Community Forums

Socaltoolguy · 12-20-2013, 12:17 PM

I know this may sound a bit nutsy but, we still haven't taken our m/h out for it's maiden voyage. When we bought it, the black tank was about 1/3 full and the fresh water is about 1/2 full. I'm not sure about the gray tank. Anyway, we are getting ready to go out after the holidays and I want to take the m/h to a local place to top off the propane and also to empty (flush) out the holding tanks. This system is new to us. We never had any problems while fulltiming in our 5er. It was simple. But this system is a bit more complex. What I was wondering is if any of you can give me an idea of the sequence you go through when you dump. I will empty the fresh water into the toilet to get the black tank filled so it will dump with "authority". From that point on, I'd like to know how you all go about the flushing/filling/dumping process. Please bear with me on this. When we get to the dump station, I want to have some idea of what we are doing so we don't hold up the line if there is one. Thanks,

Ray

no3putt · 12-20-2013, 12:33 PM

Hello, not having the same MH, but there should be a low point drain on the fresh water some place, look under the coach near the fresh water tank then look in the area around the tank for the knob. Once you find it just open and let it drain at home. As for the black/gray water, hook up the drain hose to unit, put other end in dump station and pull handle for black first, let empty, close black then do gray. Always make sure you close dump values before you unhook from coach, wash out hose and them disconnect from dump station.

GlennLever · 12-20-2013, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Socaltoolguy

I know this may sound a bit nutsy but, we still haven't taken our m/h out for it's maiden voyage. When we bought it, the black tank was about 1/3 full and the fresh water is about 1/2 full. I'm not sure about the gray tank. Anyway, we are getting ready to go out after the holidays and I want to take the m/h to a local place to top off the propane and also to empty (flush) out the holding tanks. This system is new to us. We never had any problems while fulltiming in our 5er. It was simple. But this system is a bit more complex. What I was wondering is if any of you can give me an idea of the sequence you go through when you dump. I will empty the fresh water into the toilet to get the black tank filled so it will dump with "authority". From that point on, I'd like to know how you all go about the flushing/filling/dumping process. Please bear with me on this. When we get to the dump station, I want to have some idea of what we are doing so we don't hold up the line if there is one. Thanks,

Ray

I new to this myself, done it maybe three times.

I have a clear 45 degree bend that connects to the MH and then the dump pipe connects to that so that I can see what is coming out of the dump valve.

I fill both the black and gray to 3/4 full.

I can dump at the local treatment plant for free (something to check on in your area)

They have a hose that I can hook up for flushing.

I hook up the flush to the black water, start the flush and then open the black water dump, once that is stopped and only fresh water from the flush is dumping I open the gray water dump to flush the black out of the hose.

When done I put several gallons of water at the bottom of the black water tank and call it all done.

Inside I drop treatment into the john to help keep the smell down and biodegraded the material that gets added to that tanks.

Would anyone do something different

Dr4Film · 12-20-2013, 12:39 PM

First off get yourself a 5 inch long clear 3 inch sewer fitting so you can observe what the heck is going on when you dump. That should be attached first then you stinky slinky.

To dump both tanks with as you say "authority" the black tank should be full and the grey tank should be more than half full.

If you have a Black Tank Back Flush option, have that running first and then pull the black tank dump handle. Wait until that has emptied then pull the grey tank dump handle.

When the grey tank appears to be getting empty, you will see turbulence in the clear fitting, then turn off the back-flush water and wait until the grey has drained except for the dribbles. Then close you Black Tank valve followed by the grey tank valve.

Your done!

By waiting until the grey has finished to close the black, the soapy water will lubricate the black and grey valves making then easier to open and close.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

Socaltoolguy · 12-20-2013, 12:58 PM

Thanks guys, you have basically told me what I already knew but I just wanted to see if there was something that I didn't know. It is amazing how quickly you forget. It's been 3 years since we came in from the road and I haven't had to think about this process until now. Thanks again, and I will let you all know if I run into anything that you haven't addressed.

Ray

Rocky Larson · 12-20-2013, 04:55 PM

OK, just have to put in my 2 cents worth. Yes empty the black first, then empty the gray. However, I suggest before opening that black valve that you pull the gray first, just for a couple of seconds then close it. There will come a time when you thank me for that. BTDT.

GlennLever · 12-20-2013, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocky Larson

OK, just have to put in my 2 cents worth. Yes empty the black first, then empty the gray. However, I suggest before opening that black valve that you pull the gray first, just for a couple of seconds then close it. There will come a time when you thank me for that. BTDT.

Why, the only reason I can think of is you insure the hose will stay put (not creating a mess to clean up).

Where I dump there is a pipe in the ground that the hose fits loosely in , I then wedge the pipe in place with a stone, insuring that to does not fly around when discharging.

Dr4Film · 12-20-2013, 05:43 PM

Glenn,

I can only come up with the fact that possibly a connection was not secure when put together or the hose has some holes in it.

I know I have had the sun really cook a hose which caused some pinhole leaks which I didn't know about until after I pulled the handle.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

GlennLever · 12-20-2013, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr4Film

Glenn,

I can only come up with the fact that possibly a connection was not secure when put together or the hose has some holes in it.

I know I have had the sun really cook a hose which caused some pinhole leaks which I didn't know about until after I pulled the handle.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

Another good reason. So I would say this is a good tip.

Socaltoolguy · 12-21-2013, 01:08 PM

Along that same line of thought, one time while staying in an Indian Casino RV park up in Oregon, somebody pulled the black tank handle so that when it came time for me to dump, I removed the cap to install the drain hose. Well, it was not a pretty sight. So, I bought a secondary knife valve and installed it at the end point and then the cap onto it. That way, if it ever happened again, I would have some way to control it. It worked great. I might think about it again but now all of our controls are behind a bay door. Not locked but out of sight. Those of you with trailers or exposed dump valves might give this some thought.

Ray

GlennLever · 12-21-2013, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Socaltoolguy

Along that same line of thought, one time while staying in an Indian Casino RV park up in Oregon, somebody pulled the black tank handle so that when it came time for me to dump, I removed the cap to install the drain hose. Well, it was not a pretty sight. So, I bought a secondary knife valve and installed it at the end point and then the cap onto it. That way, if it ever happened again, I would have some way to control it. It worked great. I might think about it again but now all of our controls are behind a bay door. Not locked but out of sight. Those of you with trailers or exposed dump valves might give this some thought.

Ray

That is a mean nasty prank. When driving a big truck I would always check the fifth wheel latch as we have pranksters that would go around an pull the release while the driver was in getting coffee or going to the john. Nasty surprise to come out and jump in the truck and pull away only to dump the trailer on the ground.

Socaltoolguy · 12-21-2013, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlennLever

That is a mean nasty prank. When driving a big truck I would always check the fifth wheel latch as we have pranksters that would go around an pull the release while the driver was in getting coffee or going to the john. Nasty surprise to come out and jump in the truck and pull away only to dump the trailer on the ground.

I've heard of this happening. We always checked out fifth wheel latch too. Never had a problem with it though.

R

Tha_Rooster · 12-21-2013, 03:33 PM

Dump sequence,
Eat,sit,dump,wipe perfect every time i'm sorry I couldn't help it.

FreshAir · 12-22-2013, 09:10 AM

I strongly agree with pulling the gray handle frist for a quick check. Things can get ugly really fast if that first surge of black finds a loose hose clamp or any other number of possible operator error conditions lurking, just waiting to ruin your whole day.