Flush Black Water Tank Vegas24.1

[Angelo]

Has anyone with a Vegas or Axis flushed out black water tank with fresh water? I drained my tanks at the last campground and made sure each were empty, now several weeks later RV in storage I check tank levels and black reads 2/3's full. I think I must have deposits lining the wall causing the improper reading.

Has anyone flushed or washed out black water tank? I don't have a water hookup directly to black water tank to flush. I was think of using a special wand and garden hose directly thru the toilet opening to flush out. I could fill the gray water tank and open both the gray and black gate valves and have all the gray water run into the black water tank then close gray and drain black. This could contaminate the gray water tank.

Any ideas? should I be concerned?

Angelo and Diane

[groswald]

I try to fill and flush a couple of times after each trip. I do it at the last place we are at with full hook ups. I've been filling the black tank by letting the water run in the bathroom sink. It works, but it is slow. I fill and drain a couple of times until the effluent is reasonably clear.

I have a Valterra flush fitting that I will install before our first trip next spring.

Regards,

Randy

[JamieGeek]

We have the tornado flusher and even with that I'll still get the tank reading 2/3 when I know its empty. Usually takes 10-15 minutes flushing before I can get a good reading again.

[Angelo]

Thank you, jamiegeek and groswald, I'll try doing a more thorough job before I unhook next time.

Question, do you always dump tanks if possible at each location or is it acceptable to move to next location with small amount of waste. Not an expert yet, only out three times since purchase.

[mcr1010]

When traveling, I dump each morning before leaving the CG or every time there is an opportunity. Like Randy mentioned, I fill the black tank nearly full before dumping also and do a bottom rinse.

Bottom rinse(aka back flushing) goes something like this; after dumping blk. tank, 1. leave the blk tank valve open, 2. raise the dump hose up a couple of feet above the dump outlet with your right arm, 3. with your left hand, open the grey valve and let a good bit of water into the blk. tank...........assuming your have grey water, 4. close the grey valve, 5. let hose down to drain blk. tank. Repeat as needed.

After a trip, dump the tanks, fill the black tank up to the toilet inlet, eyeballing thru the toilet, with soapy water. I use dish detergent or whatever is on hand, though nothing with bleach in it. I let it soak for a few days then dump and rinse a couple of times. Seems to keep things working fine.

[Angelo]

Thanks mcr1010, great idea! Like the back washing and detergent wash.

Angelo & Diane

[mcr1010]

Forgot to add #6. After the final draining of the blk. tank, raise the hose one more time as if to back flush again. This time leave enough grey water in the blk. tank to cover the bottom-prevents the dreaded pyramids (same principle as toilet having standing water-it is some kind of solid-suspension thing ). Close the blk. tank valve while the grey water is back flushing, drop the hose and finish draining the grey tank.

[Angelo]

Thank you for adding #6!

So you drive home with a small amount of gray water in the black water tank (washes during drive) then you add detergent fill tank and let stand few days and drain.

Do you dump at your nearest CW or do you have a drain at home?

[JamieGeek]

Hmm: I always leave about 2-3 gallons of water + chemical in the black tank--that way its always ready for use (even in the winter its 2-3 gallons of water + chemical + about a gallon of red antifreeze that has been dumped down the sink/toilet). Been doing this for 16 years without an issue.

[mcr1010]

Yes, I try keep a small amount soapy water in the blk. tank at the start of the day when traveling to slosh around. That is the standard for keeping the blk. tank operating in good order. Or at least keep some plain water in there. When I can remember, I will also pour some liquid detergent in bottom of the toilet and work it a couple of times and then rinse before before leaving the CG. Seems to keep the seals a little cleaner. I would guess the grey water has some soap in it also.

The lot where I park the Vegas is about 1.5 miles away and has a dump station with rinse hose, so it makes it convenient to dump, soak and rinse etc..

[groswald]

Forgot to mention...

I read somewhere about using Cascade dishwasher "pods" in the black tank to help keep it clean. I always put 3-5 gallons of clear water into the black tank (running the bathroom sink) after I dump, whether flushing it or not. Then I toss a pod or two down the black hole.

I don't know if it really helps, but so far no issues. I get them in bulk at Costco.

Regards,

Randy

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by groswald

Forgot to mention...

I read somewhere about using Cascade dishwasher "pods" in the black tank to help keep it clean. I always put 3-5 gallons of clear water into the black tank (running the bathroom sink) after I dump, whether flushing it or not. Then I toss a pod or two down the black hole.

I don't know if it really helps, but so far no issues. I get them in bulk at Costco.

Regards,

Randy

Had an RV technician tell me that one of the most common problems for tank sensors were un-dissolved "self dissolving" pods that are used for black tank chemicals.

Was he right or wrong, I don't know but he didn't try to sell me anything.

[sky_blue]

An old trick. Put ice in the toilet for the drive home. It loosens leftovers and turns into water to drain.

[JamieGeek]

Originally Posted by gbrown

An old trick. Put ice in the toilet for the drive home. It loosens leftovers and turns into water to drain.

Have you watched this video about ice cubes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH6a...p8WbwunmbVtLAs

[sky_blue]

Which is exactly why I have the Tornado :-)

[hudson0231]

what tank does the shower drain into black or gray? i thought the black tank was for the toilet only on motorhomes...
my coach is a 2016 Vegas 25.2..

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by hudson0231

what tank does the shower drain into black or gray? i thought the black tank was for the toilet only on motorhomes...
my coach is a 2016 Vegas 25.2..

If you have not done so you may want to contact Thor customer service and ask for the fresh and waste water diagrams. Those will show you how the coach is plumbed.

[JamieGeek]

On most Axis/Vegas units (at least I know for certain on the 24.1) the shower drains into the grey and the bathroom sink drains into the black.