Black tank anti-freeze

[Lightseekers]

My DW's brother was asking me why he couldn't just put a gallon or two of windshield washer fluid in his black tank instead of using the pink stuff. I don't have an answer for him, do any of you have any thoughts? I wouldn't think it would harm the tank since the tank in the car is plastic.

[Rvpapa]

Used all the time, just don't put any in the potable water.
Art.

[TXiceman]

I filled the P-traps with windshield washer fluid and no problems. Just make sure you get the low temp (winter) washer fluid, not the summer stuff.

Ken

[Poptop]

I recently found out there are at least two types of "winter" windshield washer fluid. In our home state of Colorado we have -20F fluid and here in New Mexico where we now are it is 0F fluid. Not sure what you have or need where you are but most pink anti-freeze fluids are burst protection to -50F. That's more than most of us need but if it gets dilute somehow the pink would probably be a safer bet. Pink is about $4 at Wally World compared to about $2 for the blue stuff. Just saying.

[Gary RVRoamer]

The windshield washer antifreeze they sell here in Florida is only good to +20. Fine for most of Florida, but not much of anywhere else.

[JesseJ1826]

Think about this. When it is time to de-winterize where does all this stuff go. Assuming everyone dumps there black tanks into a proper RV dump site. If this is done at a campground that uses a septic system there is going to be trouble ahead. Too much of this stuff will kill a septic system. Dumping into a large sewage disposal system will probably not cause a problem I suppose, but nevertheless I feel using windshield washer antifreeze to winterize is irresponsible. I'll stick to the pink stuff.

[crazycanuck]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JesseJ1826 Think about this. When it is time to de-winterize where does all this stuff go. Assuming everyone dumps there black tanks into a proper RV dump site. If this is done at a campground that uses a septic system there is going to be trouble ahead. Too much of this stuff will kill a septic system. Dumping into a large sewage disposal system will probably not cause a problem I suppose, but nevertheless I feel using windshield washer antifreeze to winterize is irresponsible. I'll stick to the pink stuff.

rv antifreeze is made from propylene glycol not ethylene glygol.
propolyene glycol is used in making ofice cream and candy and is biodegradable

[Ray,IN]

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazycanuck rv antifreeze is made from propylene glycol not ethylene glygol. propolyene glycol is used in making ofice cream and candy and is biodegradable

That's what he said. He was talking about windshield anti-freeze, which is alcohol-based.