Community Forums

symba's-den · 07-12-2005, 11:16 AM

All,

I just got a new Hybrid Travel Trailer. Previously all I have camped in is a pop up. I know that this has to have been covered before, but what is the proper procedure for dumping at a dump station? If there are links, please feel free to post them.

I have read that your blank tank should be 2/3rds full before you dump. We only have a 30 gallon water tank, 25 gallon grey and 25 black.

What do you do if you are out of water and the black tank ins't 2/3rds full?

If you have water, do you run the pump to fill up the black tank?

Sorry for the duplication question, I just can't find it using search

symba's-den · 07-12-2005, 11:16 AM

All,

I just got a new Hybrid Travel Trailer. Previously all I have camped in is a pop up. I know that this has to have been covered before, but what is the proper procedure for dumping at a dump station? If there are links, please feel free to post them.

I have read that your blank tank should be 2/3rds full before you dump. We only have a 30 gallon water tank, 25 gallon grey and 25 black.

What do you do if you are out of water and the black tank ins't 2/3rds full?

If you have water, do you run the pump to fill up the black tank?

Sorry for the duplication question, I just can't find it using search

ParTheCourse · 07-12-2005, 11:30 AM

Jeff,
Here's a ton of reading on the subject;

http://irv2.infopop.cc/eve/forums?a=search&reqWords=blac...rum_scope=98960734 52

Good luck, Mike

symba's-den · 07-13-2005, 05:24 AM

Thanks for the link! It really answered a lot of questions. I think I will be installing the quickie flush as soon as I can.

As to filling up the black tank until then. If I have fresh water left, should I use my onboard pump to fill up the black tank? Seems like a lot of work for the pump, but if that is best, I can do it... (I won't be on a full hookup site, either dry camping or only electric)

FatDog · 07-13-2005, 05:46 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">....As to filling up the black tank until then. If I have fresh water left, should I use my onboard pump to fill up the black tank? Seems like a lot of work for the pump, but if that is best, I can do it..... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

for me, the goal has never been so much to 'fill up the black tank' with clean water before dumping, but rather to just put enough in to help with the task.
Sometimes I'll just put in a couple gallons towards the end of the dumping procedure as kind of a help to get a clean tank. This just helps clean the tank. If I dump the tanks at the end of a long drive back towards home, i find i need less water.
Other times I will fill the tank. This is more if I have left the tank sit idle for a day or so.

Once you get that little Quickie-flush atatchment and can really SEE what is going on, you will become an expert very quick.

And i have never worried about straining that water pump. That little bugger seems to keep on plugging along with that moderate amount of use.

And if my black tank is only 1/3 full and we are done camping, we drain the tanks. I think that '2/3rds rule of thumb' is only trying to suggest that you not keep your drains wide open the entire time you are camping even if you DO have sewer connections.

ParTheCourse · 07-13-2005, 07:04 AM

I agree with FatDog;

We always maintain 5/6 galloons of treated water in the black tank. It keeps things soft and sloshes around while moving to help keep things cleaner.

While camping we keep both valves closed, opening only when near full, black first then rinse with grey. When breaking camp, black first rinse with grey, then put plenty more back in both tanks, hose, pump or street water however and dump again.

Finally put the 5/6 gals in both tanks (treated in black) to slosh while driving and do its thing until next trip.

Don't forget to keep an inch or two in the commode and to keep the traps under the sink and shower full to prevent odors from entering the rig during down time.

Hope this helps to answer your questions, if not just ask.

Mike

Ray,IN · 07-13-2005, 06:19 PM

I agree, the 2/3 rule is only to help flush the solids out. You do not need to add water to reach 2/3 if one uses enough water when flushing, and begins with about 3-5 gallons of water, then you should never have a problem. A side note; when traveling/camping in a hot dry climate pay attention to having enough water in the black tank. Evaporation will quickly eliminate the liquid in your tank if you didn't start out with that 3-5 gallon, leaving you with a problem. Of course this is not practical when dry camping or you'll run out of fresh water quickly, so extra water may be needed in the black tank when arriving at a dump station.

Cinrock · 07-22-2005, 07:29 AM

Symbasden,

Enjoyed your posts over on PUX for tha past couple of years. We too moved up to a TT after the PU. I found that tyhe best thing to do is leave water in the tank at all times to help liquify everthing. I also throw a bag or 2 of ice down the potty after dumping. Helps with cleaning the walls and sensors.

I'm confused about the quickee flush. If you're not going to be on full hook ups when are you going to use the quickee flush? Using it at the dump station will be iffy when there are people waiting and my experiece has been that the hose at the dump station usually does not have end on it.