More beginner RVing questions

[BeerBrewer]

The wife and I just purchased our first Travel Trailer (Grand Design Transcend 26RLS) and we've got a couple trips already planned already. We thought it best that we stay close to home and that we don't stay out too many days. We even considered camping in the back yard, but the town we live has a lot of strange rules and we didn't want to tempt fate. Our first trip is to Smiths Point (Long Island) and two weeks later we head to Gettysburg for a couple more.

Since it's only the two of us and we are only staying two nights at Smith Point, I'm thinking that I should not bother to connect the sewer line because the tanks won't be full enough to properly dump. I figured that we'd have to dump the tanks when we leave Gettysburg a couple weeks later. Am I on the right track? Is it okay to leave the TT with waste in the tanks for the two weeks? It shouldn't stink out the trailer, should it? Do I need to do anything special to treat the tanks?

Funny but when we first entertained the idea of buying a TT and touring the country I thought that I'd be more worried about the idea of driving and backing up a travel trailer and now that the day nears, I seem more worried about sanitary aspect of it.

[Lwiddis]

“I'm thinking that I should not bother to connect the sewer line because the tanks won't be full enough to properly dump.“

I’m thinking fill your tanks with a hose and dump. Southwesterners dump and fill with fresh water at every opportunity. Never know when you’ll find a beautiful dry campsite or a campground that just shut off their water.

[cross21114]

ol' yeller wrote:
When I don't have a full black tank to dump and it's going to be awhile before I go out again, I just add water to the black tank via the toilet foot pedal until it is 2/3rds full or more and then dump. My RV has a black tank rinser which makes cleaning the tank much easier.

That's what we do and it seems like most do also.

[ppine]

Dump your tanks.

[2oldman]

Thoughts on toilet paper

[wrktfsh]

Not specific to the ops question but......
I start each trip with 5 gals in the blacks and grey tank. Agitation while driving helps clean if needed, and I start with water in the black tank so solids might disperse a bit better

[drsteve]

BeerBrewer wrote:
Anyone use Kirkland (Costco) toilet paper?

TP brand doesn't matter, I've seen people in these threads who use everything from the most plush, quilted, butt-friendly paper to the see-thru single ply RV stuff. Some even throw used paper into a trash can rather than flush it.

The only people who have problems are those who use too little water. Water is the key to a trouble free black tank. Oh, and no feminine hygiene products or disposable diapers.

[BeerBrewer]

Anyone use Kirkland (Costco) toilet paper?

[toedtoes]

It's personal preference and particular to the RV.

My black and grey tanks fill up equally and hit 3/4 after about 9-10 days in the clipper. If I just go for a weekend and have plans to go out for another weekend trip in the next month or two, I will wait to dump until after the second trip with no problem.

The RV is parked at home and I often driveway camp or work on it so I occasionally use the toilet between trips as well.

If my next trip is going to be 6 days or longer, I empty both tanks first.

And most any toilet paper is fine.

[BeerBrewer]

Yes the trailer does have a black tank flush. Would it be better to use it and dump the tanks rather than leave them partially full?

[Grit_dog]

Oh and don't dump the back tank when you're hung over.......

[Grit_dog]

On one hand, yes leaving some black tank contents for a couple weeks should be just fine. But not if its anywhere near full. On our camper and others, just a short drive, if the black tank is almost full causes the stink out!
But, I see no reason NOT to dump the black, since you'll likely need to dump the gray tank. Idk what size gray and if you're running on hookups or just the fresh water tank, but gray fills up much faster than black.
Also, since you're mobile with it, black tanks dump more completely IMO after being on the road and agitating the "contents". Never had an issue with normal TP either. Maybe if your parked for a while and just dumping onsite. But if you drive around before dumping, everything coming out is just chocolate milk and corn!

[Tvov]

If you get some hot days while your camper is sitting between trips, you could very well "stink out" the camper. And it takes a while to get rid of that stink. As you use your camper more, you will be able to figure out if and how long you can wait for dumping.

I dump and rinse the tank after every time we use it. Especially if you are at a campsite with sewer it is easy.

Also, you might want to plan on dumping before the tank is "full"... when the tank hits maybe 3/4 full, you should fill it the rest of the way with water to help with dumping. When the black tank needs more water to dump, just add water using the toilet or a hose into the toilet.

[ol__yeller]

When I don't have a full black tank to dump and it's going to be awhile before I go out again, I just add water to the black tank via the toilet foot pedal until it is 2/3rds full or more and then dump. My RV has a black tank rinser which makes cleaning the tank much easier.

[tomman58]

Never been to Long Island but it isn't a bad idea to do an overnighter in your driveway or storage area just to see how stuff works from leveling to the shower. You'll find a lot of stuff you will need and a lot more question as to "what if" Good luck and come back anytime you want opinions that are even good sometimes.

[philh]

Get some happy camper for the black tank. Don't use that nice soft two ply toilet paper you use at home. Personally, I don't like leaving anything in my black tank, but that's just me.