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Topic: Best slanting direction for emptying holding tanks (Read 370 times) previous topic - next topic
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Best slanting direction for emptying holding tanks
I am since some days in Sunset Campground in Bryce Canyon National Park (and had a great time here). Today I'm leaving and want to use the campground dump station on my way out. The dump station is quite considerably slanted and can be used from both sides.

Which direction - front up or rear up - is better for emptying especially the black tank as much as possible?

Klaus
2001 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: Best slanting direction for emptying holding tanks
Reply #1 –
"...front up or rear up..."

Since, I believe, your black tank is forward of the rear dual I would say that a 'front up' attitude would be best as the outlet is to the rear.   ;)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Best slanting direction for emptying holding tanks
Reply #2 –
Note Fruita cg is in Capitol Reef NP, but to the issue - best is to glance under the rig to see tank location and best flow position. It may help speed up the dump to drive up on a strategically placed block. Note too that the flow is slowest from the smaller gray tank valve.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Best slanting direction for emptying holding tanks
Reply #3 –
Quote from: Steve  - 
Fruita cg is in Capitol Reef NP...
Correct. My mistake. I am at Sunset Campground in Bryce Canyon National Park and will go to Fruita Campground in Capitol Reef National Park. I have corrected my original post.

Quote
...best is to glance under the rig to see tank location and best flow position.

Great idea! And especially easy here in Sunset Campground as the pads are elevated. The black tank is behind the rear wheels, with a long pipe going from the rear end of the tank to the valve. Not very good for any kind of slanted position. I will do it with the rig front up and then dump a lot of fresh water into the toilet after emptying the tank to flush out the rest of the dirty stuff from the pipe. The gray tank is directly in front of the valve which means that for this tank the front up position is also best.

Klaus
2001 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: Best slanting direction for emptying holding tanks
Reply #4 –
Hi, Klaus--

I close the valve, "...then dump a lot of fresh water into the toilet after emptying the tank to flush out the rest of the dirty stuff...", then drive a few turns around the pasture to slosh things around in the tank a bit, & then do the final dump; when I put her away for the winter I do this twice (once with fresh H2O + some Dawn, slosh & dump/a final slosh & dump with just straight H2O.  I generally find a slope in the pasture that puts her nose up, & since I've got my Big Feet, it's relatively easy to raise the front to create a better angle for draining.  When I've been out & needed to use a public site, I just take a few laps around the dump station in order to slosh the fresh H2O around & then dump; & I use the Big Feet to raise her nose--fortunately I've never been at a public site with a lot of people waiting for me to finish my "business."  :D   I don't know that the sloshing really does anything (no camera inspection of the inside of the tank/etc.), but it makes me think it helps the idiot lights over the range...

Lynne
Lynne
LDy Lulubelle, Green '05 31' TB
Lilly, the 4-Legged Alarm
Re: Best slanting direction for emptying holding tanks
Reply #5 –
Quote from: Lynne Broyles-Greenwood  - 
...it helps the idiot lights over the range...
In my rig the lights over the range got better and better since I - after emptying the black tank - fill the toilet bowl several times up to the rim with water and then let the water rush down the pipes and the tank with some force. When I got the rig the lights indicated very soon after emptying the tank that it would be again 2/3 full. That is now not the case anymore - the lights crawl up slowly in a way that makes sense to me.

Klaus
2001 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: Best slanting direction for emptying holding tanks
Reply #6 –
Quote from: Klaus  - 
In my rig the lights over the range got better and better since I - after emptying the black tank - fill the toilet bowl several times up to the rim with water and then let the water rush down the pipes and the tank with some force. When I got the rig the lights indicated very soon after emptying the tank that it would be again 2/3 full. That is now not the case anymore - the lights crawl up slowly in a way that makes sense to me.

Klaus

If you are not concerned about driving with fuller holding tanks and the very minor reduced fuel mileage associated with that, it's best to empty at your driving destination, your tanks having benefited from a day of sloshing around. You'll have a smoother ride, also.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Best slanting direction for emptying holding tanks
Reply #7 –
   I would think that if raising the right side of the coach with blocks or leveling jacks (if installed)  that would be the best draining angle. A simple solution for flushing the black tank is to install a Camco Quickie Flush system <http://www.camco.net/quickie-flush-with-8-hose-quickie-flush-with-8-hose-40123>  I added a quick connect hose adaptor at the hose inlet that was mounted on the lower skirt of the LD near the dump valve. I also put a 1/4 turn ball valve on the end of the hose that I only used for flushing.  
   Since I had the rear bath, the tank level indicator lights were ignored as I could look through the toilet straight down into the black tank and see the fluid level. After dumping I would then mostly fill the toilet bowl and add a packet of dishwasher soap and a packet of deodorizer then flush into the empty tank. I never had any issues with the tank or sensors the ten years we had the coach. One of the first (of many) modifications I will be doing this coming winter is Installing the Quickie Flush to the new rear bath we will be picking up at the factory this fall. The first mod will be the installation of Big Foot jacks at their Lakeland, FL facility which is about an hour from our ranch. It will be a busy winter in my shop.     
2026 Coach House 27' "Casa Azul"
2010 RB "Monty"  &  2021 RB "Villa Verde"
2004 Born Free 26'
1998 Beaver Patriot 33'
1992 Barth Breakaway 28'
1982 Fleetwood Jamboree 23
Re: Best slanting direction for emptying holding tanks
Reply #8 –
Quote from: Mike Coachman  - 
  I would think that if raising the right side of the coach with blocks or leveling jacks (if installed)  that would be the best draining angle. A simple solution for flushing the black tank is to install a Camco Quickie Flush system <http://www.camco.net/quickie-flush-with-8-hose-quickie-flush-with-8-hose-40123>  I added a quick connect hose adaptor at the hose inlet that was mounted on the lower skirt of the LD near the dump valve. I also put a 1/4 turn ball valve on the end of the hose that I only used for flushing. 
  Since I had the rear bath, the tank level indicator lights were ignored as I could look through the toilet straight down into the black tank and see the fluid level. After dumping I would then mostly fill the toilet bowl and add a packet of dishwasher soap and a packet of deodorizer then flush into the empty tank. I never had any issues with the tank or sensors the ten years we had the coach. One of the first (of many) modifications I will be doing this coming winter is Installing the Quickie Flush to the new rear bath we will be picking up at the factory this fall. The first mod will be the installation of Big Foot jacks at their Lakeland, FL facility which is about an hour from our ranch. It will be a busy winter in my shop.     
"...a packet of deodorizer" Such as...?

The soap pod is a good idea.

Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Best slanting direction for emptying holding tanks
Reply #9 –
Quote from: Klaus  - 
The black tank is behind the rear wheels, with a long pipe going from the rear end of the tank to the valve. Not very good for any kind of slanted position. I will do it with the rig front up and then dump a lot of fresh water into the toilet after emptying the tank to flush out the rest of the dirty stuff from the pipe. The gray tank is directly in front of the valve which means that for this tank the front up position is also best.

I'd double check that.  In our 2002 MB, the black tank was forward of the rear axle and the grey tank was behind, with a much longer plumbing path to the dump valve.  Our MB had 2 separate dump valves, one on either side of the rear wheels.  The grey tank dump valve cap had a 3/4" male hose connector with a cap.  This was intended for use in places where grey water was allowed to be drained.

Art
Art and Barbara
Settled in Atterdag Village of Solvang
2015-2022 fulltime in a 2016 Tiffin Allegro Bus 37AP
2002-2015 2002 LD MB
Art's blog
Re: Best slanting direction for emptying holding tanks
Reply #10 –
"...a packet of deodorizer" Such as...?

Found in WalMart:
<https://www.walmart.com/ip/Walex-TOI-91799-Porta-Pak-Holding-Tank-Deodorizer-Drop-Ins-10-Pack/16783721>

Also in any grocery store:
<https://www.walmart.com/ip/Cascade-Complete-ActionPacs-Dishwasher-Detergent-Lemon-Scent-18-count/857342115>
2026 Coach House 27' "Casa Azul"
2010 RB "Monty"  &  2021 RB "Villa Verde"
2004 Born Free 26'
1998 Beaver Patriot 33'
1992 Barth Breakaway 28'
1982 Fleetwood Jamboree 23
Re: Best slanting direction for emptying holding tanks
Reply #11 –
Does anyone back flush?  Empty black tank, then leave the valve open, then empty gray tank. Gray water will backup into the black tank and clean out a lot of waste.

  Lynn
2017 Mid Bath
Re: Best slanting direction for emptying holding tanks
Reply #12 –
Quote from: rabbitdiesel1  - 
Does anyone back flush?  Empty black tank, then leave the valve open, then empty gray tank. Gray water will backup into the black tank and clean out a lot of waste.

  Lynn
This action must be peculiar to the MB. I've never noticed back flushing happening on a 31'. I have a back flushing attachment but rarely use it, finding releasing a full toilet bowl of water after dumping the black tank does a pretty good job.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
 
Re: Best slanting direction for emptying holding tanks
Reply #13 –
Quote from: rabbitdiesel1  - 
Does anyone back flush?  Empty black tank, then leave the valve open, then empty gray tank. Gray water will backup into the black tank and clean out a lot of waste.

That sort of works on rigs with one sewer outlet but I wouldn't consider using gray water to be a good way of flushing.
Using either in-tank flushers or a wand down the toilet is a better way of getting the black tank clean, gray water is anything but clean.
Holding tank flusher | Flickr

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze