Poke around the internet much and whether you’re reading websites, blogs or social media, or watching videos, you’ll often come across the subject of dumping RV holding tanks.
Some RVers dread the process — “Oh, it’s disgusting,” they say. Others say “piece of cake — no problem!”
What about you? Is dumping your holding tanks disgusting or just another chore like taking out the garbage? We’re talking here about dumping gray water (sink, shower) and black tank (toilet) at a dump station where you pull up, attach a special hose, pull a handle or two, and “thar she goes” — soap, suds and all the nasty stuff from the toilet down a drain.
So is dumping your holding tanks a task you would rather avoid because it’s not the most pleasant thing in the world, or is it no big deal?
Inquiring minds would like to know. Please leave a comment.
Maintaining your black tank is the key to success. Dumping it can be troubling at times but we have learned over these many years WATER is your best friend. Use lots of it each time you flush your toilet. If a paper blockage ever occurs, clearing it can be messy and not a job for the timid. #lotsofwaterkeepsthingsflowing
I worked on the CHT Sewage systems on Navy Ships and our Hospital Pump Stations and this is nothing different. In fact I consider it nothing compared to having to remove, rebuild and re-install sewage pumps.
No worse than changing a baby’s diaper. You take your time and stay in the game.
Having a macerator system makes it pretty simple. Necessary chore. Easy and fairly clean. Have a back-up plan.
Ditto for me. Don’t rely on the black tank gauge but do keep a mental note of usage. I go with 4% for each morning ritual, 5% if I ate lots of BBQ.
I don’t think the actual process of dumping our black water tank is disgusting but we have run across some pretty disgusting dump stations where it is obvious someone before us had no idea what they were doing!
One thing to do, if you have a spill, clean it up and report it to the office as you are leaving.
What I have found that is disgusting is watching some RVers who don’t use a sewer hose. I have witnessed on a few occasions where they just open the valve and let everything just pour out.
I have also seen this and am disgusted by the people doing it.
If it’s disgusting, you’re doing it wrong.
I couldn’t vote because of the definitions. We have a 17 ft LilSnoozy molded fiberglass trailer with a marine cassette with an external access and it holds 5 gallons. We’ve dumped it in our sticks n bricks toilet ( on septic) into composting toilets, into gas station restrooms, and a couple of times into blackwater dumps. Someone else compared blackwater dumps to changing a babies diaper and I’m afraid most of the younger readers aren’t aware that cloth diapers used to be a thing..
Being a retired dairy farmer this is nothing to what we did every day
If you think it is disgusting you probably shouldn’t be rving.
What I do not like at the common dump stations is the ignorant people that spew black water all over the place and don’t have the common courtesy to rinse it down, have been right behind them and seen it all too many times! I use an old pair of sneakers and put them in a plastic bin to be disinfected later, I sure as heck don’t want to be tracking all of the germs and nasties into the MH and then later in the day walk on the floors in my stocking or bare feet!
Apparently you never walk into a public restroom?
One of my least favorite jobs. Not because its disgusting. It’s because I often have to get on my knees to open and close 3 valves. Also, unlike disconnecting power cable and water hose, where few problems can arise, clogs are a potential problems with the sewer hose. Camped with a grandson who used more toilet paper than he should have. No fun shouting back and forth “What do you mean is shows 3/4 full, there’s nothing coming out?”
Also why plumbers charge what they do…
Just another chore in the camping experience.
It’s not disgusting until, yes I mean until, and if you don’t no until thank God.
No problem. I installed a composting toilet in our 35′ 5th wheel. We have never used our black tank. I have installed a valve to combine my black tank and gray tank doubling capacity. After the stories I’ve heard about black tanks, dumping and all the problems, I will never use a black tank.
I’ve done worse, quite often. Actually very easy compared to many other things* I’ve done.
* don’t try this a home I’m what you call a professional
Try just using just about any C-store bathroom if you want to define disgusting…
For me, the worst part of dumping was getting the stiff hose (we have a macerator) back under the rig. Changing to a new, lighter hose made the whole process less of a chore.
Long ago, my boss rented an RV for a week. When she returned to work, she said she’d never consider doing that again because dumping the tanks was so disgusting. Consequently, I lobbied my father-in-law to help him dump the tanks when we RVed with him. I didn’t find it disgusting; unpleasant perhaps, but far short of disgusting. Seven years of RVing later and it is one of my jobs, but hardly one that I mind.
Aside: The macerator in our new RV is so much more powerful in ejecting its contents that I get back-flow at the sewer connect at home. The old one never did, but the sewer access has a turn so near the top that it now causes backflow. Oh, the vicissitudes of RVing! 😎
So much easier with a knife valve at the end of the discharge tube, as well as a “Y” connection with individual shut off valves for fresh water fill and black water rinse. Now I only need to keep one hose connected to do both chores. Easy peasy!
17 years full time. We have a Sani-con macerator system. Never been dirty.
Love my Sani-con macerator. 👍👍💯
It was the first thing we had installed when we bought our used motorhome. I had travelled in a friend’s motorhome and realized how easy it was and less messy than the alternative. We had a ton of other RVers come by to ask about it. Best money spent ever.
As a newbie I’ve found it isn’t anywhere near as disgusting as some people make it out to be. I’d read many articles/comments about dumping techniques on sites like this, purchased the recommended equipment and knew what to expect. I do like the idea of plumbing my second gray water tank into the main valve, much more convenient than making that second connection. Thanks to all that share their knowledge and experience.
Not disgusting. Pretty easy with the setup in my RV. Now you want disgusting, making up TDU cans, then stuffing them and compressing them, then loading them into the TDU on the submarine I was on, that often got gross.
I don’t find it disgusting – my wife does and she only has to hold her foot on the outer end of the hose to insure it doesn’t jump out of ground tank connection. Buy the right equipment and know how to properly use it. (I do have screw in adapter(s) also, however many parks do not accept those – creating an unsecured hose attachment). If others are waiting in line to use the station, I will hold off flushing the hose with water until I get home and then flush it into a bucket and pour it down our toilet. (Just keep both ends of the hose capped!).
Robin William’s poop hose scene still gives me a laugh every time I watch it. Even more so since we went full time.
I’ll have to ask my wife? BRB
HAHAhahaha
Since I got the Sewer Solution it’s so much cleaner to do and works so well, No I don’t get $ from them I just like the way they have a set up and how it works. Wish some one would write about it when writing about sewer situations.
Growing up on a farm with cows, hogs and chickens, especially chickens, leads to little disgust in hooking up a hose and opening a couple valves.
Yes, especially chickens.
I’ve made this very comment to people when talking about RV things. I grew up working on farms, there just isn’t many things that will gross me out! Always check the connections with a little grey water first and everything should flow smoothly.
My first motorhome came with a Waste Master sewer hose system installed, and I never had any problems. It is clean and easy to use. I have often wondered why other people complain about dumping their tanks.
Not nearly as disgusting or gross as the “honey bucket” detail in Vietnam.
Not disgusting at all having crawled thru city sewer systems or unclogging sewer lift station pumps. Yep, people do that for a living, just for you.
Just some suggestions
Have your hoses etc ready when you pull up to the dump station
If it’s possible, pull forward after your done to put your gear away. This will allow the next camper to pull forward
The water hose at the dump station is not for filling your potable water tanks
Filling and flushing your black/grey tanks three or four times, while there is a line of campers waiting in line is a no-no
We all make mistakes. So if your hose blows out or comes disconnected, please at least make an attempt to clean up. Please don’t just drive away and leave your mess for others to deal with.
I know this one is controversial, but its probably best to wear rubber or surgical gloves to protect yourself. Then again if you don’t want to wear them, then don’t, it’s that simple. We don’t need to beat this one to death.
When it comes to my black tank, an ounce of prevention is worth 42 gallons of smelly mess. Have a routine and a checklist, then follow it, and you won’t have a mess.