Community Forums

tuffr2 · 08-23-2013, 05:14 AM

Used a pump out truck yesterday. Had a 35 gal. Tote pumped out 1st. The vacumm from the truck collapsed the tote. The air valve on the tote was not large enough to offset that massive vacumm from the truck. The tote (to my amazement) did regain it's shape after the vacuum was shut off.

When we did the trailer I held the foot pedal down on the toilet to offset the vacumm. Wanted to do this so the black holding tank would not be damaged. Doing this wasted a lot of water...ugh.

Anyone else use pump out trucks and what are your experiences? Do you worry about the massive vacuum?

stik · 08-23-2013, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuffr2

Used a pump out truck yesterday. Had a 35 gal. Tote pumped out 1st. The vacumm from the truck collapsed the tote. The air valve on the tote was not large enough to offset that massive vacumm from the truck. The tote (to my amazement) did regain it's shape after the vacuum was shut off.

When we did the trailer I held the foot pedal down on the toilet to offset the vacumm. Wanted to do this so the black holding tank would not be damaged. Doing this wasted a lot of water...ugh.

Anyone else use pump out trucks and what are your experiences? Do you worry about the massive vacuum?

Why didn't you turn off your water pump while you held the foot pedal down???

Dr4Film · 08-23-2013, 05:52 AM

We have used pumping companies when staying in Anchorage for two months without any difficulties. They are VERY experienced working with RV tanks.

Their vacuum system could crush one of your tanks so they only open their valve slightly when pumping.

I have heard that some companies will dump you tank into a holding pan and vacuum from there but that doesn't sound too sanitary to me.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

wa8yxm · 08-23-2013, 06:47 AM

When they pumped out mine one of two methods were used... one had an air admittance valve (Vacuum breaker) in a 3 inch line so if the truck sucked too fast it just let air in.

The other shoved his sucker down inside my 3" hose, held with the open end above the top of the tank, which basically did the same thing,,, Both ways mean the pump can not suck faster than the tank would dump if dumping into a hole in the ground (standard sewer inlet).

stuhly · 08-23-2013, 07:33 AM

Owned six vacuum trucks at one time and refused to hookup to an RV. 22 inches of vac is very mean. Didn't want to buy anyones RV.

palehorse89 · 08-23-2013, 07:44 AM

I think my tanks have a 2" vent pipe (I think all rv's do 1-1/2 - 2") and wouldn't that vent pipe keep up with the vac process? I have been vaced out with no problems.

HD4Mark · 08-23-2013, 07:57 AM

The CG we stay at for four months has a "honey wagon" that uses a pump to empty your tanks. We have been going there for years and they have upgraded it to a larger one since we first started going there. We have never had a problem but they only empty our MH tanks not a tote tank. Why would you not drag the tote to the dump station?

vsheetz · 09-28-2013, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by palehorse89

I think my tanks have a 2" vent pipe (I think all rv's do 1-1/2 - 2") and wouldn't that vent pipe keep up with the vac process? I have been vaced out with no problems.

I have never been pumped, but also would think the vent pipe would mitigate the issue.

Skip426 · 09-28-2013, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuffr2

Used a pump out truck yesterday. Had a 35 gal. Tote pumped out 1st. The vacumm from the truck collapsed the tote. The air valve on the tote was not large enough to offset that massive vacumm from the truck. The tote (to my amazement) did regain it's shape after the vacuum was shut off.

When we did the trailer I held the foot pedal down on the toilet to offset the vacumm. Wanted to do this so the black holding tank would not be damaged. Doing this wasted a lot of water...ugh.

Anyone else use pump out trucks and what are your experiences? Do you worry about the massive vacuum?

Holding the toilet open was required where I had to be pumped, turn off the 12v water pump to avoid wasting water.

Missed post #2 sorry duplicate.