While shooting the bull at the dump station, a 20 year camping veteran recommended using a vented dump tank cap during storage. I winterize my trailer with RV anti-freeze and store it in my-inlaw's pole barn with cement floor. Does venting the tank gasses help anything? I'd hate for it to leak onto their barn floor.http://www.amazon.com/Valterra-Products-T1024-4VP-Carded-Vented/dp/B001VDBNCO

Isn't it is already vented to the roof, so no need for a vented cap?

sch911 wrote:Isn't it is already vented to the roof, so no need for a vented cap?x2

Um.... NO.I always keep a couple gallons of "pink stuff" in my black and gray tanks with the valves shut so the liquid will keep the seals wet and from drying out.I suppose if you wanted to leave the drain open, this would be a useful product. It would let it breathe, and still keep little critters from crawling inside your tanks.

sch911 wrote:Isn't it is already vented to the roof, so no need for a vented cap?Yes, it has a vent. Didn't think about that. Thank you

DutchmenSport wrote:I always keep a couple gallons of "pink stuff" in my black and gray tanks with the valves shut so the liquid will keep the seals wet and from drying out.Ok. Same here. Wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something.

Do you use a vented dump tank cap during winter storage?

13 Replies

Lantley
Nomad
Sep 22, 2015
While maybe it's not a bad idea. I'm not sure I'd want the freezing cold air/draft blowing through the tank. Could it cause more harm than good?
I do not use a vented cap.
adam9280
Explorer
Sep 22, 2015
opnspaces wrote:
Could be, I have one of those garden hose vent caps as well. I could be wrong but I was assuming the OP meant a cap with a screen so the pipe can dry out. Something like this.
Link to vented cap.

Yes, the linked item is what the guy showed me.
opnspaces
Navigator III
Sep 22, 2015
Could be, I have one of those garden hose vent caps as well. I could be wrong but I was assuming the OP meant a cap with a screen so the pipe can dry out. Something like this.
Link to vented cap.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Sep 22, 2015
K3WE wrote:
opnspaces wrote:
I don't have a vented cap and it's always dry when I remove the cap. I can't imagine the use for a vented cap, but I guess people just try to figure out how to go above and beyond regardless of if it does any good.

There's all sorts of caps out there with the garden hose attachment.

And since we don't want to mention what it's really used for, folks are left to their imagination of what it's purpose is. ;-)

I certainly have used mine to drain the grey tank.
bumpy
K3WE
Explorer
Sep 22, 2015
opnspaces wrote:
I don't have a vented cap and it's always dry when I remove the cap. I can't imagine the use for a vented cap, but I guess people just try to figure out how to go above and beyond regardless of if it does any good.

There's all sorts of caps out there with the garden hose attachment.

And since we don't want to mention what it's really used for, folks are left to their imagination of what it's purpose is. ;-)
opnspaces
Navigator III
Sep 17, 2015
I don't have a vented cap and it's always dry when I remove the cap. I can't imagine the use for a vented cap, but I guess people just try to figure out how to go above and beyond regardless of if it does any good.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Sep 15, 2015
Tin Pusher wrote:
I drain the tanks, leave the valves open, I got one of those caps with a hose fitting, which I leave open.

Lets any condensation drain, gives the critters only a small hole to enter, none yet :)

Didn't know about vented caps...

put on a short length of garden hose and use one of those screened washers to keep bugs out.
bumpy
Tin_Pusher
Explorer II
Sep 15, 2015
I drain the tanks, leave the valves open, I got one of those caps with a hose fitting, which I leave open.

Lets any condensation drain, gives the critters only a small hole to enter, none yet :)

Didn't know about vented caps...
adam9280
Explorer
Sep 15, 2015
DutchmenSport wrote:

I always keep a couple gallons of "pink stuff" in my black and gray tanks with the valves shut so the liquid will keep the seals wet and from drying out.

Ok. Same here. Wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something.
adam9280
Explorer
Sep 15, 2015
sch911 wrote:
Isn't it is already vented to the roof, so no need for a vented cap?

Yes, it has a vent. Didn't think about that. Thank you