How much liquid do you leave in your grey and black tanks in cold weather storage.

[Gman1372]

When your storing your camper for the season in colder climates, do you keep your grey and black tanks dry or do you leave a little water in them. I was talking with someone the other day and he says he leaves water in his black tank all year long so any residue doesn't dry and cake up. <---tried to explain that as tactfully as I could.

[hoppers4]

I drain all liquid so there's nothing sitting on the drain valve to break it.

[Jhowemca]

I empty both tanks completely.
Then while winterizing I'll pour a half gallon or so of RV antifreeze down the toilet and a half gallon or so down the sinks/shower drains.

This keeps the traps protected, the tanks wet, and keeps the gray and black water drain valves from freezing.

[bansai]

Originally Posted by Gman1372

When your storing your camper for the season in colder climates, do you keep your grey and black tanks dry or do you leave a little water in them. I was talking with someone the other day and he says he leaves water in his black tank all year long so any residue doesn't dry and cake up. <---tried to explain that as tactfully as I could.

Leave 'water' in them? Not on purpose. There will be some, but by the time I'm done winterizing, it's 'pink water'. I don't think 'dry' is a realistic or ideal goal for most people. Protected is better.

If the concern is 'poop pyramids' turning into poopsicles and somehow damaging your black tank as they turn into frozen sharts of destruction in your sleeping camper, I'd focus more on just dumping properly in the fall and don't sweat it. I usually end up with about a gallon of extra RV antifreeze when I'm done winterizing... It doesn't come home with me, I dump it in my black and grey tanks. If my poop 'residue' can survive -10 degrees in an anti freeze slurry, form a shart'sicle that is damaging and come back to haunt me come April, more power to it. I'd actually be kind or proud of that achievement. If I was a politician, this is where I'd say <and I approve this message>

[TWP723]

I drain them completely myself. For the same reasons noted above. Doesn't really make any sense to keep water in them.

[norty1]

If they are closed make sure some pink is put in each tank.

[JohnWedell]

I empty and flush them all completely. Then I leave the valves open when I get back home. I have an end cap with holes in it to dry out the tanks and prevent things from getting in over the winter. Been doing it for over 40 years with no problems.

[mike837go]

I drain and flush all tanks and close the valves. Then during winterization a mix of water and antifreeze winds up in the waste tanks. It's enough to prevent damage to the tanks, pipes and valves.

[Jagiven]

I too drain the tanks completely. I really just do not want to accidently break a valve. Not to worried about the tank, due to the large surface area and small amount of water.

[Marcm157]

Originally Posted by bansai

Leave 'water' in them? Not on purpose. There will be some, but by the time I'm done winterizing, it's 'pink water'. I don't think 'dry' is a realistic or ideal goal for most people. Protected is better.

If the concern is 'poop pyramids' turning into poopsicles and somehow damaging your black tank as they turn into frozen sharts of destruction in your sleeping camper, I'd focus more on just dumping properly in the fall and don't sweat it. I usually end up with about a gallon of extra RV antifreeze when I'm done winterizing... It doesn't come home with me, I dump it in my black and grey tanks. If my poop 'residue' can survive -10 degrees in an anti freeze slurry, form a shart'sicle that is damaging and come back to haunt me come April, more power to it. I'd actually be kind or proud of that achievement. If I was a politician, this is where I'd say <and I approve this message>

You owe me a keyboard - I just spit coffee all over mine

[Gman1372]

Appreciate the replies. The sensayuma too. I'll make sure completely drained and put a little pink in em. Thanks.

[John K.]

I just realized I've got 2 gallons of water and some tank cleaner in each of our gray and black tanks, and I won't have time to get to a dump station before storing the trailer. I'm winterizing now and figure I'll put in a gallon of antifreeze in each tank to prevent any freezing. Will that work, or should I aim for 2 gallons of Antifreeze in each tank? Or should I just remember to dump the tanks before winterizing (asked rhetorically)? Thanks.

[NewBlackDak]

Originally Posted by John K.

I just realized I've got 2 gallons of water and some tank cleaner in each of our gray and black tanks, and I won't have time to get to a dump station before storing the trailer. I'm winterizing now and figure I'll put in a gallon of antifreeze in each tank to prevent any freezing. Will that work, or should I aim for 2 gallons of Antifreeze in each tank? Or should I just remember to dump the tanks before winterizing (asked rhetorically)? Thanks.

I would drive it over to the nearest dump and empty them(like I did yesterday).
I don't pout any antifreeze directly in the tanks, but some obviously ends up in there as I'm hitting all the lines.


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[Seann45]

I always used to drain mine (but now I park under a palm tree). Anyways One trailer I bought used from the dealer at the end of season (he stored it for me over the winter) had tanks 1/2 full.. even at -40 there was no damage.