New Casita owner questions

[wesdutch]

Hi, My name is Dutch, and I am the happy new owner (one week!) of a 2005 Casita LD. I am sooo happy to have stumbled on this wonderful community, as I have lots of questions. (Please bear with me if these seem really basic. I'm 100% new to this...)
1. If I can only afford a sway bar OR an electronic brake controller at this time, which should I spend my money on? (Please don't say both. Just not in the cards right now.) I guess I should say my TV is a Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab with a six foot bed.
2. I have some trepidation re the whole black/gray tank dump station procedure. Do I need a tank wand, or is it an optional thing? Do I need chemicals or are they a luxury? I've seen in threads mention of a collar or adapter I may need at dump stations. Is this something I need or should have? If so, is using it self-explanatory? Does the poop (pardon my language) just flow out due to gravity, or do you have to do something? How do you know when the tank is approaching full? How do you know when it's clean?
I want to put together a plastic tub with containing everything to do with the toilet and holding tank. What should be in this tub?
3. When I hook up a hose from a house to mi Casita, do I need a pressure regulator or is that being overly cautious? I really would rather not buy one now if it's not necessary.

Thanks for any help or tips you can provide.

Dutch

PS I would love to go to the Hat Creek gathering, but the timing just doesn't work. Is there a way via this community to track down a Casita owner in the Sonoma area who might be willing to show me some of this stuff?

[Donna D.]

Hi Dutch, to FiberglassRV, we're glad you're here

Lots of kind and helpful people here on the forums. I'm better one or two or five will be along shortly.

Pictures, do you have pictures?

[Kevin K]

Buy brake controller first (Very good one Tekonsha 90195 P3)
Tekonsha 90195 P3 Electronic Brake Control : Amazon.com : Automotive
Tank wand- No
Chemicals - No
Pressure regulator Yes

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by wesdutch

I have some trepidation re the whole black/gray tank dump station procedure. I've seen in threads mention of a collar or adapter I may need at dump stations. Is this something I need or should have?

- No. I suggest you check out a dump station somewhere at a park before you need to figure it out. All the ones I've been to amount to a hole where you just stick the hose in.

Does the poop (pardon my language) just flow out due to gravity, or do you have to do something?

- Gravity.

How do you know when the tank is approaching full?

- Shine a flashlight in the toilet.

How do you know when it's clean?
- When stuff stops coming out of the dump hose.

I want to put together a plastic tub with containing everything to do with the toilet and holding tank. What should be in this tub?

-TP is useful.

When I hook up a hose from a house to mi Casita, do I need a pressure regulator or is that being overly cautious? I really would rather not buy one now if it's not necessary.

- A pressure regulator is a good idea, but many don't use one. I'm on a well so my pressure never gets above 60 psi.

[honda03842]

Dutch,

When we purchased our motorhome we had never spent more than 10 minutes in any RV. We began by joining a local RV club. One of the members called us up and came for lunch providing all kinds of friendly info.

The member directory can be searched for your area but any RV owner will be able to explain the basics. I would consider talking to a neighbor or friend who has an Rv and invite him over.

Suggesting all that, we are now in our 13 year and Rv's are really easy to use after a couple of lessons.

First the brake controller, probably $120-140. Kevin's suggestion is a good one.

Anti-Sway bars are inexpensive, well under $100.

A pressure regulator is inexpensive and does protect against high pressure.

Dumping is easy and black tanks dump in about a minute or two. Casitas are known for slow gray tank dumping but you can hear it and will easily know when it's done.

Chemical use varies with users. We use none.

You did not mention your tow vehicle but proper tire pressures on both trailer and tow vehicle are as important as anything.

Keep asking and the people here will help out.

[Herb Sutton]

Brake control first-crash prevention
Pressure regulator-inside the trailer water leak prevention.
Toilet chemicals-stink prevention.
Sway control-inhibits tail wagging.
Wand is a PITA-I installed a No-Fuss Flush kit, much better.
I used a rubber collar once ever because hick town ordinance required it.