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03-09-2017, 11:19 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 2
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Do you leave black and grey tank open?
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?
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03-09-2017, 11:24 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 1,543
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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.
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03-09-2017, 11:27 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Full Timers
Posts: 355
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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.
__________________
Dave & Sheryl Rambeau
2011 Itasca Meridian 39'
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03-09-2017, 11:27 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Long Beach, Calif.
Posts: 220
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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.
__________________
Travel Supreme 03 40DS03
Cummins 400 HP ISL 8.9
2010 Jeep Wrangler JK
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03-09-2017, 11:30 AM
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#5
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 2
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Do you leave black and grey tank open?
Thank you. I have always left them closed, but someone told me differently recently and I began to question myself.
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03-09-2017, 11:31 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Thor Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Roseville, Ca
Posts: 433
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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!
__________________
2016 Thor Palazzo 33.2
14 Honda CRV, Roadmaster Tow Bar, Air Force 1
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03-09-2017, 11:33 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 28,562
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NOPE........
Bad idea. Not the way waste tanks are DESIGNED to be used
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I took my Medication today. HAVE YOU?
Dodge 3500 w/Tractor Motor
US NAVY---USS Decatur DDG-31
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03-09-2017, 11:35 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 1,543
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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.
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03-09-2017, 12:06 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Home in warm Sou Calif for the winter.
Posts: 1,401
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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.
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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
__________________
Ron, Sandie and Lilly
2013 Tiffin Phaeton 42LH 400 ISL | 2011 GMC Terrain SLT-2
Roadmaster All Terrain | US Gear Unified Brake System | Pressure Pro
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03-09-2017, 12:16 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,189
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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.
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Zeb
2005 Mandalay, 2013 Ford Edge
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03-09-2017, 12:25 PM
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: western NC mountains!
Posts: 4,106
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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...
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03-09-2017, 12:35 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: The Hills of Mickey's Original Home
Posts: 278
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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.
__________________
Harold and Cynde
2013 F150 S/C 4x4 Ecoboost, 2014 Winnebago UltraLite, Chasing trains where ever we are.
[SIGPIC]sigpic160806_2.gif[/SIGPIC]
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03-09-2017, 12:44 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 3,327
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Two things I never do. Leave any tank open and drive without checking tire pressure first.
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03-09-2017, 12:52 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 1,085
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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
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