OH NO Moment Toilet Issues

[MonteD]

Went camping last week for the first time this year. Went to check out some civil war battle sites near Shiloh and Corinth TN/MS. Camped in north GA the first night the temperature was to get to 25. This was going to be a test for me keeping the camper warm etc. I had throughly winter proofed the trailer in December draining all lines blowing out lines etc.i had read the very detailed reports on this forum regarding winterizing.
Getting the trailer ready to go on a Friday I noticed the Oxygenics shower head was snapped off. What?? I had left it hanging in the normal position and there was water in the head and cutoff valve, snapped right there and head was laying in the floor. Hey no problem I can get another one and an RV supply or better yet Amazon. Due to timing I had to get one at Camping world, problem resolved but paid a premium as I did not have time to order on line before I left, price to pay for being careless.
The first night of trip while camped at a KOA type campground, I noticed the pump was running longer than usual when flushing or using any faucet. Later that night i had to use the toilet. I still had my socks on due to the very cold weather but as I was standing there could feel one foot getting very cold and wet! Houston we have a problem! Water was leaking from the toilet but nothing obvious. I hit the pump switch and again it kept running but I got on my hands an knees to check behind the toilet, sure enough there was a fine stream of water coming from the flush valve David had warned us about.Dang! Shut the pump off and it slowed so the crack was very fine, I could use the toilet but had to leave the pump off; I would turn it on for a few seconds to get just enough water to flush. I found a small RV supply place later the next day and paid a ridiculous price for the domestic 300/310 valve but wet feet made me do it. It was super simple to replace and now I even have an extra (purchased another one off the internet for less than 1/2 what I paid for the first one) When I got home I had to winterize again and this time I simply disconnected the water line to toilet and blew the valve out with a compressor line.
So for almost three years I have had our trailer and continue to think I have just about got it all down, but each trip I take I continue to learn new stuff or lessons! Sometimes the learning curve can be quite lengthly!

[Capt J-rod]

Winterizing is a steep and un-forgiving learning curve. Thanks for sharing as we all learn the "quirks". I installed a winterizing valve and pumped antifreeze in all the lines and fixtures. I hate the taste and the spring flushing, but I haven't had any bad outcomes as of yet. I'll let you know if I failed come April LOL. Next year the shop will be done and the toys will live in a heated garage. FINALLY!