AC09
Yuma
Full Member
Joined: 01/12/2012
View Profile
 Offline
|
Most of my RV experience has been dry camping but now that we purchased out new 5r we want to stick to parks with hook ups. So when hooked to a sewer connection do you keep your Gray/Black tank valves open or leave them closed until they need to be dumped then open the valves?
|
downtheroad
Pacific Northwest
Senior Member
Joined: 02/18/2003
View Profile
|
Absolutely keep the black closed until at least 3/4 full.
I keep the gray closed also until it needs dumping...
The full flow of water helps clean out the system, otherwise you risk clogs and waste build up.
"If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane"
GMC Duramax/Allison (LBZ)
Komfort .... Our Rig Picture>>Click.
Reese Dual Cam HP
|
Martyn
Bennett, Colorado, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 09/27/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
downtheroad wrote:Absolutely keep the black closed until at least 3/4 full.
I keep the gray closed also until it needs dumping...
The full flow of water helps clean out the system, otherwise you risk clogs and waste build up.
x2
2004.5 Dodge Ram 2500 QC CTD 4x4 SLT; 2007 Coachmen Chaparral 267RLS;
Reese 15K Slider; Prodigy; JT's & Rotochoks; 2 Honda EU2000i's;
2006 Glastron MX175;
2009 Subaru Tribeca for the DW
|
Old-Biscuit
Across the USA
Senior Member
Joined: 06/20/2009
View Profile
|
Martyn wrote:downtheroad wrote:Absolutely keep the black closed until at least 3/4 full.
I keep the gray closed also until it needs dumping...
The full flow of water helps clean out the system, otherwise you risk clogs and waste build up.
x2
X3
Black tank...if you leave drain valve open the liquids will run out leaving the solids behind. The solids will stick to tank, dry out, pile up.......this is something you DO NOT want to have to deal with.
The fuller the tank the better before dumping. The high volume & weight of liquids rushing out will push and carry solids out of tank and down into sewer/septic system.
Grey tank.......always dump grey tank AFTER dumping black tank. The grey water will help rinse the drain line/sewer hose of anything left behind from dumping black tank. Again the fuller the better.
Some will leave grey drain valve open and then close the day before they dump their black tank....grey tank has chance to get water in it to use for rinsing lines/hose.
Personally I don't do that because I like my grey tank full before dumping due to 'debris' that can be left behind (kitchen sink 'stuff', soap scum/residue from shower, toothpaste/soap/shave cream bathroom sink). If grey tank(s) get too full before I need to dump black tank I will drain a little out of grey.
|
fla-gypsy
North Florida
Senior Member
Joined: 04/19/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
Black closed, gray open until flush out water is needed as noted by previous posters
09 SuperDuty Crew Cab 6.8L/4.10(The Black Pearl)
06 Keystone Hornet 29 RLS/(The Cracker Cabana)
Camping Photos
|
|
|
dahkota
Washington, DC
Senior Member
Joined: 01/20/2011
View Profile
Offline
|
closed until one of them is full.
2008 Ford F250 diesel
2011 Jayco 22FB
|
DWolfrom
Lena, IL
Full Member
Joined: 10/20/2010
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Old-Biscuit wrote:Martyn wrote:downtheroad wrote:Absolutely keep the black closed until at least 3/4 full.
I keep the gray closed also until it needs dumping...
The full flow of water helps clean out the system, otherwise you risk clogs and waste build up.
x2
X3
Black tank...if you leave drain valve open the liquids will run out leaving the solids behind. The solids will stick to tank, dry out, pile up.......this is something you DO NOT want to have to deal with.
The fuller the tank the better before dumping. The high volume & weight of liquids rushing out will push and carry solids out of tank and down into sewer/septic system.
Grey tank.......always dump grey tank AFTER dumping black tank. The grey water will help rinse the drain line/sewer hose of anything left behind from dumping black tank. Again the fuller the better.
Some will leave grey drain valve open and then close the day before they dump their black tank....grey tank has chance to get water in it to use for rinsing lines/hose.
Personally I don't do that because I like my grey tank full before dumping due to 'debris' that can be left behind (kitchen sink 'stuff', soap scum/residue from shower, toothpaste/soap/shave cream bathroom sink). If grey tank(s) get too full before I need to dump black tank I will drain a little out of grey. x100!!
2011 Keystone Passport 2590BH
2008 Chevy Silverado 1500 Z71 Extended Cab
WDH+Friction Bars
Prodigy BC
Bulldog #4000 Tongue Jack
|
bikendan
Napa, Cal.
Senior Member
Joined: 11/21/2005
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
agree with all the others! x......!
Dan- Firefighter , Shawn- Musician/Entrepreneur , Zoe- Faithful Golden Retriever , 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LS, 2007 Rockwood Roo 23SS w/Equalizer and Prodigy, and 5 Mtn. bikes and 2 Road bikes
|
Parrothead Mike
SW Michigan
Senior Member
Joined: 09/25/2002
View Profile
Offline
|
Back in 2003 we became proud owners of a 2001 Cardinal that the former owners only kept at a semi-permanent site. It was never really towed anywhere (actually from MI to FL once each way), but they used it for two winters. We got a great deal on it. Then I realized that while they used it at the campground they left both the black and gray valves open. I called them and asked, that's how I confirmed the problem.
I was a member on this forum back then and followed all the advice posted by everyone; bags of ice cubes and water & driven on bumpy, curvy roads, snakes, soaking water, etc. I could tell that things were working, but slowly. Over time I've been able to get my black tank working as it was supposed to work. When I get ready to go camping I always put about 3 gallons of water into my tank with a cup or so of liquid Calgon Water Softener. I also used to use a couple of squirts of liquid soap. I think the water, softener, and all the travel finally loosened up the solids in the tank.
2002 Chevy 2500HD Duramax - 2001 25' Cardinal LXDS
16K Huskey EZ Roller Hitch - EU2000i Honda Generator
|
AC09
Yuma
Full Member
Joined: 01/12/2012
View Profile
Offline
|
Thanks for all the replies. this is exactly what I thought but just wanted to confirm with others. the new RV also has the water jets inside the black tank so that is nice. On our trip last weekend (4days) I left both closed the first 2 days then drained the Gray water and left the valve open. On the last day I closed the Gray valve before we all took showers to let some water build up. When I dumped I opened Black first til the flow slowed, then opened the Gray. When it had pretty much drained I flowed the jet system for about 10 minutes to make sure it was clean. The only thing I will do different in the future is leave both valves closed until about 3/4 full.
|
|
|
