Newbies- black tank question
We just bought a TT.... We will camp weekends mostly. Here's the question- we get a site that has sewer, while we are parked, do we leave our tank open, empty it often, or wait until a certain point to empty it?
Forum Discussion
- Your black tank needs to be at least half full before dumping to carry solids out. NEVER leave the black tank valve open. That will result in the dreaded poop pyramid.
- JNKS,
NEVER leave the black tank dump valve open. Solids will stay in the tank and liquid will run off and you play blood hell getting the tank empty ever.
Matt - Water, Water, Water...you can't have too much water in your sewer system. Look how much water is used to flush when at home...use at least two bowls of water after use...when you open to drain the tank, the force of all that water trying to get out sucks most of the sewage out with it.
- Typically, the rule of thumb is to put in at least 1/10th of the tank's capacity with clean water prior to traveling. Then when you use the toilet, fill at least 1/2 of the toilet's bowl with water prior to putting solids in it. When using for liquids, no additional water is needed.
As others have said, never leave the black tank drain valve open...never! You can also keep the gray tank closed too, and when emptying the black, do it first and then drain gray. The gray will hlep to clean out the hose.
Hope this helps
Ron - Leave the black tank drain closed for the reasons already given.
Dump when the tank is at least 3/4 full. If you want to dump before that, add water so it is 3/4 full. I don't like driving with the black tank more than about 1/4 full so I add water and dump if I am moving before the tank is 3/4 full.
I put at least 3 gallons of water in the tank after I dump. Then I don't worry about adding a lot of water each time I use it.
Many RVs (like mine) have the sink plumbed into the black tank. That helps add water. - There are a bunch of YouTube videos on the subject, well worth watching.
FWIW the 'polite' terms are 'effluent' and 'solids' : ) - Ok- got it! Thanks for the responses! :)
- When the sewer hose is attached to fhe sewer when we are parked, what is the use of the hose holder thing? Just to keep it off the ground? Is that needed?
JNKS2010 wrote:
When the sewer hose is attached to fhe sewer when we are parked, what is the use of the hose holder thing? Just to keep it off the ground? Is that needed?
I have never used a hose holder thing. I know a lot of people use them. It may make it easier to empty the hose. I'll be interested to see other responses.- The State of Oregon requires hose lifters if I'm not mistaken
