Spoiler Alert: While recent events inspired me to think that “RV Idiots” is a great idea for a new RV content creator channel, apparently I’m not the first to think of it. These folks must have thought RV Idiots was a good name for their channel at some point. But considering they only uploaded three videos, three years ago, maybe they really were idiots. Just like me. It just goes to show you that if you can think of it, it’s probably already been done before.

But this isn’t about RV content creation. There’s plenty of that out there. In fact, this right here is an example of the RV content we choose to create. Live Work Dream became much more of an RV Lifestyle blog long ago. You haven’t seen a rig tour or product review video from us in a long time. And don’t expect to see the former. Though I do have one of the latter percolating, but this isn’t that. So why exactly are we RV idiots?

Even Seasoned RV Idiots Make RV Rookie Mistakes

The idea I had for an RV Idiots channel would not poke fun at mistakes made by all the RV newbies out there. That wouldn’t be very nice. And personally, I don’t find laughing at other people’s tragedies very funny. I can, however, laugh at our own mistakes. At least after the fact. Any RV Idiots channel we produce would have to be only about the mistakes we’ve made over the years. And we’ve made a few. Even after 17+ years on the road, including this most recent event that made us feel like RV Idiots.

The only thing that really made us feel like RV idiots, was the fact that we overreacted the way we did to a simple mistake. I say we, but I really mean me. I can’t really speak for Rene, considering I’m the one who pulled this RV rookie maneuver. Worse yet, it wasn’t the first time!

So, What Happened?

We pulled into Armitage Park in Eugene where we’d have full hookups for the week. I connected everything as we’ve done hundreds of times. Or, so I thought. And, we went about our business of working and living the dream. A couple days later, I heard the sewer bubbling. Then, I saw water backing up into the bathtub. I freaked out. Knowing, of course, that I connected the sewer hose properly. I knew there had to be a clog in the plumbing somewhere. Maybe it was construction debris. Maybe the gate valve ^#ad was stuck. Nope, I could slide the valve open and closed. Clearly the plumbing was clogged.

Rene suggested I call Northwood. After all, it is a brand new trailer. Practically, at least. They only confirmed my worst fears. In our Arctic Fox 25-R, there are three 90º elbow joints in the plumbing between the grey water tank and waste valve. So what did I do? I started removing screws that secure the lining under our very well insulated four-season trailer. I dreaded having to cut into our new rig so soon. Rene started calling mobile RV techs. But I figured I’d at least get a head start. After all, I knew this was going to be an absolute night nightmare to pull apart the plumbing and find the blockage.

Sad Sewer Story Happy Ending

Then I removed the sewer hose, thinking I may be able to reach that first right angle where the 2″ grey line joins our 3″ pipe. Water went everywhere! At least it was only grey water. And, that was enough to immediately remind me of the rookie maneuver that made me feel like an RV Idiot.

I forgot to remove the plug from the extension of sewer hose that I had to connect to reach the dump at our site. Did I mention this wasn’t the first time I’ve done this? 😕 Well, I immediately started laughing. Then Rene poked her head out the window. And, with water spreading under our trailer, we both looked like TV Idiots for sure. That wouldn’t be the first time either. But imagine how this idiot would feel if we actually had and RV tech show up! Or, had I actually cut into the insulting lining under our rig.

The Moral of This RV Idiot Story

Don’t panic.

Don’t jump to the worst possible conclusion when calamity occurs. Stop. Breathe. Take some simple troubleshooting steps to ensure you didn’t just make some stupid mistake. After all, we all do. What’s some silly mistake you’ve made?

EPILOGUE: I really am glad these newfangled sewer hoses ^#ad come with plugs to keep wastewater from spilling into our storage compartment. But I also really hope I don’t ever forget to remove them when hooking up – making us feel like RV Idiots again!

Had this been actual RV Idiots content creation, we would have made a video complete with shocking thumbnail and clickbait title. Thanks for reading!