RV-Dump parking sloping the wrong way

[hedgehopper]

Having just returned from a 4-week trip, once again we found that most RV dumps have the same problem: the area where you park your RV does not slope the right way to provide a complete dump. Have you had that experience?

[myredracer]

There's a standard for that - NFPA 1194 which says "The slab shall be not less than 3 ft × 3 ft (0.9 m × 0.9 m), at least 3½ in. (88.9 mm) thick, and properly reinforced, the surface of which is trowelled to a smooth finish and sloped from each side inward to a sewer inlet." Many CGs are old and may predate this standard.

We are usually at FHU sites but don't recall a dump station with a slope in the wrong direction relative to the sewer inlet that was a problem for dumping. Not sure why it's a big deal other than if you had a spill. Just "walk" your hose to the inlet to empty it. If there's a hose connection at the dump station, I'll use the in-tank flusher (time depending on if there's someone behind us) and then I'll leave some water in the tank. Helps to have some water left in the tank so you don't end up with dried up "stuff" stuck to the tank bottom.

[MetalGator]

folivier wrote:
You shouldn't drain your black tank completely dry unless you are SURE there are no solids left. If there are it could dry into a mess that may not break up later. Better to leave some water in the bottom. If you do drain it completely then run a couple gallons through the toilet so stuff doesn't dry out.

I always fill the toilet bowl 3 or 4 times and flush after dumping tanks.

[folivier]

You shouldn't drain your black tank completely dry unless you are SURE there are no solids left. If there are it could dry into a mess that may not break up later. Better to leave some water in the bottom. If you do drain it completely then run a couple gallons through the toilet so stuff doesn't dry out.

[ReneeG]

We had this experience once in all our travels, at Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park in Montana. It frustrated us, but then we just figured that it dumped most of the tank and that we were going to dump one final time near home where it is level.

[Cummins12V98]

Add a dump station at home = GOLDEN.

[spoon059]

Why do you need to evacuate every drop of water and crud out of your black tank? Aren't you just going to poop in it again? I usually always try to keep 5 or so gallons of water in the black tank at all times to prevent anything from drying and causing future problems.

Besides, I could always drive the curb side up on blocks to change the pitch of the trailer if it was that big of a deal.

My biggest complaint is pulling into a site that has the sewer connection up in the air. I've actually been to one campground in Richmond VA where the sewer connection was HIGHER than my dump valves.

[valhalla360]

bucky wrote:

neilnbe wrote:
It may be done to keep the rain water and runoff out of the septic and leach system. If the slope was towards the dump, the system would take on extra water. Just a thought.

Winner winner chicken dinner!

Sorry...Loser Loser..not the reason.

If that is a concern, they build a basin area around the hole with a raised lip to keep storm water out.

From what I've seen, probably 95% of all campgrounds aren't "designed". They just do a rough layout of the road system and pave away. Since the plumbing typically goes in before paving, they keep that side high to avoid possible damage during the paving in case the lines aren't deep enough.

[bucky]

neilnbe wrote:
It may be done to keep the rain water and runoff out of the septic and leach system. If the slope was towards the dump, the system would take on extra water. Just a thought.

Winner winner chicken dinner!

[HadEnough]

This is kind of annoying. I agree. Especially if I am paying for a dump.

[time2roll]

When there is no line I have been known to get out my leveling blocks to tilt the trailer toward the drain. The extra time to place the blocks is mostly made up by a faster and more complete drain of the tanks.

[Bobbo]

I agree with Seattle Steve. It only matters on the final dump before going in to storage.

[Lwiddis]

By watching the guy/gal in front of me or the level indicator in the Tahoe when pulling through, I get a couple of plastic levelers ready or out to raise the right side.

[neilnbe]

It may be done to keep the rain water and runoff out of the septic and leach system. If the slope was towards the dump, the system would take on extra water. Just a thought.

[Seattle_Steve]

When on the road, it doesn't really matter that much. No need to get every last drop out. Even with a mild slope, almost everything empties. Only time I want it cleaner than that is when I'm putting it into storage.

(I just realized I could lower the levelers on the passenger side if I really cared that much. I've never done it.)

[MFL]

The people that plan/design/build dump stations are obviously not camper owners. I cannot remember ever seeing the perfect dump station, it's just not out there. Now finding one that is not too bad, is great! 🙂

Jerry