Help with convincing a bud

[BigSur2]

Guys, I have a friend that believes if he EVER takes a short trip and only has the option to dump vs. dump/rinse/dump/rinse, etc. that he is going to damage his camper for life.....and/or something else bad is going to happen.

Am I the only one that doesn't feel this is an issue. I almost ALWAYS get a full hookup and perform a good tank cleaning before I leave; however, on a really short trip...if all they have is w/e available, I just dump on my way out. I'll usually leave the tank a little "wet"....then use a bag of ice on my next trip and/or be sure to do a really thorough clean.

What is your opinions on this?

[beemerphile1]

This question comes up often on the forum. It always makes me wonder where in heck are people getting this information?

It is NOT NECESSARY to rinse a waste tank in normal use. I only rinse ours once a year and that is in November as part of the winterization of the RV.

[frankwp]

I almost always have a site with full hookups. Before heading home I'll dump & then fill the black tank about 1/3 & add a cup or 2 of liquid laundry detergent (the HE type that doesn't create suds). Then I dump at a local campground close to home. Cleans in out really well.

[dave54]

Fizz wrote:
...
Note.
If you have a long 3" pipe on your drain all you do with a gallon or two is fill the pipe with nothing in the tank.

Ours has the knife valve on the bottom of the tank, with a separate valve on the outlet. Each user should check the valve setup on their rig.

[WyoTraveler]

edbehnke wrote:
the only thing that might stop working are the sensors. generally they don't work after a short time anyway.

my thought is you never have to fully clean your black water tank. let it fill up and dump.

Most likely why sensors don't work. I keep my tank clean, use chemicals, & my sensors work great. Been RVing in RVs since the 80s.

[JnJnKatiebug]

I believe people really over-think this. I dump the black tank, then the grey tank and drive away. I never look at the gauge to check the level. You will know when its full and then I find a place to dump.

I flush my tanks one time per year and that is when I am putting it away for the winter.

As others have said, just start with some water and use lots of water. I have been doing this since my first RV in 1974. I have not had one single problem in 40 years so I don't believe I am going to change.

[cmoecmoe]

Fizz wrote:

Note.
If you have a long 3" pipe on your drain all you do with a gallon or two is fill the pipe with nothing in the tank.

Good point. I never thought of that.

Craig

[Fizz]

Never have a dry tank
Before going to the dump station I fill a 5 gallon pail with water and half a cup of laundry soap. After dumping I pour in the water and drive away, quick and easy.

Note.
If you have a long 3" pipe on your drain all you do with a gallon or two is fill the pipe with nothing in the tank.

[edbehnke]

the only thing that might stop working are the sensors. generally they don't work after a short time anyway.

my thought is you never have to fully clean your black water tank. let it fill up and dump.

[ReneeG]

The guy could be OCD and if so, you'll never convince him.

[edbehnke]

the only thing that might stop working are the sensors. generally they don't work after a short time anyway.

my thought is you never have to fully clean your black water tank. let it fill up and dump.

[therink]

cmoecmoe wrote:
We always put 3-5 gal of water back into the tank to slosh around on the way home whether we had a FHU or just a quick dump on the way out. We may or may not add chemicals at that time (if we remember...)

We've all heard it many time here... Water is your friend!

Craig

X2, Steve

[gbopp]

I use The Geo Method.
After I dump, I put a few gallons of water in the black tank.

So far, it has not destroyed our 96 Southwind. 🙂

[cmoecmoe]

We always put 3-5 gal of water back into the tank to slosh around on the way home whether we had a FHU or just a quick dump on the way out. We may or may not add chemicals at that time (if we remember...)

We've all heard it many time here... Water is your friend!

Craig