Community Forums

psikora · 11-07-2016, 08:40 AM

Hi All,
We're new to RVing and have learned how crazy invaluable posting to this group can be.

Background. Although I used to have a pop-up, and still do motorcycle camping, this 5th wheel thing is a completely different animal. We took our first short trip to Cape May, NJ this fall for our maiden voyage (classic Herbie Hancock song) and are now threatening to leave before Christmas from NY state, stop in the D.C. area for two nights, head to Okefenokee for two nights, visit my Aunt and cousin in Sarasota, and do some stuff in the middle Keys.

I've been circling around my question but am ready to come in for a landing now. Our first three nights will be in locales where the temps could easily be below freezing, so I will not de-winterize. Since my wife is a HUGE germaphobe, she REALLY doesn't want to use public restrooms. (Yeah, I know, but some things are not worth pursuing.) So she wants to use our winterized toilet.

How bad would it be to:
1. Just pour water into the toilet to flush it?
2. Have a little water in the black tank, realizing that it might freeze? 40 gallon tank, 5-15 gallons of water and stuff, what's the worst that can happen?
3. My only concern would be even though we won't be hooking the flush valve on my Dometic gravity flush toilet up to a water supply (and the instructions are to remove it from freezing temps and bring inside), pushing the pedal down to open the toilet to flush, pushes on the check valve to open. So would some water work it's way in there? I could post-flush push the pedal down and blow through the top of the hose connection to the flush valve, I guess. Since that flush valve is a flush fit, not seeing how to cap it off yet. Anyway, worst case, just keep connecting it and unconnecting it since it's not supposed to be in freezing temps, which it could be during the daytime driving. Wife says why not run an electric heater while we're driving. Sounds too dangerous to me.

Anyway, thanks in advance for any and all helpful response.

later,
Nancy & Phil

t55watson · 11-07-2016, 08:53 AM

I winterize by blowing air through the H2O system, including the toilet valve. It then has no H2O in it and freezing temps don't hurt it.
We leave MI in Jan and use our toilet at will for the first 2 days. Flushing, or washing down, with bottled H2O from home and sometimes followed with a little RV anti-freeze.
It would have to get VERY cold for any damage to occur in the tank. At the temps you will encounter it probably won't even make slush. H2O has to hard freeze before it will do any damage.
You might want a couple of days more in the Okefenokee. Rent a boat and self tour the river and swamp.

Skip426 · 11-07-2016, 08:54 AM

I've done the winter toilet use thing , and just used windshield washer A/F, to rinse " stuff "down .
Also had to run with the furnace on in the 5er in temps of -20. Local laws and tunnels may not allow that.

t55watson · 11-07-2016, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip426

I've done the winter toilet use thing , and just used windshield washer A/F, to rinse " stuff "down .
Also had to run with the furnace on in the 5er in temps of -20. Local laws and tunnels may not allow that.

Please don't use W/W anti-freeze. It is alcohol based and can damage the septic systems where you may be dumping.

Lovin2Camp · 11-07-2016, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t55watson

Please don't use W/W anti-freeze. It is alcohol based and can damage the septic systems where you may be dumping.

Hmmmmmmm,
First time I ever heard that?

Sent from my iPhone using iRV2 - RV Forum

twinboat · 11-07-2016, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t55watson

Please don't use W/W anti-freeze. It is alcohol based and can damage the septic systems where you may be dumping.

Deleted

twogypsies · 11-07-2016, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t55watson

I winterize by blowing air through the H2O system, including the toilet valve. It then has no H2O in it and freezing temps don't hurt it.
We leave MI in Jan and use our toilet at will for the first 2 days. Flushing, or washing down, with bottled H2O from home and sometimes followed with a little RV anti-freeze.
It would have to get VERY cold for any damage to occur in the tank. At the temps you will encounter it probably won't even make slush. H2O has to hard freeze before it will do any damage.
You might want a couple of days more in the Okefenokee. Rent a boat and self tour the river and swamp.

This is your answer.

You're not going to hurt anything in 3 days and each day will get warmer. Since you won't be using a lot of liquid, when you get to your first warm spot, add a lot more water to the tank and drive with it to stir things up.

What does your wife do if she's shopping all day or siteseeing or on a plane, etc.? She uses public restrooms. Try that one out on her.

psikora · 11-08-2016, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twogypsies

This is your answer.

You're not going to hurt anything in 3 days and each day will get warmer. Since you won't be using a lot of liquid, when you get to your first warm spot, add a lot more water to the tank and drive with it to stir things up.

What does your wife do if she's shopping all day or siteseeing or on a plane, etc.? She uses public restrooms. Try that one out on her.

Thanks, twogypsies. I kinda figured it would be ok but have also made less-than-informed decisions before.

BTW, my wife doesn't shop for more than 20 minutes - no patience. On planes she's a camel. In emergencies, there's always the great outdoors. It's just not her thing. Me, OTOH, ....

tinkerreknit · 11-09-2016, 06:58 AM

You'll be fine. I would add a little RV antifreeze to the black tank for peace of mind.
We also much prefer our own bathroom vs public facilities.

psikora · 11-09-2016, 07:18 AM

Thanks, all, for the responses. There's nothing better than collective knowledge.

Our first trip was only four hours away. NY-FL will be yet another stepping stone to a hopefully-soon cross-country trip. That'll separate the newbies from the experienced.

Thanks again,
Nancy & Phil

Gary RVRoamer · 11-09-2016, 07:19 AM

Agree with all the others - not something to worry about. Put some RV antifreeze in the tank to be on the safe side because there will be water at the dump valve, which is exposed to the cold. Don't need a lot, though. And use plain water to flush with. It doesn't all have to contain antifreeze if you prime the tanks with some antifreeze.

Presumably you are staying in the RV yourself, so the interior is heated, right? The toilet and its flush valve are well above freezing, so even if a bit of water sloshes in (water pump if off, right?), it's of no concern.

You probably want to put antifreeze in the gray tank too, cause you will probably have some gray waste as well.