2023 RV/Camping Thread

[Sahelian Jeep]

We’re at Stillwater RV Resort close to Tyler this weekend. Very nice park, all concrete, pools are cold, and lots of kids.

[JakeWalts]

Your current approach of having vents open, an interior fan, and external fans for air circulation sounds like a proactive solution. As for your upcoming adventure, since you're based in League City, Tx, there are some fantastic destinations within a 4-6 hour drive. You might consider exploring the beauty of the Texas Hill Country, with its charming towns like Fredericksburg and the stunning Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. Another option is the Gulf Coast, where you can enjoy beachside camping and relaxation.Remember, proper maintenance and care of your camper are essential for smooth journeys. Also, check out this truck parts provider if you ever need to do some repairments. Wishing you safe and joyful camping experiences ahead!

[DaveC]

Last week we stayed at the COTA track to watch the MotoAmerica races.
Had I known then what I know now I would have stayed on the back stretch instead of near the S's- where they had it fenced off and had to be ferried back and forth via shuttles.




After that it was 2 nights at Forth Clark Springs- next to Brackettville for some deer lease chores- what an interesting place. They have full hook up spots with a lot of linemen living there while working in the area.
Scary part is the states 3rd largest natural spring feeds a swimming pool there that (according to our land owner) has quit flowing water for the first time since 1964.
They even offer day style hunts there for deer and Axis. The axis were thick, but I didn't see any bucks, plenty of rubs though.

https://www.fortclark.com/history

[Bill M]

Just returned from Choke Canyon SP. It was our first trip since early June and since we moved into the new house. We really enjoyed the trip but it was a bit strange after having lived in this thing for 300 days. We had gone through the RV and performed maintenance since we moved out and it was no worse for wear.

There was a lot of shooting Saturday morning since the General season opener and Duck season opener. No sleeping in with the boat and gun noise.

Nice view from our campsite





Ended up having to put the dish on the ground a little further out to have a clear shot.



Friendly critters



Power plant across FM 791 from a lease we were on in the 1980s. Half was in McMullen Co. and half was in Atascosa Co.



One of many birds photographed. Harris Hawk

[chrisk]

My wife has help several people find lots for rv/campers in our area.
I sometimes think this area(Rockport area) is the Mecca for campers and RV’s.

[Etxbuckman]

I know this is the 2023 thread, but I don’t see one yet for 2024, so hopefully somebody can answer my question here. This is kind of a 2-part question.

What is the best way to protect a water pump during a hard freeze like we had Christmas of 2022 last month (January ‘24)?

I lost the water pump in the Christmas ‘22 freeze, granted it was about 11 years old so it wasn’t a huge surprise, but now it seems the one I replaced in January 2023 got damaged by the freeze last month.

I had drained all the lines prior to the freeze, and indeed I don’t seem to have any leaks, but it doesn’t seem to be pumping water now. Or at least not correctly. And I say that because the motor is running, and I can hear a whirling sound, but it’s not doing the on/off sound that it makes when it’s actually pumping correctly. Strangely though, water does seem to be getting through, just not running like it was before the freeze.

Edit: I wanted to mention that it was initially working and pumping fine when I first fired it up after things thawed out after the freeze last month. It worked for a couple of minutes before it stopped pumping.

[Dale Moser]

I know this is the 2023 thread, but I don’t see one yet for 2024, so hopefully somebody can answer my question here. This is kind of a 2-part question.

What is the best way to protect a water pump during a hard freeze like we had Christmas of 2022 last month (January ‘24)?

I lost the water pump in the Christmas ‘22 freeze, granted it was about 11 years old so it wasn’t a huge surprise, but now it seems the one I replaced in January 2023 got damaged by the freeze last month.

I had drained all the lines prior to the freeze, and indeed I don’t seem to have any leaks, but it doesn’t seem to be pumping water now. Or at least not correctly. And I say that because the motor is running, and I can hear a whirling sound, but it’s not doing the on/off sound that it makes when it’s actually pumping correctly. Strangely though, water does seem to be getting through, just not running like it was before the freeze.

Edit: I wanted to mention that it was initially working and pumping fine when I first fired it up after things thawed out after the freeze last month. It worked for a couple of minutes before it stopped pumping.

Make sure all your low point drains are closed. Also, if you drained the water heater, the pump will run until it's re-filled and you won't get any pressure until it is...takes about 6-8 minutes.

As far as preventatives, get the little fitting that screws into you're city water hook up to blow down the lines with a compressor. Be sure to open the low point drains 1st.

[Etxbuckman]

Make sure all your low point drains are closed. Also, if you drained the water heater, the pump will run until it's re-filled and you won't get any pressure until it is...takes about 6-8 minutes.

As far as preventatives, get the little fitting that screws into you're city water hook up to blow down the lines with a compressor. Be sure to open the low point drains 1st.

Man I didn't even think about the water heater having to refill. I absolutely drained it, so that would make total sense. Thank you!

Having said, that I'm still not 100% sure the pump is working correctly, so what I may do is buy a new one anyway, and then see if a valve or diaphram is stuck or busted, and then repair it if I can. That way I have spare.

[kry226]

Just about the only thing you can do for the pump, other than removing it is to pump antifreeze through it. I normally blow out my lines and low drain points with 50 psi compressed air, drain water heater, including activating the water heater bypass so it doesn't fill up, drain fresh water tank, and then put about 7 or 8 gallons of the pink RV antifreeze in the fresh water tank. Turn on the pump and pump antifreeze to all faucets and the toilet. I also fill all p-traps with antifreeze and ensure there is some in the toilet bowl so the gasket doesn't dry out.

I've lived in cold places like Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland (Polar Vortex of 2014), and now Pennsylvania, plus the trailer was stored at my Texas panhandle place during the "great freeze" and we saw -9 degrees then... never had the first issue. HTH.