 |
|
10-08-2014, 05:21 PM
|
#21
|
4 Rivet Member 
Longport
, New Jersey
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 306
|
The black tank. Um, need some advice...
So this might be kinda sorta (totally) a dumb question, but...why don't people set up their trailers to drain grey water directly to the campground sewer hook ups? This way they could use whatever was needed without having to babysit tank levels.
In our case we have a combination grey/black tank that has some sort of valve that allows grey water to run out, or run into the black tank if chosen. I haven't actually seen it yet, but the seller has explained this to me.
I figure if I could do that (drain grey water automatically), it would make things a bit easier when at the full hook up sites.
Am I missing something?
|
|
|
10-08-2014, 05:27 PM
|
#22
|
Rivet Master 

2007 Interstate
Normal
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 17,257
|
Yes.
Black water is dumped first. Grey water is flushed second, which cleans the hose.
Maggie
__________________
🏡 🚐 Cherish and appreciate those you love. This moment could be your last.🌹🐚
|
|
|
10-08-2014, 05:28 PM
|
#23
|
4 Rivet Member 
2014 22' FB Sport
San Antonio
, Texas
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 490
|
If you have separate grey and black tanks, technically you can leave the grey valve open when fully hooked up. I think it is not really recommended, if for no other reason than you need the grey water to rinse your sewer hose after dumping the black.
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
|
|
|
10-08-2014, 05:46 PM
|
#24
|
4 Rivet Member 
Longport
, New Jersey
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 306
|
The black tank. Um, need some advice...
With one of those sewer solution assist things that use the Venturi effect -- you don't really need it to clean the hose with the grey water. The fresh water does it, and pretty well too.
Also the ridges in the line are soooo nasty. What's up with that? Not really good with all those nooks and crannies. Wouldn't you agree?
|
|
|
10-09-2014, 07:03 AM
|
#25
|
Rivet Master 
2014 27' FB Eddie Bauer
Chelsea
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,792
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by gomotomoto
With one of those sewer solution assist things that use the Venturi effect -- you don't really need it to clean the hose with the grey water. The fresh water does it, and pretty well too.
Also the ridges in the line are soooo nasty. What's up with that? Not really good with all those nooks and crannies. Wouldn't you agree?
|
We use the Sewer Solution for just this reason. Much tidier.
__________________
Bob Martel
WBCCI# 5766
|
|
|
10-09-2014, 07:06 AM
|
#26
|
4 Rivet Member 
Longport
, New Jersey
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 306
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by AnnArborBob
We use the Sewer Solution for just this reason. Much tidier. 
|
Totally. Do you leave your grey water open so it drains at it flows in?
|
|
|
10-09-2014, 07:17 AM
|
#27
|
Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by AnnArborBob
We use the Sewer Solution for just this reason. Much tidier. 
|
But not terribly useful for boondocking unless you dump at a dump station with a non-potable water hookup.
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
|
|
|
10-09-2014, 07:20 AM
|
#28
|
Rivet Master 
2014 27' FB Eddie Bauer
Chelsea
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,792
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by gomotomoto
Totally. Do you leave your grey water open so it drains at it flows in?
|
No, when we have sewer hookups, we leave both valves shut. Typically I drain the grey tank daily (we are MUCH less careful when we have sewer hookups  ) and dump the black as needed followed by the grey. This generally allows me to skip using the Sewer Solution's water-driven macerator when dumping the black (which I always use when we are ready to leave a campsite with full hookups to thoroughly clean the sewer solution system.
Many (most?) people leave their grey closed even when hooked up to a sewer serviced site to help dump the grey tank. While not as bad as the black tank, the grey tank can also build up solids if you leave the valve open all the time (think, grease, food particles, hair, etc...)
Like the choice of type of tow vehicles, Ford, vs. GM, vs. Dodge, gas vs. diesel, Honda vs. Yamaha generators, vintage vs. new, lager vs. ale, everyone has their favorite method for dumping their tanks and many will swear that if you do not follow their specific methodology you will be risking life and limb. My recommendation is to listen to all the advice, look for any wisdom in the suggestions, and come up with an approach which works for you!
__________________
Bob Martel
WBCCI# 5766
|
|
|
10-09-2014, 07:22 AM
|
#29
|
4 Rivet Member 
Longport
, New Jersey
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 306
|
Can you guys tell I've been thinking about our first trip in the airstream? 😜
|
|
|
10-09-2014, 07:46 AM
|
#30
|
4 Rivet Member 
Longport
, New Jersey
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 306
|
Another dumb question... If my house has a curbside sewer cleanout. Can I simply dump there?
|
|
|
10-09-2014, 07:52 AM
|
#31
|
Rivet Master 
1964 26' Overlander
Richmond
, Virginia
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 790
|
Yep. If you go to Walmart, they have a RV sewer hose setup, and one item in that is an elbow that has different sized threads. One of those threads should match the threads on the inside of your cleanout (provided it's the right type - has a cap with a big square in the middle that twists in and out. That set can provide you pretty much a water tight connection between your trailer and your septic system. One thing you may want to do though is close off your tank until it's about half full. Leaving it hooked up is great for the gray water, but if you open the black tank, you'll have dry... "crud" piling up. It's better to keep everything wet, and then let it kind of flush at once. Make sure your connections are tight when you pull the valve. It can be a decent amount of pressure, and you don't want that hose to pop off.
Rob.
|
|
|
10-09-2014, 08:38 AM
|
#32
|
Rivet Master 
2014 27' FB Eddie Bauer
Chelsea
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,792
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by gomotomoto
Another dumb question... If my house has a curbside sewer cleanout. Can I simply dump there?
|
If you are hooked up to City Sewer then that will be fine with no caveats.
However NOTE TO OTHERS: beware that if you are on a private septic system (i.e., with your own holding tank and leach field,) your septic system may not have the capacity to accept the 70 - 80 or so gallons that a full grey/black dump from a modern mid to large size Airstream might send to it in a short period of time.
However, in the case of the OP, who indicated that he only has a 15 gallon black tank, he will be fine even on a private septic system.
__________________
Bob Martel
WBCCI# 5766
|
|
|
10-09-2014, 09:37 AM
|
#33
|
4 Rivet Member 
Longport
, New Jersey
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 306
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by AnnArborBob
If you are hooked up to City Sewer then that will be fine with no caveats.
However NOTE TO OTHERS: beware that if you are on a private septic system (i.e., with your own holding tank and leach field,) your septic system may not have the capacity to accept the 70 - 80 or so gallons that a full grey/black dump from a modern mid to large size Airstream might send to it in a short period of time.
However, in the case of the OP, who indicated that he only has a 15 gallon black tank, he will be fine even on a private septic system.
|
All I can think of is the scene from national lampoons vacation when cousin Eddie is dumping his rv in Clark's sewer 😂😂
|
|
|
10-09-2014, 10:37 AM
|
#34
|
4 Rivet Member 
2014 22' FB Sport
San Antonio
, Texas
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 490
|
Eddie is a true Renaissance Man.
|
|
|
10-09-2014, 03:27 PM
|
#35
|
Rivet Master 
2014 27' FB Eddie Bauer
Chelsea
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,792
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by gomotomoto
All I can think of is the scene from national lampoons vacation when cousin Eddie is dumping his rv in Clark's sewer 😂😂
|
We actually had such a moment last weekend when we were departing UrbanAir in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. We were invited to use the City's waste water treatment plant dump station and there must have been some sort of blockage in the plant's vent system because all of a sudden I head a "gurgle & gargle" and during the time it took me to reach the dump valve to close it, a good two or three gallons of "post digestive material" had accumulated around the dump drain.
Fortunately for all involved, there was an unusually generous concrete pad (recessed thankfully) so the damage was easily cleaned up with the nearby non-potable water hose.
The people in line behind me appreciated the heads up for their turns at the dump station.
I should add that for this particular dump, we did not use the Sewer Solution but rather the stinky slinky we also carry so that we could dump quickly (who knew how quickly!) and not hold up the people behind us.
Phew.
__________________
Bob Martel
WBCCI# 5766
|
|
|
 |
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|

Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|