Chuck Smith wrote:
>
> Hi all. I'm still lurking, just trying to keep up, but I have to ask
> another couple dumb questions. We're (still) getting our 1983 31' Excella
> ready for our maiden voyage this weekend (and of course, they're calling for
> snow!) Yesterday I turned on the water for the first time. Since I bought
> the trailer in the winter I could only hope that everything worked.
> Everything seems to work fine. A couple questions, though:
> - Will the fresh water tank fill from the city water connection?

The system should have a check valve installed that prevents the fresh
water tank from being filled when connected to city water.

>
> - Is it OK to run the pump for an extended period? I assume it should just
> be turned on when you need water, if you're not hooked up to a water line?

Right, not needed when connected to city water lines. When using your
freshwater tank, turn the water pump on. It will turn off when system
pressure is met. Never leave it on when you be out of the trailer for
extended times. If a pipe broke, you'd have a mess.
 

> - The toilet doesn't shut-off completely. I can "jiggle" the pedal and get
> it almost off, but in about 2 hours the bowl is full. Will the water drain
> down the toilet before it overflows? Is the pedal valve easy to fix?
>
> One more - some of the places we plan to camp don't have sewage hook-ups.
> Does that mean every time the tank needs emptied, and with four of us that
> may be pretty often, I'll have to hitch the trailer, disconnect everything
> and drive to the dump station? The answer seems painfully obvious, but I
> guess that's the reason to use the bathhouse!

If you dump your tank when leaving the previous site, or entering the
new one,you should be good for 3 or 4 days, depending on usage. My motto
is..."use the local facilities"
>
> Sorry for the long post. Thanks for your patience.
> Chuck Smith