Community Forums

Dyerke · 03-29-2013, 05:08 AM

We bought our first real camper. We owned a popup for 10 years. I never had to deal with sewer hookups. We have seasonal site this year and I was wandering if I leave the gate valves open to the sewer or do I have to fill the tanks then dump them as they get full? And should I disconnect everything when we leave for the week and reconnect when we get back the next weekend? Also how about the awning. Should I tilt it down when we leave or roll it up everytime?

**CLIFFTALL** · 03-29-2013, 05:13 AM

The black tank should be closed till at least 3/4 full and then emptied. Also use a lot of water with each flush to avoid problems. The gray tank can be left open. I never leave my awning open when I leave my camp site.

336muffin · 03-29-2013, 05:18 AM

I always leave the valves closed. You don't want the tanks to dry out. I've heard of dried poop in black tanks as hard as concrete. I've bought a MH with a grey sludge that we had a very hard time cleaning out. This was in the grey tank. We are fulltime and never leave the valves open. Sitting still is hard on the tanks because they don't get agitated when going down the highway which helps the cleaning action.
As for the awning, I would roll it up as well.

Dyerke · 03-29-2013, 05:53 AM

Toilet paper? Do I need to use special rv toilet paper or can I buy something from the grocery store cheaper?

Excell · 03-29-2013, 06:23 AM

I agree with the first two posts . I don't allow toilet paper in my holding tank. We have
a garbage can with a plastic bag in it .I have spent enough time digging toilet paper out of gate valves ,now the person that puts the paper in can do it .

LindaH · 03-29-2013, 10:28 AM

NEVER leave the black tank open! You *can* leave the gray tank open, but close it a day or two before you're ready to dump the black tank so you have water to rinse the sewer hose.

You could leave the sewer hose in place when you leave...just be sure both tanks are closed. If you leave the fresh water hose attached, be sure to turn off the water at the spigot when you leave.

I also would NOT leave the awing out...it should be retracted anytime you are not there since a gust of wind can do major damage not only to the awning, but also to your rig.

Denlor · 03-29-2013, 10:52 AM

We leave black and grey closed as when we want to dump black tank it is good to have grey water to follow as this will clean out the hose and help to keep the hose smelling better. Also when putting chemical into your black tank through toilet also make sure you add a couple of gallons of water to start the breaking down of solids so you do not end up with the poop pyramid.

Dyerke · 03-29-2013, 11:04 AM

Chemicals.....yeah I didn't even think of chemicals. What should I use? How often? Do I put chemicals in grey water tank too? I'm so afraid I'm gonna mess this up. I can totslly understand using the grey water to flush out sewer line. Makes sense now that it was brought to my attention. Chemicals, I never gave a thought.

Dyerke · 03-29-2013, 11:10 AM

Also, do I drain the tanks completely when its time to winterize?

eightydid · 03-29-2013, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dyerke

Toilet paper? Do I need to use special rv toilet paper or can I buy something from the grocery store cheaper?

Her is a Youtube video that might help

HOW TO: Test for RV-Safe Toilet Paper - YouTube

CD · 03-29-2013, 01:56 PM

I suggest using the Geo Method. Instead of using lots & lots of water when flushing, add about 5 gals right after empting and don't skimp when flushing. We have had our TT for 15 years and after a few problems this is what helped us. Also I don't use chemicals. The Geo Method also keeps the gages working properly. I don't use the Geomethod every dump but use it often.

lx22 · 03-29-2013, 02:58 PM

I too have a seasonal site. What i do is pretty much what everyone else said, black tank closed until 2/3 full then flush good. On my grey tank i open when i arrive and close when i leave. I also form a "P" trap with my hose so it will keep about a 2 ft section of hose filled with water that way you don't get the sewer gas smell coming through the gray tank.
You should also flush the gray tanks from time to time.
I leave everything plugged in and run the fridge constantly i leave the gas on and the fridge in auto mode so if you lose power it will still work.
I turn the water off when we leave and turn off hot water heater.
Awning comes in when not there.
I have a programmable thermostat for the a/c and run it at 82 during the week and have it set to come on and cool the camper to 70 degrees on friday morning. No more opening every window and waiting for it to cool down. It gets mighty hot in texas. Lol
Hope this helps.. Happy Camping
Robert

CampDaven · 03-29-2013, 03:17 PM

I dump when near full.
Black tank is dump, fill, dump. Easy-peasy!
Never had a problem with the tank clogging in over 30 years in 3 rigs.
We use single ply Northern; cheap! No need to feed the RV store piggy bank. And it goes down the toidy!!!!!

Dyerke · 03-29-2013, 03:52 PM

Thank you so much for the replies.I have learned a lot. And the geo method makes a lot of sense, I think I will try it to flush out the tanks good. I don't know how well they were taken care of, so it sounds like a smart thing to try.