Waste tank emptying for beginner

[OttawaDon]

Hi folks. I will be a first-time hybrid owner in the spring. Very neophyte question, but I've never even seen how to go about emptying the trailer waste tanks. For example, when you're at the dumping station at the campground, do you just hook up a sewer line equipped with a pump (supplied at campground) to the lines below your trailer and empty?

I guess what I'm asking is do I need to purchase additional supplies like lengths of piping and a pump? I've seen the kits where you can pump the waste into portable tanks, they look handy, but what exactly do I need? Thanks for your patience with a very new beginner.

[Bumpyroad]

azjeffh wrote:
If you NEED disposable gloves, you're dumping technique needs to be adjusted.

yep, of course using a sewer solution or macerator pump also helps avoid the mess. I stopped using disposable gloves on the toilet years ago myself.
bumpy

[azjeffh]

If you NEED disposable gloves, you're dumping technique needs to be adjusted.

[WoodGlue]

Best Video On The Subject

WoodGlue

[Dirtfan]

Be sure to put pants and shoes on, don't wear flip flops and shorts, just a good idea

[wa8yxm]

One option... they have a 3" cap with a garden hose fitting on it.

Get one of these. Add a quarter turn garden hose valve the adapter cap.

Now you can put your bucket under the rig, a short (1') hose if you need it and open THAT valve,,, IF the pipe is full, the bucket will become part full. But no mess.

IF the bucket fills,, REMOVE THE CAP CAREFULLY once flow stops.

[Bird_Freak]

I bought another valve with the twist on fittings and put on the end of my pipe. Connect my Rhino hose to that. This way there is never any thing to leak when the valve is closed. Dump black first then use gray to flush hose. I have never had a need for a macerator in all the years I have camped.

[Opie431]

Buy a box of disposable gloves to wear.

[Wishbone51]

I always have a bucket nearby when I remove the cap. My only dumping issue ever was when somehow the pipes were full between the valve and the cap, and a gallon or so came whooshing out. Not sure how it happened. Almost as if someone pulled the valve handle with the cap on and closed it again. Never had this happen since.

[Bumpyroad]

EsoxLucius wrote:
I use the Sewer Solution when I have a non-potable water connection and the PolyChute at other times. The PolyChute is expensive but will last forever and is smooth inside the hose so problems the stinky slinky present are eliminated.

the poly chute video did look impressive but I didn't go to the web site to sign up and get a price. how much are they asking for one?
I see there was an old closed thread that they did not live up to expectations and was returned but I think that was related to the construction of their RV, not a product defect.
bumpy

[EsoxLucius]

I use the Sewer Solution when I have a non-potable water connection and the PolyChute at other times. The PolyChute is expensive but will last forever and is smooth inside the hose so problems the stinky slinky present are eliminated.

[Bumpyroad]

well dire/catastrophic things can happen with any system. and yes, if it needs to be removed, you will have about 4-6 inches of pipe that must be drained into a bucket. and you won't have the inevitable spill out of the stinky slinky when you go to disconnect it and put it away. the answer if you are scared of a macerator pump is to use a sewer solution.
bumpy

[Bobbo]

Bumpyroad wrote:
throw away the stinky slinky and buy either a sewer solution or macerator pump and every third day or so get a FHU site.
bumpy

I disagree with this advice. And I have, and use, a Flojet Macerator, but only at home where I don't have access to a clean-out less than 50 feet away. If I have access to a clean-out, I use my stinky slinky every time.

First, it is an electrically operated motor that can fail. And it won't fail till you have it hooked up and the valve open. Then what do you do? I was lucky. The time mine failed, it turned out to be a blown fuse, but I was sweating.

Second, the thing that flushes the solids out of the black tank is FLOW. You need a high volume flow. The stinky slinky gives you exactly that. The macerator, while effective, is much slower. It introduces an significant restriction since it is going from a 4 inch opening down to garden hose size, whether that is 1/2", 3/4", or 1". Also, since it has to chop all of the solids, it restricts the opening to the garden hose even more. If you ever hope to get all the solids out of the black tank with a macerator, you BETTER have a Tornado Tank Rinser or the equivalent.

[Bumpyroad]

Raften wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:
throw away the stinky slinky and buy either a sewer solution or macerator pump and every third day or so get a FHU site.
bumpy

Correct me if wrong but don't those also involve a hose that carries the same stuff?

NO, they use essentially a small garden hose to carry the same stuff. no corrugations to collect all of the "stuff" that ends up dripping on the ground or on your shoes, easy to rinse out, less bulk to store etc.
bumpy

[Raften]

Bumpyroad wrote:
throw away the stinky slinky and buy either a sewer solution or macerator pump and every third day or so get a FHU site.
bumpy

Correct me if wrong but don't those also involve a hose that carries the same stuff?

[OttawaDon]

LOL, thanks for the product tips and the horror stories. You've scared the******out of me but I know I'll probably never rush this job, ever. Good tips though.