Water questions

[Schilly]

We just got our first Jay Feather x17z.

Never owned a camper before and the orientation was fairly quick so not much information was retained.

Am i understanding this right? I can add water to the water tank. Which is considered fresh water. Once the water is used by the sink, shower it is considered grey water? And is toilet is used it's black water? So, when i clean it i drain black and grey water only correct?

For the grey water, is there anything i need to do after draining it to make sure it doesnt start smelling? Any cleaner that should be flushed through?

thanks

[Jmooney]

Correct - three tanks. Fresh, Grey and Black.



Always put a gallon or so of water into the black tank, otherwise solid waste tends to clump and harden. You should also be putting a bio agent in the black tank to manage odor and help disintegration process. ( be sure to use RV or septic friendly TP as well)



Keep both Grey and Black tanks closed until full or ready to dump.



Dump black tank first. Dump Grey tank to flush black tank debris down the drain hose.



So long as you’re not worried about freeze, put another gallon or so of fresh water back into both grey and black tanks and add a bio agent. You don't have to add bio to the grey tank, but it will help manage odor.

[Jmooney]

I have also seen a post that said to dump ice into the black tank so that when you leave and drive, it will “chunk” around in the black tank and help break up any dried solid waste.

[Schilly]

thanks. hmmm...i dont remember there being separate tanks, only the separate draining levers. so if i fill the fresh water tank, doesn't that get used for sinks and toilet water? should i drain any remaining fresh water after a weekend of camping or can i let it sit for a week or two?

[Jmooney]

There is one drain pipe that you connect your hose to - with 2 knife valves - one for blank tank and one for grey trank


I drain my fresh water and the hot water tank after each trip

[mike837go]

There is one good reason to drain the fresh water tank: sloshing on the tow home.

5 gallons @ 60 MPH makes braking feel 'odd'.

[Jmooney]

Originally Posted by Schilly

thanks. hmmm...i dont remember there being separate tanks, only the separate draining levers. so if i fill the fresh water tank, doesn't that get used for sinks and toilet water? should i drain any remaining fresh water after a weekend of camping or can i let it sit for a week or two?

To be clear: yes, the fresh water in your fresh water tank feed the facets and water entering your toilet and sinks, but the drains for the sinks and toilet go to the grey an black holding tanks respectively.

[Murff]

Not mentioned: Make sure your black water tank is 2/3 to 3/4 full before you empty! If you have to add water before dumping, do so.

Murff

[Schilly]

ok, so the fresh water tank only drains by opening that small faucet. can i drain the fresh water anywhere since there it not really a hose to connect to?

[Jmooney]

yes - there is typically a drain valve under the TT ( small hand valves )


Drain on to the ground - PS: some state don't like it to drain while you are driving

[Ed Brodt]

I went thru the same experience when we bought our first camper. When winter was on the way and it was time to winterize I could not remember any of what I was supposed to do. My suggestion: go back to the dealer and have them go thru things again. With your modern cell phone, video each system separately for example, hot water bypass settings, low point drains, how to winterize, etc so you can review them when the time comes.

[mike837go]

X2! Video the expert showing how to do the stuff on your own RV.


That way, ALL the information is applicable to your rig.


Excellent idea!

[Schilly]

Thanks for the feedback. And Another water question. would you fill up your fresh water tank at home or as close to the campground as possible? I've never driven with a full tank but I assume that driving might be slightly different?

[mike837go]

Originally Posted by Schilly

Thanks for the feedback. And Another water question. would you fill up your fresh water tank at home or as close to the campground as possible? I've never driven with a full tank but I assume that driving might be slightly different?

We've always headed out with a full tank since potable water is tough to come by in the boonies. But my old trailer only held 20 gallons.

As long as the tank is full, it is just additional weight. Additional mass when it comes to acceleration and deceleration.

Significantly less than full tanks allow the water to slosh around and causes the trailer to behave funny. Ask me about the ride home with the new trailer and the dealer hadn't dumped the waste tanks.

---

If you have access to potable water near your destination, then by all means tank up there. If not, you'll have to haul 100% of your water the whole way.

[norty1]

You can leave it if you don't intend to drink it. Many use it only for washing and dishes and flushing. We don't camp off the grid so we only use it for rest stops.

What ever your needs are will work.

[Jmooney]

I decide based on the expected quality of the water at the destination. I know the water at home is good quality, but will travel empty to save the weight if I know for sure I can get good water at the CG

[TWP723]

Remember..

Water weighs about 8 lbs. or so. The weight can add up quick. And yes..it's a noticeable difference if your carrying 20 gallons.

[UPCamper]

We drain the fresh when we pull out of the campground and let it drain on the drive home. We also drain Water heater everytime we get home and leave the plug out. Gray and black also get drained on out every trip at the camp ground. Everybody has a different method but this has always yeilded me fresh clean water, no odors or mold.

UPC

[Snake Plissken]

Originally Posted by UPCamper

We drain the fresh when we pull out of the campground and let it drain on the drive home. We also drain Water heater everytime we get home and leave the plug out. Gray and black also get drained on out every trip at the camp ground. Everybody has a different method but this has always yeilded me fresh clean water, no odors or mold.

UPC

State campground guy?