Rv Sewer Question

[Dbonzi]

Hey guys

This is my first year with the fifth wheel. I was wondering how it works when you have a camp site with sewer hookups.

My question is: After you connect the sewer hose to the rv do you open both valves and let every thing run in to the septic system for the entire time your there, or do you wait till you get close to full holding tanks and then open the gate?

If you leave the valves open all the time will it smell with out the deoderizer in the tanks?



Thanks guys and sorry for the dumb questions

Dennis

 

[pmartin]

sewer tank management

Leave valves closed until you need to dump. Never have both valves open at the same time. Wait until black tank is at least 3/4 full before dumping, then close black tank valve, open gray tank valve and flush out sewer hose (then close gray valve). Most people will need to dump gray water ever two or three days but black water tanks will usually last about a week. I dump gray water as necessary but always save a little in the holding tank to flush drain and sewer hose if it becomes necessary to dump black water tank in the next few hours (before nightly showers start filling gray water tank again).



If you need to dump black water tank before it is 1/2 to 3/4 full (i. e. leaving campsite) then you can run in additional water before dumping. That improves flow of waste out of tank and sewer hose. Then follow up by dumping gray water tank.

 

[Dbonzi]

thanks pmartin



Thats what I love about this site, so many knowledgable people.

I'll leave it closed until Its about full.



Thanks again

Dennis

 

[Bill Stockard]

Dennis,



After you drain your black tank, run a couple of gallons of water in the black tank through the potty. This will help prevent the solids and paper from pyramiding up just below the potty drain in the tank. If you ever stop up your black tank drain, you won't forget the chore of un-plugging it. Been there-done that.



Bill

 

[rlafferty]

Grey Water

I have always left the grey water valve open while hooked up. I full time and live in some parks for several months at a time. Haven't had a problem with this procedure in 30 years of RV'ing and all the other people I know do it this way.



The comments about the black tank are right on. If you have a built in flushing system it helps also. If you have been parked in one spot for a while it is a good idea to leave the black water tank about 1/3 full when you move it the first time. This way the sloshing will clean out anything that has built up while parked. In fact, I alway leave something in the tank when we travel so it gets cleaned. I never leave anything in the grey water while towing since there's no good reason to pull the extra weight if you don't have to.

 

[Dkevdog]

I do the same as rlafferty does. Open the grey as soon as you are with sewer hook ups and leave the black closed until you need to dump it. I had a 45 gal black on my wilderness aqnd it would easily last a week or more. Many times if we were 4 - 5 days at the same park I would dump the black upon departure just to do it. We closed the grey tank the night before we leave and then use it to flush the hose. Do yourself a favor and go get a "No muss" flush kit for the black tank. Worth every penny .



Kev

 

[Ron Bissett]

To dump or not to dump?

Keep black closed , open gray P,trap in sinks keep gas out . Use cheep toilet paper ,test in glass of water if it falls apart in a short time without shaking will work fine . As for use of chem in Black tank none is best I found that Emzimes work fine will clean and digest every thing in tank with out any stink . look for it in the pluming section at Wal Mart or Home depot ect . Just back from a six month trip to beat the winter ,Fla , Texas , Miss. and no problems with the potty . P. S use a good hose and make sure of the clamps and seal at camp pipe some are not up to snuff and could hold a big supprise if not carefull . Ron back in Louisville KY

 

[dewdo]

I too keep both valves closed until I am ready to leave or dump. As was mentioned, use the grey water to flush out the hose.



Another thing I discovered after talking to a RV Mfg. rep was to use a quart of white vinegar in five gallons of water and with the valves closed put into the tanks every few months, and drive several miles to allow it to slosh around. The acidity in the vinegar cleans the contacts on the level indicators. Up until I learned that, I never had a black water indicator that indicated the true level in the tank. Use it in the grey water tank as well.



Dewdo in the other Washington

 

[Turbo Thom]

Just remember the more water in the holding tanks , the more pressure used to expell the waste. Drain the black first then the gray.



Bill is right about the water in the tank through the toilet. That is the only way.



. . Preston. .

 

[Rogue Ram]

AND......

... ... not meaning to be gross nor disgusting here, BUT, if we are traveling with the ladies, uh, its best to be up front with them and MAKE SURE they know that NOTHING goes down there besides the obvious, and easily biodegradable paper----GET MY DRIFT?!?!?! A week long hunting trip in 0 degree weather and my pal brought his daughter along to see what hunting was like..... and boy was the timing wrong on that one!



Better to just inform them up front and get the "do you think I'm stupid" response than go thru what we did and get the "gee well you didn't tell me" comeback... ... ... .



fwiw



Rogue

 

[CRuD]

Thanks for all the good info.

See Ya

Chris

 

[GLASMITHS]

Well heres' mine



When I ordered my 5er I had a power flush put in the tank. So wen you go to dump the black tank you turn it on and flush while dumping. Also, I purchased from Camping World a devise that fits on the dump pipe that grinds up "everything", except paper towels , and all you need to do is turn some valves and everything is nice and clean.



If I get home with a tank full, or any to be exact, I use about 60 ft of 1" pvc pipe and pump it to a clean out on the house. The water grinder will pump up to 60 ft at 3ft elevation or so. I hate those sewer hoses, for a thousand reasons. This is a great system. About 200. from CW.

 

[LSchenck]

Check out some of the Marine Supply stores for a macerator/pump. These 12 volt pumps are designed to grind and pump waste below the waterline and cost around $120 if I remember correctly.



The one on my boat worked flawlessy for 13 years and chewed through lots of the feminine "appliances".

 

[JWhitcomb]

Since macerator pumps have been mentioned I thought I would add a bit. I think one of these will be what I need so I can pump into a clean out at home. I checked with the local fourty dollar store ( RV supply) and they carry a kit that includes pump and connections for the 3 inch clean out. The kit is around $160. Since I have a slide in I am not sure if I want to mount the pump and wire it. I am thinking of a compact and portable unit that can be kept in a box.

 

[GLASMITHS]

I'm not sure that the Macerator pumps very far? The one from CW is 161. 00. The advertisement does not say. The "Sewer Solution" which I have will pump up to 60 ft. Also the Quickie Flush is 19. 79 from CW. Mine works real good, and don't have to worry about elect, just water pressure. However, if you have not eaten it, or is labeled RV tissue, it will plug it up.



Any female stupid enough to put one down the toliet should have to clean it out!! I don't have that problem. My wifes' GYN Dr took care of that a long time ago