Community Forums

veraken · 08-14-2017, 05:38 AM

Keep your black tank closed until you are ready to dump. I think everybody agrees on that. The disagreement comes on gray tank.

Look at the following video on why you should keep your gray tank closed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4A-41EdBBc

zekethomas · 08-14-2017, 06:01 AM

You are all great... and I have to give kudos to "sewer pickles" .... good for a morning laugh!
I got it... closed until you need. Your right, I should have thought about it more, thought gravity flow must have some incline angle to it and thus it might just go out... but that would be too easy. RV's are great, but not that easy

Thanks again to all.

ga traveler · 08-14-2017, 08:04 AM

I bought my first motorhome in 1974. The rule back then was black open and grey closed. I have been doing that for 43 years and never a sewage problem. I do close the grey the day before leaving to use the grey water as a hose rinse.

**Petro** · 08-14-2017, 08:22 AM

I leave the black tank closed until the tank is about 2/3. I leave the grey tank open because my DW uses the washer just about every day. I do close the grey tank a day before we dump the black tank to flush out the hose.

Don

sbleiweiss · 08-14-2017, 09:40 AM

We leave black closed (this is a must) and grey open. We have a black tank rinse option which flushes the sewer hose in place of dumping the grey tank. For us it is a nice feeling to not have to be watching the level of the grey tank and dumping it frequently. Black tank only needs dumping about every 5 days. Grey would need more, at least with our tank capacities and life style.

firedoc · 08-14-2017, 12:03 PM

Black tank always closed. Sometimes we leave grey tank open some times not. Seems to depend on whether DW is in charge or I am. We also have black tank rinse feature that will help. DW likes to have grey open, doesn't like standing in grey water in shower. I worry about building up sluiceways of organic material in grey as well as possible insects or small creatures coming up hose into tank. Small alligators maybe[emoji849]. So I close grey but am delegated to make sure it is drained frequently.

Plasticman · 08-14-2017, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AITG

Leave the black tank closed until it's at least 2/3 full. It needs water in it or you'll end up with dried sewer pickles in the bottom.
Some people leave the gray water valve open but I like to use that water to flush the hose after draining the black tank.

+1 on this comment.

Rob

DGundy · 08-16-2017, 07:48 PM

I read an article a year ago, stating everyone in camp should keep their valves closed as if left open it messes up the campground septic venting system and sewer gas can back up into your rig. Just saying...

dkrobath · 08-01-2020, 12:20 PM

I read somewhere that since we have 2 macerating toilets with some type double p trap type plumbing in our new 2020 Discovery XLE, you can leave both the grey and black tanks open without any odors getting into the coach. I understand because of the clothes washer, dish washer and unending hot shower water that it is possible. The Maceration basically grinds every thing up into a liquid so there are no solids to pile up…right? And it all goes right down to the sewer. I have been testing this out for the past 3 weeks and it seems to be true. Anyone else do, read or heard this? Or is it just wishful thinking?

hattitude · 08-01-2020, 02:22 PM

The mere chance that fumes from the park septic system COULD use your tank/vent as a path of least resistance and vent through your system...

Then add the slightest possibility that some insects and/or critter can get into your waste system from either tank left open...

To me.. far out weighs any inconvenience of pulling a drain valve... once a day, twice a day if need be...

I always keep tanks closed until needing to dump even when connected to park hook ups...

uchu · 08-01-2020, 04:40 PM

Beating the dead horse...Both closed until black water is 3/4 full. First black, then grey.

CountryB · 08-02-2020, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ga traveler

I bought my first motorhome in 1974. The rule back then was black open and grey closed.

LOL. That rule was changed in 1975. You must have missed the memo

It's now "Black closed" and "Grey open or closed". Just have some grey water in the tank so when you dump the Black you can follow with the grey water to wash down the inside of the slinky.

ga traveler · 08-03-2020, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ga traveler

I bought my first motorhome in 1974. The rule back then was black open and grey closed. I have been doing that for 43 years and never a sewage problem. I do close the grey the day before leaving to use the grey water as a hose rinse.

If you read this crazy statement, you will see I said I closed the grey the day before leaving. Meaning the grey was open. I had a senior moment. It should be black closed and grey open until day before leaving. Sometimes a 80 year old brain just sucks.

scubadude62 · 08-03-2020, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spk64

Leave the black closed till it is ready to dump.
Grey is optional but nice to have grey to help rinse after dumping black.

I typically leave both closed until needing to dump.
Only exception is if laundry is being done then grey is left open.

I follow your rules exactly - black always closed unless dumping, grey closed unless dumping or laundry being done, especially multiple loads.