Connecting to external above ground holding tank

[bbplum]

I've been diligently trying to find this information somewhere on this site for days but I'm coming up short. So here's my very first post and it's about poop. Haha. Hopefully they get better from here!

We are picking up our Airstream on Thursday (yay!) and bringing it to our land where we want to connect the black tank out pipe (is that even the right word for it?) from the AS to an external 250 gallon "job shack" above ground holding tank via PVC.

The AS manual says the pipe is 3". What will I need to connect from the AS outflow pipe to the 3" PVC?

Any guidance, advice, knowledge, experience would be much appreciated! This is our very first RV experience, we are beyond green and as many have mention, this site has been invaluable to us, thanks for all the shared knowledge and experiences.

Thanks!
Nicole

[WellSaid11]

Originally Posted by bbplum

I've been diligently trying to find this information somewhere on this site for days but I'm coming up short. So here's my very first post and it's about poop. Haha. Hopefully they get better from here!

We are picking up our Airstream on Thursday (yay!) and bringing it to our land where we want to connect the black tank out pipe (is that even the right word for it?) from the AS to an external 250 gallon "job shack" above ground holding tank via PVC.

The AS manual says the pipe is 3". What will I need to connect from the AS outflow pipe to the 3" PVC?

Any guidance, advice, knowledge, experience would be much appreciated! This is our very first RV experience, we are beyond green and as many have mention, this site has been invaluable to us, thanks for all the shared knowledge and experiences.

Thanks!
Nicole

Welcome Nicole!

That's the black tank valve. Bayonet type valve connector to straight 3" PVC should be this:

https://www.amazon.com/Valterra-T102...70&sr=8-1&th=1

https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Sewer-Ho...rra/T1028.html

If not, check here or call them:

https://www.camperid.com/sewer-fittings.html


good luck and congrats!

[richard5933]

If you do connect to this larger tank, you need to be aware that you can't just leave the black tank discharge valve open all the time.

The black tank in the Airstream is wide but not very deep. If you keep the discharge valve open, all the liquids will quickly leave the tank but the solids will stay put. Eventually you'll have the dreaded poop pyramid in the black tank just below where it drops from the toilet.

Best plan will be to leave the valve closed until the black tank is at least 1/2 full, and then dump.

[Wazbro]

That above ground tank will need to be very low for gravity to feed into it. You may need to get a macerating pump and smaller pipe to move your septic uphill.

[bbplum]

You guys are amazing thank you!

Ok Valterra adapter to straight PVC (HUGE help I couldn't find that info anywhere), keep closed and dump black tank when about half full ( I did also read to start with about 5 gallons of water in it), be sure external tank is low enough to allow gravity to do its job - got it!

Thank you thank you, we're getting so psyched!

[bweybright]

My advice is when it shows half full....totally fill it with water then dump. you don't want stuff hanging up on the gate valve...... trust me. Otherwise you seem to be on a good track. Best of luck to you.

[IthacaColin]

Originally Posted by bbplum

I've been diligently trying to find this information somewhere on this site for days but I'm coming up short. So here's my very first post and it's about poop. Haha. Hopefully they get better from here!

We are picking up our Airstream on Thursday (yay!) and bringing it to our land where we want to connect the black tank out pipe (is that even the right word for it?) from the AS to an external 250 gallon "job shack" above ground holding tank via PVC.

The AS manual says the pipe is 3". What will I need to connect from the AS outflow pipe to the 3" PVC?

Any guidance, advice, knowledge, experience would be much appreciated! This is our very first RV experience, we are beyond green and as many have mention, this site has been invaluable to us, thanks for all the shared knowledge and experiences.

Thanks!
Nicole

How did this set up work out for you? Can you send pictures? I might want to do the same thing. Thanks!

[ROBERT CROSS]

As noted you need to empty a near FULL tank.

You do plan to take it on the road we hope.
The same goes when travelling.
We rarely dump at the campsite, on the road with a nearly full tank helps de-goop the poop and insures a non-constipated dump.
HappyCamper with a 1/4 cup Dawn and a gallon water and a regular tank flush will usually keep things running smoothly.

Sweet Streams...

Bob
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