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09-03-2014, 06:27 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 63
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Full hook-ups at state park?
We have been parked on our mountain property for the summer, but going to a state park this weekend. I have a few questions.
I want too hook up all systems-
I was at this park a couple of weekends ago, I saw folks with a sewer sidewinder (cradle holding sewer hose from trailer) going directly in the sewer dump, seemed they were taking shower's etc.. Do most leave the gray valve open, or are they opening the black also and using the water hook-up to do a good flush?
Having read to keep the black tank closed till at least half full I am curious what everyone does. Can I open both, what is the recommendation?
I bought a water filter and the cradle for the sewer hose, look forward to using all the gear in our new to us 16ft TT.
I also would like hot water, on city water ups, does the water circulate through the hot water heater? Just looked at my plumbing, does not look like it does-but it must!
Keep on RV-ING
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09-03-2014, 06:40 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 894
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Let your black tank fill as full as you can stand it before you dump it.
Plan so that when you dump it your grey tank is at least 1/3 to 1/2 full and dump it AFTER your black tank to clear out the piping and the "stinky slinky".
With that being said the one place you don't skimp on water is when flushing or you will get the dreaded "dry pyramid".
Most will leave the grey open for showers, cloths washer, dish washer etc and then "cycle" the black. In certain ideal conditions with a lot of water used for flushing the #2 thru a straight sloped hose some will leave the black tank open.
One note - some campground lawn mowers/trimmers are very hard on the "stinky slinky" so if you see them coming you may want to disconnect and store that day. Also carry a spare(s) as they don't last forever.
Sewer hose supports that don't allow for some remaining water in the hose will cause a loss of the "p trap effect" and can allow sever gasses to come back up into the RV piping.
Happy camping
__________________
1999 Newmar Mountain Aire MADP 4080, Cummins ISC 8.3L, Allison, Spartan MM IFS, Howard Power Center, Chev Trailblazer LTZ Towed w/ BlueOx rigging, Segway X2.
www.shaw11.com
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09-03-2014, 06:59 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 156
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Your black tank should be kept closed until at least 1/2 to 2/3 full. Some people say more than that but it works for us. As for your gray tank...If we are going to be at a site for more than a day we will leave it open until the day before we leave camp. We like to take long showers! But before you break camp, you need a good amount of gray water in the tank to flush out your stinky slinky after draining your black tank. And your water heater will get water from your city hook up or your fresh water holding tank, which ever one you use.
But it is very important that you do not let your black tank go without water. Do not leave your black tank valve open. And after you drain the black, toss in whatever chemicals or deodorizers that you use and run a few gallons of water into the tank.
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09-03-2014, 07:07 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 370
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I don't like leaving the gray (or black) tank valves open. Some places have been known to have bugs that can enter your tank. It is so easy to just open a valve when needed.
__________________
2003 Itasca Sunrise 32v F53
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09-03-2014, 07:19 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 14,890
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I leave both tanks closed. Stops sewer gas from getting out of the sewer and venting through the vent pipes. Nothing worse than enjoying dinner on the patio and geting a "whiff" of sewer.
I watch the level on both tanks and dump the gray tank when it is near full. The black tank is dumped when it gets near full as well. Generally dump the gray tank about 3 times to 1 black tank dump.
As previously stated when dumping the black tank follow with the gray tank to flush the lines. We have the tank flush so use that as well.
Check your user manual for the recommended procedure for flushing the tank(s). I have seen several different suggested procedures. I generally flush the black tank by filling it about 1/2 full with the flusher and then dumping (repeating until the water runs clear).
Clear you ask - I purchased a clear elbow which allows me to observe the condition of the water. Elbows of varying lengths and angles are available at most RV stores.
__________________
Gordon and Janet
Tour 42QD/InTech Stacker
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09-09-2014, 04:20 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Part-time out of Mesquite, TX
Posts: 1,103
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When parked for an extended period, I keep the black valve closed and the gray open. I use one of the sewer hose support devices but I place a U in the hose just ahead of the sewer connection which then acts the same as a P trap in your sink and shower drains. By doing that it prevents any back flow of sewer gas or migration of sewer flies from the system to my tanks. I do close the gray valve a few days before I am due to dump the black tank, in order to use that gray water to flush out the black tank effluent.
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09-09-2014, 05:02 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Oswego, NY
Posts: 483
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SKP Kirk
When parked for an extended period, I keep the black valve closed and the gray open. I use one of the sewer hose support devices but I place a U in the hose just ahead of the sewer connection which then acts the same as a P trap in your sink and shower drains. By doing that it prevents any back flow of sewer gas or migration of sewer flies from the system to my tanks. I do close the gray valve a few days before I am due to dump the black tank, in order to use that gray water to flush out the black tank effluent.
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2X. I do the same.
__________________
Jon Vermilye
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09-10-2014, 03:35 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Pond Piggies Club Appalachian Campers Forest River Owners Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 547
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Congrats on your 16ft TT! I have a 14 ft with likely a smaller tank capacity than most of the posters on the forum.
Waste Water 28 gal
Gray Water 28 gal
I keep both tanks closed until we are ready to dump. When we are on full hookups, I dump every morning because then I can take a long shower at night (DH prefers to use the bathhouse for showering... um.. if he showers) and I can scrub up the dishes in the sink during the day.
My water circulates through the hot water tank, which is also kinda tiny at 6 gallon capacity, but it works for the two of us.
__________________
-Laura
2016 Shasta Oasis 18BH and 2004 Aliner Expedition towed with a 2015 Ram1/2 ton Hemi
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09-11-2014, 06:45 PM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 63
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We had a nice time, love full hook ups, rather pricey though in Colorado
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