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GA1dad's avatar
GA1dad
Explorer
Sep 06, 2016

Black/Gray water best practices???

So we took our new to us 2014 Grey Wolf on it's maiden voyage this weekend. We are still building up our TT skills. For example, this is the first camper where we are actually using the onboard restroom and shower. I did buy a portable tote for daily transport. The dealer only had one size in stock,, 18 gallons,,, which looked plenty big in the showroom,,,,,, not. Turns out the TT has a 31 gallon black and a 41 gallon gray tank. I immediately realized I had purchased the wrong sized tote. Nothing about the maiden dumping/transporting process went well.

So I thought I'd reach out and see if there were any "best practices" when it comes to the subject. I've already picked up on the fact that flip-flops are not the preferred footware,,, And the little 3 ft. hose I bought is great for hooking up to the portable tote,,, but will not reach from the camper to the dump station opening

You folks got any other tips.
Seeking Advice
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Sep 06, 2016
    Do NOT dump waste tanks daily.........not enough liquid level to properly carry solids/stuff/scum out of tanks

    WAIT until waste tanks are FULL before dumping

    Remember.....
    A high fast flowing river can move boulders
    A tiny slow moving creek can not even move a pebble

    You want the high fast flowing river effect.

    Which means you probably will not even need that tote....just dump tanks at end of camping trip
  • Oasisbob's avatar
    Oasisbob
    Explorer
    Sep 06, 2016
    Keep some disposable gloves on hand. Forget chemicals. Waste of money. Enlist the help of family members to dump & pull the tote. This instills the water conservation topic well. Dump black first. Install an internal flusher on both tanks. Remnember the guages lie like politicians with equal results. Always pack extra sense of humor. You can never have too much
  • rvten's avatar
    rvten
    Explorer
    Sep 06, 2016
    Gray water tank will get filled faster than black water tank.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Sep 06, 2016
    GA1dad wrote:
    .. portable tote for daily transport. The dealer only had one size in stock,, 18 gallons,,, which looked plenty big in the showroom,,,,,, not. Turns out the TT has a 31 gallon black and a 41 gallon gray tank. I immediately realized I had purchased the wrong sized tote.
    Nothing in the rules about having to dump in one trip. Besides, 18 gallons of water is plenty heavy.

    Contrary to most folks, I use all the water I want for comfortable living.
  • DutchmenSport's avatar
    DutchmenSport
    Explorer
    Sep 06, 2016
    1. Carry more hose than you think you'll ever need.
    2. Get a bigger tote than you think you'll ever need. If your largest tank is 41 gallon, look for a tote that is at LEAST 41 gallon (or bigger). They have wheels, they can be pulled by your car/truck to the dump site.
    3. Use water sparingly in your camper so you don't have to dump until you break camp, then you can tow your entire camper to the dump station. Navy showers, pour dish water on the ground or in the fire pit. Never let the faucet just run, even if you need hot water. Any water running will go into the tank and there goes your space.
    4. Use water outside the camper as much as possible to avoid your holding tanks from filling up before your camp is over.
    5. Get campsites with full hooks so you CAN run water as much as you want and dump as much as you want.
    6. Practice water conservation at home so it's not such a strange animal when you go camping.

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