HEY!!!!!Ignore all my previous questions. Nope---no RV--I'm gonna rent a convertable and will need a hotel room for 6 or 7 nights in and around Utah. Is it neccessary to prebook hotel rooms in September or can I get a room where ever I decide to stop for the night? Because it is the end of the season I would think the vacancy rate would be in my favor. Frank Yep! I have never been RV en. Will be renting a class B 21 ft van in Las Vegas next year. My main concern at this time is the use, maintenance and emptying of toilet tanks. Water tank 21G--Grey ( is this for licquid waste?) 15G and Black (solid waste?) 11G. Nowmal use by two adults during an 8 day trip. Just how often would these tanks need to be refilled and purged?Once I get comfortable with this chore I am sure to be back asking for more help from you good people. Thanks FrankThank you all for your advise and community spirit. Would you believe that I may be renting a convertiable instead. The wife and I are concerned about the need to reserve the RV so far in advance. The cancellation policies of these companies is very strict and costly which requires an additiional expenditure of about $400 for travel insurance and if you need it you still lose money on the deal. The cost of the car rental, motel and food would only be a few hundred dollars more and travelling in that enviornment with the top down should be visually stimulating. Again, thanks for you input. Frank

Gray tank will be sink and shower water. Black tank refers to toilet water.As for emptying? Empty when full. That can mean three days to over a week. Since this is a holding tank, you want to be sure nothing goes down there that does not break down in water easily. Wet wipes are one major NONO.

Use plenty of water. If you are at a full hookup, keep the black tank closed, and only empty when full.

We empty both black & gray tanks daily when on full hookup. In addition, I always ensure there is some water in the black tank after I empty it. That helps keep things from sticking to the bottom. Emptying daily may seem excessive but it doesn't hurt. Empty black tank 1st then close valve and empty gray tank then close valve. The gray water helps to sorta clean the hose.

Gray depends on how long your showers are, and if you do dishes. I do both, and that size tank would last me about 2 days. Absolutely do not skimp on water when pooping.

At home when you flush your toilet you get one or more gallons of water, not so with an RV. Add some water when you flush and you won’t have a problem, it’s not the fun part of RVing, but it’s not all that bad. My wife and I retired 17 years ago and we’ve been traveling all over the place and really do love the RV lifestyle. Enjoy

Wanna help out a 75 yr old virgin? | Good Sam Community

vanmol
Explorer
Dec 16, 2015
Thank you all for your advise and community spirit. Would you believe that I may be renting a convertiable instead. The wife and I are concerned about the need to reserve the RV so far in advance. The cancellation policies of these companies is very strict and costly which requires an additiional expenditure of about $400 for travel insurance and if you need it you still lose money on the deal. The cost of the car rental, motel and food would only be a few hundred dollars more and travelling in that enviornment with the top down should be visually stimulating. Again, thanks for you input. Frank
MarkTwain
Explorer
Dec 16, 2015
DutchStar38 wrote:
We empty both black & gray tanks daily when on full hookup. In addition, I always ensure there is some water in the black tank after I empty it. That helps keep things from sticking to the bottom. Emptying daily may seem excessive but it doesn't hurt. Empty black tank 1st then close valve and empty gray tank then close valve. The gray water helps to sorta clean the hose.

Daily emptying of gray and black tanks might make sense if there were a large number of people using the sewer system on a daily basis-10 or more. Instead emptying the black tank on a daily basis, I empty the tank about every 4 to 5 days or if the tank is full. When I finish emptying the black tank, I close the black tank valve and then back flush the black tank for 8 to 10 min. in order to clean the side walls of the tank and remove any materials that didn't get flushed out. Then I open the black tank tank again, when I see clear water exiting the black tank, I close the tank valve and then add about 5 min. of water back into the tank. Job done.
ol__yeller
Explorer II
Dec 16, 2015
I think you made a wise choice. There is only one tank on a convertible but that one is a lot more expensive to replenish. You may find the weather too hot to always have the top down. As both an RVer and convertible owner, bring hats and sunscreen for a great time.
vanmol
Explorer
Dec 16, 2015
OL'Yeller----Thank U for the encouragement. Now feeling better about our change of plans. Frank
pconroy328
Explorer
Dec 16, 2015
I'm putting this post up for "Subject Line Of The Year" award. :)
tatest
Explorer II
Dec 17, 2015
How often depends on how you are at using water. I have tanks in the 20-30 gallon range, with two of us and daily showers it was in the range of 3-4 days. with granddaughters along taking 2-3 showers a day each, I was dumping daily.

How much time spent doing it? I don't think I've ever spent more than 15 minutes to dump both tanks and rinse out the dump hose, but I do know RVers who can turn this into a much more lengthy ritual.

If it is just about economics, then it depends on rents. If you can get away with $60-90 a night for motel rooms, renting the convertible will probably be a lot less expensive. If you hotels will cost $300 to $2000 a night (I've paid that much) then renting a RV would like be cheaper. I don't think you would be paying anything near that for a room within a day or two driving distance from Las Vegas, or if you did, the room would come with some pretty amazing amenities.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Dec 17, 2015
I am extremely proud of everyone for taking this post seriously - very refreshing! :)

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