Community Forums

michguy · 07-22-2011, 12:46 PM

I'm confused. I was of the opinion that it was best to keep your grey tank dump valve closed when parked with full hook-up, and just dump it when full. I've had two much more experienced RVers tell me to leave the grey tanks open, to avoid greasy build-ups from accumulating.
What's your opinion ?
Michguy

TW · 07-22-2011, 12:57 PM

I do not connect to the sewer until we need to dump.
If You are nearly FULL I leave the valve open, so, that we can take long showers.

TW

RustyJC · 07-22-2011, 01:00 PM

I'll generally leave the gray tank drain valve open until 1-2 days before we'll be leaving just so I'll have gray water to flush the drains and hose after draining the black tank. If we're only staying somewhere for a few days, though, I'll leave the gray tank drain valve closed.

Rusty

Route 66 · 07-22-2011, 01:04 PM

Always open unless the black tank needs dumping, then closed to fill for dumping after the black tank dump.

menoble · 07-22-2011, 01:05 PM

The story I always heard was to leave the valve closed to prevent sewer gas from emanating out of your roof vents across the campground. Keeps it out of the rig too if you've got a dry J-trap. And it's also handy to have a tankful of grey water to flush out the plumbing and hose after dumping the black tank. The best way to prevent grease buildup is to not dump it down the drain in the first place, from what I hear.

cutrell01 · 07-22-2011, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michguy

I'm confused. I was of the opinion that it was best to keep your grey tank dump valve closed when parked with full hook-up, and just dump it when full. I've had two much more experienced RVers tell me to leave the grey tanks open, to avoid greasy build-ups from accumulating.
What's your opinion ?
Michguy

Good practice is what RustyJC says. You can also put some kind of cleaner/freshner in the grey tank also to cut down on build up or smell. I usually be sure to have plenty in the grey tank to use to flush dump hose after I have dumped the black tank. Usually run a lot of clear water down the "John" also before closing the black tank. Also helps if your rig has a black tank flusher/rinser system.

okmunky · 07-22-2011, 01:12 PM

I leave my gray tank valve open until it's nearly time to dump the black tank. Gray fills up so fast when connected to city water, but I always want plenty of water to flush out the sewer line after dumping the black.

I am much more careful about what goes down the drain in my RV than I was ever was in the stick house. I use only eco friendly soaps and never pour any fat down the drain. RV systems are not as durable and prevention is vital.

codgerbill · 07-22-2011, 02:16 PM

I leave the Gray tank valved closed until it is almost full. If we are a day or so away from leaving the campground I will dump probably a half tank or so. I don't want the sewer odor coming into the coach when I flush the toilet,

SSteve · 07-22-2011, 02:51 PM

Ditto what Route 66 said, unless I smell a lot of sewer gas, then ditto what codgerbill and menoble said. Every place I stay is different in the aromatic department and I adjust accordingly.

Steve

38 Special · 07-22-2011, 05:14 PM

My dad says to keep closed so the bugs (little black flys) don't get back to the gray tank as they are hard to get rid of. I see his point, so I create a "P" trap in my Sani-con line and leave the gray open. I do close it before dumping the black for purposes of flushing the hose.

mscully103 · 07-23-2011, 07:05 AM

I am with Rustyc...leave open until a day or so before you leave...we got lucky after keeping the grey water closed and after a few showers and a washer load...we noticed a puddle ( here is the lucky part...small puddle ) on the the bathroom floor as I missed checking the tanks. I have never noticed a problem with odor in the coach or near my rig with grey tank open.