I keep my 5th wheel at home when we are not using it, and although I have a dedicated 50amp plug in, I do not have anyway to empty my black tank. (I live 5 acres in a very rural area, so I have no issues dumping my grey tanks at home).From time to time I will be using the 5th wheel at home when company or relatives come and visit. Should I keep them from using the toilet? My concern is it might be 2 or 3 weeks before I take the 5th wheel anywhere. The black tank obviously would not be very full from just 1 night of someone staying in it. Is it ok to travel with a little bit of solids in the black tank? What does everybody else do if you use your RV at home, but don't have a dedicated dump site at home?

I have let my tank sit between trips, sometimes 3 weeks apart. I also had a TC buddy who stored his camper underground (in Ks) and left his half full for a month or more at a time. We never had any problem and it probably just gives things more time to break down.

Just keep a bit of water in it, but do watch and don't let it dry out. I like to fill it about half, and add some septic tank cleaner if it is gong to sit for a while. Septic tank cleaner doesn't do much, but the bacteria may help to break stuff down. Some good deodorizer instead would not be a bad idea either.

Not a big deal. Although I have found in hot weather the tank can get very smelly. Keep in mind it is not a septic tank it is just a storage tank, Without any chemical there is not a lot of breaking down going on.Nevertheless you will be OK between trip but I would limit the use if you have no where to dump.Do you have access to your sewer or septic tank to dump in?

Yes, just make sure it has plenty of water in it. Also remind your guests to use plenty of water when they flush.A handy thing is to put in a sewer or septic cleanout so you can dump at home. If necessary, you can use a portable macerator pump to get to the cleanout, if it's a long ways or uphill.

The OP's situation is ideal use for using a Flojet Waste Macerator (10 pics) which will not only allow using the rig for accommodating guests as much as you want but will eliminate the need to ever have to line up at any campground dump station. Should you ever be camping and your black tank fills you can also use the macerator to off load the tank contents into a portable waste container that can be taken to the dump station. It's all about options. :B

question about using toilet when hooked up at home

32 Replies

troubledwaters
Nomad
Mar 17, 2017
WTP-GC wrote:
OP lives on 5 acres in a rural area...
Just dump it on the ground and let nature do the work. If the TP doesn't dissolve quickly, then just rake it up once it dries a bit. Your talking about a few turds once in a while....
Nothing like over-thinking a simple problem.
How would you feel later if you found out your grandkids went back there and built sand castles in the mud?
2012Coleman
Explorer II
Mar 17, 2017
Tvov wrote:
The whole issue with doing things "by the book", "weight police", "dumpsite police", etc is just amount of usage. At a campground, campsites are being used constantly and need to be kept clean, even from grey water, or they get really gross. At forest "campsites", spots where people have camped before, again if people keep dumping even "just a little bit" there it will get gross.

At your house, if you keep using your camper and dumping the black tank where you park it - eventually you will have parking area coated in waste.

It is all common sense, and unfortunately since so many people have the attitude of "oh it's just this one time" (or especially that rules are for the "other people"), more and more rules and laws are created.

Just use common sense, and have fun camping!
I say plant a vegetable garden...
jwolf55
Explorer
Mar 16, 2017
I have a SewerSolution it is portable and was inexpensive, I keep it in my garage for those times I need at home dumping. I have also added a 50 foot 1” hose to it due to the locator of our septic tank to where I park the coach. The SewerSolution allow me to dump at home in to my septic tank.
Tvov
Explorer II
Mar 16, 2017
The whole issue with doing things "by the book", "weight police", "dumpsite police", etc is just amount of usage. At a campground, campsites are being used constantly and need to be kept clean, even from grey water, or they get really gross. At forest "campsites", spots where people have camped before, again if people keep dumping even "just a little bit" there it will get gross.

At your house, if you keep using your camper and dumping the black tank where you park it - eventually you will have parking area coated in waste.

It is all common sense, and unfortunately since so many people have the attitude of "oh it's just this one time" (or especially that rules are for the "other people"), more and more rules and laws are created.

Just use common sense, and have fun camping!
Tvov
Explorer II
Mar 16, 2017
How about saying okay to use the camper toilet for pee, but not poop? And then only if really necessary - otherwise use the house facilities.

I think it would be fine to make a temporary hole-in-the-ground for guests... but make sure they don't try to take a shower or something like that!! Even too much using the sink could overflow your temporary hole. It is amazing what people will do even if told not to, when they don't fully understand the system.
tinner12002
Explorer
Mar 16, 2017
Most clean outs these days are usually near the house and in the same drain the house uses and not close to the septic tank.
2012Coleman
Explorer II
Mar 16, 2017
I'd just use the on-board pump to transport the mashed up waste to my pasture/hole in the ground if I were in the OP's situation. And yes, I do pee in the woods behind my workshop - only because my fridge is well stocked!
Grit_dog
Navigator
Mar 16, 2017
Easy way to solve this connnundrum is make your guests dump the tanks whe they're done....
People need to take care of their own sht!
Grit_dog
Navigator
Mar 16, 2017
DSteiner51 wrote:
tim1970 wrote:
WTP-GC wrote:
OP lives on 5 acres in a rural area...
Just dump it on the ground and let nature do the work. If the TP doesn't dissolve quickly, then just rake it up once it dries a bit. Your talking about a few turds once in a while....
Nothing like over-thinking a simple problem.

I have actually thought about this, but was afraid I would get roasted alive for even suggesting something like this. Like you said, it would be very little solids (nobody living in the RV, just for the occasional guest) Especially if I use my macerator, I can't imagine what I would be dumping would be any worse than what my cows do every day.

You are exactly right. One cow does more in one day then four people. Dig a 18" "post hole" ;) to run your garden hose to. Just don't mention it here lest the "city" folk here hit the roof. After all, everyone knows the rabbits, deer, fox, coon, dogs, cats, birds, cows, etc all use an EPA approved septic system. :B. Many state parks use a hole in the ground with a fancy seat above it.

There will be no room for common sense like this around here!
We is all about needing a dually with 4.56 gears and 19.5s to pull a pop up camper to the state approved dump site to drop the tank.
(Probably a bunch a people who think it's gross or unsavory to take a leak out behind the shop or a ...... In the woods. ).
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Mar 16, 2017
Having your guests use it during 2-3 weeks time is no different than sitting on BLM or national forest land and boondocking for 2-3 weeks. We've done that. If your tank is big enough don't worry about it. However, I wouldn't just dump it on the ground!!!!!