Sewer waste first time use

[Gotime4]

I got my 290bh last month, and as we prepare to use it this year I have started to think about the sewer usage and dumping of it. I have never done anything like it before and am wondering if someone has a great youtube video or something that can clearly teach me what I am doing and why? The dealer walked me though it but I would like to research it more and have something I can go back to if I have questions.

[Barbara & Dave]

Go to YouTube and type

RV waste dump

into the search box. You'll find many videos there. I'd suggest watching several, just in case one of them forgets something.

Dave




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[TENN22]

Also, don't forget how helpful your neighbor at the campground could be. This is why we enjoy this lifestyle so much, almost all folks are friendly and willing to help if something comes up.

[bertschb]

Here's a good Youtube video on the subject:

https://youtu.be/I6sv4d3PsTo

[grampscamper]

I got my 290bh last month, and as we prepare to use it this year I have started to think about the sewer usage and dumping of it. I have never done anything like it before and am wondering if someone has a great youtube video or something that can clearly teach me what I am doing and why? The dealer walked me though it but I would like to research it more and have something I can go back to if I have questions.

Make sure all dump valves are all closed before your first time out. When we picked up our last trailer I didn’t notice that the grey dump valve was left open. It wasn’t a GD and the valves were under the trailer. I got an unpleasant surprise when I removed the sewer cap at the end of the first outing. Thankfully it wasn’t the black tank.
I think there is a scene in the movie RV with Robin Williams showing you how NOT to dump your tanks.
Bob

[Aridon]

Lots of youtube videos, so good advice. In general:

Travel with all the tanks closed.

Once setup, most people leave the grey tank open when on hookups. Convenient to not have to dump every day or other day.

You always leave the black tank closed. You never leave this open or you'll end up draining the liquids and leave solids behind eventually making a poo pyramid.

Prior to dumping the black, perhaps the day of or before depending on your habits, close the grey to let it fill.

When the black tank fills up, usually 3/4 or more, you go outside and dump the black first. When it is done, you then close the black and dump the grey. This will clean the leavings from your hose and better to deal with drips of sink water than drips of concentrated poo water when moving the hose.

If you don't have enough poop in the tank (say you went on a 2 day trip and didn't hit any buffets) you can use the black flush to supplement. Essentially this is a valve that takes the fresh water from a hose and puts it directly in the tank. We usually flush the tank every dump or so to keep the solids from building up but that probably isn't necessary.

You'll notice the black tends to drain better the fuller it is. You want a lot of fluid in the tank to help move the solids. Flush with a lot of water when you go to the bathroom. These tanks like a lot of water to move the solids around.

When you go to pack up the stinky slinky, disconnect and lift it so the extra water that might be in the hose drains down the sewer drain and not on you or the ground. Keep the hose in a bag or better yet in a pvc tube you attach to the outside of the RV.

There is nothing quite so nasty as a black tank spill. You RV long enough and eventually you'll have a black tank incident. Nothing quite like it. The longer you use the trailer the more rank that grey water will be. Try and not use harsh chemicals because they will eat the seals on the tank / toilet flappers.

[TheLexx]

Make sure all dump valves are all closed before your first time out. When we picked up our last trailer I didn’t notice that the grey dump valve was left open. It wasn’t a GD and the valves were under the trailer. I got an unpleasant surprise when I removed the sewer cap at the end of the first outing. Thankfully it wasn’t the black tank.
I think there is a scene in the movie RV with Robin Williams showing you how NOT to dump your tanks.
Bob

That's really good advice! I'm going to get a Valterra gate valve installed on mine as soon as I pick her up. I figure it's always good to have a safety valve so to speak.

[jim1521]

I personally NEVER leave any of the tanks open while hooked up. I learned this from a fellow camper who left his grey tank open and had an infestation of drain flies. For the couple of minutes that it takes to dump the grey, it's no big deal.

Drain Flies

And definitely get the Valterra gate valve!

[Cate&Rob]

I personally NEVER leave any of the tanks open while hooked up. I learned this from a fellow camper who left his grey tank open and had an infestation of drain flies. For the couple of minutes that it takes to dump the grey, it's no big deal.

Drain Flies

And definitely get the Valterra gate valve!

While we are on this topic . . . I see many who use supports to keep a constant downhill slope from the trailer to the drain hole. If you want to leave your grey valves open (and like jim1521, I always keep ours closed) at least arrange the drain hose so that there is a "P trap" of liquid to isolate your tanks from the park sewer system. Flies might not be all that crawls up that open pipe .

Rob

[Steve7]

To follow up what Aridon said, always leave some water, 2-3 gallons , in the black tank after dumping and in between uses. NEVER let it remain dry. Most owners use black tank packets or liquid in the tank to control odor and promote “digestion”.