Nightmare

[Razalas_89]

Taking my first ever road trip. Ever since my buddy told me about the time he was draining/ flushing black tank and he had his wife go open toilet flap I’ve been sweating dealing with this.

If you would how about some “do this but never do this”list on this chore. Maybe it’s one of those things you need to learn on your own.

Benefit of your thinking appreciated

Oh yea- my buddy Butch says his wife Martha has never been the same since opening that flap

[JamieGeek]

Sure: Always make sure all four pins on the RV end of the sewer outlet are engaged in the slots on the sewer hose (e.g. that the hose is fully mated againste the outlet and not off to the side) before pulling either valve (yeah from experience LOL)

No need to fret, however, its simply a neccessary, if unpleasant, chore that comes along with the territory. I've had very few, if any, "RV Movie" type moments in 20 years of RV'ing (if you haven't you might not want to watch Robin Williams RV Movie LOL).

[Bob Denman]

RULE ONE:
Maintain your sense of humor.
RULE TWO:
Always refer to Rule 1 when things go sideways...

Enjoy the journey!

[Judge]

So why was he opening the toilet drain? If you don’t have a built-in black tank flush system, you can just let the bowl fill with water before opening the toilet drain a few times and there should be minimal smell.

If you want to make your black tank experience better, do the following:

- Use a full bowl of water for #1 and two full bowls for #2 to make sure there is no “damming” and everything gets pushed to the bottom of the tank.

- After draining the tank, close the balance and use a black tank flush system to fill the tank with water 1/2 - 3/4 full or use several bowls full of water. Then open the drain to flush out remaining waste.

- Use black tank treatment after emptying and flushing the tank each time.

- When breaking camp and after draining / flushing the black tank, add Dawn dish soap and Calgon water softener with a few bowl fulls of water. This will slosh around while driving and help keep the tank cleaner, the walls slick to minimize debris from sticking to the walls and keep odor down.

Using the above steps we have never had a black tank issue or any smell from the black tank.

[cavie]

youtube is your friend.

[Lt Keefer]

It's not rocket science. Put the hose on and put it in the drain, pull the lever.

[lwmcguir]

Originally Posted by Judge

So why was he opening the toilet drain? If you don’t have a built-in black tank flush system, you can just let the bowl fill with water before opening the toilet drain a few times and there should be minimal smell.

If you want to make your black tank experience better, do the following:

- Use a full bowl of water for #1 and two full bowls for #2 to make sure there is no “damming” and everything gets pushed to the bottom of the tank.

- After draining the tank, close the balance and use a black tank flush system to fill the tank with water 1/2 - 3/4 full or use several bowls full of water. Then open the drain to flush out remaining waste.

- Use black tank treatment after emptying and flushing the tank each time.

- When breaking camp and after draining / flushing the black tank, add Dawn dish soap and Calgon water softener with a few bowl fulls of water. This will slosh around while driving and help keep the tank cleaner, the walls slick to minimize debris from sticking to the walls and keep odor down.

Using the above steps we have never had a black tank issue or any smell from the black tank.

Excellent advice

[lwmcguir]

Over the last 50 years watching newbies dump the first time has been quite interesting and often somewhat entertaining

The most common mistake has been not securing the discharge end and spewing sewage all over

[Bob Denman]

Since the topic has been brought up...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHgRmR024BE

[JimOIB]

Nothing like scaring the beejeezus out of the guy...he will never use his holding tanks now.

[Bob Denman]

What's the worst that could happen?

[Travelin' Texans]

Your friend obviously had the black tank COMPLETELY full when his poor wife stepped in the pedal.
First thing to remember/realize is NEVER rely on the sensors, they are notorious for being so inaccurate that they are typically useless. You can spend time, $$ on miracle products & lots of effort trying to keep them working then the tank fills again & they'll quit.
Your toilet will have a distinctive "burp/gurgle" when you flush it that will be an indication it's "time".
The bath grey tank will back up into the shower when full, usually in the middle of the wife's shower.
The kitchen tank, if separate, should be good til you dump the others & often smells as bad or worse than the black.

[Bob Denman]

https://www.thorforums.com/forums/at...1&d=1604333774

[Popfla]

Originally Posted by lwmcguir

The most common mistake has been not securing the discharge end and spewing sewage all over

But not entertaining if it's the site adjacent to your picnic table and grill.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by Popfla

But not entertaining if it's the site adjacent to your picnic table and grill.

https://www.thorforums.com/forums/at...1&d=1604335222

[saddlesore]

Originally Posted by lwmcguir

Over the last 50 years watching newbies dump the first time has been quite interesting and often somewhat entertaining

The most common mistake has been not securing the discharge end and spewing sewage all over

THAT only took ONCE!!...... and done with a 175 gal combined black/gray tank.....: facepalm:

[Bob Denman]

Surf's up!

[KathyBrum]

I connected the sewer hose to the RV and pulled the black tank lever out not realizing that the washer was not on the hose! Closed the lever immediately of course and got a washer from another hose.
Now I check to make sure the washer is on the hose and I pull the grey tank lever to let just a little out to make sure I have a good connection.
Lesson learned.
How did we lose a washer? Probably when cleaning it out at the end of the process. Now I check every time and have extra washers just in case.
Kathy

[hatwate]

Originally Posted by Lt Keefer

It's not rocket science. Put the hose on and put it in the drain, pull the lever.

After hooking up the hose, if possible, run a bit of gray water thru hose to make sure everything is securely attached. Easier to deal with a gray water accident than a black water one.

[Cpd]

THATS not funny...
Our first emptying experience was at a truck stop. They have a flap on the sewer connection in the ground. My hubby let it go after pulling the hose and I got a splash bath....ugh....yes we're still married and still camping. Learned a lot after that.