full hookup question

[Ryan_V]

I'm camping next week with a sewer hookup. I've never had a sewer hookup in my years of camping. My question is do I keep my dump valves open all the time, or keep them closed, treat the tank as usual and dump at night, or every other night. i know I can leave the grey tank open, but I'm not sure about the black. thanks for the help

[Big Dave2]

Actually keep them both closed. You want to keep the black tank closed and just dump it when needed so there is enough water to create a little force so it all goes down. Then open your grey valve so that you rinse out your hose with the grey water. If you are only camping for a weekend you should only need to dump your black tank once, right before you leave. You will most likely need to empty your grey water more often but if you just leave some in there for when you dump the black it makes things a little cleaner.

Have fun camping!

[Dave]

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If you are only camping for a weekend you should only need to dump your black tank once, right before you leave.

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Ah, you haven't camped with my sons yet They seem to think it's like home where the water just disappears.. Good advise though.

[Ryan_V]

we will actually be camping for a whole week. so sounds like I'll keep it closed and dump it at night. thats alot of treatment to go through!!

[IndyEFI500]

I believe that my manual states you should not empty the black water at less than half or three quarter full. Supposedly this assures the tank sensors will not have debris left on them. I am guessing the preious owner didn't follow this because my black tank gauge is very intermittent.

[Ryan_V]

indy, I bought one of those black tank cleaners. just a piece of pvc that attaches to a hose and shoots water out the sides that you put down the toilet. I do this after every time I camp, and have never had a problem with my sensors reading properly. prior to that, my guage always said 2/3 full. plus a good rinsing really, really does it well!! I just wait until I get home after camping and dumping, flush the tank out really well a few times, and it's as clean as new, no lingering odors or anything!!

[Big Dave2]

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indy, I bought one of those black tank cleaners. just a piece of pvc that attaches to a hose and shoots water out the sides that you put down the toilet. I do this after every time I camp, and have never had a problem with my sensors reading properly. prior to that, my guage always said 2/3 full. plus a good rinsing really, really does it well!! I just wait until I get home after camping and dumping, flush the tank out really well a few times, and it's as clean as new, no lingering odors or anything!!

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Those wands work good but an easier way I have found to keep your black tank fairly clean is to dump all of your left over ice into the black tank(via the toilet of course)for the ride home. The ice will agitate in there and scrub the sides and just melt. Then next time you go camping you can dump it.

As far as how often to dump the black tan, I wouldn't dump it any more than you have to. You still may only need to dump it 2 or 3 times all week, depending on how many people will be camping with you. If you have guages, I wouldn't dump it untill it is at least half full but I would probably wait untill it is more like 3/4 full. That way you won't waste as much toilet chemical either.

BTW, where ya headin'?

[Big Dave2]

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Quote:

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If you are only camping for a weekend you should only need to dump your black tank once, right before you leave.

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Ah, you haven't camped with my sons yet They seem to think it's like home where the water just disappears.. Good advise though.

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Yeah, I only have 1 son and a wife but I have the same trouble with the gray tank. My wife used to let the water run while doing dishes! Then she would wonder why the tank was full after only 1 day!

[IFallsRon]

The best advice I've ever heard (unless emergency prevails): sit in the campground, stand in the camper. Of course, that requires a short explanation for the normal sitters but they should understand the principal.

As mentioned, dump when needed and always do the black first so that the grey flushes the nasty out of the hose.

Also, if you have the hookup, don't be afraid of running extra flush water into the black to ensure a good cleanout.

If you don't have a universal exit end for your hose, check one out. One of the campgrounds we were at this summer required a lock-on ... and sold them if you didn't have one.

And I think that the advice my dealer always applies, after dumping, run some water into both tanks, drop the respective treatment and you should be good until the next trip. Your nose will let you know if something's not right.

[Ryan_V]

big dave, we just got back from a week at Kamp Dels, near waterville. with 2 small kids, that is the best place and we have the most fun!!!

thanks everyone for the posts, I only dumped twice, once mid week, and once prior to leaving. worked well. nice to have plenty of time to dump/flush and not have to worry about holding anyone else up!!

I've always followed the sit in the campground and stand in the camper rule also!!! however, my oldest girl still thinks the toilet is just like at home and everything dissappears!!

thanks again guys!!

[Big Dave2]

Glad you had fun Ryan! Camp Dells is a fun place for the kids. I have a friend who has a seasonal site there but I have not been down to visit him yet this year.