RV park owner mystified by inquiry letter, or so the story goes. . .

(Editor's note: Our reporter wrote this article with his tongue in cheek)

Even while most RVers have "all the comforts of home" with them in their rigs, including 'the biffy,' it's nice to know that the park of your choice is suitably equipped with all the amenities. This "letter" shows that sometimes, just asking about such things can lead to humorous misunderstandings.

An older lady, new to RVing, genteel of upbringing, was planning a vacation to Minnesota. In advance of their trip, she undertook to write to a prospective RV park to inquire about reservations. Concerned that the park have complete facilities available, she was at a bit of loss as to how exactly to write about – well – bathroom facilities. She couldn't bear to write such a vulgar word as, "toilet" in her letter, but finally, reached the conclusion the rather Victorian term, "bathroom commode," might suffice. But in writing those two big words, she found herself a bit aghast, it seemed so forward. Finally she settled on abbreviating the term.

One might only imagine the confusion that overtook the park manager, who on receipt of the letter, found his potential guest inquiring, "Does your RV park have its own BC?" Completely overthrown by the cryptic letters, the manager showed the letter to the rest of the staff and several guests, all of whom were equally mystified. Finally, like a lightening bolt, it hit him. "Does your RV park have its own Baptist Church?"

He quickly framed a response:

"Dear Madam:

"I very much regret the delay in answering your letter. But I do want you to know there is a BC about 20 miles distant north of the park. It's quite nice, and can seat 250 people at a time. While it is a bit of a drive, if you're in the habit of going regularly you'll be pleased to know that many take their lunches along and make a day of it. Folks who do this usually arrive early and stay late.

"You should know it is a beautiful facility and the acoustics are marvelous. Even normal delivery sounds are quite clearly heard. The last time my wife and I went was five years ago, and it was so crowded we had to stand the entire time. However, a fund raiser is planned to raise money for more seats; it will be held in the basement.

"I would like to add that it pains me not be able to go more regularly, but this is surely not for lack of desire. It just seems as the older we grow, it seems to take more of an effort, particularly in cold weather. However, if you decide to stay on in our park, perhaps I could go with you the first time you go, sit with you, and introduce you to others. Remember, ours is a friendly community."

Source: An old legend.

RV toilet sprayer alternatives.

Courtesy Camping World

RV toilets, by their design, at times don't flush quite as cleanly as we might hope. To that end, manufacturers often provide a spray nozzle feature to assist in cleaning the bowl. It's a Star Trek solution, not because of being high-tech in nature, but it does allow you to deal with Klingons. But what if your biffy doesn't come equipped with the spray nozzle, are you stuck with stickies? Not at all, you can often add your own spray nozzle.

Some toilet models allow the addition of an after-market spray nozzle kit. Do you flush a Dometic? There's an after-market kit for that. It includes a spray nozzle, a clip to hang the nozzle on, and installation kit that includes a vacuum breaker. The purpose of the latter device is to prevent any liquids from the spray nozzle assembly from making their way backwards an back into the RV water supply system. Camping World will sell you one for a little over $60, but by being smart and shopping around, you can beat this price.

Keep in mind, in addition to the issue of these critters being a bit on the pricey side, some RVers have complained that because the thing is plumbed through the toilet supply line, there can be a bit of a loss off pressure, making your cleaning efforts a bit more difficult.

There are alternative approaches to this matter. Some RVers report (and we personally have experienced) that their shower head will reach out from the shower stall and down to the throne with ease. They just use the shower head to blast away at any undesirable bowl dwellers. OK, this is a really cheap solution, but unless you can hang onto the shower head while holding it over the bowl, then stretch and reach the shower control valves to turn on the pressure, you're apt to get a few drips on the floor. You pays your money . . .

Other alternatives? Sure enough. Put a plumbing T in the water line that serves your toilet. Incoming water flows into the T, then one side out to the toilet, and the other to a hose line leading to: 1) A shower head (with appropriate shut off valve) 2) A toilet bowl rinse head, or 3) a garden spray nozzle. The latter seemed like overkill to us, but hey, it does develop quite a stream.

But what about a vacuum breaker? If you're clumsy and apt to drop your new toilet bowl blaster in the pot and leave it there, yeah, you might want to add the vacuum breaker. Otherwise, it would seem pretty unlikely that icky stuff could make its way back into your fresh water system.