Need to post this here, and in the boondocking forum. It shows how your brain can get addled when thinking too much about getting into RVing ...
Jo and I were out looking at camping sites and checking up on available amenities and how other campers cope when they pull in with an RV. We also looked at adjacent boondocking sites where you have to be able to survive just with what you bring in. Jo said:
“We can’t stay here. There’s no electrical hookup to power the generator!”
Now, tell me. Did I make the right decision 5 years ago to be with her … or not?
Donations and prayers welcome.
Paul
p.s. Edited to change font size.
-- Edited by Paul and Jo on Tuesday 3rd of August 2010 10:12:30 AM
Mallo said
06:46 AM Aug 3, 2010
I only hope your wife has a better sense of humor then mind does.
Mallo
Paul and Jo said
09:18 AM Aug 3, 2010
I must admit, it was one of those moments where you regret opening your mouth! We had just been to a few different camp sites and were talking about the set up of sewer hoses, electric outlets and the needs for day to day living. When we found the dry camping area my thoughts were still on Full hook up!
That's my reasoning and I'm sticking to it!
If nothing else, it'll give us something to laugh about for years to come
Jo
-- Edited by Paul and Jo on Tuesday 3rd of August 2010 09:18:59 AM
jagco said
09:40 AM Aug 3, 2010
That's too funny! Thanks for sharing!
BTW-Did you use that awful small type so she couldn't read it over your shoulder or what?
It's really difficult to read for my old eyeballs, but the story was well worth the eyestrain :)
Jeff
The Bear II said
11:47 AM Aug 3, 2010
Mine lovely bride brought a hair dryer on a tenting trip in Yosemite. She got the last laugh though, since the restrooms in the campground had electrical outlets.
rjenkins said
02:58 PM Aug 3, 2010
Can't wait to hear from some of the ladies on this forum about what their SO's have done!
phyllen said
04:16 PM Aug 3, 2010
Okay - we bought a brand new 2009 Montana fiver last Febraury. So proud of it. We took it to where we were staying getting there late in the day. As it was very cold out, Hubby was concerned about pipes freezing. He needed to rewrap the outside water lines coming into the rig. As it was late, instead of doing the work that night, he decided to just let the kitchen faucet run at a slow flow.
I got up 6 am the next morning to find both sinks overflowing, water running out under the slide that holds the stove and refrigerator. About two feet of carpet into the living was soaked! OUR RIG WAS 18 HOURS OLD!
I screamed. He jumped out of bed. He ran outside. Seems he did not completely pull out the gray water tanks valve. This caused the tank to fill with water and back up into the rig.
Pulled the valve, heard a gushing sound and down the drains went the water.
We placed a space heater in the living room and turned thermostat on high. Fortunately, there is a heating vent in the midst of where the carpet was soaked.
No permanent damage. Not the smartest thing we have done!
Luvglass said
04:44 PM Aug 3, 2010
I think that's something that almost all new RV'ers go through. Our's was the washer on our second day out, and the first day was a separate adventure.
Here's the link to our blog entry.
http://www.mytripjournal.com/travel-123592-savannah-day-bottles-don-fortunately-made-stains-tank-things
It's hard to believe that was almost 5 years ago, but the "newbie" things just seem to keep happening. Just today, we forgot to put the TV antennae down and lost it to a tree limb.
When will we finally stop being Newbies???
Readytogo said
05:20 PM Aug 3, 2010
Phyllis,
That reminded me of the time when we had a truck camper. We hooked up the water. We didn't go into the camper right away. When we opened the doo, we were greeted with water coming out. The tub was overflowing. Fortunately the carpet could be removed and we were able to dry out the camper.
picolina said
06:18 PM Aug 3, 2010
The worst for my husband was that he cant back up the fifth wheel in a campsite or our driveway. The first time he tried to get it in our camping site, after half an hour of messing up the grass, our neighbour came and parked it. The next day, I did it with the help of some other nice man on the camping. Third time...same thing...I did it. When we got home he told me he did not want to even try...so, I did it again. Then we had to go for a goverment inspection here in quebec. When we got back, he tried again...after one long hour...he told me to get it in...I just feel bad for him.
Terry and Jo said
06:54 PM Aug 3, 2010
picolina wrote:
The worst for my husband was that he cant back up the fifth wheel in a campsite or our driveway. The first time he tried to get it in our camping site, after half an hour of messing up the grass, our neighbour came and parked it. The next day, I did it with the help of some other nice man on the camping. Third time...same thing...I did it. When we got home he told me he did not want to even try...so, I did it again. Then we had to go for a goverment inspection here in quebec. When we got back, he tried again...after one long hour...he told me to get it in...I just feel bad for him.
What I suggest your husband do is to go to a large empty parking lot with something like traffic cones or some other device to set up as a "campsite" to back into. When my oldest son got married, I took him and his new bride to one and made him back into two or three different scenarios. What I did NOT do was have her give him directions to get into those "slots". It was important that his mind be uncluttered from distractions.
In reality, with little experience of backing up ANY kind of trailer, he did very well. With the empty lot, one doesn't have to worry about hitting trees or other obstacles other than the cones.
Have him experiment with where he places his hand on the steering wheel. Many find it easier to back with their hand at the bottom of the steering wheel instead of at the top. With the hand at the bottom of the wheel, one turns the wheel in the direction that one wants the trailer rear end to turn.
At any rate, have fun with the experiences. Even the not-so-good ones.
Terry
Ken & Sarah said
07:59 PM Aug 3, 2010
I love it.
picolina said
08:21 PM Aug 3, 2010
Thank you Terry!
We will find a place this weekend and I will tell you how it went after. I told him more than once that I think he doesnt trust his instincts as much as he should.
Colorado_Kid said
08:24 AM Aug 4, 2010
My second time out in my RV I stayed at a RV Park in Grand Junction and when I left I told the person at the front desk that I was going to use their dump station. The guy at the front desk knew where I was staying and asked why not use the sewage hook up at my spot. Thats a newbie for you.
Racerguy said
09:49 AM Aug 4, 2010
We were traveling from Colorado to Phoenix 2 years ago.I dumped the tanks at one campground but the next two had no sewer so we used them as little as possible but some. When we got to Phoenix I went to hook up and to my despair saw the handle on the black tank still OPEN. A 5 gallon bucket and rubber gloves minimized the mess but was glad nobody was watching. Just to prove you can still make that mistake,two weeks ago we had to move from one spot to another in the same park.Moved the trailer and had to run to town.Wife did dishes and did some other cleaning while I was gone.Guess what...went to hook up sewer hose,Galley tank valve still OPEN!!!.
rjenkins said
05:49 PM Aug 4, 2010
Wow people, all these are actually 'feel good' stories because no matter how new or experienced you are, mistakes can happen...this takes the edge out of the nervousness (is that even a word?) one gets as FT'ing draws closer.
Jo and I were out looking at camping sites and checking up on available amenities and how other campers cope when they pull in with an RV. We also looked at adjacent boondocking sites where you have to be able to survive just with what you bring in.
Jo said:
“We can’t stay here. There’s no electrical hookup to power the generator!”
Now, tell me. Did I make the right decision 5 years ago to be with her … or not?
Donations and prayers welcome.
Paul
p.s. Edited to change font size.
-- Edited by Paul and Jo on Tuesday 3rd of August 2010 10:12:30 AM
We had just been to a few different camp sites and were talking about the set up of sewer hoses, electric outlets and the needs for day to day living. When we found the dry camping area my thoughts were still on Full hook up!
That's my reasoning and I'm sticking to it!
If nothing else, it'll give us something to laugh about for years to come
Jo
-- Edited by Paul and Jo on Tuesday 3rd of August 2010 09:18:59 AM
Phyllis,
That reminded me of the time when we had a truck camper. We hooked up the water. We didn't go into the camper right away. When we opened the doo, we were greeted with water coming out. The tub was overflowing. Fortunately the carpet could be removed and we were able to dry out the camper.
What I suggest your husband do is to go to a large empty parking lot with something like traffic cones or some other device to set up as a "campsite" to back into. When my oldest son got married, I took him and his new bride to one and made him back into two or three different scenarios. What I did NOT do was have her give him directions to get into those "slots". It was important that his mind be uncluttered from distractions.
In reality, with little experience of backing up ANY kind of trailer, he did very well. With the empty lot, one doesn't have to worry about hitting trees or other obstacles other than the cones.
Have him experiment with where he places his hand on the steering wheel. Many find it easier to back with their hand at the bottom of the steering wheel instead of at the top. With the hand at the bottom of the wheel, one turns the wheel in the direction that one wants the trailer rear end to turn.
At any rate, have fun with the experiences. Even the not-so-good ones.
Terry
We will find a place this weekend and I will tell you how it went after. I told him more than once that I think he doesnt trust his instincts as much as he should.
My second time out in my RV I stayed at a RV Park in Grand Junction and when I left I told the person at the front desk that I was going to use their dump station. The guy at the front desk knew where I was staying and asked why not use the sewage hook up at my spot. Thats a newbie for you.
Jo
We are all human, dont worry Jo...
