Need more grey water capacity on our 25 ft 5th wheel.

[Radargilb]

We have a grey water tank that only holds about 25 gallons. When we go to the state parks, the spots with sewer hookups are very few. Our grey water tank fills up in 2 days. Then I have to break out the tote and pull it at 2mph all the way to the dump station. That's better than unhooking the trailer for this. I'm thinking about adding another retangular tank next to the grey water tank up between the frame that would hold 50 gallons or more. Then connect them together with a pipe from close to the bottom of each tank so the water would seek its own level in both tanks. Has anyone ever done this before and would not recommend it? If so, what would be a better way to do this project? Thanks for the help.

[Ramblin]

Some people rig up a transfer pump to move gray water to the black tank. That'll buy you a couple of days probably.

[Ray,IN]

Since you would never be traveling with the extra tank full, I can see no practical reason you should not proceed with your plans. There should be a means to completely drain the extra tank when the trailer is winterized.

[toneumanns]

If your gray/black tanks are at the same mounting position can you (with the discharge cap on) open both the black/gray discharge valves to allow gray water to be pushed into the black tank?

[W4RLR]

Originally Posted by toneumanns

If your gray/black tanks are at the same mounting position can you (with the discharge cap on) open both the black/gray discharge valves to allow gray water to be pushed into the black tank?

That works until you have to empty the tanks and can't get rid of the pressurized mix of black and gray water stuck in the discharge pipe. I'm lucky to have 50 gallons each of gray and black storage, and I just use the tote every few days. Most days I take my showers at the bathhouse where I can do the "Hollywood shower" thing.

[Arch Hoagland]

50 gallons at 8lb per gallon is about 400lb. So make sure you have that baby pretty well fastened.

Ray,IN said you won't be traveling with full. I'd say there will come a time when you will be traveling with it full.

[336muffin]

You would have to also put a vent in order to let it equalize with the existing tank.

[edj]

Originally Posted by Radargilb

We have a grey water tank that only holds about 25 gallons. When we go to the state parks, the spots with sewer hookups are very few. Our grey water tank fills up in 2 days. Then I have to break out the tote and pull it at 2mph all the way to the dump station. That's better than unhooking the trailer for this. I'm thinking about adding another retangular tank next to the grey water tank up between the frame that would hold 50 gallons or more. Then connect them together with a pipe from close to the bottom of each tank so the water would seek its own level in both tanks. Has anyone ever done this before and would not recommend it? If so, what would be a better way to do this project? Thanks for the help.

Are you taking showers in the trailer? If so, don't..... Also be frugal with rinse water when washing dishes or use paper plates/cups. With no shower use and use of paper products, it will take quite awhile to use 25 gallons grey water.

[Radargilb]

Thanks for the ideas.

[rrray]

Originally Posted by edj

Are you taking showers in the trailer? If so, don't..... Also be frugal with rinse water when washing dishes or use paper plates/cups. With no shower use and use of paper products, it will take quite awhile to use 25 gallons grey water.

Baloney. One should be able to use their unit to take a shower and wash dishes for at least 5 days. Install a larger tank. At least 50 gal of grey. More the better. They are not in a tent. Know you are trying to suggest ways to cope but why with an RV - a larger tank is the solution.

[wa8yxm]

How about one of the Barker Blue Boy totes and add external capacity. say 40 gallons?

[menoble]

They make a dump valve that fits where your cap is now, making it possible to open the tank valves and backflow from the full grey water tank to the less full black water tank (and vice-versa) and still dump normally. Helps prevent nasty surprises at the dump station too. But it's only a short term fix and you end up with water that's either a lighter shade of black or a darker shade of grey, depending on your perspective.

[ridahog]

I probably should not say this out loud, but on occasion I have drained my grey water out with a water hose I use for this purpose. Just watch the tent campers and see where they wash their dishes when dry camping. Everything in my grey water is biodigrable stuff too include soap.

[steelheadbluesman]

Unless you are a weekend camper only, a bigger tank is the ultimate and most sensible solution.

But if that's not doable right away, you can lengthen your stay with a couple easy steps....

When we are dry camping for more than a few days, we use tubs in the sinks and dump dish washing and rinsing water into the toilet. You would be amazed at how fast kitchen faucet use - hand washing, cleaning veggies, etc - can fill your gray tank. And, if it gets really tight, and the bath house is clean, I use the LARGER "luxurious" showers.

Just these two 'water frugal" efforts can add significant days to your stay....

But your bigger tank idea rocks.