Grey matter
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
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=9665
Printed Date: 28 Jun 2025 at 9:22am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Grey matter
Posted By: Subzilla
Subject: Grey matter
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2017 at 6:44am
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When do you folks generally dump the grey tank when on extended stay at campground (if you don't have a campsite sewer dump)? I noticed after only a weekend of showers and dishwashing, our indicator was up to the 2/3 mark. Do you let it hit the full mark? I guess at some point it will back up to the sink?? Do you pull the Pod to the campground sewer dump if there is one, then back to your spot or do most have the portable tank? ------------- Mark Concord, NC 2017 RP 179 "Podzilla" 2011 Silverado 1500 4X4 |
Replies:
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2017 at 7:18am
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Took me a little while to figure out what works for us. Since grey water and fresh water recycle about the same amount and time, I first put a different cap on grey water valve to control flow into 5 gallon paint bucket w/lid.   I carry (or drive) the grey water to bathhouse toilet, dish washing station, dump or other suitable dump site. Usually, at the same time, I fill two 7 gallon fresh water jugs:  I transfer the fresh water to tank with 12 volt pump (very fast!!)   Our consumption varies between 10 and 15 gallons per day, depending on wether wife washes her long hair. We do both use shower daily (not at same time, unfortunately). I usually dump and fill every 2 to 2 1/2 days and the whole process takes no more than 30 minutes depending on how far away grey dump and fresh water supply is. Sure beats breaking camp to tow to dump station. If I had a pickup truck, I would probably invest in a towable tote. fred
------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2017 at 7:47am
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A) The monitors are hokum. A good guess at best, a complete fabrication most of the time. B) The wife and I did 5 days minimum on a grey tank. In 5 seasons, we only ever backed up once, and that was on a 8 day stay, and we backed up on the last shower of the trip. If you are really worried, get a tote. They work, and there is no shame in using one. ------------- |
Posted By: voisj
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2017 at 8:56am
I love this, no need to buy some overpriced gadget, just make your own! ------------- 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: Subzilla
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2017 at 8:59am
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I agree...had also thought about how to refill fresh water tank from bath house water source, if needed.
------------- Mark Concord, NC 2017 RP 179 "Podzilla" 2011 Silverado 1500 4X4 |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2017 at 9:06am
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Simpler yet is if your water container has a way to adapt a water hose to it, just prop the water container up at a level above the fresh water fill on your R-Pod and let gravity do the work.
------------- 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: fwunder
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2017 at 12:44pm
You're exactly right, Stephen. I did that for a short while, modifying an Aquatainer cap to accept a hose. I found, however, that lifting 56 pounds of water became tiresome. Now, I just fill the jugs in the back of the TV and pump right from there without lifting. Easy peasy. If we do decide to boondock for longer periods of time than we do now, I would probably invest in a https://www.amazon.com/AQUATANK2-Water-Storage-Bladder-Gallon/dp/B009MU64Y0/ - bladder and a https://www.amazon.com/Barker-30844-4-Wheeler-Tote-Tank/dp/B000BGM89Y/ - tote . fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2017 at 1:13pm
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Now that we have a pickup truck, the need to lift will not be so great if I can fill the water container in the back of the pickup. The bed is high enough to allow gravity to do the work for draining into the tank. The problem would be if there were no way to fill it while in the bed. We have an 8-gallon container so that is about 66 lbs if filled to capacity.
------------- 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: fwunder
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2017 at 1:21pm
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This is the pump I use: http://www.harborfreight.com/12-volt-marine-utility-water-pump-94639.html - http://www.harborfreight.com/12-volt-marine-utility-water-pump-94639.html I use 6 or 10 feet of extension cable to pod battery bank. At 260 GPH, it's also great to extinguish that noisy generator or poodle three sites away!  fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |