Holding Tank Chemicals

[mike_t]

New to trailer camping.If I stay at a full hookup camp ground do I put anything in the tank or will it just drain out?
Also.Should I put anything in the tank while traveling to slosh around to help clean then dump it once were set up.:?
Thanks
Mike

[352]

Sometimes stuff gets stuck down there. Reach your arm down the hole as far as you can. When down to the max feel around for anything chunky. Grab it and squeeze it between your fingers until it gets smaller then dump some water in it (After you pull your arm out of coarse}. Do this once a month for regular maintenance. Wash your hands before cooking. I do have a self help video available. Hope this helps

[gbopp]

Try the Geo Method.

[stevenicol]

the bear II wrote:
When setup at a campground there's no need to use chemicals. Remember to keep the valve closed not open. If you leave the valve open you will end up with solids that will eventually clog the tank.

I always add a packet of Thetford blue powder once I have dumped and ready to hit the road. I add several gallons of water. I figure this will slosh around in the tank as I travel to help keep it cleaner and the enzymes in the Thetfords will help break down any solids to liquid.

I do the same when I'm getting the trailer ready for a few months storage.

Great advice, with one addition: use A LOT of water! The GEO method is ideal, but it's more work, and a little more research is suggested before going GEO. Stuff lmade by Tetford, or Camco is easy to use; something like this will be perfect for a first trip.
Use a lot of water!

[Pangaea_Ron]

We use the "GEO" method (there are many links on this site) that uses ~1 cup of Calgon liquid water softener in each of the holding tanks and ~1/2 cup of liquid dish washing detergent in the black tank. But on saying that, I only do it about 1/2 of the time, the rest of the time I use nothing. I don't like the smell of many of the commercial holding tank chemicals. There are a few RV Parks with septic systems that will not let you use chemicals.

Do what "the bear II and DarthMuffin" suggest with the valves.

Some people place ice cubes in the holding tanks to rattle around while driving to help clean the tanks, which may or may not help.

[DarthMuffin]

For the gray water tank, leave it open to drain, nothing needed.

But I assume you're asking about the black (toilet) tank. Don't leave it open to drain or the liquids will drain off leaving a pile of solids concreting on the bottom of the tank. So, fill it and then open and drain all at once when it's at least 2/3rds full (or you're ready to leave). Chemicals are optional, but most use them. I use the drop-in campa-chem packets from walmart. Prime with your chemicals and a couple gallons of water before using.

[the_bear_II]

When setup at a campground there's no need to use chemicals. Remember to keep the valve closed not open. If you leave the valve open you will end up with solids that will eventually clog the tank.

I always add a packet of Thetford blue powder once I have dumped and ready to hit the road. I add several gallons of water. I figure this will slosh around in the tank as I travel to help keep it cleaner and the enzymes in the Thetfords will help break down any solids to liquid.

I do the same when I'm getting the trailer ready for a few months storage.