1st trailer... septic hookup questions

rexmitchell wrote:
When I was hooked up long term to septic I let the gray water flow but kept the black closed and emptied it monthly or whenever was needed. I’ve seen others leave the black open all the time but I’ve been told letting the black tank fill then flush helps get all the solids out and keep doors down.

Correct answer.

Hammerdown3512 wrote:
Thanks guys. I plan on a PVC pipe hookup. How do you know when tanks are full? Is there a guage or you just visually check?

Do you understand that if the pipe is too steep the water can run away and leave the solids?

Keep black and gray valves closed all the time until your black tank is 3/4 full. Empty your black tank 1st. then lack your gray tank. Close your black tank and fill it with the back tank from the shore line but use a seperate hose and use this hose only for the black flush. Add 15 gallons and then open the black tank again to flush out the black tank again. then close both the black and gray tank valves again. There is some black tank cleaning materials that help.

1320Fastback wrote:
If you leave any of the valves open you run the risk of bugs, gas fumes and god knows what else getting into your tank and your RV.

Keep the valves shut unless draining.

Absolutely!! remember, there are NO p traps in the lines to the dump opening.!!!! More than once someone has left the grey tank valves open and either (a) wonders where the bad smell is coming from or (b) others nearby wonder where the bad smell is coming from. Well, no p trap= sewer gas

Hammerdown3512 wrote:
How do you know when tanks are full?

Is there no tank monitor display panel?

Kids will add a potential for some complications. Start early with explaining that it only something they ate or toilet paper can go down the toilet. If you have any girls let them know that personal hygiene products are never to go down the toilet. Start now with a trashcan in the bathroom by the toilet while the kids are still young. You want them (boys and girls) to get used to not throwing kleenex hair from the shower, tampons etc down the toilet.

I second the suggestions to not leave any valves open. You will quickly learn how often you need to dump the tanks. Since you're trailer is not going to move you won't have the benefits of the contents of the tank sloshing around. So in that case you need more water in the tanks before dumping so things can get washed out.

Of course this is not set in stone. The world will not come to a stop if you dump the tanks more or less often. It is after all a tank full of stuff, not a carefully monitored and controlled biosphere. So for instance, if you are going to take the kids to the beach or lake, dump the gray tank before you leave so they can take showers when you return. You can do this even if you dumped the day before.

As you are in OK, don't forget to insulate your hose.

If you leave any of the valves open you run the risk of bugs, gas fumes and god knows what else getting into your tank and your RV.

Keep the valves shut unless draining.

Yeah, I don't know the exact size of the tank shed my trailer will be delivered at beginning of next week. I bought it from a place 2hrs away. I wenti saw it in person but didnt ask about tank capacities. Its a 40ft that sleeps 6 so i imagine its pretty big tanks. Its just me 4 nights a week and 4 kids 9 and under 3 nights a week.

On many RV's (but, not all ) You can shut the water off, hold the toilet valve open, and then look down the toilet to see how full the black tank is.