how does the plumbimg work in a rv?

tkcas01 wrote:
I don't think you need to be so concerned about the plumbing system vs other systems on an RV, but my thoughts below in red.

hounddogboy wrote:
allow me to clarify this better one last time.

and if that one ridiculous thread just below i made could be deleted?

anyway, i am now starting to look into buying my first rv.
what i would like are some tips on how to keep it maintained the easiest and most cost efficient way with the plumbing.

i am not sure if i will buy new, or used yet.

i would like to learn something off the net, before i go to a rv lot and talk to some salespeople. i don't know much at all about rv's, the most i have done is drive a u-haul truck.
i also plan to rent one first to learn about them, and see what that's like. but i want to avoid any problems with the plumbing in case i am stuck with no help somewhere strange and new.

do all rv's use a septic tank? or is there another alternative type system inside rv's these days?

It's not a septic system, but "holding tanks"

do you handle the draining yourself? or are there places who provide that service?

Yes, folks typically "dump" their own rigs. I have seen some state parks that have a "pump out" service provider if their sites do not have sewer, but I have never seen a full-service RV dump station.

how difficult is it would you say to drain yourself?

As long as you have a quality hose with quality connectors, not a problem at all.

what kind of chemical brand names do you recommend? as i heard you need them.

If you flush your tanks properly after dumping, chemicals should not be required.

how often would you estimate it be drained for 2 adults using the rv? or is there some kind of meter that tells you?

It depends on the size of the holding tanks and your usage. For example, I have a 40 gallon "black" tank and 60 gallon "grey" tank. As a single person I can go a week or so before needing to dump with normal use. Of course if you want to dump less often, you can try to use less water. Yes, there are tank level sensors but due to build-up over time they seldom work properly.

does the toilet, shower and sinks all drain into one tank?

Toilets will always empty into a "black" tank. Typically all other drains (sink, lavs, showers) drain into a "grey" tank. Some manufacturers may have one of the lavs drain into the black tank. Some fifth wheel trailers may have two grey tanks - one near the kitchen, one near the bathroom.

i would like to know about as many con's as possible, and tips on how to avoid these con's of the plumbing.

The main "con" is that the tank level sensors can be notoriously inaccurate due to build-up and such. Most people give up and can tell from the way toilets sound when they flush if the black tank is getting full. If the grey tank is full, it typically starts to back up in the shower. Some have found that if you thoroughly back-flush the tanks after dumping, and also occasionally drive without emptying the tanks beforehand (to let stuff slosh around), the sensors can stay cleaner and work better.

that's all for now. i probably will have follow up questions.
thanks for any help.

ALL GOOD EXCEPT ONE THING.
Your comment about Tank chemicals is WAY OFF. Tank chemicals do a variety of things.
1. Break down the solids and help dissolve the tissue
2. Help keep the tank cleaner and SMELL better. That way your RV does not smell like a Outhouse every time you flush.
3,. AND HELP KEEP THOSE PESKY TANK PROBES CLEANER SO THEY WILL READ CORRECTLY.
4. When you dump the tanks, there is nothing nastier/smellier than dumping a Black tank that has NOT had chemicals in it.
5. They do make a Gray water tank chemical which helps break down the soaps and oils from the kitchen sink. Also, Gray tanks can smell very bad also, so using chemical in the Gray is a good idea also. Doug