Dump stations?

[Smurf]

First and foremost, Merry Christmas, or whatever fits to all. Campgrounds that have dump stations at each site, do you just leave your black water open to drain the whole time or closed then just dump when your tank gets to a certain level?
Thank for the input.

[Bassdogs]

Originally Posted by Smurf

First and foremost, Merry Christmas, or whatever fits to all. Campgrounds that have dump stations at each site, do you just leave your black water open to drain the whole time or closed then just dump when your tank gets to a certain level?
Thank for the input.

Keep the valve CLOSED and drain only when tank is at least half full. You need the volume to flush the tank.

[robkelly]

Originally Posted by Bassdogs

Keep the valve CLOSED and drain only when tank is at least half full. You need the volume to flush the tank.

X2

I also keep the gray closed so I have plenty of water to flush the hose once the black is dumped

[mmwhit]

Originally Posted by Smurf

First and foremost, Merry Christmas, or whatever fits to all. Campgrounds that have dump stations at each site, do you just leave your black water open to drain the whole time or closed then just dump when your tank gets to a certain level?
Thank for the input.

Keep the blank tank drain closed until you are ready to dump its contents into a sewer connection at the campsite or at a dump station. I don’t dump my black tank unless I have it about 3/4 full, both when I’m connected to the campground sewer and when I am not. If I am ready to dump the black tank while it is less than 3/4 full I will add water to the tank through the toilet until it is 3/4 or more full. Having the tank at least 3/4 full provides the needed pressure to empty the black tank contents. I will also use the black tank sprayer while emptying the black tank to help clean out its contents. Sometimes I cannot use the sprayer at dump stations because of the lack of a water supply connection at the dump station or due to a busy dump station with other campers in line needing to dump their tanks. Note: Some people will leave the grey tank valve open while connected to a camp ground sewer. Then they close the grey tank valve giving them enough time to add contents to it before emptying the black tank. This is a matter of preference. After emptying the black tank you should empty the grey tank to help wash out and clean your discharge pipes and your sewer connection hose.

[Jagiven]

Yep, you need a lot of water to dump the back tank. Once dumped, I refill the black tank with atleast 10 % clean water, this will help keep from having a poop pyramid. 20 % seams even better. I just don't like to tow with that much water in the tank sloshing around.

If your at a CG with full hookups and are taking showers in your rig, might leave the grey valve open unit your thinking of a black tank dump, then get the grey tank full too. Dump the black, then the grey this helps, flush out the sewer hoses.

Merry Christmas!

[Witt74]

As others have said, leave the black tank closed until near full. Don't trust the sensor lights, as the sensors get dirty and give false readings after a few tankfulls. It is the sudden rush of water when you open the black tank valve that carries out most of the contents. I use a clear 45 degree fitting with a vacuum breaker to monitor the contents and backfill the black tank to flush it.I can then use the grey water to flush the hose. I can also use the fresh water connection to check the sewer hose for leaks before I actually dump anything. Just make sure that when the rush of water and ugly stuff hits the 45, it doesn't cause it to disconnect. Don't ask me how I know this.

[spoon059]

Just to avoid confusion... you are referring to a camp site that has a sewer hookup. A dump station is a separate location at a campground, or storage yard, that is designed specifically for dumping.

But as others have said, leave your black tank closed until iit is full or you are about to leave.

[Smurf]

Originally Posted by spoon059

Just to avoid confusion... you are referring to a camp site that has a sewer hookup. A dump station is a separate location at a campground, or storage yard, that is designed specifically for dumping.

But as others have said, leave your black tank closed until iit is full or you are about to leave.

Yes, my bad

[krcarter54]

Definitely leave the valve closed or else you'll build the dreaded brown pyramid in your holding tank! I always add a few gallons of water and some holding tank deodorant before hitting the road home so that the water sloshes around while traveling and does some cleaning in advance of the next camping trip!

[North of 49°]

When we get a full serviced site with its own sewer hookup, we leave all of the valves closed until it's time to leave. The trailer's wastewater tank capacity is more than enough to last us for a weekend, even a long weekend. So I just hook up the hose and dump the tanks when we're packing up, using it as my own private dump station. Of course, if we're staying longer, say 4 or more nights, then I hook up the hose and leave the black water valve closed, with the grey water valve open. Then, about a day before we leave, I close the grey water valve to accumulate some grey water in the tank to rinse out the hose after dumping the black tank when we're packing up.