Dump Station Etiquette

[Average Jane]

We've taken our 22mle out a handful of times now and I'm feeling more confident hooking up, unhooking and dumping etc.

I follow the 2/3 black/grey suggestions for dumping and have found a good rhythm; I keep gloves on the drivers side cubby, hose with clear elbow on the drivers side to make things go quicker.

I have a couple questions not quickly covered by Googling.

I stand and watch the black tank drain, but once that finishes and I start the grey tank and the initial 10-20 seconds of water bursts out I head inside to dump a couple of gallons of water (and treatment) back into the black tank. Is it best to watch it the whole time?

How long should I let each tank trickle drain?

Is it okay to use to dump station potable spigot to flush the black tank? The only one I've seen so far had a back flow prevention adapter of sorts on it.

 

[dryfly]

I think you are going to find everyone has their own individual routine on this procedure, and there is no absolute right or wrong way. Personally, after 40 years of owning a trailer, I don't spend much time at the dump station. Especially if there are folks behind me waiting to dump.

I don't use my clear plastic elbow because I see no need to witness anything coming out of my tanks. Empty as much of the black and grey tanks as feasible. If you wait for the trickle to stop you will be there forever. It's easy to add a little water and treatment to the black tank when you get home. I use the "Geo Method" solution and I'm good to go until the next trip. You will start to get a good feel of this procedure after a few more trips.

 

[BobLandry]

Do not use the potable water spigot to flush the black tank. Backflow preventor or not, it's a bad practice and a potential serious health hazard.

 

[Bungy]

I think you guys meant to say non potable: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/potable

 

[Average Jane]

Appreciate the replies. Glad to know I'm not doing anything too catastrophically incorrect.

I meant potable. There was the rubber hose on a spring deal to rinse the hose, but also a spigot for potable water - assuming to fill fresh water.

 

[Bungy]

Appreciate the replies. Glad to know I'm not doing anything too catastrophically incorrect.

I meant potable. There was the rubber hose on a spring deal to rinse the hose, but also a spigot for potable water - assuming to fill fresh water.

Then it’s good to go to flush your black tank (so is the non potable IMHO but that’s an argument for another day).

 

[el Rojo]

We always travel with some water in the black tank to slosh around to help keep the solids from forming the "mountain of doom" as we full timers call it. Another trick is to put a bag of ice in the toilet right before you travel.

Red

 

[Average Jane]

Ice is a good one. I definitely am trying to make sure we don't encounter any black tank issues.

Still torn about the spigot for the black tank flush. The place we stayed had up signs galore to get around, where to park extra cars etc. Seems like if it wasn't meant for a black tank rinse there would be a sign.

 

[TXkmpr]

I think the spigot is there for you to rinse your hoses and connectors, if you want to. Some of the state parks we have visited will have a hose connected with the end cut off to prevent using it for the black tank flush.

 

[Average Jane]

This was a state park and they did have the hose with the cut off end. Along with the potable spigot. Though the station is meant only for people who are staying there, if someone wanted to fill their fresh tank ideally that would be done at their campsite, with filter (if desired) I would think anyhow.

 

[BobLandry]

The question could be resolved by asking the campground host. If there is a spigot with a white hose, or has the end cut off, then it's obvious that is potable water.

 

[Keebler]

I stand and watch the black tank drain, but once that finishes and I start the grey tank and the initial 10-20 seconds of water bursts out I head inside to dump a couple of gallons of water (and treatment) back into the black tank. Is it best to watch it the whole time?

How long should I let each tank trickle drain?

Is it okay to use to dump station potable spigot to flush the black tank? The only one I've seen so far had a back flow prevention adapter of sorts on it.

I will start by saying, in the absence of signage, it is not against the rules to use a spigot in the dumping area for black tank flush. Personally, I would not prefer to be using water in the same cluster as the sewage plumbing as potable, regardless of signage.

Now on to etiquette. I never spend the time to hook up black tank flush if another RV is in line behind me. If I have it hooked up and someone pulls in, I will immediately unhook it and let things drain. With someone behind me, once it gets to a trickle, i will close the valves, clean up and get on my way. I don't rush, but I certainly focus on finishing. Not sure there is a written rule, just feels considerate. Most people waiting are patient if you aren't acting like you're the only one using the facilities.

 

[Average Jane]

I'm all about things being efficient, my black tank hose is one of those grow when wet deals. 1 minute to hook up and 1 minute to disconnect. I loathe standard hoses, even my flexzilla hoses at home drives me nuts.

 

[BobLandry]

I'm willing to wait for however long it takes the guy in front of me to get his business done. That said, I'm not going to waste time, but I'm going to do everything needed to get my trailer ready for the next trip. I waited, the guy behind me can do the same.
All of that said, I do have the option of dumping at my storage facility if I don't want to wait for 6 people to dump. I just prefer to do it in the park so that when I get back, only have to unhitch and unload, and head for home.

 

[Captcolour]

I will start by saying, in the absence of signage, it is not against the rules to use a spigot in the dumping area for black tank flush. Personally, I would not prefer to be using water in the same cluster as the sewage plumbing as potable, regardless of signage.

I agree! While the black tank is dumping, I will hook up the black tank flush. When the black tank slows, will shut it and start the flush for a few minutes, then re-open the black tank. Will disconnect the flush hose while emptying the gray tanks. Doesn't add too much time to flush.

 

[FT4NOW]

There is no difference using a potable spigot to hook to the tank flush as you would use a potable spigot at a campground with full hookups to hook to the tank flush.

Same thing if you ask me, I'm assuming you would use your own water hose in either case.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[IBEW Sparky]

We've taken our 22mle out a handful of times now and I'm feeling more confident hooking up, unhooking and dumping etc.

I follow the 2/3 black/grey suggestions for dumping and have found a good rhythm; I keep gloves on the drivers side cubby, hose with clear elbow on the drivers side to make things go quicker.

I have a couple questions not quickly covered by Googling.

I stand and watch the black tank drain, but once that finishes and I start the grey tank and the initial 10-20 seconds of water bursts out I head inside to dump a couple of gallons of water (and treatment) back into the black tank. Is it best to watch it the whole time?

How long should I let each tank trickle drain?

Is it okay to use to dump station potable spigot to flush the black tank? The only one I've seen so far had a back flow prevention adapter of sorts on it.


When it comes to dumping and flushing the tanks do everything you need to do it right and don't let yourself get rushed or flustered by someone waiting behind you... that's when you'll make a mistake and screw things up. Clear elbow on the black tank drain is a must otherwise you have no idea when it gets down to a trickle or when your black tanks are fairly clean. When I leave my campsite and head to the dump station I already have the clear elbow attached, valve compartment unlocked, and a pair of gloves just inside the door. I open my black tank valve and while it's draining I immediately start hooking up the black tank flush hose. Once it starts to slow down I start the black tank flush. After about 1 minute I close the black tank valve and let the black tank flush hose start to fill the tank. While the black tank is filling I open the valve to just one of my grey tanks and let it drain. Once that grey tank has drained I close it and open the black tank again and let it drain. While it's draining I disconnect and remove the black tank flush hose. Once the black tank slows to a trickle I close that valve and open my 2nd grey tank valve and let it drain. Once done I rinse my hose and fittings and put everything away. Toss the gloves and use some hand sanitizer and I'm on my way. As long as you don't waste time and do things in a orderly fashion no one can bitch about how long it's taking. Tanks take time to drain and there's no sense in rushing and having a mishap.

 

[Walaby]

I don't know what the 2/3 black/grey suggestions are.

If Im at dump station and no line behind me, I use the spigot (if available) to do a black tank rinse.

If there's a line, I dump black, then grey, then no rinse, pack up and leave.

Mike

 

[Malco1]

We've taken our 22mle out a handful of times now and I'm feeling more confident hooking up, unhooking and dumping etc.

I follow the 2/3 black/grey suggestions for dumping and have found a good rhythm; I keep gloves on the drivers side cubby, hose with clear elbow on the drivers side to make things go quicker.

I have a couple questions not quickly covered by Googling.

I stand and watch the black tank drain, but once that finishes and I start the grey tank and the initial 10-20 seconds of water bursts out I head inside to dump a couple of gallons of water (and treatment) back into the black tank. Is it best to watch it the whole time?

How long should I let each tank trickle drain?

Is it okay to use to dump station potable spigot to flush the black tank? The only one I've seen so far had a back flow prevention adapter of sorts on it.

Make sure you close the black tank valve before opening the gray.

 

[RV Sailor]

Open black
Sprayer on in black
Close black when drained
Open grey(s)
Close Grey(s)
Wash equipment
Leave

10-12 minutes