OK, we've been at this full time thing about 2 weeks. My post is not for the seasoned RVer, unless you wish to share one of your boo boos, but for those like me who followed the forums before starting out. BTW we are not new to RVing, but definitely to our motorhome. We have a convenient valve next to the "city water" input, open it up and one can fill the fresh water tank. Prior to departure I will fill it about one third, for use along the way. Yesterday I did so and then disconnected the hose. I got back into the rig and our water pump didn't go on. We were still in need of some water, plus we decided to fill a few containers, for flushing along the way. So I had to re- connect the hose. DW and I figured we' d deal with it when we could, as our destination had hook ups. I re called from the walk thru that the pump was accessible from the outside. Alright, time to go back outside. Holy gusher Batman! There's water hemorrhaging from the passenger side of the rig, from that locked little door that I thought was the pump access. I turned off the city water and while I'm getting the keys, I had a thought maybe there's a loose fitting at the pump. Not so, it was the fresh tank emergency overflow, that's right I hadn't closed that convenient valve. Of course it was the second key tried that opened the door, I then opened the alternate water fill cap and watched gallons of water spew forth, eventually down to a trickle. Fortunately we were on a gravel site. But now we had a full tank of water and no pump, ( insert F word here). We continued on with our plan, deal with it later and finished up departure prep. For those who read my introduction essay,Now it's real, you'll know that our son is traveling with us. During hooking up at our new site he was helping me out. Hey Dad, there's a water pump switch over here near the water in. Justin, there's two inside for convenience that's another. No Dad it looks more like a circuit breaker. And it was! He reset it and now our pump works. I will not enumerate the many lessons I learned. But hope this might help someone.

Yup, that's how one gets a supply of items for evening chats over favorite adult beverages. You've got a good one, that will lead to others recounting the way their rigs works, and a great time by everyone.

Barb

Don't feel alone, we all make mistakes!

Here's an older post on newbie mistakes, maybe you'll get a few chuckles as you realize you've joined a really big club! http://rv-dreams.activeboard.com/t53589387/well-my-1st-newbie-mistake-uuuuuggggg/

-- Edited by NWescapee on Tuesday 26th of September 2017 04:18:01 PM

I think we all end up making newbie mistakes, Cookie. Some of us make enough that they become oldbie mistakes!

Thanks for your support, we have been using only the water from fresh tank, for past 3 days. It's now on 2 thirds full, our grey water is also at 2 thirds. Yes I know they have different capacities. On a hey it's a great lifestyle, my DW and I had a nice dip in the heated pool, only a few others there and then to the hot tub. We had that to ourselves. We r at Shenandoah Valley campground, Verona VA.

Look at it this way - you FOUND the overflow for the fresh water. I'll bet there are LOTS of RVers who have no idea if they have an overflow outlet and if so, where it is.

Remember, the sensors are notoriously inaccurate. You will figure out the little indications as each tank gets full (shower starts to 'fill' up with grey water, toilet burps, etc. All part of the learning curve that you are experiencing.

Barb

Barb, had the toilet “burp” today, which notified me that it was time to dump the black tank. I know everyone refers to it as a “burp” but considering where it comes from, and how it can smell, a more descriptive name might be a “f _ _ _”. 😜

We had "honey pot" service today. Grey sensor down to one third, black still two thirds, according to sensors. Hadn't heard about the burp, or experienced it w our TT years ago. We did learn early on, back then about grey being full when tub started filling up. Our current MH, purchased used, came w the black tank sensor on two thirds, and stays there no matter the actual status, I have even used the built in flushing system. No matter what, this is better than having a full cesspool. That's a few hundred to empty.

Maybe I should not mention the time I stopped at the water spigot at a state park to fill the freshwater tank. Hooked up the hose, turned the water on occasionally checking the tank level always showing empty. Must be low water pressure I thought. Waited a while longer, still empty. What is going on we wondered. Finally figured out I hooked the hose to the "city" water input to the trailer, not the freshwater tank...geesh.