Should I connect my sewer line when camping?

[someuser001]

I have heard different things about this. When I am camping at a spot which has electricity, water and sewer, I have been told to just connect the electricity and water. I have been told to connect the sewer when i am leaving to clean out as normal.

What is your opinion?

[kellem]

If I have full hook-ups I'm certainly taking advantage.
By all means, go ahead and attach sewer hose on arrival if you want.

The only thing that really has any significance regarding your black tank is never let it go dry.

When it's full, pull the valve and empty.
Once it's empty, add a few gallons of water and treatment....it's really that simple.

[Dick_B]

One advantage to waiting to hook up is if your stay is not long enough to require dumping you have eliminated one nasty job.

[Mickeyfan0805]

mgirardo wrote:
It's really a personal choice, whatever works best for you. If we are camping more than one overnight, we'd hook up sewer at the same time as water and electric. If we were just doing a quick overnight and didn't expect to fill the tanks, then we would not hook up sewer.

I have a similar approach. We are a family of 5 that does all showering, dish cleaning, bathroom usage, etc. in the camper. So, we really can't get more than a few nights without needing to dump. For a weekend trip, I might do it upon arrival if I have time and nice weather, or I might wait until departure if circumstances demand. Longer stays, I always set up at the outset so that I can dump as needed.

[mgirardo]

It's really a personal choice, whatever works best for you. If we are camping more than one overnight, we'd hook up sewer at the same time as water and electric. If we were just doing a quick overnight and didn't expect to fill the tanks, then we would not hook up sewer.

There is no right or wrong way. For me, I like to get all the hookup out of the way at the same time. If we get setup and need to leave quickly, then I might skip the sewer connection, but that's unusual. Other than animals possibly getting at it (which I've never had happen or know anyone that it has happened to), there is no harm in hooking up the sewer hose when you first setup.

-Michael

[pitch]

I hook it up on arrival. Whether overnite or several days. Unless I am a a particular destination the only reason I am in a RV park to begin with is to catch up on services.

[wa8yxm]

How I do it.. NOTE I can normally go about 3 weeks without taking on water or dumping. sometimes 4 or 5.

Summertimes I spend 2 weeks where I am now hooked to electricity only
And two weeks in another park .. I hook up dump and fill shortly after I arrive and the day before I leave (usually) Dump-refill and stow the hoses..

Half the work of hooking up at every site.

[Flan]

When I get to the campground I fill the black tank halfway. use it till it reaches 3/4 and then dump and start over. usually the hose is always hooked up. I have a separate valve for my grey water and usually let those get to 3/4 as well and empty those after dumping the black tank.

[SDcampowneroper]

by all means for conservation and to reduce buildup of the dreaded Poo Pyramid it is best to allow your black tank to fill to capacity before dumping. Enough water must be used to do a flush.
In regularly below freezing weather this is not an option waste Tank valves must be left open so no 'trap' and sufficient water used ( flush twice) to move the waste. This works in warm weather also but does ise extra water and take education particularly of the younger folks.. In any case enough water must be used to make the solids more fluid.
The old saying is valid, ' flush twice, its a long way to the kitchen'

[old_guy]

another good reason is it's is just one step you don't have to do when you already have a long list of things that more important to do when setting up camp

[opnspaces]

I leave the hose stored away until ready to dump. If I'm going to have to dump again in the future I leave it attached. Otherwise it gets stored and I drive home.

[brianosaur]

I always connect and leave the hose on because if we have sewer we are staying for a few days.

Gray tank always open with a p-trap bend in the hose to prevent gas back flow. I want to shower like a homeowner and not a sailor when possible.

Black tank has to remain closed until ready to dump. A dry/empty black tank will never evacuate solids properly and it will all just sit there and stink like an outhouse. You need to have it 1/4 full minimum with water at all times to let the solids submerge, keep the odor down and not get rock hard. Dump when full, add water and repeat.

[Lwiddis]

And the eagles, hawks and songbirds.

[StarkNaked]

I have been warned at one campground that if I left my hose connected, that the ravens/crows would rip holes in the hose looking for food particles.

[Lwiddis]

Hook up when you are ready to dump....one-half to two-thirds full. If leaving and not that full, add water.

[pianotuna]

I prefer to connect each time I dump. I'm rarely in the same place for very long.

I don't like sewer flies.