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04-25-2011, 07:29 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 11
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Anyone want to offer up some best practices with regard to grey/black water tanks - when and how to empty them? Is there anyone not using the toilet?
Thanks again.
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04-25-2011, 08:55 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Rising Sun, MD
Posts: 306
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When hooking up at the campsite leave the gray tank open and the black tank closed. When you see the black tank about 3/4 full close the gray tank so you can build up some grey water to flush with. When the gray tank is more then half full go out and dump the black tank first then dump the gray tank. If you have a flush system on the black tank flush out before dumping the gray tank.
__________________
2009 Ford F150 4x4 Super Cab, 2009 JayFlight 22FB
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04-25-2011, 11:16 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Germantown, TN
Posts: 4,923
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I have a Tank Tornado - it was easy to install and really gets the gunk out of the black tank. I try to run it every time I dump my black tank until it comes clean (I have a clear coupler so I can see what is coming out). I also fill my black and gray tank right before I leave and do a full flush. Might be a little overkill, but I have never had any tank smell.
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04-25-2011, 11:47 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 7,390
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There's a part in the movie that shows you how NOT to do it.
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04-25-2011, 03:34 PM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Virginia`s Eastern Shore
Posts: 17,091
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The secret to black tank success is water. Lotsa water. Not a good idea to dump a black tank only 1/4 full or so for example. With out enough water in the tank initially, you can create "poop pyramids" (not my term I heard it somewhere), which can solidify and cause clogging issues. So have some water in the black tank before you use it and as much as possible in it when you dump it. Also what tafische said about rinsing is good advice. BTW yes we use our toilet, one of the reasons for owning a RV IMO.
__________________
2017 Coachmen Catalina 283RKS
2018 Ford F250 Super Duty 6.2l CCSB
2010 Jayflight 28BHS (sold)
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04-25-2011, 11:36 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: North Idaho/Arizona
Posts: 5,446
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We live in our trailer for 6 months at a time. I keep both tanks shut off. I dump the gray water when it needs it and when the black tank is around half full I dump it. After dumping the black tank I fill the toilet and dump it at least 3 or 4 times. You need to keep a lot of water in the black tank. I am with Crabman, I bought that toilet to use.
__________________
2011 Eagle 330RLTS with just about every option.
2017 Silverado 1500 4x4 5.3 with tow package. (no, we don't tow the Jayco with it.)
2018 Surveyor 265RLDS well equipped.
Life in the slow lane is still life.
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04-26-2011, 06:32 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Maplesville - Home Base
Posts: 3,059
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I agree with others that the head and black tank was bought to be used so I use it. I agree also with all of the above procedures for using and dumping the black and gray tanks. One other thing to add, if you are in a campground where you don't have a sewer hookup and have to use a tote (blueboy, etc.) to dump, always shut off the black flow a few seconds before the tote is full so you can top it off with gray. Even if you have to make a second trip to get all of the black. This keeps the hook up end of your hose a little bit cleaner.
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Ed
KM4STL
2006 GMC 2500HD CCSB 4x4 Duramax/Allison, Titan 52 gallon fuel tank, Prodigy Controller, B&W Companion Hitch
2010 Jayco Designer 35RLTS, Cummins/Onan RV QG 5500 EVAP, Progressive Industries EMS-PT50X, TST Systems 507 TPMS, RV Flex Armor Roof
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04-26-2011, 07:19 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saskatoon Sask Canada
Posts: 10,714
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This cannot be said enough.....
NEVER EVER LEAVE YOUR BLACK TANK VALVE OPEN...
Only dump when the tank is full.. even if you have to fill it with fresh water first..
__________________
Seann
2004 Chev Silverado Duramax optioned past the max. 2009 Jayco Eagle 308 RLS 900watts of solar, Lithium batteries (400amp hour), 2000 watt (4000 surge) whole house inverter.
145days boondockinig in2023 2022/151 2021[/COLOR]
93/2020,157/2019219/2018 206/2017,215/2016, 211/2015, 196/14, 247/13, 193/12
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04-26-2011, 06:56 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Canada
Posts: 137
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As you may know, I've never gone camping in a TT yet and May 24 is our first time. On the weekend we were getting everything set up in the trailer (anxious for the good weather) and my husband asked me if I had an extra pair of rubber gloves. Why? Apparently I am the one in charge of emptying the black water tank! Oh well, someone has to do it.
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04-26-2011, 07:05 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Germantown, TN
Posts: 4,923
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KathyDiane
As you may know, I've never gone camping in a TT yet and May 24 is our first time. On the weekend we were getting everything set up in the trailer (anxious for the good weather) and my husband asked me if I had an extra pair of rubber gloves. Why? Apparently I am the one in charge of emptying the black water tank! Oh well, someone has to do it.
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Dont be scared
It is really easy. Just take your time and double check your work before you pull that valve open. If you accidentally make a mess, that is what soap and water are for!
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04-26-2011, 07:06 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Wedowee AL
Posts: 272
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seann45
This cannot be said enough.....
NEVER EVER LEAVE YOUR BLACK TANK VALVE OPEN...
Only dump when the tank is full.. even if you have to fill it with fresh water first..
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AMEN! And all of the comments above have been on target. Even when we are hitting the road, I make sure some water is in bottom of black tank. The only time all year I completely empty it and leave it empty is when I put it up for a spell during the winter.
About every month I like to leave some water in the grey tank, add some pine-sol and let it slosh around in the tank while we travel down the road.
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F250 HD 7.3 Diesel :)
31 Ft RLS Designer 5th Wheel :D
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04-26-2011, 07:32 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Mostly the US
Posts: 10,002
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The Sloan Ranger
Anyone want to offer up some best practices with regard to grey/black water tanks - when and how to empty them? Is there anyone not using the toilet?
Thanks again.
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We have it, we use it!
We were taught by veteran rv'ers to make sure the black tank is 3/4 full before dumping (if your indicator doesn't work well, you can see if you look down the commode when the trap is open). We add lotsa flush water when we use the toilet. When ready to hit the road, we make sure we leave some fresh water in the tank and add a little liquid dish detergent to slosh around while driving. BTW, we have never used chemicals in our black tank. Just haven't needed to.
oh, and Don does wear disposable plastic gloves when he dumps the tank (I'm in charge of hooking up, so all I have to worry about is grease) LOL
__________________
Denise, DH, grandkids, and two rescue pups
-2016 Jay Flight 29QBS Elite
-2016 Ford F-250 XLT 4x2, 6.2L EFI V8, 4.30 Elec Lock, Heavy duty Alt
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04-26-2011, 07:32 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 1,393
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KathyDiane
As you may know, I've never gone camping in a TT yet and May 24 is our first time. On the weekend we were getting everything set up in the trailer (anxious for the good weather) and my husband asked me if I had an extra pair of rubber gloves. Why? Apparently I am the one in charge of emptying the black water tank! Oh well, someone has to do it.
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Yes, those dish washing gloves can be handy!
Don't worry, I will take my turn on the job.
__________________
2013 Jayco Eagle 31.5RLDS
2018 Silverado 2500 HD Duramax
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04-27-2011, 07:02 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saskatoon Sask Canada
Posts: 10,714
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Quote:
Originally Posted by David472
Yes, those dish washing gloves can be handy!
Don't worry, I will take my turn on the job.
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Just dont wash dishes with them afterwards...
__________________
Seann
2004 Chev Silverado Duramax optioned past the max. 2009 Jayco Eagle 308 RLS 900watts of solar, Lithium batteries (400amp hour), 2000 watt (4000 surge) whole house inverter.
145days boondockinig in2023 2022/151 2021[/COLOR]
93/2020,157/2019219/2018 206/2017,215/2016, 211/2015, 196/14, 247/13, 193/12
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04-27-2011, 11:42 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 1,393
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seann45
Just dont wash dishes with them afterwards...
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That goes without saying, but maybe it should be said.
We store these gloves in a small bin with the sewer hose adapter.
They will only be used for that sewer task.
__________________
2013 Jayco Eagle 31.5RLDS
2018 Silverado 2500 HD Duramax
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04-27-2011, 11:22 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: North Idaho/Arizona
Posts: 5,446
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Dedicated rubber gloves. We have two pair so when the other half wants to help she has a pair that fit.
__________________
2011 Eagle 330RLTS with just about every option.
2017 Silverado 1500 4x4 5.3 with tow package. (no, we don't tow the Jayco with it.)
2018 Surveyor 265RLDS well equipped.
Life in the slow lane is still life.
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04-29-2011, 05:08 PM
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#17
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Virginia`s Eastern Shore
Posts: 17,091
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Crabman has Crab gloves. Crab proof, poop proof.
__________________
2017 Coachmen Catalina 283RKS
2018 Ford F250 Super Duty 6.2l CCSB
2010 Jayflight 28BHS (sold)
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04-29-2011, 05:12 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 184
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We just returned from an overnight stay at an RV Park with "full hook ups". This was our first opportunity to connect to a dump station.
Before we left we obtained a Camco Rhino Flex RV Sewer Kit from Wally World along with the toilet tissue, drop ins & disposable gloves.
We followed all the excellent suggestions from this forum and specifically this thread and were very pleased with the results.
Please accept our thanks for sharing all your experiences with those of us who are just beginning the RV journey.
Cheers!
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04-29-2011, 08:56 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Germantown, TN
Posts: 4,923
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Glad it all came out fine mrnoyb! See - nothing too it.
I guess I am in the minority - I have a box of disposable gloves in there, but 99% of the time I never use them unless I know there is going to be some kind of problem or the dump station is down right nasty. Not sure I have ever gotten 'stuff' on my hands...
Guess if I ever meet any of you folks in person, you wont be shaking my hand
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04-30-2011, 08:43 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saskatoon Sask Canada
Posts: 10,714
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mrnoyb
W
Before we left we obtained a Camco Rhino Flex RV Sewer Kit from Wally World along with the toilet tissue, drop ins & disposable gloves.
We followed all the excellent suggestions from this forum and specifically this thread and were very pleased with the results.
Please accept our thanks for sharing all your experiences with those of us who are just beginning the RV journey.
Cheers!
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to me using that stuff is like wiping your buns with sandpaper.. I did a dissolvability test and RV TP was the worst for not dissolving. Costco's KIRKLAND brand was the easiest dissolving. That is all I use now home and RV.
__________________
Seann
2004 Chev Silverado Duramax optioned past the max. 2009 Jayco Eagle 308 RLS 900watts of solar, Lithium batteries (400amp hour), 2000 watt (4000 surge) whole house inverter.
145days boondockinig in2023 2022/151 2021[/COLOR]
93/2020,157/2019219/2018 206/2017,215/2016, 211/2015, 196/14, 247/13, 193/12
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