Featured Website: Gas Buddy

www.gasbuddy.com
GasBuddy.com can help you find cheap gas prices in your city. It is a network of more than 179+ gas price information websites that help you find low gasoline prices. All web sites are operated by GasBuddy and has the most comprehensive listings of gas prices anywhere.

Gasoline prices change frequently and may vary by as much as 20 percent within only a few blocks. It's important to be able find the service station with the lowest priced fuel. GasBuddy web sites allow motorists to share information about low priced fuel with others as well as target the lowest priced stations to save money when filling up at the pumps!

RV Black Water Tank Maintenance
by Tim R. Enright
Maintaining your RV’s "Black Water Tank" is one of the most daunting tasks for either the new or the most experienced RV’er. The black tank or “potty” water tank can be both difficult to empty and hard to determine when it has been emptied.

Let’s begin with tank usage. There are two styles of camping, full hookups and all others including: primitive, semi-modern, or even boon docking. With full hookups your campsite will provide you with a sewer connection. With the others you will need to take the RV to a sanitary station to drain the tank. In cases where it is not feasible to take the unit to the station (i.e. extended park stays) you can purchase what is called a honey wagon. This is a portable disposal tank on wheels. They come in various sizes.

This brings us back to the problems at hand. Black tanks constantly plug and the gauge that monitors the levels is notoriously incorrect. There are however a few things you can do to ease the pain.

Follow these tips:

Always dump your Black tank first, then your Gray tank. The gray water will have soap and also be a much more forceful flow to clean the hose. Follow by cleaning everything with water. Most sites have a special hose marked for this purpose.

Never empty the black water tank unless it is full or at least near full. This allows solids and tissues to partially break down. The tank will also flow out much better if there is sufficient force behind it. That means that if you are at a site with full hookups it is ok to hook up the hose but DO NOT open the flush valve until the tank is full. If the tank is not full, you can always add water to fill the tank sufficiently.

It is much better to leave your campground and head to another location before draining your tank. This will allow the solids in the tank to be agitated and break down while traveling. The rougher the road the better. The tank will then drain more easily. Another trick is to flush the left over ice from your cooler. This not only helps stir the tank but also aids in the cleaning of your tank sensor.

Never trust your tank sensor. And if, while draining, your tank is stops, that does not mean the tank is empty. Take it from me, THEY PLUG! Also never, I mean never try to unplug the drain from the valve without the hose attached. You will never do it again. One of the greatest gadgets in my arsenal of RV devices is called the RV Hydro Flush. This device goes between your tank valve and drain hose. It allows you to attach a water hose to the fitting. This gives you the ability to spray into the tank loosening any obstructions without ever removing the drain hose, thus keeping the flow directed toward the septic where it belongs. It is also made of clear plastic allowing you to see what is going on.

Larger RV units may have a spray system like the one described above built into the tank itself. There are aftermarket spray attachments you can buy if you would like to add one yourself. Keep in mind that you must be able to access the tank itself in order to add one of these.

Black tank treatment additives should be added every few days while the tank is in use. I have not found one type to be any better than the other in controlling odors. I personally like the liquid individual bottles for their ease of use.

Every so often you should rinse your system out. If you have a built-in sprayer that is a snap. If you do not, you can purchase a tank wand which will allow you to flush the tank and sensor out with water. Remember a clean tank is a happy tank.

Hope this eases some of the difficulties when it comes to the black tank.

Article Courtesy of : BugSmacker.com : Copyright © 2006

April 2007 Issue

Subscribe:
Did a fellow RVer forward this newslette? If so, sign up to have your own copy of HitchUpandGo exPress delivered to you: Subscribe Here

Featured Product: RV Hydro Flush
Cleans tank, pipe, valve and hose. Safely flush out your sewer hose and holding tank after dumping by sending a blast of fresh water into the waste tank to remove remaining debris. Anti-siphon valve installs on fresh water faucet to prevent contamination of fresh water system. Clear ABS plastic helps you see when tank and hose are flushed clean.

Feedback:
Your feedback is important to us. We value your comments and questions. Please take a moment to contact us

Our Commitment:
HitchUpandGo is more than happy to bring to you our quarterly newsletters called the HitchUpandGo exPress. This publication will provide you with a sample of what you can find on our website. At HitchUpandGo you will find the most useful and popular RV related websites all in one easy to use directory. We have compiled for you all of those hard to find camping related web links. Here you will find all the information you will need to make your RV experience a great one. HitchUpandGo wants to allow you more time RVing and less time preparing for your trip. RVing is all about fun and relaxation. We will provide you with all the websites you will need to get you on your way.

After all wouldn't you rather just....... HitchUpandGo?

e-newsletter designed by eiw