and expensive.  It will take several to many applications.

I am a more pro-active person.  When I have a problem, I solve it.  While I have never had this problem due to my actions, I once bought an RV that did and I have helped several people who had this problem.  I solve the problem this way:

1. My first consideration is, how much time do I have?  If the RV is parked for several weeks you can attack the problem in stages.  If they are living in it, can they use the camp facilities?
2. Next in importance, is the RV hooked up to a sewer system?  It is impossible to clean the RV’s black tank if it is not hooked up to a sewer.
3. Will water drain freely from the tank, or has the pyramid covered the drain?  As long as I can get a trickle of water I know I can attack the problem with water.  If the drain is plugged, you have to be very careful not to over fill the black tank.
4. If I have drainage and I have several weeks, I will put in a cup of Rid-X, fill the tank with water and let it sit for a week.  This will soften the mound and make it easier to chip away at.  I am not attempting to completely clear the tank here, but to make the mound more amenable to reduction.
5. If I do not have drainage that becomes priority one.  In this case I go directly to work with a long toilet spray wand.  I must attain some drainage.  I jab the wand down into the mound as far as I can and then turn it on.  I use low pressure to prevent filling the tank.  Once I have a little drainage, I will work in stages, never letting the tank fill.
6. If time is of the essence, I go right to work with the wand.  It never takes longer than a few hours, but it is hard work.  You are in and out of the RV, filling and draining the tank, opening and closing the valve.
7. My favorite method is to put the spray wand into the top of the mound and then press down at an angle, then I turn the water on.  The easiest path for for the water is back up the hole created by the wand.  If you go straight down, the ugly water may spray back in your face.  I have plugged the hole in the bottom of the toilet with a rag to prevent spray-back.  I try to destroy the mound from the inside out.  The object is to saturate the mound with water to help soften it.  Just keep the wand moving.
8. From here on it is just wand on, wand off, valve closed, valve open.  If I have time, I like to fill the tank and let it sit for several hours or overnight.
9. When I think I am done, I fill the tank half way, put in ten pounds of crushed ice and go for a drive.  Then I fill and drain several more times.

As you suggested, I leave the black tank valve closed until it is around 3/4 full.  And, I always use Rid-X.  It generally takes me two weeks to fill that tank.  I use a variety of my black tank, camp facilities and facilities I come across during the day.  The Rid-X, for want of a better word, emulsifies the contents of the tank.  It is a simple bacteria that breaks down lumps and clumps.  If I were cleaning the tank more often than once a week, I would not bother with the Rid-X.  It works best when it has time.

Going forward I will not own an RV that does not have a built in tank spray system.  It really helps.  However, if you generally leave your black tank valve open, you will have a problem.

I hope this helps.

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