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Dometic 310 Toilet Leaking at Foot Pedal: Complete Fix Guide
Plumbing Medium 2-3 hours 272 👍 1

Dometic 310 Toilet Leaking at Foot Pedal: Complete Fix Guide

Called my weekend camping trip short because my Dometic 310 toilet has water pooling underneath, the flush mechanism sticking, AND that annoying gurgling sound happening constantly. I can see the leak between the fixed outer part and the moving pivot section when the pedal is pressed.

Already replaced the toilet valve but it's still leaking from the same spot. The inlet and outlet hoses look fine. What causes leaks at the pedal mechanism itself after the valve has been changed? …more
RV Black Tank Not Holding Full Capacity: 7 Common Causes and DIY Repair Solutions
Plumbing Medium 2-3 hours 224 👍

RV Black Tank Not Holding Full Capacity: 7 Common Causes and DIY Repair Solutions

Somewhere between embarrassed and desperate, I have to ask this probably dumb question: why does my RV's black tank act full when it should hold way more? We have a 40-gallon black tank, but when I try to fill it with water for cleaning, it starts overflowing through the vent pipe at only 23 gallons. I'm afraid there might be something seriously wrong with the installation or that I could damage the system.

A professional cleaning service said the tank was completely clean with no blockages, so I'm confused about why it won't hold its full capacity. The water is definitely coming out the vent pipe, so I assume that means the vent isn't blocked? I'm hesitant to keep trying things without understanding what's actually causing this - could this be a safety issue or sign of improper installation? What should I be looking for to diagnose this safely? …more
Fix RV Low Water Pressure on City Connection: Troubleshooting Pump Assembly
Plumbing Easy 30 minutes 215 👍

Fix RV Low Water Pressure on City Connection: Troubleshooting Pump Assembly

Last week my pressure regulator started reading a solid 40 PSI on city water but my water pump keeps cycling on for 5-6 seconds when everything says it should stay completely off. When I connect to city water, my water pressure regulator shows a solid 40 PSI, which should be plenty, right? But here's the weird part - my water pump keeps kicking on for about 5-6 seconds then shuts off, even though I'm connected to city water and the pump switch is supposed to be off.

The really frustrating thing is that the pressure feels weak throughout the RV, with specifically the bathroom sink and kitchen sink seeming low, though the shower has good pressure. I've already changed out the intake/check valve and don't currently have a filter in the system. I can see the pump running while on city water, which I know is not normal. I noticed the kitchen and bathroom sink screens were plugged - which might explain some pressure issues - but now I'm wondering about the toilet's low pressure. Could there be a screen in the toilet line I'm not seeing?

I've been full-timing for two years and never had this issue before. What should I be checking for? I'm handy enough to do basic repairs but need to know where to focus my troubleshooting efforts. …more
How to Fix Stuck RV Toilet Valve After Winterization - Step by Step
Plumbing Easy 30 minutes 175 👍

How to Fix Stuck RV Toilet Valve After Winterization - Step by Step

Called a repair shop about my RV toilet valve that only gets stuck when it's above 60 degrees outside — works perfectly fine during colder weather after winterization. During the camping season, my toilet works perfectly fine - the dump valve opens and closes smoothly without any problems. However, after I winterize my RV for winter storage and drain all the water from the system, I consistently run into the same frustrating problem when I try to de-winterize in spring.

The toilet dump valve gets completely stuck in the closed position and requires significant force to get it moving again. It seems like the valve mechanism seizes up during the months of storage when there's no water in the system. I'm assuming this happens because the seals and moving parts dry out completely without any moisture present during winter storage.

What's the best preventive maintenance I can do to keep this valve from sticking during winterization? Are there specific lubricants or treatments I should apply to the valve mechanism and seals before putting the RV into storage? I'd rather prevent this problem from happening in the first place rather than having to force a stuck valve every spring and risk damaging the toilet. …more
RV Water Pump Pulsing & Cycling Issues: 7 Causes + DIY Solutions
Plumbing Medium 45 minutes 170 👍

RV Water Pump Pulsing & Cycling Issues: 7 Causes + DIY Solutions

Noticed my RV water pump keeps pulsing and cycling on its own even when no faucets are running - is this dangerous with kids around? The water pump keeps turning on and off rapidly - like every few seconds - even when I don't have any faucets or anything running. It's doing this pulsing thing constantly.

I've heard someone mention something about an accumulator tank, but I'm not really sure what that is or how to check it. Could there be other things causing this too? I'd really appreciate some guidance on what might be wrong and where I should start looking. This is all pretty overwhelming as a beginner! …more
RV Black Tank Flush Not Working - Water Wont Go In
Plumbing Medium 1-2 hours 168 👍

RV Black Tank Flush Not Working - Water Wont Go In

According to my neighbor I need to replace the valve, the RV dealer says it's just a clog, and YouTube insists it's a pump issue with my 2012 36 QSP's black tank flush system. When I connect my hose to the flush port and turn on the water, nothing seems to go into the tank - the water just doesn't flow in like it should.

I'm wondering if there's a check valve that might be stuck or if something is clogged up? I've used the flush connection earlier in the year without any problems, so this is puzzling. I've heard about debris getting in the spray nozzle too. What are the most common causes when the black tank flush won't accept water, and what should I try to fix it? Any guidance would be really appreciated since I'm not sure what to troubleshoot first! …more

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RV Tank Sensor Removal Guide: Gray & Black Water Tank Sensors (Step-by-Step Process)
Plumbing Medium 1-2 hours 166 👍

RV Tank Sensor Removal Guide: Gray & Black Water Tank Sensors (Step-by-Step Process)

Somewhere between throwing $150 at new RV tank sensors and just ripping out these faulty gray and black water sensors completely, I'm wondering which route makes more sense? Was looking at changing my gray/black water tank sensors, but when I crawled under there, this is what I found. What kind of sensors are these and how do you remove them? I'd really appreciate some specific advice about the sensor type and removal technique. …more
60 PSI Water Pressure in RV: Is It Too High? (Expert Guide)
General Easy 15-30 minutes 152 👍

60 PSI Water Pressure in RV: Is It Too High? (Expert Guide)

Found myself staring at my water pressure gauge right now and there's 60 PSI showing even though my regulator is preset to 50 PSI. This is the first time I've used this particular gauge (bought it about 6 months ago), and it immediately shot up to 60 with no way to adjust it down.

Is 60 PSI going to damage my RV's plumbing system? I'm worried because that seems high, but I'm not sure if it's actually dangerous or just at the upper limit. Could my regulator be failing, or might this new gauge be giving me a bad reading? I'm planning a trip to get a replacement tomorrow, but I want to make sure I'm addressing the right problem here. …more
How to Sanitize Your RV Water Tank After Summer Storage - Complete Guide to Cleaning and Maintaining Fresh Water Systems
Plumbing Easy 2-3 hours 139 👍

How to Sanitize Your RV Water Tank After Summer Storage - Complete Guide to Cleaning and Maintaining Fresh Water Systems

About to tackle sanitizing my Winnebago Navion's water tank this Saturday after months of Arizona summer storage — what supplies should I have ready? The fresh water tank was completely drained before storage and has remained empty for approximately 4 months.

Given the extended storage period and the harsh desert conditions with temperatures exceeding 100°F for most of the summer, I need to determine the proper protocol for bringing the water system back online. Is a simple rinse sufficient, or does this situation warrant a full sanitization procedure?

What is the recommended bleach ratio and contact time for sanitizing after this type of extended hot weather storage? I want to ensure the water system is safe for consumption before our next trip. …more
RV Fresh Water Tank Safety: Complete Guide to Preventing Contamination Risks
Plumbing Easy 4-12 hours for sanitization 138 👍

RV Fresh Water Tank Safety: Complete Guide to Preventing Contamination Risks

Between the horror stories about brain-eating amoebas and my complete cluelessness about RV water systems, I'm terrified I'm going to poison myself with my own fresh water tank. I've been RVing for years and never really thought twice about our fresh water tank - we'd fill up wherever, use it for drinking, cooking, even my wife's neti pot rinses.

Now I'm second-guessing everything! How often should I actually be sanitizing our tank? Are there specific water sources I should avoid? And what about activities like nasal irrigation - I keep seeing conflicting advice about what water is actually safe to use. I really want to keep my family safe but also don't want to become completely neurotic about every drop of water we use. What are the real best practices here? …more
RV Water Pump Failure - Emergency Roadside Repair Guide
Plumbing Easy 30 minutes assessment 137 👍

RV Water Pump Failure - Emergency Roadside Repair Guide

The Trek motorhome's water pump just died at 11 PM in the middle of nowhere — need to figure this out before morning. While returning from Assateague, just north of Smyrna, Delaware, my water pump failed with a cloud of steam, leaving me stranded on the side of the road. Thankfully, Coach-Net, our road service provider, found us a tow to Lube Station and Repair in Smyrna. The Delaware State Police and Smyrna Fire Department were incredibly helpful, checking on us during this stressful situation. We ended up staying the night in the shop's lot and made it home only a day late. Has anyone else experienced something similar and have advice for handling roadside RV emergencies? …more
How to Travel with a Winterized RV: Complete Cold Weather Guide
Plumbing Easy N/A 137 👍

How to Travel with a Winterized RV: Complete Cold Weather Guide

I noticed my travel trailer isn't winterized for my Connecticut to Florida Keys trip in February — can't afford professional service right now, need DIY solutions under $200? I'll be stopping at my brother's place in New Jersey first, and then caravaning to our first stop in Fredericksburg, VA at a KOA with a full bathhouse.

I've winterized my travel trailer for the cold months up here, and I recently heard a podcast about travelers staying winterized and using RV antifreeze for quick bathroom needs during the trip. I'm wondering if anyone has experience with this approach.

I know I could de-winterize before leaving, but I'm worried about pipes freezing during the drive south since we'll be going through some cold states. On the other hand, traveling winterized means no water systems working during the trip. What's the smartest way to handle this? Should I keep it winterized for the whole drive and deal with no water, or is there a better strategy I'm missing? …more
Fix RV Black Tank Sensors Reading Full When Empty - Easy DIY
Plumbing Easy 2-24 hours 137 👍

Fix RV Black Tank Sensors Reading Full When Empty - Easy DIY

This used RV came with black tank sensors that constantly read 2/3 full even after completely dumping and flushing. No matter what I do, the sensors consistently show that misleading reading, and I'm pretty sure this is a sensor probe issue with waste buildup, but I've never cleaned them before and don't want to damage anything. I've heard about using special tank chemicals, sensor cleaning products, and even some kind of ice cube trick, but I need to know the proper methods that actually work.

What are the proven ways to clean RV black tank sensor probes and get my readings back to normal? I really need accurate tank levels so I know when it's actually time to dump! …more

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Thetford Aurora Toilet Replacement Guide: Best RV Toilet Upgrades
Plumbing Medium 1-2 hours 135 👍

Thetford Aurora Toilet Replacement Guide: Best RV Toilet Upgrades

The minor drip from my Thetford Aurora toilet seals started last month but now it's turned into a constant leak requiring daily maintenance. After one seal replacement, the failure recurred within four months of operation, indicating a potential systemic issue with this model's design.

I'm evaluating replacement options and need technical guidance on reliable alternatives. Budget considerations are important, but I require a unit that can withstand continuous use without recurring maintenance issues. Preference is for ceramic bowl construction over plastic alternatives for durability and performance characteristics.

What are the most reliable Thetford toilet models for Aurora replacement, and how do budget options like the Aqua Magic series compare to mid-range and premium models in terms of long-term reliability and seal performance? …more
RV Toilet Won't Hold Water: Fix Bowl Drainage & Sewer Smells
Plumbing Medium 60 minutes 135 👍

RV Toilet Won't Hold Water: Fix Bowl Drainage & Sewer Smells

Since my RV service tech insists I need to replace my entire toilet just because the water keeps disappearing from the bowl, I'm wondering if he's overselling me on what might be a simple seal issue. Pretty sure it's a seal issue but not sure if it's the ball seal, blade seal, or something with the valve itself. Getting some lovely sewer smells too which is just fantastic 🙄

Before I start tearing things apart, what's usually the culprit here? And roughly what am I looking at cost-wise for parts? Really hoping this is one of those DIY fixes and not a "call the RV guy" situation. …more
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