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I've been battling this for a few years. Tried every chemical known to man. Was afraid I wouldn't be able to get rid of smell so I went with the 310. Love it... and the smell is gone!
It has huge advantages having a cut off valve at the toilet, especially if you need to flush the tank from the toilet. It's a pain to have to go outside to turn off, then back on the water to check tank levels from inside. There more in this video: RV Black Tank Maintenance - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-LCcJtTGcXZc.html
Hi John, we have been following you since we got back into RVing and bought an Rpod 190 in 2019. We ended up selling it and upsizing to a GD MLE22 in 2022 for retirement and more travel/living space. The MLE has had a lot of issues which I won't get into but up until now GD has covered most. Currently we need a new roof. GD should be covering but they are not. As we are paying for the roof, we are looking at either traditional rubber roof replacement or the FlexArmor which would cost about 2500 more. We want to know how you like the Flex Armor product if you are familiar with it. Thank you and we will continue watching.
I have no experience with the FlexArmor. I can say that the TPO roof on my 2020 Keystone Bullet has been stellar without any issues in over 600 nights of use and some pretty horrendous rain storms in FL. All the best!
Hi John, we celebrated 24 years of camping with our 1999 Airstream. I would be too insecure to get into a new one with all the problems that so many are experiencing, besides with the prices today what they are I would not want that kind of debt, I don’t have the stomach for it 😂 thanks so much for All your informative videos!
I want to put a cutoff valve on my rv toliet line so when I clean the black tank I like to put hot water from my shower hose but can't do it with water running in from the toliet.i plan on using a stainless supply line that screws onto the valve so in the future if I decide to change toliet I hopefully want have to alter it.
Sounds like a plan. The cutoff valve at the toilet is a Huge help. Here is a video on managing the black tank using the cutoff valve: RV Black Tank Maintenance: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-LCcJtTGcXZc.html
Would this allow water to get into the insulation that under that area. In the outer edge of my sonic (similar floor plan to yours) underneath on the sides, I noticed the insulation under the plastic was saturated with water. Only in the front of camper. Both sides.
It very well could allow water to seep into the subfloor and any insulation. The key is to try and test to see where water is getting in. If both sides are wet, I'd start by checking the roof caulk on both sides for any holes, then working down to the lower areas. Having someone help spray a specific area, while you are looking at that area is helpful. I video taped a lot in the cargo hold to find the issue. All the best!
If my video can dissuade you, I think that good thing, as Rv ownership is not an easy thing. My R-Pod experience was one of regular maintenance and serious structural issues I had to tackle. Hopefully you can find something that will satisfy. All the best!
Hello, Thanks for your video. Like many, we have recently encountered this problem. Original toilet built in 2019. They sent a new toilet manufactured in May 2014. Has the problem been fixed in this toilet or do we need to “enhance” it before installing it? We appreciate you.
I am hearing that the problem has been fixed, but I personally would still do the process I show on any new 300 toilet (although it may void a warranty). The fix as shown has held up over hundreds of nights of use. All the best!
Excellent video! We purchased a used 2020 Cherokee Grey Wolf Limited camper that’s in great condition. After the second outing, I could no longer handle the smell. It smelled like a stadium urinal. I did remove the toilet and sure enough there was sewage build up. The manufacture label on the toilet was 6/4/2019. I did attempt to seperate the bowl from the base but ended up cracking it. Subsequently, I replaced the toilet with the 310 model. I also want to mention that the manufacturer did not have the flange which was broken screwed into the floor. The flange was seated onto a metal ring that was screwed to the floor by two screws which held the T bolts. I replaced the flange as well which I attached to a pvc pipe which was inserted into a rubber gasket that lead to the black tank.
Good call to replace with a 310, as long as you have clearance to do so. Unfortunately, many of us do not have the needed 10.5" or move and are stuck with the 300 models. Thanks for sharing your experience. All the best!
Starlink is the best in my opinion unless you have a dense tree canopy where you are camping. Otherwise, a good Mifi from Verizon or AT&T has served me well over the years (preferable the opposite of your phone's plan provider). All the best!
Thank you! This is a great video which has taken the mystery out of the appliance that I've only used as a microwave to this point. Look forward to being able to actually cook with it!
When you use a combo function where it cooks part way with microwave then switches to convection, what about the fact that you shouldn’t have metal in the oven for the microwave portion but then need to use the metal rack to raise the dish to allow proper air circulation for even cooking? 🤷♀️🤦🏼♀️
The round metal rack has rubber feet and is safe to leave in when transitioning to/from using the microwave in combo mode. Just don't let the rack touch the sides when it is rotating.
John, I have a 2021 22 foot Bullet. It has a Dometic DFMD 20 furnace which looks exactly like yours. It may be less BTUs though. At any rate when I turn on the thermostat and turn up the temperature nothing happens at all. The blower does not come on nor does the furnace try to light. I know abut the 15A fuse in the fuse box (which is good) but are there any other fuses or anything like that that you found on your furnace? Is there a control board anywhere? I did have trouble getting the fridge to run on propane this year I think because there was air in the line. So now I am wondering if the furnace is locked out some way from having air in the line. Any guidance you could give would be appreciated. Thank you for your videos they are very helpful.
First thing I would do is to light the stove to ensure propane is flowing properly. This should bleed the line. Next, if you have a Dometic CT thermostat, pull the faceplate, wait 15-20 seconds and put the faceplate back on. This will reset the thermostat. Here is a link to the CT Thermostat video if you are not sure if you have the same thermostat: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-HhT5v0i2vVo.htmlsi=H13NIdGyjsNG9QW_
If you know your water source is not great, you'll want to used a filter when putting water into the fresh water tank. If you have no hose that can connect to the city water inlet, you'll need to pass on that step, otherwise use a filter on the hose when flushing the system through the city water inlet. Thanks!
Hey John. I have replaced the original one. My problem is the unit will keep getting cold way past the setting. The unit will no turn off. What do you think.
I think the units with only one ring are later models. I am not sure where you would get a second gasket or if it is needed. Others have followed the procedure in the video and applied silicone to the single gasket.
John: Maybe you can help me with math. I got a new tow vehicle, and have weighed it with my RV on Cat Scale. My trucks capacities are as follows: Front axle...3,500 Rear axle..3,600. GVWR 6,250. My Cat Scale numbers were: Front axle 2,760 Rear axle 3,500. I thought I was good, but adding up those numbers puts me over GVWR even though I'm within axle perimeters. Trailer was not an issue Weighed 4,700 max is 5,500. Can you help explain this? Thanks John
@@keithmcgregor2546 I can have more than 600 lbs difference between axles when towing, however, a good setup with a weight distribution hitch will minimize this. My last Cat Scale was in April with 3,460 lbs. on my steer axle and 3,700 lbs. on my drive axle. You may be able to adjust your WDH to move more weight to the front axle.
thanks bud. i'm a newbie and you sharing experience and knowledge is more helpful than you can imagine. saving time money and headaches, lots of DIY stuff above me and requires electrical know how. but some like these i can handle. water conservation paramount as we do old fashion dry camping alot
Glad the video was helpful. If you haven’t already, feel free to join our new-to-RVing group. We’ll send you the list of 18 getting started videos and much more info that should help out: johnmarucci.com/getting-started-with-rving-18-videos/
RVing was much more affordable and that’s what made it attractive for vacations but not now. By time you make a crazy high payment and pay the campground you are better off to get a hotel. Or better yet just take a cruise for vacation. I’ve been looking for a class c motorhome and found a couple good deals last month I should have jumped on but now all of them are out of my price range. I don’t see paying $65k + for a motorhome that has close to 100k miles. And class b? Those prices are absolutely ridiculous. If you have the disposable income to throw away on them well I must commend you. But is this the new norm? The prices on everything is crazy the next generation is getting indoctrinated to think this is how you are supposed to live, keep yourself in debt like crazy until you die. But the thought of back pack camping is starting to seem more and more appealing.
Thanks for sharing your perspective. I started out tent camping for very cheap, most people don’t need a lot more than this unless you plan to really use the heck out of the RV. Easier to rent an RV for occasional use than buy one and pay to maintain it and only use it a few times a year. Thanks again!
Thanks John. That spike in used could be storm damaged units that can’t be sold as new. Or, more likely, people are dumping 21-23’s due to horrendous experience of poor quality. A friend of mine just sold his truck and trailer, had too many issues.
Adding 8,400 used listings in one week is a strange data anomaly. I can’t go back to look but it feels like a large player like Camping World push a bunch of old inventory onto the platform.
I wonder what a data set on fifth wheel trailers would look like. Rather than a younger buyer looking for entry level units it seems a fifth wheel buyer is a more serious RVer who has been through the pop up & travel trailer phases, has a larger tow vehicle and is looking to step up to higher quality. A couple years ago I toyed with the idea of a used Class A motor home but decided against it over concerns about breakdowns/maintenance. Those concerns were the same reason we sold our 33 foot cabin cruiser boat that had 2 V8 engines. I became too afraid of the expense of a major breakdown. I think the Class A realm is for wealthy people with the significant financial resources necessary to afford the high cost of ownership. The frame flex issue is obviously more significant than the more typical quality complaints of loose trim, dripping plumbing and sticking drawer glides. It sounded to me like it is mostly with the big toy haulers. It seems to me that building a house on wheels with a garage for 4 wheelers and motorcycles while also trying to make it as lightweight as possible so people can tow it down the road while it sways around from the wind and tractor trailers and is hitting bumps and potholes is probably a lot to ask. I have a feeling there’s simply some flawed engineering in those frames.
It is easy to change the visualization online to show just 5th wheels, which are below 2023 levels. Second chart down on this page. Just change RV Type to 5th Wheel: johnmarucci.com/data-viz-mobile/ the data pretty much reinforces that 5th wheel upgrades are at an all time low. Thanks!
Another great information video John ! I totally agree that the RV industry has given themselves a black eye . Building junk RV’s is catching up with them. The newer younger buyers can’t afford them as well! Thanks for sharing! 👍😁
Been in RVing since 1976 starting out with pop up transitioning to 5th wheel. I sold last rv about 14 yrs ago. I will say it was affordable to rv as campgrounds were affordable. NO LONGER. That said I still go to rv shows and teeter on purchasing but then I do research and NO way. I’m doing vacant remote land and building weekend seasonal build… might not appreciate as quick as others want but I’m not throwing $100,000-125,000 into truck and trailer to see it depreciate 50% if not more in 3 yrs… I’ll do over nighters and stay in 3-4 star hotels or air BNB’s and I’ll be way ahead of game and not worrying about consistent rv maintenance/ breakdowns insurance and the now “different” types of rvers out there…
I don’t blame you! I go camping in SP, COE, National parks only ! Never have stayed in a typical RV park ! Too expensive!! Built a tiny home base 20 years ago ! Full timing RV ing is over rated !!!
More are coming. The cost of yearly maintenance for a diesel motorhome goes higher as they get older. My maintenance was $4000 this year. Add the insurance and it cost me $6,000 this year before I turn a key. You better use it.
I noticed that Grand Design just extended their frame warranty for multiple years going back retroactively to 2020 and made all their warranties fully transferable.
I’m trying to think why this would be happening and haven’t run into the exact issue as you have explained it. There really is no reason I know of why the TV won’t tune in lower number channels or mainstream networks. I assume you can get these no problem in your area?
My first time backing my camper was in the dark on my blind side. All my neighbors were out at their tables. Thankfully I just took it slow and was able to do it with one or two adjustments.
Nice video, John. Thanks. So disappointing about Ember. I was looking at a 201FBQ as my ideal layout and solar array. Now I’m reconsidering. Unrelated question - I have a 2020 Tundra Limited Crew Cab similar to your truck. Have you had any concerns about payload capacity for your truck? When I do my calculations including two passengers, hitch, full gas, and minimal cargo in the bed, I’m coming up with less than 600 lbs. Thanks again.
You are right to be concerned with payload capacity with the Tundra. My 2020 Keystone Bullet at 5,000 lbs. unloaded is the maximum sized trailer I can tow. Once it and the truck are loaded I am always very close on payload. I make sure I tow without any water in the rig and as light as possible cargo in the trailer and truck bed. If I am not going to full hookups, I take two jerry cans for water when I arrive at the campground, to keep water weight to a minimum. It is an ongoing challenge for sure. All the best!
I saw you have/had a tundra for towing, how does it do? I have a tundra want an rv but don’t want to buy a new vehicle. How does it o in hills etc? Would love a video or some feed back in comments. Thanks subscribed.
I did a video on the Tundra a few years ago. My experience has been outstanding and highly recommended one prior to 2019 with the 5.7L V8. My 2017 has the transmission cooler which I believe they dropped for 2019 or 2020. It easily manages my 5,000 lbs (dry weight) Keystone Bullet. Here is the link to the review: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-t-IuGbLYzKM.htmlsi=AVMKFb9zlkyZ7xhT
This is one of the most helpful RU-vid videos I have ever seen. Very clear concise; both video and audio, as well as content were very well presented,. Thank you very much!
You’ll still need to get fresh water into your tank to flush. I’ve used Jerry cans at times from a water source to fill my fresh water tank. Once the water is on the tank, you can engage the water pump flush the system. Thanks!
