Storing with blank tanks 1/4 full???

[512Climber]

So here's the story. We went camping this week at a place with no sewer hookups so I couldn't flush out blank tank before we left camp. We have another trip coming up in two weeks. I was wondering if we could wait until then to dump and flush the black tank. I searched around and couldn't find any definitive answers so I figured I would ask the internet at large.

How long can you leave waste in black tanks? What can go wrong if left for say a week? A month?

Tell me your horror stories if you have them or your triumph of dumping 3 month old poop without any issues.

Yes this is a serious post but thank you in advance for the laughs that I am sure will ensue.

[Dave_H_M]

discard all the urban legend and "let her rip tader chip". :W

I have went a month many times and without extra snake oil added.

[RobWNY]

I have one of these Portable RV Pump (Macerator) for when I want to dump my tanks at home. It's slower but gets the job done.

[Boomerweps]

Two weeks, no problems.
For future planning, do you have an accessible sewer clean out in your yard? Last fall, I drove my truck and TT into my front yard to do my pre winter black tank cleaning. Thought I was going to camp one more time and didn't;(
Unscrewed the clean out cap and worked thing just like in a full hook up campsite.
I've since finally wired up my FloJet macerator pump I've had for a year to do the same from a distance without having to drive into my front yard. With a FloJet and a garden hose, you can dump your tanks into a home toilet.

[pasusan]

I'm amazed at all the scared-y-cats...

Lots and lots of folks don't dump every time they camp - after all we're supposed to let the tank get to at least 2/3 full before we dump. At least that's what I've read on here many times...

Just have enough water in there to keep it from drying out. No worries.

[Guy_Roan]

For two weeks, I wouldn't worry about it as long as you have the proper chemicals in it.
But I wouldn't want to leave it for much longer

Guy

[Grit_dog]

Don’t sweat it. Worst case it might stink a bit when you flush. Dont leave the fart fan on when flushing!
The best thing for keeping tanks clean is traveling. The motion keeps stuff from sticking.
Few weeks, no big deal. I’ve spent time by myself in the camper, for work. 3-4 weeks without dumping, because it wasn’t full.

[cavie]

Did you think to ask if they had a dump station??? I'll bet they did. A couple of weeks wont heart but longer may let it dry out. You do not want to deal with a dry black tank. EVER

[corvettekent]

You will have no problem with waiting two weeks. After all it is a holding tank.

We boondock all winter and we dump our black tank every three weeks.

[Lwiddis]

The closest dump is an hour away...this is New York?

[pianotuna]

brianosaur wrote:

pianotuna wrote:
Why tempt fate? Drain the tanks.

Tempt fate? What in the world does that mean?

-----

They are poly/plastic tanks. It's not like poop is going to eat through it or cause some kind of explosion.

Fill it with water to 3/4+ mark to dilute and wait till you get to the next campground to dump them. You just dont want the tank low and dried crud sticking to the walls.

As previously mentioned, add tank deodorizer/cleaner with the fresh water.

Because if it dries to the bottom of the tank it won't be pretty. He wants to store it for months.

[512Climber]

Thanks everyone. Extra deodorizer and some water dilution are great suggestions. I'll implement both.

Its definitely a hike from me to dump the tanks so if I can hold off until our July trip that is ideal. I'd hate to drive an hour each way just to dump 1/4 tank.

And to the guy who made it an entire winter... that's awesome. I'll try to never let it get that bad but good to hear it didn't form some kind of poop paste that forever plugged the drainage valve.

[magicbus]

Two weeks... I wouldn’t worry about it. We don’t have a place to dump just before getting home so I just empty anything since the last dump station into a porta-pottie base then pour it into the toilet at home. No big deal. Maybe this could be your plan B.

[brianosaur]

pianotuna wrote:
Why tempt fate? Drain the tanks.

Tempt fate? What in the world does that mean?

-----

They are poly/plastic tanks. It's not like poop is going to eat through it or cause some kind of explosion.

Fill it with water to 3/4+ mark to dilute and wait till you get to the next campground to dump them. You just dont want the tank low and dried crud sticking to the walls.

As previously mentioned, add tank deodorizer/cleaner with the fresh water.

[Lwiddis]

Two weeks in warm weather? Not me! I’d find a dump.

[pianotuna]

Why tempt fate? Drain the tanks.