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07-17-2019, 08:09 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Schertz
Posts: 1,020
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When is black tank full?
When it shoots out the roof vent, lol! I know there's a lot of discussion on this topic out there but I wanted to ask this forum the question. I have a 50 gallon black tank on our 355. This trip, it's just me and my wife. How do I know when it's time to dump the black tank so I don't empty too soon or too late? This size tank with two people, is 7 days realistic? I've heard of the "toilet burp" but not sure what that is. Are there pitfalls to waiting too long to dump? Is it safe to say if you can see the level coming up to the bottom of the toilet it's time to dump? Just trying to find out the best info for this. Thanks!
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2018 Ram 3500 CC Longhorn LB SRW w/timbrens
2019 Jayco Eagle 355MBQS
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07-17-2019, 08:15 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Posts: 1,808
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Its hard to say for certain, but my wife and I can survive 7 days on our black tank. Its usually the gray that fills up first. You'll be able to see down the toilet drain when the water is really high and starting to back up into the drain. I'd prefer to dump it BEFORE it comes back up the drain, because I don't have much faith in the seal at the floor line.
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07-17-2019, 08:20 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Schertz
Posts: 1,020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spoon059
Its hard to say for certain, but my wife and I can survive 7 days on our black tank. Its usually the gray that fills up first. You'll be able to see down the toilet drain when the water is really high and starting to back up into the drain. I'd prefer to dump it BEFORE it comes back up the drain, because I don't have much faith in the seal at the floor line.
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Thanks, that's what I was thinking. As far as the gray tanks go, our Open Range TT could only last 3 days before the overflow started. First time it happened I didn't know what it was but figured it out. Do all gray tanks have overflows? I've come to distrust all sensors now.
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2018 Ram 3500 CC Longhorn LB SRW w/timbrens
2019 Jayco Eagle 355MBQS
Pullrite 2600 Superlite
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07-17-2019, 08:26 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Southeastern PA
Posts: 111
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I usually dump black if it hits 2/3rds on the sensor, just to be safe. That size tank will probably last 2 weeks with 2 people. I have my wife and 4 kids and we've gone 5 days on a 35 gallon black tank.
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2012 Jayco White Hawk 28DSBH
2016 Ford Expedition EL XLT 4x4 w/ HD tow
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07-17-2019, 08:28 AM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: James Island, SC
Posts: 22,859
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In our rig after 5-6 days, we will see and hear a bubble when the commode is flushed. That indicates to us that dump time is near. I think it gets full enough to cover the roof vent pipe in the tank which causes the indication of burping.
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Moderator
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07-17-2019, 08:56 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Indiana
Posts: 1,424
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Same here, I’ve waited so long it was visibly getting full, but usually if it’s burping I’m dumping it.
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07-17-2019, 08:59 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Posts: 1,808
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rkymntsno
Thanks, that's what I was thinking. As far as the gray tanks go, our Open Range TT could only last 3 days before the overflow started. First time it happened I didn't know what it was but figured it out. Do all gray tanks have overflows? I've come to distrust all sensors now.
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Gray tanks should NOT have overflows. It is considered dirty water and you can't dump that on the ground.
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07-17-2019, 09:18 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: South Texas
Posts: 7,217
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spoon059
Gray tanks should NOT have overflows. It is considered dirty water and you can't dump that on the ground.
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+1 Gray will usually back up in the shower (lowest drain).
We're usually not out long enough to fill the black tank even enough to dump it. So I always end up having to put a bunch of water in so I can dump the tank.
And that's with 35 gallon tank and 2 adults and a child. I think 7 days is more than realistic (for us) on a 50 gallon tank.
In the rare event that we're in the rig long enough to fill the tank, I will usually dump it when the water gets to about an inch below the outlet as seen from inside the toilet. I have had it "burp" before, but in that case, I was actually TRYING to get it full.
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07-17-2019, 12:07 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Milpitas
Posts: 1,628
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The most basic way to check if it is full is to shut off the water and shine a flashlight down into the tank. With 7 people, my guess is it will fill quick. I would rather empty early than deal with even one night where I was concerned that the tank would overflow.
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07-17-2019, 12:38 PM
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#11
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Site Team
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Connellsville
Posts: 22,722
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I this heat, I end up dumping long before we have to just because of the smell. I really need to revisit our chemical selections or something, but this year has been really bad.
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07-17-2019, 01:29 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Utah
Posts: 892
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We were out for 5 nights with 2 adults + 4 kids, and my 35G wasn’t full. I added a ton of water to it before emptying.
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07-17-2019, 03:11 PM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Loranger
Posts: 64
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I know when it's time to dump the gray tank when the wife hollers from the shower :-)
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07-17-2019, 03:39 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Natalbany Creek Campground, Amite City, LA
Posts: 3,244
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GAD36H
I know when it's time to dump the gray tank when the wife hollers from the shower :-)
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I know the feeling............the other day my wife was taking a shower and yelled, "the shower is not draining". Didn't think I could move so quickly
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07-18-2019, 07:45 AM
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#15
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Meandering
Posts: 27
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Midnight moon
I had that problem and discovered it was the grey tank. Overtime the smallest bits of food started stinking.
I also switched to a product called "break up" out of TX and have been very happy with it!
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07-18-2019, 07:47 AM
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#16
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Site Team
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Connellsville
Posts: 22,722
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Salliemeandering
Midnight moon
I had that problem and discovered it was the grey tank. Overtime the smallest bits of food started stinking.
I also switched to a product called "break up" out of TX and have been very happy with it!
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Thanks. I'll take a look at that product.
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Moderator
2017 Jay Feather 7 22BHM Baja/Andersen WD
2018 F150 4x4 3.5L Ecoboost Max Tow
2015 MB Sprinter 2500 Passenger 2.1L Diesel
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07-18-2019, 08:00 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Schertz
Posts: 1,020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Midnightmoon
I this heat, I end up dumping long before we have to just because of the smell. I really need to revisit our chemical selections or something, but this year has been really bad.
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I know, us too. We tried RV Digest It. It sucks. Started stinking to high heaven after three days. I think I'm gonna switch to Rid X drop ins. Right now we're using TST Citrus drop ins and they seem to be working ok. So after four days, had to dump black with the smell. A 50 gallon black tank doesn't seem right. Gotta find some chemicals that'll work.
__________________
2018 Ram 3500 CC Longhorn LB SRW w/timbrens
2019 Jayco Eagle 355MBQS
Pullrite 2600 Superlite
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07-18-2019, 08:13 AM
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#18
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Lost in the Woods
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Ocean County
Posts: 2,807
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07-18-2019, 09:05 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: lima
Posts: 163
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Hi rkymntsno,
We have a 355 also. I don't think you want to wait until the black water is backed up to the toilet. Since this is a 5th wheel and the bathroom is on the higher floor level, there is a drain pipe from the toilet to the tank. As someone pointed out earlier, I wouldn't trust the seal between the pipe and the tank. I can't remember for sure, but I think there was an offset in the pipe too (a couple of 45 elbows) so I don't think you can use a flashlight to see in the tank. If I have a full hookup, I just dump it whenever I think it needs it and then add more water chemicals. I kinda go by the sensors, but don't trust them too much.
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07-18-2019, 09:20 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Schertz
Posts: 1,020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oh355mbqs
Hi rkymntsno,
We have a 355 also. I don't think you want to wait until the black water is backed up to the toilet. Since this is a 5th wheel and the bathroom is on the higher floor level, there is a drain pipe from the toilet to the tank. As someone pointed out earlier, I wouldn't trust the seal between the pipe and the tank. I can't remember for sure, but I think there was an offset in the pipe too (a couple of 45 elbows) so I don't think you can use a flashlight to see in the tank. If I have a full hookup, I just dump it whenever I think it needs it and then add more water chemicals. I kinda go by the sensors, but don't trust them too much.
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Yes, I looked down there yesterday and saw what I thought was an elbow and thought that was strange. So thanks for that. We had to dump yesterday, leaving Friday so I'll add plenty of water when I dump tomorrow.
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