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cactusjk · 06-15-2016, 04:56 AM

Is it best to use the OEM connection or go with something like a Rhino Blaster?

Also, how often should you do the flush?

Airstream12557 · 06-16-2016, 05:06 AM

I use the factory flush hookup on every Black Tank dump. I purchased a clear 90 degree hose adapter and flush until the water is nearly clear. It is best to dump the Black Tank when it is nearly full. Keep the Grey Tank closed until after dumping Black Tank and, after closing Black Tank valve, dump the Grey Tank. This flushes out your sewer hose and helps keep it clean.

paiceman · 06-16-2016, 06:18 AM

What Airstream 12557 said, except I usually do the full clean out once per month while traveling and then before putting the AS to sleep for the winter.

Bud

**moosetags** · 06-16-2016, 06:22 AM

We have always used our Airstream's built-in black tank flush.

Brian

dkottum · 06-16-2016, 06:27 AM

The factory flush system has worked well for us on our two Airstreams, no need for an after market gizmo.

aphrodite · 06-16-2016, 07:04 AM

We use the factory flush every time we dump the tanks. Like 12557 above, we have a clear sleeve that we installed on our sewer hose, which is both gross and useful.

heitkergm · 06-16-2016, 11:18 AM

My 10 year old Bambi did not come with the factory flush. But I use a Flush-King valve to do the back-flush - it has a clear elbow, a valve, and a hose connection. Keep the black tank valve open, close the Flush-King valve, and the hose back-flushes water into the black tank. I use it every time, minimal residue after 10 years.

IF I had the factory flush, I would use it with a clear elbow EVERY TIME. You don't want residue building in the black tank.

m.hony · 06-16-2016, 11:37 AM

ditto posts 2, 3, 4, and 5-

bminten · 06-16-2016, 12:05 PM

I'm a newbie, trailer is coming in July, we'll be staying at a permanent spot unless traveling. When we are at our site, I assume the dump hose is always connected to the input sewer connector in the ground and we are still on tanks flushing when needed. Is this true?

cactusjk · 06-16-2016, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heitkergm

My 10 year old Bambi did not come with the factory flush. But I use a Flush-King valve to do the back-flush - it has a clear elbow, a valve, and a hose connection. Keep the black tank valve open, close the Flush-King valve, and the hose back-flushes water into the black tank. I use it every time, minimal residue after 10 years.

IF I had the factory flush, I would use it with a clear elbow EVERY TIME. You don't want residue building in the black tank.

Any recommendations on a clear elbow for a Rhino hose that doesn't leak?

m.hony · 06-16-2016, 01:02 PM

I have the Camco 45 degree clear elbow from Walmart.
It hasn't leaked in 6 years with my new Rhinoflex hose and it never leaked with the old hose.

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Larry C · 06-16-2016, 02:41 PM

Sewer Solution works really well also.

Larry

Cannonball · 06-16-2016, 03:11 PM

Our factory black tank flush leaked on our 2014 Sport. I thought it was a stupid device, so did not rush to get it repaired. I did eventually get it fixed (stupid cracked vacuum breaker), and now wish I had it repaired on Day One. I always fill the black tank prior to dumping, even if I have to just run in some water with the foot pedal. Dump, black tank flush on for 10-15 minutes, easy. We also have the clear elbow (wife hates it, thinks it is juvenile, maybe because I named it "The Turd Tunnel") and the water is usually flowing clear within the first couple of minutes. Easy.

nvestysly · 06-16-2016, 05:16 PM

To the OP... I suggest using the built-in flush Airstream provided on your trailer. I've heard the Airstream rep refer to it as a "use it or lose it" feature - indicating the small holes used to spray the inside of the black tank may/will become clogged if not used regularly.

In addition, I can't imagine that any sort of gizmo attached to the dump hose bayonet could possibly work better than something that is already installed inside the tank.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bminten

I'm a newbie, trailer is coming in July, we'll be staying at a permanent spot unless traveling. When we are at our site, I assume the dump hose is always connected to the input sewer connector in the ground and we are still on tanks flushing when needed. Is this true?

Blank tanks are intended to be relatively full (with considerable liquid content) so they can be dumped properly. After the initial dump it's suggested to partially refill the black tank via the flush port and then open the valve and dump again. I've found that two of these extra flushes are required to obtain relatively clean water coming from the tank. Your results may vary. There are plenty of threads on the subject - I think it's safe to say that everyone says don't leave your black tank valve open indefinitely. Collect the sewage in the black tank and dump when needed, followed by a flush or two.

VT Wanderer · 06-16-2016, 06:35 PM

I highly recommend having a clear elbow to view what's coming out of your black tank. I always use the AS flush connection when emptying the b-tank. Also, when the water coming out starts to look clean, my wife will flush a FULL toilet bowl of fresh water into the tank. You may be surprised what is loosened up with the flush (TP etc.) and comes out. Sometimes we repeat the flushing several times before it's clear. This usually happens if it has been a number of days since the last draining. Before winter storage, we do the ice trick - putting in a bunch of ice in the b-tank, via the toilet, and drive around for a while. Then we do the normal evacuation procedure.

Adventure.AS · 06-17-2016, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VT Wanderer

...surprised what is loosened up with the flush (TP etc.) and comes out.

A trick we learned from life aboard our sailboat was never put TP down the toilet as it tends to mound up and won't dissolve well. Most boaters have a waste bag in the head to keep the used TP. Another rule was nothing goes in the toilet that didn't first go through your alimentary canal (i.e. no TP, Kleenex, dental floss etc). These two things helped prevent problems with the black water holding tank and pump-outs.

cactusjk · 06-18-2016, 07:59 PM

Assume this Camco clear elbow is better than the RhinoFLEX swivel elbow? Not sure which one you are referring to and where on the hose it goes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by m.hony

I have the Camco 45 degree clear elbow from Walmart.
It hasn't leaked in 6 years with my new Rhinoflex hose and it never leaked with the old hose.

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m.hony · 06-18-2016, 10:34 PM

It is separate and apart from the sewer hose.
I connect it to the trailer then connect the sewer hose to the clear elbow.
I flush until it runs clear or I see no more solid brown chunks floating by.

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Plasma800 · 06-18-2016, 11:30 PM

just to further this...

and not many will say this or recommend it, so take it as you will, and your mileage may vary, BUT

We use the factory flush connector, we make a solid 5 minutes with the black tank valve open.... and then we close the valve

My wife stays inside and keeps an eye on the black tank level... when it hits 80% we open the valve.

We close it again, and fill again, opening at 80%.

We'll do this a third time if needed. But we are always surprised at the extra stuff that comes out when we do this.

The DANGER is if you forget you're doing it and let the tank overfill. You don't ever, never ever, want to go there... which is why no one recommends you do this, not even me. But we do it..

Possibly a safer way to to do this is buckets from the sink into the toilet to fill up the black again. Holding the toilet open works too, it just takes forever, and of course it's not pleasant with your nose right over it.... so when I use the toilet to add water (for instance, if we have only stayed two nights, but I want to dump and my tank is only 30% full) I'll hold the pedal just enough to fill the bowl, then open the toilet a little, and usually I can hit a spot where the water entering the bowl matches the flow of water out, and the water seals off the smell.

Airstream12557 · 06-19-2016, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bminten

I'm a newbie, trailer is coming in July, we'll be staying at a permanent spot unless traveling. When we are at our site, I assume the dump hose is always connected to the input sewer connector in the ground and we are still on tanks flushing when needed. Is this true?

I stay at a permanent spot all winter and leave my sewer hose connected, but I leave the gray and black valves closed. You DO NOT want to leave the black valve open all the time. Bad things WILL happen! See my earlier post on this thread on how I dump.