Dumping after one night?

[dlenloe]

What is the best course of action when leaving one campsite after a one night stay then moving on to another location in regards to the gray and black water tanks? These would obviously not be full enough to dump.

[TG Twinkie]

Wait until close to full on the black water. Dump when you arrive. Things will be in suspension after traveling.
Grey water can be dumped any time but it is better if you have a reasonable amount to dump.

[Phoenix]

We never know where our next campsite will be, and many of them are dry-camping or boondocking locations; so we always dump our tanks, anticipating that empty black and gray tanks will allow us to stay a few more days at the next place.

This philosophy was an extension of advice from my grandfather, "Never pass up a restroom".

Note: If blank tank isn't over half-full, add flush water until it is 2/3 to 3/4 full before dumping. Also, we always fill the freshwater tank before pulling out.

[sheriff1]

I most always dump, rinse and put a couple of inches of new water in the black tank every change of location and use the grey tank to rinse out the hose.

[dlenloe]

👌👍😊

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by dlenloe

What is the best course of action when leaving one campsite after a one night stay then moving on to another location in regards to the gray and black water tanks? These would obviously not be full enough to dump.

Unless you have used a lot of water, if you are starting with empty tanks I don't know that dumping after a one night stay is necessary.

I wouldn't.

Maggie

[xrvr]

Dump, you never know what tonight might bring.

[Minno]

Depends on situation. We wouldn't dump black tank after one night, but we might the grey tank if we think next night or two would be without hookups. Usually, though, if we're actively traveling daily, we will dump grey after 2 or 3 nights, and black after 3 or more. One consideration is amt of money you're dumping into your black tank in treatments if you're dumping daily. Some of them are pricey!
We usually always travel with a full fresh water tank or close to it.

Kay

[Mike1997]

Advice from those above are all good. Did not see anyone talking about supplies or treatment which can cause odors from tanks if not used right away.

Walmart has an RV section in their auto parts area and sell toilet chemicals and paper. Do not use regular household toilet paper as it does not break down as fast and can clog up your drain pipes. After every black tank dump I also wash out my tank when possible. You would be surprised how much stuff stays stuck to the sides or bottom. Fortunately my AS has a hose attachment to wash out the black tank. After doing so, I add 1 bottle of Thetford Campa=Chem which is a blue dye odor control and breaks down waste.

A few times when I knew it was going to stay parked for a week or longer, I would add a second bottle and more water to the black tank.

Fresh water can get stale and stink too if left for a long period with no movement. Thetford also has a different type of liquid treatment for the fresh water tank should that problem occur.

Only buy RV approved/type toilet paper. Walmart and Amazon has everything you might need.

[dasams]

Originally Posted by dlenloe

These would obviously not be full enough to dump.

I almost always dump both and will add water to the black if necessary. However, our black tank is always dilute because the bathroom sink drains into it. Love this design and the flexibility it provides.

[PKI]

We dump and rinse with lots of water at every opportunity. Whatever is in the grey tank goes out after the black and if it's not much, we run the sinks some. When we plan to store, we drop in a chem tablet, black and grey. Pat

[Minno]

I use "regular" toilet paper in our tank. I only use 2 ply, and it has to pass the test to be used: drop a square or 2 of toilet paper in a mason jar full of water. Let sit a couple of minutes, then shake it. If the paper doesn't break apart, don't use it in the trailer system. Green Forest paper passes the test, so that's what I buy.

Kay

[Mollysdad]

I waited 4 or 5 days. I wanted enough water in the gray tank to flush the hose well after dumping the black tank.

[Phoenix]

We have used Great Value Ultra-Strong 2-ply for years, after it was rated a best buy by Consumer Reports. Never had problems with toilet paper clogs, and it's available at nearly all Walmarts, nationwide.

[Lily&Me]

I began last year not putting toilet paper into my toilet/tank at all.

Takes much less water to flush, expanding the number of days I can go without dumping, and the tank empties cleaner and more quickly.

I also try to avoid any...ahem...solids going into the toilet/tank, which is fairly easy to do if you are in a campground or otherwise have access to "facilities".


Maggie

[HiHoAgRV]

Originally Posted by Lily&Me

I began last year not putting toilet paper into my toilet/tank at all. ...

Maggie

I had a boat captain tell us it was perfectly fine to put toilet paper down the toilet...as long as we chewed and swallowed it first.

[Lily&Me]

Yes, you can always do it that way.


Maggie

[Phoenix]

We frequently boondock; and we use a spray bottle containing a couple of ounces of Tide diluted in water, for "flushing". We can go 10-12 days (2005 19' Bambi with two adults) before dumping our tanks (with "spit bathes" instead of showers), and we have absolutely no problems with black tank clogs.

[StevieB]

https://sites.google.com/site/cbruni/

[MelGoddard]

Originally Posted by dasams

I almost always dump both and will add water to the black if necessary. However, our black tank is always dilute because the bathroom sink drains into it. Love this design and the flexibility it provides.

I don' t " love the design. ...."!
My black tank fills up in two days instead of 4 or 5.
Very annoying