Rookie mistake - haste makes waste

[Tomfeury]

I thought I would share my first airstream rookie mistake with my newly purchased used 2017 27FB:

We took it out to Penn State for the opening football game and set up at the grange county fairgrounds. We were in a rush to get to the game. My wife called me over to help her get the water hose hooked up. We did that quickly and headed to the game. Luckily, we did not turn the water on from the spigot because:
We returned at midnight after a great tailgate, game, and post match festivities. I turned the spigot on so we could use the bathroom. A few minutes later, my wife notices water dripping from high up INSIDE THE WALL OF THE BEDROOM. I immediately turn off the water and check out the bathroom, where the bowl is full to the brim. I hit the flusher and a geyser hits me in the face!. So I go outside and pull the black tank valve, and it drained and drained.

It was not until the next morning that I realized we likely hooked up to the black water flush valve! Won't make that mistake again. But I do wish they were more clearly marked, or not right next to each other.

You have to laugh at your ineptitude!

[MWBishop]

On first shake down night I was very tired and did same thing in out brand new 26U.

Soon had a river of water pouring off the roof (since new AS was pure, clean water).
Luckily it was designed to overflow up and out, not inside.
Sure felt like a real idiot calling the dealership for help.

But yep, only takes once and lesson learned...


Also glad AS TTs are so tough because mine has had to survive many stupid newbie mistakes. Not sure an SOB would have been so forgiving.

[4riveteers]

You’re all VERY lucky your black tanks were new and empty! We’ve heard horror stories of black tanks being “occupied” when this happens and awnings were also deployed. Tragic clean up inside and out!

[rmkrum]

Known politely as the "Brown Fountain Effect"!

Happens much more often than one would expect...or desire.

IMHO, the label on the black tank flush connector should be a lot bigger, and the connector should be different to avoid this possibly very messy error. It also puts entirely too much faith in the quality and integrity of the seal between the toilet and the flange....

I obtained an after-market screw-in plug for the black tank flush connection, and modified the friction cap strap to accomodate the better fitting. The original was retained by friction only, and it was too easy to connect hose wrong when in a hurry. The city water fitting has a screw-in cap as part of it.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Learned early...all water use is from the FW tank. "hook-up" only to test the system.

Always turn off the WP when away or asleep. 😳

Bob
🇺🇸

[Jim Flower]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Learned early...all water use is from the FW tank. "hook-up" only to test the system.



Always turn off the WP when away or asleep. [emoji15]



Bob

[emoji631]

Yes. Best practice. We do the same. Also turn off water at home when gone over night. Jim

[rowiebowie]

Originally Posted by Tomfeury

I hit the flusher and a geyser hits me in the face!.

Kudos to you for the courage to admit you got a standing swirly.


.

[glenrms]

Surprised that it didn't come up the vanity drain.

[WhereStream]

I put a dot of yellow paint on the blank-tank-flush connector to remind me not to do this.

It is odd that the black-tank and potable-water connections are next to one another.

[PatLee]

I wish I could REMEMBER when leaving the trailer to turn off the water faucet.

[rmkrum]

Originally Posted by WhereStream

I put a dot of yellow paint on the blank-tank-flush connector to remind me not to do this.

It is odd that the black-tank and potable-water connections are next to one another.

It's also odd that the electrical connections are also quite close to the water connections--but I suppose its a 'feature' for convenience instead of a 'bug'.

On mine, the dump valves are also in the same area--streetside rear corner. My only irritation is the lack of a light above the area. There is a dinky light low down by the dump valves, but I need to add another one to light up the other connections for when I'm hooking up in the dark (like 90% of the time) with a switch that I don't have to crawl on the ground to reach!