Going to Vancouver, BC, Canada

[Astrodokk]

Heading up north from Seattle to Vancouver, BC for 5 days. Staying at Capilano River RV Park just north of downtown past the Lion's Gate Bridge on full hook-up.

So I have a question.

While hooked up to city water, is there a bypass that allows me to flush the toilet, use the sink faucets, and shower (if I had to although they have showers there), without having to fill my main water tank? I assume that if I want hot water, I will have to open the pipe into the water heater, then drain it after I'm done for the rest of winter.

I really don't want to fill the main water tank if it will work just by attaching a city hose.

I'll be glad to be on shore power so I can run the furnace anytime I want to. It'll be cold up there. I have plenty of propane and I finally installed the Suburban thermostat with an "OFF" switch!

[pdemarest]

Hi Astrodokk - when you are hooked up to city water all your plumbing is fed by that system so you're not using water from your onboard tank. Hope that helps.

[Blue~Go]

Exactly as P. said. When on city water it just uses the pressure from the campground hose. There are a couple of things to think about though:

1) It's usually best if you don't open your black tank valve and just leave it open. Reason is, you do your numbers 1 and 2, and number 1 happily rolls right out the sewer hose and into the campground drain, while 2, being a bit less nimble, is left, shall we say, high and dry in your black tank. It can form a type of concrete on the bottom of the tank. So better practice is that -- if you do hook up your sewer hose and lead it into the site drain -- that you still keep your black tank valve closed, let the tank fill and then drain it all at once. 1 and 2 go on their merry way together and all is right with the world.

2) Keep in mind that if you have city water hooked up, you are one little problem away from a major flood in your Chinook (and if you were out hiking when it happened, you can only imagine the amount of water that could come in via a pressurized hose). Now, lots of people do it, and only a few have problems, but they are not problems I'd like to have. If it were me, I'd hook up to city water, let that fill my tank, then shut off the "city" supply at the pedestal (can keep hose hooked up to Chinook) and run off my tank. Tank empties, you just turn on the campground hose and let it fill your tank again. Then shut it off and use the next tank full. You could also consider shutting off your water pump when away from the coach (but at least that's only 25 gallons or so, depending on how full it is).

3) I'm not actually sure which parts and pieces are keeping the flood from happening (not sure if it would only be a problem if a pipe joint failed, or if there are valves or something too). I don't do it that way -- maybe others could comment.

PS: Just re-read that you don't want to put water in the tank. Well, then at least you could shut off the hose at the pedestal if leaving and you want a bit of insurance.

PPS: Have a great trip!

[Astrodokk]

Thanks P & B.

I will definitely shut off the city water before leaving.

I read here somewhere that if left hooked up to shore power that it can overcharge the house batts, so I guess I will unplug that too.

[Blue~Go]

While it's true that the stock type charger can tend to overcharge the batteries, my thought would be that it's not something that's going to damage the batteries over a few days. It's long term that you don't want to do that. (Obviously do check the water level if you have that type of cells.) That's not to say you can't unplug if you want to though of course.

What freaks me out (and that I always unplug!) are things like "wall warts" and the little voltage converters you get on some DC plugs. I have had several of those melt down (while I was in attendance). They are never plugged in if I leave.

[chin_k]

I have never thought about leaving the city water off when away. Great tip, Blue.

[Astrodokk]

I had to shut mine off. I will explain in a new thread so others can find the topic easier.

[pdemarest]

Another note about the water; I know that the Chinook has a pressure regulator built-in but I carry a pressure regulator to use when I'm hooked up to city water - just in case. When we stayed at Fishing Bridge RV park inside Yellowstone they asked me at check-in if I had a regulator because the water pressure could vary greatly and exceed the limits of your plumbing. They even had them for sale inside the check-in station. I agree that turning the city water off is a good idea but even if you're in your rig you wouldn't want the plumbing blowing out.

[Astrodokk]

Thanks.
I started a thread about it and a regulator was suggested, and I will look into it.