Community Forums

pasonsinokc · 03-09-2017, 11:19 AM

When hooked up to sewer and camping for numerous days, do you leave your black and grey tank valves open or do you keep them closed and dump when needed?

BirchyBoy · 03-09-2017, 11:24 AM

I never have. Too much chance for gas to leak up into the camper, and for solids to settle on the bottoms if they don't make it out with the liquid.

Rambeau · 03-09-2017, 11:27 AM

Never, ever leave the black tank valve open...you will live to regret it. Personally I leave the gray open unless the weather temperature is seriously below freezing. We have never had a gray water problem.

mmartin · 03-09-2017, 11:27 AM

dump when only needed for 2 reasons: the black tank needs at least 2/3 level so it has enough volume to carry everything out and leave enough in the gray tank for rinsing the hose after dumping the black tank.

pasonsinokc · 03-09-2017, 11:30 AM

Thank you. I have always left them closed, but someone told me differently recently and I began to question myself.

Stiltner · 03-09-2017, 11:31 AM

I don't. I keep them closed until I need to drain them. Momentum is why, otherwise black waste will settle and collect both in the tank and hose. With a 2/3rds full tank everything gets treated and broken down by what ever product you use (Aqua-chem for me). Afterwards, I flush the tank until clear water runs, then I flush the hose too. You'll find a video where sewer creatures have been reported to climb up into your system because the tank valve was left open.....take that with a grain of salt. I'm not saying it didn't happen, but I think you'll find a winning lotto ticket first. Happy Trails!

Old-Biscuit · 03-09-2017, 11:33 AM

NOPE........

Bad idea. Not the way waste tanks are DESIGNED to be used

BirchyBoy · 03-09-2017, 11:35 AM

I have seen some people make a "P" trap with their drain hose by leaving a section lower then everything else. I wonder how effective that would be at keeping any gasses back if the grey tank was left open.

lanerd · 03-09-2017, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BirchyBoy

I have seen some people make a "P" trap with their drain hose by leaving a section lower then everything else. I wonder how effective that would be at keeping any gasses back if the grey tank was left open.

I have done this in the past with my gray tank open without problems but never with the black. However, I did not have the gray to clean the hose after dumping the black tank. I tried to predict when I needed to close the gray to have sufficient gray water to clean the hose, but more often than not, I was not successful and had to add water to the gray tank.

So now I just keep both closed until I need to dump the black.....exception to that is when we are using the washing machine.

Ron

znt1186 · 03-09-2017, 12:16 PM

Keep both closed until I need to dump them. Used to leave the gray open, but thought solids can build up in the gray tanks as well the black. Think food rinsed off dishes. In addition, thought about varmints that can come up through a sewer hose and decided they probably would not come through a closed valve.

MisterT · 03-09-2017, 12:25 PM

whether we are traveling, or are parked with full hookups for months at a time, I only drain the tanks daily, or as needed. leaving any sewer connection open to your coach can be problematic if you don't have sink or shower p-traps, or they are without water, to contain the odors(or potential creatures!)

not to mention the loss of the 'cleanout' water pressure process that happens when you open your tanks - if either are allowed to just run out as you use them, it can create buildup at the tank openings, and 'crud' buildup all the way down the sewer hose.

having said that, we've parked next to many full-timers who do this and apparently haven't seen any ill effects...

sd75mac · 03-09-2017, 12:35 PM

After dumping (and flushing) the black tank then flushing the hose with gray tank, I add 1 - 2 gallons of fresh water to the black tank. My reasoning is the fresh water in the black tank will slosh around while driving to further keep the residual solids from sticking to the tank and keep the black tank moist.

Jake21 · 03-09-2017, 12:44 PM

Two things I never do. Leave any tank open and drive without checking tire pressure first.

dustyone · 03-09-2017, 12:52 PM

Do not leave tanks open. Things will build up in either tank. Poo will build up and harden. Leaving you with a nice concrete. Like pyramid. Grey will leave a slowly building layer of sedimentation that will give off a wonderful odder that you can only wish to forget. Dusty