dumping fresh water question

[mastertinner]

I was wondering if there was a proper way to dump the fresh water left in the tank before leaving a campsite. I usually drain on site, but the father in law says not to do that. And he usually takes what is left home and dumps it. So question is what do you guys do with your fresh water when the stay is over?

[K3WE]

nitrohorse wrote:
One is concerned about bacteria swimming against the flow in the drain pipe and causing contamination of the fresh tank.

Got a 1/4" diamater pipe that sticks below the camper, 6" above the pavement, inline with TV and trailer tires.

Pull the plug and it only takes about 10 min for the tank to drain. After 10 min how does your theory of unable to swim upstream work?

There's a few microbes in the world and dirt on the highway and tires kicking it all up.

There's 70 MPH wind swirls all around the camper and an air vent on top of the tank.

The chance of some dirt and microbes getting inside of the tank is just about about 100%.

I don't live in fear of that and recognize that normally chlorinated water or even the standard bleach treatment will handle it.

But despite what you think- there's a high probability of a little stuff getting inside of the tank for the remaining ?? hours of your trip after the tank drains.

[K3WE]

nitrohorse wrote:
Where did you read about saving fuel on this thread?

It's a valid assumption. There are lots of folks here opposed to hauling the water home, and I'm pretty certain that reducing weight and increasing fuel effeciency is on their mind.

[Avatab]

hershey wrote:
I won't argue the legality of dumping fresh water on the roadway but:
When I'm following you, I have no idea as to whether its fresh/gray/or black tank liquid.
Now the RV hater or non-understander will assume its the black tank.
Even I may not be able to figure out what the source is. My suggestion is not to dump anything on the roadway.

That's exactly what happens. Drivers and/or Police see anything draining from an RV or a Truck and they assume that something is not right.

Perception of a thing can often do more damage than the thing itself....

[Slownsy]

You bring it in you take it back out is that so hard to understand.

[wbwood]

I call it rude. Whether it's clean water or not. I guess no different if I take a bottle of water and let it hang out the window and let it go. No, more than likely it will not hurt the vehicles, but it's just plain rude. Pump it into your black or gray tanks and dump it all at the dump station on your way out. Or as others mentioned, take it home and drain it onto your driveway or water your grass with it.

[nitrohorse]

Travelon wrote:
The arrogance of some of the posters on here is amazing...'it's only fresh water, I'll do what I d**n well please'. Dumping 30-50 lbs of water is going save on fuel, get real.

Someone brought up boats dumping their bilge water on the hiway, P*SSES Me Off be sprayed by that too.

Travelon

Where did you read about saving fuel on this thread?

[nitrohorse]

Turtle n Peeps wrote:
Man after seeing some of the posts on here, I bet some of you freak when you drive over a spring that runs across the road or in a little rain storm.

And I bet some of you would absolutely loose your mine if you got stuck in back of a cattle truck on a two lane road like I have a time or two. :B

You nailed it. We're talking about draining clean, fresh, water on the ride home and some of these folks are having nervous breakdowns on here. One is concerned about bacteria swimming against the flow in the drain pipe and causing contamination of the fresh tank. Another is concerned about water mist soiling his freshly wax vehicle, but seems oblivious to the bugs, bird droppings, and small stones that pose a much more imminent danger to his showroom shine. I feel sorry for some of the people, as their lives must be a quandary of what to worry about and when. Relax folks, it's water...the clean water boogie man will not come to get you.

[Travelon]

The arrogance of some of the posters on here is amazing...'it's only fresh water, I'll do what I d**n well please'. Dumping 30-50 lbs of water is going save on fuel, get real.

Someone brought up boats dumping their bilge water on the hiway, P*SSES Me Off be sprayed by that too.

Travelon

[GMT830]

I like having some fresh water on board. That way if we're in the camper at home and need to wash our hands or need to use the potty we can.

I do need to get the bleach water out though ....

[jeffcarp]

Why worry about dumping the fresh water? Sincere question - I've never done that. In fact, when I return home, the last thing I do is fill the fresh water back up, add some TastePure and store it for the next trip. Now, I am not storing it for months on end without us either, but really the only time that I completely drain the fresh tank is at the end of the season. Am I crazy?

[Jarlaxle]

bob213 wrote:
I drain mine on the way home. The sloshing around as I turn empties it completely and I don't worry about any bacterial growth in water left in the tank as it sits.
Speaking of boats...When leaving the Colorado river in AZ heading to CA you must have your bilge drain unplugged when you go thru the AG inspection or you are subject to a fine for possibly transporting the "invading mussell" found in AZ waters. Guess it's ok to drain that water....

And big rig refrigeration units don't drain on the road as they drive?

Not just that...ever see a truck carrying a load of fresh fish headed inland? They load it with ice, which drips out of the trailer the entire trip!

[camperpaul]

jimjr wrote:

camperpaul wrote:

rockhillmanor wrote:


There probably is not one cop in the US that did not see the news about that rock band in their Prevost dump their black tank going over one of the bridges in Chicago. :W

Probably would have gotten away with it if there hadn't been a sight seeing boat passing under the bridge.

The passengers got drenched with sewage.

MSB?

Dave Mathews Band

[Dakzuki]

mastertinner wrote:
I was wondering if there was a proper way to dump the fresh water left in the tank before leaving a campsite. I usually drain on site, but the father in law says not to do that. And he usually takes what is left home and dumps it. So question is what do you guys do with your fresh water when the stay is over?

Yes, that is bad form. One will be leaving a sloppy site for somebody if they show up that day and of course they will wonder what tank it came from. I won't jump into the dumping it on the road thing. I seldom have enough to worry about. I haul it home and dump it there. I want some in the tank for the trip in case I need it anyway.

[hershey]

rockhillmanor wrote:
Has anyone thought of planning a little bit better how much fresh water they will be using during a weekend trip so you don't end up with a full tank of water?

Now thats the last thing I ever plan around. I just fill the little bugger up and use it.
If I need to dump it? Its just as easy to dump at the dump station as it is on the road and a lot safer.

[450Rrider]

I keep my fresh water after a trip, refill the tank when I get home and use it for the next trip. been doing this for the past 9 years. I don't drink the water, just use it for everything else.