Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
Jayco RV Owners Forum
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 07-22-2016, 09:45 AM   #1
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Cedar Park
Posts: 88
Gray/Black Tanks and longer term storage

What do folks do to their gray and black tanks when putting away their camper for long periods during warm weather (I know...HERESY!!)?

We always do 2-3 flushes when dumping black after campout. But surely some residue probably persists on tank sides, etc. And we've had odors from gray after trailer has sat for a month so we need to get a better system.

Should we leave some water in both black and gray with some kind of chemical?

Worried that there could be seals that dry out due to summer heat and evaporation. But we also want to avoid any stagnant water in tanks and smells (which is why I was thinking storing clean and dry might be better).

Appreciate hearing your experiences.

-Dave
__________________
2015 Jay Flight 32 BHDS (Elite, Technology, Thermal pkgs, 50-amp)
1999 Ford F-250 7.3L Powerstroke 4x4 Lariat Crew Cab SRW 3.73
6.0L Upgraded Transmission Cooler
Autometer Gauges (EGT, Trans & Water temp, Boost)
K&N Cold Air Intake;
MBRP 4" Turbo Back Exhaust
Curt Class IV Receiver Hitch
Prodigy P3 Brake Controller; ProPride 3P Hitch 1400#
dsmith3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-22-2016, 09:52 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 1,588
I always leave about 5gal of water in my black tank along with a chemical packet and a shot of fabric softener. I also leave a bit of water in the toilet bowl to keep the seal wet.

I also dump a few gallons into the grey tank along with a splash of Pine Sol in each drain, and then a bit more water in each drain.
__________________
2013 F-150 EcoBoost MaxTow, Roush tuned (415hp 506tq), lifted on 33s, R.A.S.
2013 Jay Flight 28BHS Elite (Equalizer 10K hitch)
SkyBound is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-22-2016, 09:52 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
mike837go's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Campbell Hall
Posts: 2,835
Getting any of the tanks dry is a fool's errand. You probably could do it, but the effort would be excessive.


I'd say split up a gallon of RV antifreeze amongst the traps and toilet. That'll leave a (relatively) non-evaporating material that is compatible with all of the seals and pipes in the tanks and waste plumbing.
__________________
TT 2015 19RD "TheJayco"
TV 2003 F-350 "Montblanc" - Housebroken chore truck


Sitting in The Cheap Seats.
And proud of it!
mike837go is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-22-2016, 10:33 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 3,430
We really hate camping in the heat. No kids at home anymore, no driving reason to go in July or August.

That said we typically leave ours sit for those 2 summer months. We've been doing this for several years now and have not done anything special with the black tank. No smells or anything else.

The only thing I do is check the toilet every couple of weeks to make sure there is still enough water to cover the seal.
__________________
Chuck
2013 Jayco Jayfeather X20 E (sold)
2016 Chevy Silverado LTZ 2 Z71 Crew Cab (sold, and dearly missed)
DocBrown is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-22-2016, 11:22 AM   #5
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Cedar Park
Posts: 88
Good advice on keeping toilet seal covered with water. The water I do leave in it usually evaporates. I need to make a point to visit storage site every couple of weeks during hot summer months to check and add water.

Many of the state parks we visit do not have sewer hookups so I've been reluctant to add a bunch of water (with chemical or detergent) to tanks while in storage. But our storage site has dump station so maybe I'll start adding the water and just empty tanks when pulling out.

Thanks for the feedback!
__________________
2015 Jay Flight 32 BHDS (Elite, Technology, Thermal pkgs, 50-amp)
1999 Ford F-250 7.3L Powerstroke 4x4 Lariat Crew Cab SRW 3.73
6.0L Upgraded Transmission Cooler
Autometer Gauges (EGT, Trans & Water temp, Boost)
K&N Cold Air Intake;
MBRP 4" Turbo Back Exhaust
Curt Class IV Receiver Hitch
Prodigy P3 Brake Controller; ProPride 3P Hitch 1400#
dsmith3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-22-2016, 12:40 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 1,588
You can also throw a tablespoon of oil in the toilet bowl and let it cover the rubber seal as well. That will help prevent it from drying out and won't evaporate either.
__________________
2013 F-150 EcoBoost MaxTow, Roush tuned (415hp 506tq), lifted on 33s, R.A.S.
2013 Jay Flight 28BHS Elite (Equalizer 10K hitch)
SkyBound is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-22-2016, 01:08 PM   #7
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Ninilchik, Alaska
Posts: 95
Cover the toilet bowl with Saran Wrap to eliminate the evaporation. Also put one piece of TP on the SW so one can notice it and not pee on it in the dark.
__________________
2012 JAYCO BUNGALOW Jayflight 40FER
2004.5 Dodge Ram; CTD; 3500 Dually; CC; 4x4; 6 spd. 5600; Smarty Jr.
Jack in Alaska is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Jayco, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:41 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2002-2016 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.