Getting started

I have never used my tanks or water or sewer system. I think if I had my choice I would have bought one without the kitchen and bathroom because I haven't used either one. That's why I would like to trade mine for one without those, because I want to travel to South America. I'm tempted to gut the interior, take out the bathroom and kitchen and make it more comfortable, with what suits me.I'm just pulling around unnecessary weight. If I am at a campground, I use their shower. And toilet. But guess I should learn how to use them in case, maybe I'll find myself boon docking and that's all I have. Let's start with the shower. What is the first thing you do. I assume you have to have a hose running to the camper. Or fill up the tank. And the hot water heater. Then the kitchen sink, and the toilet,etc. Maybe there is a how to get started on here you can just refer me to. Or give me step by step instructions. And tips. Thanks

All of the plumbing begins with one of two sources.  "City water" or the on-board tank.  For city water, just hook up a hose to the city water inlet.  For the on-board tank, fill the tank at the gravity dish right beside the city water hookup.  Fill it until it overflows.  Either way, make sure the bypass valves for the water heater are set correctly.  If you are going to use the water heater, they need to be on the summer settings.  (If you're using on-board water, turn on the pump.)  Turn on the hot water at the sink until it runs with nothing but water.  It will blow air, somewhat violently, for a while.  Turn on the other faucets, including the shower and toilet until water comes out.  Wait for the water to warm up.  Take your shower.  Of course, eventually your grey tank will need emptying.  Go to a dump station and dump it.  If you use the toilet you'll need to drain the black tank too.  Really not much to it after you do it a time or two.

If you decide you don't want plumbing, trade the RPod in, don't gut it!  They have great resale value.  There's an Amish-made trailer, not sure the brand name, but one model is an "Outback".  It's way smaller than an RPod, but much easier to tow and they are very well built.  They cost nearly as much as an RPod though.  As Dave said, there are a lot of lighter, smaller, trailers more intended for an expedition like you're talking about.

TT

Henry, you mentioned traveling to S. America.  You should probably give that an awful lot of thought before you launch into such an adventure.  I lived in Colombia many years ago and while I was there I recall one gringo attempting to ride his motorcycle from the US to Argentina.  He never made it past the Darian Gap.  Some nice people decided that he really didn't need the motorcycle as much as they wanted it.  They considered holding him for ransom but since his family really had no money they eventually released him.  

OK, maybe it's not a good idea. Thanks for talking me out of it. That's what I like about this forum, smart, honest, friendly discussion. I wasn't really set on going anyway.

Originally posted by lostagain  Stay far away from Venezuela. Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras are beautiful but best to be in good standing with the Mara Salvatrucha.  Brazil is also fun, but the traffic in the major cities is awful and crime can be an issue. And most of all forget taking a vehicle and or camper, trailer, motorhome, etc. to S. America.  I would give my eye teeth to do it, but it just isn't possible.

From what I've been told, right or wrong?, Guatemala is the most dangerous country on our earth at present which says allot to me considering other countries with wars going on. I hear that El Salvador is not to far behind them. As for Venezuela being a USA capitalist citizen it might not be a good idea to visit right now, ya think? 

I'd love to do South America on my motorcycle but I also love my life to much to be crazy enough to try traveling there now with its economic and political upheaval, not to mention the resulting drugs and crime.