Tank Dumping
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Topic: Tank Dumping
Posted By: NAP1947
Subject: Tank Dumping
Date Posted: 15 Nov 2017 at 10:44am
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We get our 179 in April and I am busy browsing for information. There is general agreement that tanks should be dumped when the black is about 2/3 full. There does not seem to be any consensus as to when to dump, as you are leaving or arriving at a camp ground. Cleaning articles always seem to favour dumping after a drive when everything is well shaken (not stirred). Seems to me, as long as travelling with the extra weight is not an issue that dumping on arrival should result in a more thorough job plus less chance of a line up at the dump station. I would greatly appreciate your views, we will be using the pod for significant trips of a month or more with single location stays of not more than 2 or 3 days.  ------------- Susan and Norm 2016 Venza, V6 factory tow 2018 RP179 |
Replies:
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 15 Nov 2017 at 1:46pm
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If possible, I dump at home. I purchased sufficient hose to reach to the sewer clean-out that is in the yard. Since this is where flushed toilets from the house flow, I figure it is the best place to dump since I can do so after a drive and when the tank is full or I can add water through the BW flush valve. The TankTechs Rx treatment that I use suggests to leave the black water in with the treatment until it is full since the bacteria work best when there is something on which they can work. In your case, you may need to dump while on the road. In that case, dump when it is convenient as long as you have sufficient content in the tank to help move any solids out.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 15 Nov 2017 at 1:50pm
| I sorta do the same thing. The storage facility where we keep our 179 has a dump station, so we wait to dump the tank there on the way in. |
Posted By: Larry-D
Date Posted: 15 Nov 2017 at 2:28pm
| Since we're on a septic tank with no clean out we dump each time we're leaving the campground. |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 15 Nov 2017 at 3:29pm
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I dump when I leave campground, easy to fill tank to 2/3rds with backflush. I don't want to haul 300 lbs. of black water around. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 16 Nov 2017 at 8:57am
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The reason I wait is that if we dumped when we left the campground, we would still be using it on the return trip to home. I would need to dump the tank again when we got home before we stored it anyway. The last time we dumped after travel with the TankTechs Rx treatment, I did not see any solids as the tank was draining. Everything appeared to be dissolved. I'm quite happy with the biological treatment approach.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: NAP1947
Date Posted: 16 Nov 2017 at 11:38am
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Thank you for your advice, as before no clear consensus. I will look for some tanktechs and then just dump when at the 2/3 full point. We are on a septic so home dump is not an option and going long distance with a mostly tank does not sound like fun either. I keep learning from you folks. ------------- Susan and Norm 2016 Venza, V6 factory tow 2018 RP179 |
Posted By: ArenaBlanca
Date Posted: 16 Nov 2017 at 12:28pm
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I think it is a matter of preference. We tend to dump when we leave the campground. The visitor center in our home town has a dump station so, if we use the use the Pod on the way home, we can dump there. ------------- Enjoy Life!! |
Posted By: rawest50
Date Posted: 16 Nov 2017 at 1:19pm
I always dump when leaving the camp site. You RPod 179 has a black water flush built in the tank. The water connection will be on the opposite side from your black water dump connection. I hook a water hose (just for the black water flush) up to the connection. Turn the water on. There is a spray nozzle in the tank. You can hear it spraying. I open the black water tank vale to start the dumping process with the water running. When the black water tank is about empty (trickle) I close the valve. Let the water run in the tank for a few minutes then open the black water valve flushing out more stuff. I do this until I get zero paper and clear water flowing. Takes more time but less problems. ------------- 2017.5 RPod 179 2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab 2 Weiner dogs Great wife puts up with my BS ❤️ Thoroughbred Racing. 
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Posted By: NAP1947
Date Posted: 16 Nov 2017 at 8:19pm
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Rawest50, what you say makes sense, I had not thought of using the black tank flush in that manner. So much to learn, this forum is great. ------------- Susan and Norm 2016 Venza, V6 factory tow 2018 RP179 |
Posted By: dr2428
Date Posted: 18 Nov 2017 at 11:10am
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Good suggestions here, I also use a biological treatement, don't recall the brand but has always been effective. We are newbies so have only camped within 1.25hrs from home, no extended trips. No matter how or when you dump, do it effectively. I have a small TV so dump after camping. I believe the posts here that say dump a nearly full tank. On quick weekends I fill my water can and add as much water to the tank as possible. I use a plug or toilet brush to hold the toilet flush open and try to move as much of the fresh water to the black tank as possible. Last trip of the season 3 weeks ago I double dosed the treatment, and got the black nearly full. We picked a slow time at the dump station and dumped and flushed for about 30mins. You'll never get it completely empty as I don't believe the tanks slant enough towards the drain. When I winterized last weekend, I drained the tank into a disposable bucket and carried about 3 gals of slightly murky, barely smelly water into the basement toilet, it smelled more like the tank treatment. Conclusion is that the tank was better than sufficiently flushed. Tanks treatments are important and a nearly full tank will "float" material out better than a slightly full tank. Another note, dumped about 3 gals from the grey tank that stunk to high heaven. For all my research and prep, I failed to realize the grey tank needs treatment too. I'll flush it good come opening day and use a proper treatment. ------------- 2017 RPod 179 2018 Chevy Colorado Z71 4x4 |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 18 Nov 2017 at 11:31am
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That is why in NC the gray water tank is treated as if it were the same as the black water tank and cannot be dumped on the ground. Disease causing bacteria can and do breed in the gray water tank and the tank can get rather stinky if not treated. Gray water that is not collected in a holding tank can be used as specified below. SECTION 14.(a) For purposes of this section, "gray water" means wastewater removed from household wash basins, bathtubs, and showers. SECTION 14.(b) The Commission for Health Services shall adopt rules to authorize the use of gray water during periods of drought to hand water trees, shrubs, and inedible plants on single-family residential property. The rules shall encourage the use of gray water as provided in this section while protecting public health, safety, welfare, and the environment. In developing the rules, the Commission shall review the provisions set out in subsection (c) of this section. SECTION 14.(c) Notwithstanding G.S. 130A-335(a), untreated gray water may be used in periods of drought to hand water trees, shrubs, and inedible plants on single-family residential property under the following conditions:
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 18 Nov 2017 at 4:49pm
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+1 to SH and NC, there's a reason all waste water in a house goes to a common point. It's all waste water. It is the same as black inre to contaminated.
Question to dr2428 - you don't mention your backflush at all, I use my backflush to add water to black tank, gray tank is different but it doesn't have toilet paper in it. Have used bucket with treatment to add to gray tank, but normally just fill with water pump or city water. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: Tracydr
Date Posted: 13 Dec 2017 at 4:55pm
| I’m really glad I read this thread. I didn’t know I had a black water flush. I only looked around on the side with the valves and didn’t think to look on the opposite side! |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 13 Dec 2017 at 6:22pm
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That's a reason why I moved mine to location near black water flush, why put it on opposite side. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: Larry-D
Date Posted: 13 Dec 2017 at 6:28pm
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Was camping last week and weekend in our larger trailer. It was cold. We didn't have any problems with fresh water freezing (enclosed underbelly and heated hose). As we were leaving I found the black tank's drain valve frozen. The two grey tank valves were not. Emptied one grey tank. So we're going back camping in a couple of weeks. Will have to dump as we arrive. The alternatives are to use our portable tank but then we have no where to dump it or drag the trailer somewhere that allows dumping. Might as well wait for the next trip. On a side note we wash dishes in a pan that fits in the sink. On each trip we dump one pan of dishwater, with Dawn into the toilet to keep the black tank cleaner. So far in two years of doing this no problems or odors.
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Posted By: NAP1947
Date Posted: 14 Dec 2017 at 11:35am
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Mcarter, I agree locating the flush on the opposit side from the drain dos not seem to make sense, maybe there is some legal reason or other such thing. That aside was it an easy job to move it, could you describe how you did it? Thanks ------------- Susan and Norm 2016 Venza, V6 factory tow 2018 RP179 |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 14 Dec 2017 at 2:36pm
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NAP1947,
First let me say my backflush installed on trailer did NOT work. The check valve was installed backwards and it is in the wall behind bathroom sink. Adding a backflush to drivers side is easy, you need a length of hose, a check valve and a standard hose nipple. You can make a bracket or buy one of the kits that has a bracket (CAMCO 40123) with it to mount the hose nipple. Simply remove your existing hose connection at the black tank, attach your procured hose run it to bracket and hose nipple mounted on drivers side, put a check valve in the line and your done. I added some mounting hardware to trailer floor to secure hose against floor, works fine and it is mounted right next to black drain. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: rawest50
Date Posted: 14 Dec 2017 at 3:38pm
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If you are quiet enough you can here the spray. ------------- 2017.5 RPod 179 2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab 2 Weiner dogs Great wife puts up with my BS ❤️ Thoroughbred Racing.
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Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 14 Dec 2017 at 3:40pm
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Yep, mine works fine and I'm not working on both sides of the trailer. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: rawest50
Date Posted: 14 Dec 2017 at 4:15pm
I only work one side. My ace helper works the other.  Is it much trouble to relocate to the discharge side?------------- 2017.5 RPod 179 2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab 2 Weiner dogs Great wife puts up with my BS ❤️ Thoroughbred Racing.
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Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 14 Dec 2017 at 4:29pm
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No easy to relocate, and mine didn't work in first place, so no amount of help would fix that Bro. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: rawest50
Date Posted: 14 Dec 2017 at 8:04pm
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Thatnks. I will keep using my helper.
Side note. Pulled 1,000 mile round trip and the Colorado did great. ------------- 2017.5 RPod 179 2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab 2 Weiner dogs Great wife puts up with my BS ❤️ Thoroughbred Racing.
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