Most RVers worry about putting gasoline into a diesel truck. One Colorado RV driver apparently managed something far worse.
A bizarre mishap at a Maverik gas station near Colorado Springs left diesel pumps shut down after an RV driver reportedly emptied black tank waste into an underground diesel storage tank instead of a proper dump station. Cleanup crews had to respond while station employees blocked access to the affected pumps.
A lot of experienced RVers probably winced reading that.
Among RV owners, dumping mistakes are the sort of thing people joke about around a campfire. That’s usually right after sharing stories about sewer hoses coming loose, forgotten tank valves, or the occasional black‑tank geyser.
But this situation moved far beyond embarrassing campground stories. Once waste enters a fuel storage system, cleanup gets complicated and expensive fast. And, yes, somewhere out there, a diesel engine technician is having a very, very bad week.
Why this became a serious problem
Modern gas stations store fuel underground in large tanks connected directly to the pumps. If contamination gets in, station operators often have no choice but to shut pumps down until inspectors and cleanup crews determine what’s affected.
That means fuel deliveries may stop, tanks might need inspection, contaminated fuel could require disposal, pumps can remain offline for days, and cleanup costs climb fast.
For RVers towing large fifth wheels or motorhomes, losing diesel pumps at a busy station can turn a simple pit stop into a minor nightmare—especially during peak travel season.
Experienced RVers are baffled—but not entirely shocked
Longtime RVers will probably wonder how somebody could confuse a dump station with a diesel fill port. Most dump stations are clearly marked, with concrete pads, rinse water hookups, and sewer connections built specifically for RV waste. Fuel tank access ports, meanwhile, are typically heavy metal covers in the pavement near pump islands. In other words, they generally do not look remotely alike.
Still, campground operators and rental companies say confusion among first-time RV users is more common than many seasoned RVers realize. Rental RVs have brought thousands of newcomers into RVing. Many arrive with little understanding of black tanks, gray tanks, or dump valves.
One operator summed it up plainly: “The dump stations are very obvious.”
The mistake every experienced RVer avoids
“The dump stations are very obvious.”
Veteran RVers develop habits that become almost automatic. They slow down before dumping tanks. Double-check labels. They confirm sewer hookups before pulling valves. They keep disposable gloves nearby.
Sometimes those stories involve shoes.
Sometimes they involve hoses.
And apparently, once in a great while, they involve a diesel storage tank.
Many experienced RVers also say they never dump tanks at night unless the area is brightly lit. Others avoid distractions during setup and teardown because mistakes tend to happen when people are tired, hurried, or embarrassed to ask questions. And, yes—there are times when you feel like the universe is personally testing your ability to read a sign. Or, in this case, laughing behind someone’s back.
Why renters especially need walkthroughs
This incident also highlights something RV dealers and rental companies already know: New RV owners often get information overload on delivery day. Water heater bypass valves, electrical hookups, slideouts, leveling systems, propane operation, battery disconnects, and holding tanks all get explained at once. A first-time owner may nod through the orientation while retaining only half of it—if that much.
That becomes a problem when they pull into a crowded fuel station after a long day and suddenly realize the black tank needs attention. Experienced RVers recommend newcomers practice dumping at a campground before traveling, watch walkthrough videos, keep printed instructions in the RV, ask questions instead of guessing—and never assume a random ground opening is a sewer connection. Seriously, don’t do that.
The bigger takeaway for RVers
Stories like this spread fast because they combine shock value with something every RVer understands: Waste systems can go wrong in spectacular ways. But underneath the humor is a practical reminder. RV systems are different from home plumbing and fuel systems, and mistakes involving fuel, electricity, or waste disposal can become expensive very quickly.
For experienced RVers, this Colorado incident may become another legendary campfire story. For newcomers, it’s a reminder to slow down, double-check signs, and maybe avoid making national news during your dump-station learning curve.
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RVT1263b
Thank you for sharing this cautionary tale, Russ and Tina. Yikes I wonder what the ultimate liability of the errant RVer was? I can’t imagine what sort of insurance could shield some of this RVer’s bank account. I am shocked that the RVer could remove the lid on the diesel tank. Have a great day and safe travels!
Was alcohol involved?
Hold my beer!!!
When I worked at a gas station, the tanks had what looked like a small manhole cover.They were clearly marked. It also took a special wrench to remove the fill cap since is down a few inches in the ground.
I’m having difficulty believing this was anything but passive aggression. Then to point out the store has security cameras that would capture who the perpetrator was and that is going to cost many thousands if not a million dollars and RV insurance isn’t going to pay.
Having a tough time believing this story with so little details and more emphasis on the clean out and mechanical issues. Just not enough to think this true.
Hi, Ken. Here’s a quote from RVbusiness.com from today: “The incident happened sometime on Monday, and a woman who answered the phone at the Montrose Maverik station on Tuesday confirmed that someone had dumped an RV waste tank into its underground diesel storage tank. She said the pumps ‘are shut down right now,’ that the store was busy, and hung up.” What a nightmare for all involved. Have a good night. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Your statement does make sense. Article says Colorado Springs, you mentioned Montrose, which is 170 miles west of of Colorado Springs.
Hi, Lawrence. Here’s a link to more information about the purported incident as posted on camperfaqs.com. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane
Well at least she had the correct State…
I agree. I kept reading (and reading) hoping to hear exactly what happened. How did this guy even manage to get the lid opened. Long story with no details.
I always thought the covers were always locked. Could this be an AI story or a joke?
Having seen many a fuel drop, I am left believing “the dump” was not accidental.
There’s just too many things a stupid person can’t do to gain access to the tank fill. Heck, some drops can be hard on a competent fuel delivery driver.
Nope, I’m thinking the deed was done with malice and intent.
Maybe trying to make up for the cost of fuel! No actual dump station available and figured “what the He!!”.
Distractions abound about everything. Easy for me to understand how things happen. It takes extremely excessive effort to focus.
So is this guy paying for the contaminated fuel and the cost of repairs? Incomplete story.