How fast do the gray and black tanks fill

[mkenyon2]

My wife and I are going camping for a week, renting a TT. The site we've got doesn't have full hookups, so we're planning on using the tanks. (Specs below)
My question is: How fast will the Gray and Black tanks fill up. I know this is subjective. But with 2 adults, maybe a shower every other day. Assume 'normal' toilet usage. 😉 Would we last the week? Or would we need to file and/or drain mid-week? I have a potable water jug to refill the fresh water, but would want to get a Gray/Black water tank if we'll need to dump.

PS. Sorry if I missed a post on this. Tried searching, but didn't find anything.

Apex Nano BHS
Fresh: 50 gal
Gray: 35 Gal
Black: 35 Gal

[mkenyon2]

Thank you all for your input, much to think about.
I do have a 5 gal jug for fresh water. We wouldn't drink that, but we do have a water filter pitcher we would bring. And maybe some gallons of drinking water.
It's a rented trailer we will be towing there, so I could unhook and take it to the dump station. Might still get the water tote.

[Boon_Docker]

MarkTwain wrote:
"Depends on how often you shower and use the potty"

X2
Most accurate answer yet.

[MitchF150]

I know how much water I would use... 🙂 I have no idea how much water you will use.. 🙂 I'd be close after a full week of ultra conserving.. I usually only go on long weekend trips, so I tend to use more as I know I have plenty, but when I go longer, I have to adjust dramatically!

Unless you already know how to 'conserve' water in a 'camping' environment, it's just going to be a learning experience for ya..

Worst case, you have to unplug and go to the dump station and dump and get some more fresh water..

Or, get one of those 'tote' things and haul it manually and get a 5 gallon can and fill as needed..

Good luck! Mitch

[wanderingaimles]

I'm guessing that you will have electric, and if so, there is an excellent chance water is available, just no sewer or drain connection.
If this is the case, plan on doing as much as possible outside. A 5 gallon water jug on the picnic table for drinking and tooth brushing. Wash dishes there too.
Learn to conserve water on the shower, and you will be fine.
how to take a navy shower

toilet consumption is about a quart per usage overall, so you have about 120 flushes with that tank.

[rdhetrick]

Deleted

[MarkTwain]

"Depends on how often you shower and use the potty"

[wa8yxm]

Depends on several things. Black tank? how big and how much do you flush every flush (Usually about a gallon) so it's capacity/flushes

Gray gets shower, sink washing machine, lav's.

Now some rigs have like 10 gallon tanks (Trailers) some 30-40-50 Many motor homes At least one it's well over 100 gallons or so I'm told.

So this is all important.

Mine were 36 gallons and with my wife 1/2 week me alone 2-4 weeks.

[rlw999]

I have a potable water jug to refill the fresh water

I wouldn't drink the water from a rental RV's freshwater tank, as you don't know how often they sanitize it, or how safe the water is that the last guy refilled it with. I regularly sanitize my own tank and while I'll brush my teeth with that water, I still drink from a separate water jug(s) I fill from home.

[RKW]

The tank capacities listed in the OP are close to the ones in my RV. As others have said, there is a lot of factors that figure in as to when the tanks will be full. We are experts at taking navy showers. We also almost never do dishes, preferring to use paper plates and such. We can usually get about 4-5 days before having to dump our gray and black tanks.

[obgraham]

Just because the site doesn't have full hookups doesn't mean there is no water or sewer facility.
We very often walked to a nearby spigot for dishwashing water, and we would use the toilets there if they were acceptable.

[way2roll]

We carry 5 gal jugs of water for cooking and drinking and that helps. As others have stated, use less water, take less and shorter showers. DW hates this, she loves a long shower. I Cringe the entire time she is in there when we don't have full hookups. I explain the issue - she doesn't care. Apparently it's my issue. 🙂

[JimK-NY]

There is absolutely no way to tell how much water you will need. Habits are the big factor. At home I leave the faucet running while I wash my face and brush my teeth. Habits like that will run through the fresh water tank and overflow the gray water tank quickly.

When I camp and water is not available. I get by on about 3 gallons per day. Roughly 1 gallon for drinking, 1 gallon for dish washing and cooking, and the remaining gallon for a shower. I don't fall short but there is no wasted water in the processes.

[Mike134]

Wife and I can go a week on the black tank, 5 days is the best so far on gray. We wash dishes outside in 2 tubs one to wash one to rinse and throw the water into the shrubs. ( I know the horror) Navy showers, never letting the water run while shaving or brushing teeth.

[Grit_dog]

Comfortably (as water usage varies wildly based on.....use), 2 people, one week, navy shower every day and conserving water while doing dishes, you're up for at least 1 dump and refill of fresh and gray water.
Black tank will make it if you forego the preferred method of using "plenty of water" to wash down every #2 deposited.
Note when black tanks get full or near full, they generally start stinking if you drive any real distance (ie sloshing around for extended periods of time).