Tom/Barb wrote:
We have a black tank flush built into the tank, simply hook a hose to it and allow it to run until clear water comes out.
Are you saying that is not enough?
No, I'm not arguing a point like that. Anything anyone can do to their tanks, more just just dump and go, will benefit keeping a cleaner tank.
I have a black tank flusher and use it quite often. But there are those times we camp and do not have water on site, or sewer on site. This is when I have to use my blue tote.
Back flushing is very useful when you are limited on water or you just want to conserve water.
By far, probably the best method to flush the tanks out is to dump the initial contents, then fill the entire tank a second time and dump it. But that may require filling the black tank with another 30-100 gallons of water, depending on the size of your tank.
Back flushing serves a second purpose for your shower water that otherwise would just be dumped down a drain.
If you have access to water and an un-ending drain, then the black tank flusher, the wand down the toilet, and filling the tanks full and dumping again are equally as successful for discharging stuff left behind from the INITIAL dump.
Of course the other method to help keep tanks clean is to dump, add a bit of water, some laundry aids, and go for a drive to your next destination. Once you get there, dump immediately and a lot of the stuff that was "stuck" will be dislodged. Plus sensors will more than likely work better, smells will be less, and I would hope, it just makes you feel better.
RVers on these forums will spend time, money, and effort washing and waxing the outside of their campers, wanting to keep that showroom shine. But when it comes to roofs and holding tanks, they don't see a need because no one can see the roof, and no one cares about the holding tanks.
It's like these home shows, like on HGTV, where the couple stand in the living room and uuh and goo over the furniture, how it fits the room or how it doesn't fit. If it doesn't fit, they skip the house and move to the next one. Um... well ... duh? Did they ever consider the foundation of the house? Is it cracked, sinking, leaking. Does the roof have new shingles, do the windows leak air? Does the plumbing work like it's suppose to. No, all they are focused on is the color of that couch that the current owner will remove anyway!
That's kind of how I feel about my camper. Keep the infastructure of the camper in pristine shape, and the rest is easy. After all, it's not just what people see, it's all about keeping it functional and keeping things working efficiently. It's the items that can't be seen that are really most important. Keeping an item clean is the easiest way to maintain it and avoid problems over the long haul.
Well, all I can do is share from my experiences. I know it's not for everyone, and not everyone even cares enough to think about it. But, if you want an additional item in your arsenal of RV knowledge, tuck this one away.
