waste water & dump stations?

[NakedPupsAndMe]

I want to go stay at a local state park but we have never used a dump station. We've only stayed where there are sewer hook-ups. We have to dump our gray water everyday. I don't know how often for the black water. I read a thread about portable waste tanks. We have a tank on a dolly. I know it's for taking the waste water to the dump station. What do you gals do when using a dump station? Do you unhook to dump the black water, driving your rig to the dump station? It seems like a huge pain, and have to set up & level it again. We don't have hydralic levelers so if the site isn't level we use those plastic wheel blocks.

My Mom wants to use the RV next week at a nearby SP. I'm not sure how she'll be able to manage. We could go a couple of times during the week to help her, but I can't go everyday. Any suggestions or ideas you all have would be very helpful. Thanks, Micki

PS I wasn't sure where to post this thread. If it needs to be moved, please put it wherever it should go.

[Mtntophoundz]

This is a good question Miki and I can't wait to see some suggestions. So far both of our camping trips have been at a state park, but we were lucky and got full hook-up sites. I know there will come a day, it might be this week, when we go that we won't have sewer. I do know that conserving as much as possible is key. I also know that the people we have talked to about this only use the roller tanks for the grey and then unhook to dump the black. We have to dump the grey every day too, but the black we can go 3-4 days. We don't have one of the roller tanks, but I see purchasing one in our future. (along with lots of other things....hehe)

[retiredhappy]

Okay ladies, why are you having to dump your grey every day? When you aren't hooked up to sewer you need to learn big time water conservation. DON'T EVER LEAVE THE WATER RUNNING. Wet your toothbrush, turn off water, brush, rinse. Shower: your hose in the shower probably has a shutoff on it. Get wet, turn off water and soap up. Rinse. I only have to dump once a week for both grey and black. Never leave water running to do dishes. I don't have a "blue" tank but those that do, use it for both grey and black tanks: black first then grey and rinse really well with a hose after dumping. When I pull into a state park I dump to start with empty tanks. I also use the park bathrooms more when I don't have hookups. Especially if you have kids (as most tend to use enough water to float a ship) make them use the facilities. As is usual, my sensors are completely inaccurate. I once got the grey tank so full it backed up into the shower. As for the toilet, I've gotten so I can tell by the sound when its getting full. You can also look down with a flashlight -DON'T drop the flashlight.

[Cedar518]

I'll agree with Karen about water conservation. Think of doing dishes in a thimble,.... use only a few cups of water. Then draw fresh water again only a few cups to rinse them. When I had my 5th wheels and had an onboard shower,... I always used the water on/off toggle switch on the shower head. Keep the water turned off after getting wet,.. until it's time to rinse. Should be easy to go a week before you need to empty the tanks. it's just training yourself to think differently about water usage.

Good luck!

[NakedPupsAndMe]

I can definitely conserve water better. I never worry about it with sewer hook ups. But no matter how little I use it still has to be emptied. That is my question. Do you use your portable tank for both black & gray water, or do you unhook to dump the black? I store my portable tank in my garage at home, & if I don't want to ruin it by putting black water in it.

[rvgrammy1953]

You won't ruin the portable tank (Blue Boy..lol) they are made for this job...lol, just remember to rinse it good after dumping black water....hence, empty the black tank first, dump, rinse, then go back and empty the grey tank, dump, rinse again....some folks do unhook, drive to the dump station, dump, then back to their site.....mostly those with Class A or Class C do this, I have observed when we camp hosted.....but 5th wheels and tow behind campers do the "Blue Boy" tank routine....just because it is "a pain" to hookup, dump, then unhook, re-level, etc......AND when taking the Blue Boy to the dump station, hook it to your tow-hitch ball and drive it over.....easier than dragging it by hand....lol......we can go a week on the black tank, but empty the grey tank about every 2-3 days, depending on shower and dishes.....

Lori

[Bethers]

Yes, they are made for both, but many people, me included, wouldn't use the portable ones for the black tank. I saw one cut in 1/2 after only a couple months being used by people who swore they cleaned it well. Well, needless to say, the inside was sickening- it never gets completely clean. Maybe if they filled it with ice and drove it around, etc, it would be better, but for me, by myself, I can easily go a week without hook-ups, so I just unhook at that point and go dump, etc - as there's a good chance you'll need fresh water by then also - you didn't mention if you'd have water hook-ups?

[NakedPupsAndMe]

Yes, we'll have water & power. And there is a dump station. I think I'd be more comfortable using the portable tank to dump the grey. I think it could go a week w/o dumping the black. We always flush a sanitizer when we first set up. Hope that keeps it from smelling.

I am mainly concerned b/c my Mom will be staying by herself for a week. She has some family that will be at the same CG but I'm worried she'll have trouble with the waste tanks. She says she can take showers & use the bathroom at the bath house but I don't want her walking to the bath house at night by herself. If she falls & breaks a hip, I'll have to take care of her! Just kidding! But I don't want her to worry about it. I can go up dump the gray, & hopefully the black will last til she's ready to leave. Thanks for the tips! I'm learning as I go!

[Mtntophoundz]

My reason for using so much water is because I have had sewer hook ups and not had to worry. This weekend may be the first time and then we will be in conservation mode. My major worry is about having to wash sheets for my son. He is a bedwetter and its so much easier for *me* to wash the sheets. But if we do not have a sewer hook up I will take them to the laundrymat. Being a previous tent camper I can conserve if needed. Also we wanted to flush the tanks the first trip since we didn't know if they had ever been flushed before. Did any of that make sense? LOL

[avalen]

my black tank can go two weeks before I have to dump it, its just me and I don't use
alot of water to flush, only sometimes, but I'm sure the grey tank would only go a
few days if I did daily shower routine and all. Its capacity is much smaller than the
black tank, but when I get to that point of actually camping I'll plan on getting a
portable and doing the routine with that. For now while I'm hooked up full time my
black tank stays closed until its full and my grey stays open all the time. The night
before I am planning on dumping the black tank I will go out and close the grey so
the water can build up in the tank so I have that to help me flush the sewer hose
after the dump. I also have my flush king and use that usually everyother time I
dump the tank. I know I should use it everytime but hey, I deserve to get lazy
one in awhile.

[Sunseeker]

When we couldn't hook up to sewer, we just used the shower house for showers and washing up and washed the dishes outside in tubs. Nightime potty was all we needed and didn't need to dump either tank for a week.

[AlmostThere]

Nakedpups,
If your Mom is having family at the same campground , are they in their own RVs and knowledgeable of dumping? If so, perhaps they could help check her tanks for her?

[NakedPupsAndMe]

Nakedpups,
If your Mom is having family at the same campground , are they in their own RVs and knowledgeable of dumping? If so, perhaps they could help check her tanks for her?

She says they have "campers". Down here that means everything from pop-ups to Class A's! She's calling them tonight to ask what they have & if they can help her. I have to be honest, I'm not crazy about her staying in it all week by herself. Not that it's all that difficult, but she's almost 70 & has never stayed in an RV before. I'm think I'll stay the first night with her just to make sure she's okay. And I really want to do this dump station thing, b/c I'm tired of DH not wanting to go if they don't have sewer hook ups. Thanks for all your suggestions & advice.

[Getupngo]

I'm an example of what RVgrammy is talking about. I have a Class A, so I just pull in my slides, drive to the dump and, well, dump. I dump the black tank first, then dump the grey tank to clean out the hose. I have NO interest in using the portable tank, but I can see why the 5'ers would be reluctant to hook back up just for a trip to the dump.

My tank capacities are 42 gallons each for grey and black water, 55 gallons fresh.

Another option, depending on how close you are to the dump, is using a FloJet (http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/flojet-rv-waste-pump-kit/26125). It can pump over a distance, even reportedly uphill. I haven't seen one in use ... has anyone here?

[SeeyaGal]

Ok we are at a site where we have power & Water and no sewer
1. we dumped the tanks...both gray & black when we were staying at the Elks club so when we arrived they were already empty
2. we use the blue boy for GRAY water ONLY! We do not let others use our 11 gallon tank, we fill the gray water much faster than the black.
3. We take our showers at the bathhouse...use up all their water not mine and not fill up my tanks
4. we wash dishes only once a day, use paper plates more...or better yet eat out!
5. I fill a dixie cup with water when I brush my teeth so I do not let the water run

I have gone up to 3 weeks before dumping if I am really boondocking and conserving!

When I am boondocking we take a 5 min bath every other day or a sponge bath....get wet , turn off the water, soap up and then rinse
We use basins to wash the dishes and then water the plants outside...we do not use the washer unless we are on a full-hookup or like here the dump site is close by so DH uses the blue boy to dump the gray only. I don't wash on Boondocking days.
Our Seeya holds 10 gal hot water heater
75 gal gray water
40 gal black water
101 gal fresh water

We like to dump when we are leaving campground A to get to campground B, don't like driving down the road with full tanks and then have to worry where to dump first before getting into our campsite