Sewer

Question

I have a 2003 Four Winds Travel Trailer , that is parked at the camp ground all year, it does not move. I just bought it, there is skirting around the whole camper, and around back is a stone wall around the camper. The valves are hard/impossible to get to, unless I crawl on my stomach to the back of camper. There is a comfort station right across from site (not to clean), the previous owner mentioned that the toilet was barely used for "#2", they just went to comfort station. He was the only owner of the camper.
But, we would like to use the toilet in our camper (I have two daughters).
Should I just start off with pouring a couple of gallons of water done at the start of our stay, and then hook a hose to the side inlet to flush, before I leave.??
The sewer is hooked to the camp ground septic system
Any suggestions would be helpful
Thanks
Barry

maillemaker · Answer

RV toilets are not designed to have their waste exit lines left open continuously, even if you are hooked up to sewer.

If you leave the waste gate open, then liquid waste will run out while solid waste will build a "pyramid of poo" in the bottom of the tank, which can solidify and be difficult to get rid of.

The tank is designed to be kept with liquid in it, so that the solid waste floats around in it (and is ideally broken down by some kind of enzyme product you add to your tank), so that when you open the waste gate all the contents of the tank are flushed by the massive outflow of mostly-liquid contents.

Whenever it is time for me to dump my black water tank, I always prop open the toilet valve with a block of wood to allow the tank to become mostly full, and then I open the waste gate letting it all flush out.

Steve

chindog · Answer

What maillemaker said is absolutely true.  The key is to use lots of water when flushing, and dump only when at least 2/3 full.  You can also get an extension valve handle so you don't have to crawl under your rig to empty the tanks.

sgfrye · Answer

chindog wrote:What maillemaker said is absolutely true.  The key is to use lots of water when flushing, and dump only when at least 2/3 full.  You can also get an extension valve handle so you don't have to crawl under your rig to empty the tanks.X2I always start with 3 or 4 gallons in tank and never dump before it's at least 3/4 full.   If it's not that full I use water hose to finish filling.  A full tank dumps better.   After dumping I fill tank again to full capacity with water hose and dump again.   I don't use chemicals anymore.  These aren't septic tanks they are short term holding tanks.   Several days in 90 degree weather and no sewer odors as long as your tank vents work properly. And seals are in good shape

coolmom42 · Answer

sgfrye wrote:chindog wrote:What maillemaker said is absolutely true.  The key is to use lots of water when flushing, and dump only when at least 2/3 full.  You can also get an extension valve handle so you don't have to crawl under your rig to empty the tanks.X2I always start with 3 or 4 gallons in tank and never dump before it's at least 3/4 full.   If it's not that full I use water hose to finish filling.  A full tank dumps better.   After dumping I fill tank again to full capacity with water hose and dump again.   I don't use chemicals anymore.  These aren't septic tanks they are short term holding tanks.   Several days in 90 degree weather and no sewer odors as long as your tank vents work properly. And seals are in good shapeGood advice.

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