Bug Smacker

What’s The Big Stink About?

Tim R. Enright

Your RV’s black tank can be a stinky subject. Maintenance of this tank is one of the most misunderstood areas of your RV. The black tank is simply used to store your toilet waste. This tank takes a bit more effort to maintain than your grey or fresh water tanks. If maintenance is done properly this tanks will provide you with years of trouble free performance.

Solids in the black tank are what make maintenance of this tank the most difficult of all the tanks. The solids, which can accumulate in the black tank, tend to plug the drain valve and accumulate along the tank sidewalls quite easily. You should always use proper black tank chemicals to help aid in the decomposing of these solids. If left untreated the tank will build up with sludge. This build up restricts the proper drainage when flushing the tank. Once this sludge builds up on the inside of your tank the odor is extremely difficult to control and may not go away without replacing the tank.

There are several different types of black tank chemicals on the market. Some of them deodorize, some help decompose, while others do both. These additives come in liquid, dry powder and drop-in pouch type. They come in large containers or pre-measured amounts. Do not use common household chemicals. The use of these non-RV products can have adverse effects when used in combination with RV solutions. The Black Tank is definitely not an area of the RV we would like to see explode.

Many people recommend enzyme-based chemicals, which use live bacteria to breakdown and digest the odor causing waste. Other people like the more traditional formaldehyde type chemicals. There has been a lot of controversy on this subject. Formaldehyde has taken a lot of heat in recent years, but from what I have found there is quite a bit of hype with very little substance. Some people state that formaldehyde hinders with the performance of biological sewage treatment systems. I have researched this topic extensively and found that if used properly, formaldehyde will NOT adversely affect these systems. Between the two types, formaldehyde has proven to do a better job in controlling odors and does at least as good a job of breaking down solids.

A couple of times a year you will want to flush your tank. This can be done with a hose attached to a tank cleaning spray wand. You place the wand through the toilet into the tank while holding open the flush valve. The wand allows you to rinse down the tank and sidewalls when draining the tank. If you are lucky enough to have a flushing system built into the tank, then the entire procedure is much easier.

Black Tank additives should be included with a few gallons of water following the draining of your black tank. You want to make sure there is an inch or so of water covering the bottom of the tank prior to reusing it. This liquid layer will help prevent solids from building up on the bottom of the tank and aid in the breakdown process.

Tank chemicals need to be replenished every few days or so according to the label to stay effective. Outdoor temperature can also shorten the life span of these additives. This routine should be repeated throughout the entire camping season until you flush your tank and prepare your RV for winter storage.

With just a little extra work on your part, your black tank can do its job without raising a big stink about it.

Article Courtesy of : www.BugSmacker.com : Copyright © 2009

When Size Matters

Tim R. Enright

When it comes to RVs, most people will tell you that bigger is better. In most cases they are correct. A larger RV will provide you with more living area. Everything in a larger RV is designed to increase your level of comfort.

Larger RVs are more equipped to handle inclement weather and allow you more space when going outside is just not an option.  They retain heat and air-conditioning much better. The bathrooms, showers, beds and TVs are all much nicer.

You can get many more people into a larger RV. You can’t beat the ability to just pull off the road and walk back into the kitchen to make yourself a sandwich or nuke some soup in the microwave. You could even watch your favorite sports team on TV while you eat.

If this isn’t enough, in a larger RV you also have the ability to obtain a little privacy when you want it. If you need another room you can usually find one. If you would like a restroom with real walls instead of a curtain, that is available as well.

On the flip side, you can store a pop-up camper in your garage.  Spend a lot less cash to put it there. Hook it up to a car. Tow it to that special, secluded spot next to the lake in the woods down that tiny dirt trail that you like so much. And do all of that on much less gas than any of the so called large luxury RVs.

Article Courtesy of : www.BugSmacker.com : Copyright © 2009

Rack ‘em Up

Tim R. Enright

There are several different types of bike racks on the market which can be used by RVers. Most styles will accommodate at least 2 bicycles. Each of the various racks will have their good and bad points. Allow me to elaborate on some of the more common types.

Hitch Mount Racks  are the most common. These mount to your RV or vehicle using a trailer hitch mount. They can be mounted on hitches on the front or rear of your vehicle. Frame Mount, Bumper Mount and Ladder Mount Bike Racks mount to the rear of your RV. There is also a bike rack mount that mounts to your pop-up camper.

All of the bike racks described above have one thing in common. They leave your bike exposed to the weather and the risk of theft. To combat this problem, several manufacturers have developed areas inside of your RV to store and transport your bicycles. Some have storage doors in the side or rear to put your bikes. You could also opt for a Toy Hauler style RV which would not only allow you to transport your bicycles, but your ATVs and motorcycles as well.

Last but not least, you can purchase a folding bicycle. These bikes have quick release clamps that allow you to fold them up for compact storage.

Article Courtesy of : www.BugSmacker.com : Copyright © 2009

RV Types

Tim R. Enright

Recreational Vehicles (or RVs as they are commonly known) are portable living areas used for traveling or camping while away from home. This is not to say they can’t be used for main living quarters. Many people use RVs as their primary residence. Some RVs are more equipped for traveling, some for outdoor camping while others will provide you with all the comforts of home.

RVs are available in several different types. There are three main categories: Motorized, Trailers and Truck Campers. They are all built using various designs and materials. Most designs now include slide-outs that provide more living space by extending the width or height of the unit. The price for an RV can range from several hundred dollars up into the millions. Below is a list of the various types of RVs and a brief description of each.

Class “A” Motorhome: a motorized RV that is built on a commercial truck or bus chassis.

Class “B” Motorhome (Conversion Van): a van that is converted to include an extended roof and customized interior.

Class “C” Motorhome (Mini Motorhome): a motorized RV built on a van or large truck chassis. These RVs are characterized by a distinctive cab-over profile, which typically houses a sleeping area.

Conversion Bus: an RV converted from a bus. These RVs are typically the largest and most expensive of the RVs.

Travel Trailer: an RV towed by a larger vehicle usually with a ball-type hitch from the bumper or frame.

Toy Hauler: a travel trailer which can also transport an ATV or Motorcycle.

Fifth Wheel Trailer (5th Wheel): an RV designed to be towed by a pickup truck with a hitch (5th wheel hitch) located in the bed of the truck.

Park Trailer: a travel trailer designed for long-term stays and not typically used for traveling.

Teardrop Trailer: a compact, lightweight, teardrop shaped travel trailer usually pulled by smaller vehicles or motorcycles.

Pop-up Camper (Tent Camper): a small lightweight towable camper with a roof, which can be raised, and sides that fold out.

Hybrid Trailer: a travel trailer with fold out beds like a pop-up camper.

Truck Camper: a camper designed to fit into the bed of a pickup truck.

Article Courtesy of : www.BugSmacker.com : Copyright © 2009

RV Germ Warfare

Tim R. Enright

On one side we have the “GERMS” and on the other we have the “RVer”. Germs simply lurk inconspicuously waiting to latch on to any RVer that approaches their borders. RVers on the other hand, have the skills and weapons to wipe-out the nasty critters before they can assemble into any sort of organized, dangerous threat.

Germs that can cause disease or illness include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Germs really do no harm until you come in contact with them, so I will focus on prevention. Germs typically enter the body through the nose, eyes, and mouth; usually transmitted from our own contaminated hands and fingers.

The key to prevention is to create a barrier between your hands and the infectious matter. Caution should be used when coming into contact with anything possibly contaminated. This is where some type of sanitary glove fits the bill. There are many styles and materials to choose from. I recommend a Disposable Sanitary Glove so when you are finished using them, they can just be tossed out.

Another preventive measure is to sanitize your hands following any contact with germs. I have never quite understood people who pass their hands through a faucet of running water and then rub them against a hanging towel. This only makes the germs “wet”. To effectively control the spread of germs you must use soap. When soap is not an option then a bottle of hand sanitizer or antiseptic hand wipes are the next best thing.

There are several common sources of germs around the campsite. One source of contamination comes from the misuse of black tank waste. There are many diseases that are spread through contact with human waste (cholera, dysentery, hepatitis, measles, polio, typhoid fever, amoeba, giardia, hookworm, pinworm, roundworm, tapeworm, trichina worm) are a few that come to mind. When handling black tank hoses and valves you should always wear gloves. When you close the valve, tip the drain hose below the valve to catch any spillage that may continue to flow. After you have finished draining the tank, rinse the drain hose and drain area with water. Do not use the same hose you use to connect to your RV for fresh water. The idea is to isolate clean from dirty.

The water supply (city water connection) to your RV can also be a source of germs. Most people don’t think of it, but before you go ahead and hook your hose to your campsite water hydrant, you may want to give it a once over with some bleach or disinfectant spray. In most campgrounds that I visit, I have noticed a few dogs. To a dog, a hydrant serves a totally different purpose.

Prior to using your fresh water holding tank it is advisable that you disinfect it. Sanitize the tank with chlorine bleach or an RV product made specifically made for this purpose.  Always use cleaners according to the specifications in you manual.

Another typical area for germs is in the galley. Your RV kitchen can be a playground for cross contamination of foods. You should always be careful when handling uncooked foods prior to handling anything that will make its way to the table. After you have handled uncooked meats wash your hands. You can purchase Food Gloves as well. Avoiding this practice will just allow the germs to hitch-a-ride to the dinner table.

Some may say that this entire approach to germs is obsessive over-kill and fringes on paranoia at its max. You may think that such compulsive behavior is truly unnecessary. I am just attempting to provide you with some of the weapons you can use to win this war. It is up to you if you choose to fight or not.

As with any battle, prevention is always the key to success. It is much more difficult to recover from an attack than to stop the advancement of the threat. Once you end up fighting the germs on your own battlefield (or in other words you get sick), you will come to realize it would have been much easier to wipe the enemy out at the source.

Article Courtesy of : www.BugSmacker.com : Copyright © 2009