Community Forums

rdking647 · 03-25-2014, 08:18 AM

we just bought our first motorhome and i have a (not so) stupid question.

lets say we go boondocking for a weekend. at the end of teh w/e should we dump the black tank even though it is only 1/4 full or less? or wait til its 3/4 full after a couple of traips over a month or 2?

plasma800 · 03-25-2014, 08:22 AM

NO! Let it fill up.

Dump it when it's almost full, at least over 3/4

The reason is you need enough gunk to make sure the hard stuff drags out. If you empty low, you stand the chance of the liquid coming out, leaving the hard stuff, which can clog your outlet.

plasma800 · 03-25-2014, 08:22 AM

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plasma800 · 03-25-2014, 08:24 AM

https://www.youtube.com/user/RVgeeks

plasma800 · 03-25-2014, 08:25 AM

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RickO · 03-25-2014, 08:27 AM

Welcome to the forum.

Although for full timers, it's routine to not dump until the tank is 3/4 full... I don't think I'd leave my black tank partially full for weeks while it sat in storage.

I would add fresh water to the black tank in order to get it nearly full and then dump and rinse. I have a San T Flush attachment to my black tank so it's easy for me to add water and to rinse.

Best of luck.

Rick

Mac99 · 03-25-2014, 08:27 AM

I dump mine every six days if traveling, for the condition you
describe, I'd empty it at the end of the trip. Use as much water
as you can when flushing to provide as much content as you
can for efficient draining. If you leave it for more that six
days, they can get pretty smelly. In general you can figure
on 1 to 1 1/2 gallons per person per day of use in the tank.
Black tank gauges rarely work and are notorious for false
readings due to the nature of the sensors.

HoleInOne · 03-25-2014, 08:30 AM

I don't like storing waste in the black tank. If you are not going to use it for a while add some water to it and dump. I think 1/2 or more is enough to dump with. It's all about waste to water ratio so by adding water you shouldn't have any trouble.

**TonyDi** · 03-25-2014, 08:34 AM

I never leave my black tank partially full. If it is only 1/4 full I add water to bring it up to about 2/3 full then empty the tank.

MSHappyCampers · 03-25-2014, 08:35 AM

I think I would go ahead and dump the black tank if you won't be using it for several weeks. JMHO!

I highly recommend "Happy Camper" holding tank treatment. It does a great job and the company gives you a money-back guarantee!

Okiedoke · 03-25-2014, 08:38 AM

I too would empty the tank by adding water and/or backflushing. When boondocking, we use a dishpan in the sink to collect dish water and pour it in the toilet. This added water helps remove solids and the dish soap doesn't hurt either. We haven't yet needed to add tank conditioner.

plasma800 · 03-25-2014, 08:40 AM

Yeah if you're going to store it for a month after a trip, then yes, of course, fill that sucker with water and dump it. I forget that our trips are back to back.

AKJohn · 03-25-2014, 10:27 AM

The contents of the black tank ain't fine wine. It won't get any better with age. If possible dump and flush when you leave the campground. Keep flushing until the water comes out clean. Then fill the tank about 1/4 with fresh water and add some kind of soap or tank cleaner. Driving home will agitate the water/cleaner in the tank and break up the stuck on stuff in the tank. Dump and flush again when you arrive at your destination. I do this every time I move campgrounds. I know this works. I start out with a tank full of fresh water and when I dump at my destination the contents look almost like raw sewage. If you check around you should be able to find a dump station near your home. Even if you have to pay a couple of bucks to dump it will be cheap at twice the price to prevent a problem with the black tank. If you don't have a built in flush system on you black tank you can either get one of the back flush adapters that attach to the dump valve or stick a garden hose (not your fresh water supply hose) down the toilet. When your done dumping and flushing add at least 5 gallons of water to the tank. Use lots of fresh water when flushing the toilet. That will help break down the solids and keep them suspended in the water.

Brockx · 03-25-2014, 10:35 AM

Guess I'm out in the left field on this but I try to keep at least 1/4 full on the indicator, even if I need to add water when I store for awhile. I add some "break up" or similar item to dissolve the solids. So far inspection with a flashlight down the hole when empty shows no sign of the dreaded "mound O' poop".