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10-24-2016, 07:33 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,111
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Tanks Open or Closed
I tried to find discussion about leaving drain tanks open or closed for long term stays. My 5er is at home and connected to our septic system with a 3 inch pipe (not a slinky) I can either leave the 3 valves open or closed,but keeping closed will be a pain the butt having to watch fluid levels and going out to pull the dump handles in the winter cold. Water supply and sewer pipe have heat tape and insulation so freezing won't happen.
Like to hear thoughts .
Thanks
CLIFFORD
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10-24-2016, 07:37 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Sedona, AZ
Posts: 2,989
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If it is at home, why are you using the toilet? I gather it is not winterized? How are you heating the pipes, tanks, and water bay? Anyway, to answer your question I would not like leaving my black tank open to drain even if the sewer line won't freeze. I'd go out once in a while and dump.
__________________
Shell Bleiweiss
2014 1/2 Thor Challenger 37KT
Sedona, AZ
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10-24-2016, 07:38 AM
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: https://binged.it/1KdDqKO
Posts: 2,428
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Black Tank: Heavy sewerage will not roll out of the tank on its own!
Gray Tank: Corn will not roll out of the tank on its own!
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10-24-2016, 07:40 AM
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#4
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Community Administrator
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 53,378
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Leaving the black tank open will create larger issues than having to empty it every few days. The solids need time to solidify otherwise they build up inside and that's when the fun begins.
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Cliff,Tallulah and Buddy ( 1999-2012 )
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10-24-2016, 08:06 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Mid Atlantic Campers
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 327
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NEVER leave your black tank gate open. If you do, waste will form a pyramid of solid stuff that you may not be able to break up and that means you'll have to replace the whole tank.
__________________
2010 Montana 3665RE, wet bolts, etc.
2006 Ford F350 Diesel Dually, air bags, Softopper, Aeroshild, etc.
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10-24-2016, 09:07 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 2,500
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Agree,,,, ONLY open your black tank when 2/3 3/4 full... And use plenty of water !!!!
__________________
Monkey, pilot of a Great Dane hauler,
2015 Silverado 2500 Duramax/Alison 4x4 CrewCab 2016 Cougar 28SGS
1ST CAV
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10-24-2016, 09:31 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,058
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I would keep all my tank valves closed. It may be rare, but where we have property, the sewer and storm drains are the same. When we have heavy rain, the run off overwhelms the sewer/storm drain and we have had several occasions where the water backed up into our sewer hose and would have backed up into into the waste tanks, and then into the RV if the valves had been open. We have found our sewer hose out of position from the storm water trying to intrude. And always leave the black tank closed unless you want the dreaded "poop pyramid".
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10-24-2016, 10:43 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Home in warm Sou Calif for the winter.
Posts: 1,401
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Leaving the black tank valve open while still using the rv's toilet is one of the most common mistakes of a new owner. They either just don't think about how an rv's toilet/black tank system works or fail to use common sense....maybe both. This type of error can lead to a really, really, bad situation.
CLOSE THAT BLACK TANK VALVE!
Ron
__________________
Ron, Sandie and Lilly
2013 Tiffin Phaeton 42LH 400 ISL | 2011 GMC Terrain SLT-2
Roadmaster All Terrain | US Gear Unified Brake System | Pressure Pro
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10-24-2016, 10:54 AM
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#9
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Senior Member/RVM #90
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Columbus, MS
Posts: 54,578
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'nuff said! CLOSE THAT BLACK TANK VALVE!
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Joe & Annette
Sometimes I sits and thinks, sometimes I just sits.....
2002 Monaco Windsor 40PBT, 2013 Honda CRV AWD
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10-24-2016, 11:00 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 7,469
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I'm lost on why you would have to go out and check water levels, if you have to go check that implies you are not living in it at home. If you are not living in it at home where would the water come from to fill the tanks?
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US Navy Vet, Liberty Tree Member of Oath Keepers, NRA & VFW Life Member, Alaska EMT.
2009 Safari Cheetah 40 SKQ
2009 Winnebago Chalet 231CR
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10-24-2016, 11:09 AM
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#11
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Member
Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CA
Posts: 39
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Leave the black tank closed until you need to dump. Last winter I had a leaky black tank valve while hooked up to sewer and it was ugly. The monitor said the tank was low, but in reality it was almost full. With no liquid, all the solids stayed put and kept growing. It took several tankful of added water and chemicals while driving around to clear the mess.
Keep it Closed.
__________________
Jim Kimmons
1998 National Tradewinds
Freightliner XC-A & CAT 3126B
2017 Mini Cooper Clubman
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10-24-2016, 03:57 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,111
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Hi folks,, I hear the message loud and clear,,CLOSE THE BLACK VALVE till needed to dump. The RV will be occupied in the winter months and won't get the normal winterizing. Heat system will be supplied by a propane 100 lb external tank. The RV is a Presidential Suite 37' 5er. thermal pane windows . I put an indoor /outdoor temp sensor in the utility bay and the tanks stay as warm as the living qtr's. Have seen temps dropping to the low 30's already and
indoor temps were comfortable.
Will take the advise to periodically dump the black tank,,thanks for the expert advise
CLIFFORD
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10-24-2016, 07:26 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Spicewood, Tx
Posts: 708
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I would not leave the grey valves open for extended length of time. At least close and open them a few times every few weeks. Better yet, add Dawn, fill the tank full, then dump. Then leave the valve open for a few weeks. You don't want the seals to dry out or have too much sludge buildup at certain areas of the seal.
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10-24-2016, 09:20 PM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 87
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The reason being is, an RV toilet is not like a home toilet. Your home toilet uses 1+ gallon of water per flush to carry everything down and out of your toilet where an RV toilet barely uses what ever is in your bowl
__________________
2014 Grand Design Solitude, 369RL, #107
2016 Chevy 3500HD, SRW, Diesel/Allison
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