Black tank valve - Open or Shut?!
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9433
Printed Date: 28 Jun 2025 at 12:35am
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Topic: Black tank valve - Open or Shut?!
Posted By: MysticLily180
Subject: Black tank valve - Open or Shut?!
Date Posted: 06 Mar 2017 at 11:06am
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Hello Fellow R*pod'ers! i am full-timing in my 2016 Rpod 180 (yep) and the guys at Camping World told me to keep my black tank valve closed until i was ready to empty it (about once a week) - and i can't remember exactly why he said that, but that's what i've been doing. My landlord, on the other hand, thinks that is unnecessary and that i was given wrong information. Anybody have any great insights or knowledge about this? Pros/Cons re: open vs. shut?  Mystic Lily ------------- Mystic Lily |
Replies:
Posted By: Grandpa Hiker
Date Posted: 06 Mar 2017 at 11:19am
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The guy at Camping World is correct. You need to let the black water tank accumulate enough liquid waste water so that when you do empty the tank the solid waste will be washed out of the tank. ------------- Rob & Becky 2014 Ford Explorer 3.5 SOHC V6 2015 R-179 Pod aka Piddle Pod "Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass, it is about learning to dance in the rain!!" |
Posted By: David49
Date Posted: 06 Mar 2017 at 11:43am
| If you leave it open, the liquid will quickly drain out ... and the solids will all stay in the tank. You will have a big mess very quickly! |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 06 Mar 2017 at 11:55am
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You need lots of liquid to keep the solids suspended and then to move them along. If yo leave it open, you will very quickly develop Mt. Poopy inside your black tank.. ------------- |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 06 Mar 2017 at 12:07pm
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Ditto!! That's the last thing you want!
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: voisj
Date Posted: 06 Mar 2017 at 1:26pm
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Seeing how this was my first travel trailer I had no idea that you had to leave water in the tank and boy did I learn the hard way. I ended up with a pyramid and that I had to stick a hose up there and work for an hour to get rid of. Twice!
------------- http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9426&title=slopod-180-mods-johnsue - SLOPODMODS John&Sue,SLO,CA 2016 180 HRE, 2013 F150 Eco Boost 
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Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 06 Mar 2017 at 3:19pm
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The infamous MT Poopy!!
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 06 Mar 2017 at 6:20pm
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AKA the pyramid of poo!
------------- 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: Leo B
Date Posted: 06 Mar 2017 at 6:44pm
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 06 Mar 2017 at 6:44pm
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:) I know on my last day I purposely add water to my black tank to ensure a good mix. Not only for pooh but toilet paper buildup, clings to everything. Needs a good flow to evacuate the tank. Do your black tank first then you gray tank to clean hose. On my 178 the black tank flush valve is in backwards, but I haven't the gumption to remove the sink to fix, so I use a wand to clean the black tank down toilet. Mostly what I get out is toilet paper, at end of year prior to winterization. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: rawest50
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2017 at 7:21pm
| New RPod owner here. Thanks for that info. |
Posted By: rawest50
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2017 at 1:50pm
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Owners manual says not to keep it closed or you will leave solids in the tank. ------------- 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: StephenH
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2017 at 2:57pm
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Please re-read the manual. If the R-Pod is at a campground, the gray water should be connected and the valve open. However, before you get ready to leave, shut the valve so some liquid can accumulate to help with flushing out the hose. Change the hose to the black water drain, which should be shut unless the tank is at least 2/3 full. You need the liquids to help force the solids out. If you leave the valve open, the liquids will drain and you will have solids left. Add water to the tank by flushing until the tank is at least 2/3 full. Open the valve to drain the black water tank. When it is empty (and especially if you are not using the black water flush fitting to flush the tank), change the hose back over to the gray water drain and open it to flush out the hose. When all is drained, pack up your hose and fittings and add your treatment of choice to the black and gray water tanks. Remember: Manuals have been known to have typos. ------------- 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: 08 Mar 2017 at 6:31pm
| I've never looked, but do the gray water drains have traps? If not, then it's not a good idea to leave the gray water valve open either. |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2017 at 9:19pm
Yes they do. It's ok to leave them open if an owner wants. ------------- |