first time at Full Hookup site - advice?

[pnoft88]

So far we have stayed at State Parks in GA/SC that only have power/water hookups and a dump station, but next month we are going to AL and staying at a full hookup site.

So what do I need to do this? The same hose I use at a dump station? I'm guessing I don't want to leave the dump valves open, right? Just use it like a dump station I don't have to drive to?

Sam

[5picker]

Correct... just like having a dump station at your site. Same hose (as long as it reaches) and you'll need the elbow that goes into the ground sewer opening. (required by law at many locations)

DO NOT leave the black tank valve open.
There are two different camps on the grey tank(s) but I leave ALL my valves closed and only dump when a tank gets full.

[ependydad]

Same hose should work, but it might be short. It's not unusual for me to need 20' or more of sewer hose.

Here's an article that may help:
How to Dump RV Tanks (it’s not so icky!) | Learn To RV

And yes, valves closed until you need to dump. Leaving the gray open or not is a bit of controversy - some do, some don't. Both sides are strangely passionate about it.

[kenandterry]

The only plus for leaving the waste gate(s) open.....is to save all of maybe 5 minutes out of your busy day when it’s time to empty.

Volume SWOOSH is how to empty tanks best.

[Boomerweps]

If a kid runs or rides his bike through your campsite (poor form!), he'll go right over your water hose or power cable. Maybe trip, too bad, so sad. BUT... kicking over an uncleared sewer hose, the crap will fly! Even cleaned it will likely get damaged.
Best to operate like having your own close by dump station when on a full hookup site, IMO.

[dahagen]

When I am at a full hook-up site, I fill up the grey water tank fast with showers and dishes. I hate it when I am taking a shower and the pan starts to fill up. So I leave the grey tank open until the day before I dump the black. Then when I dump the black, the grey flushes the hose. If I left the grey closed I would have to dump every three days. The black tank will go at least a week.

[BobHanke]

Leaving the black tank open invites poop mountains. Always good to get 2/3 or more full in black before a dump. Most people like a generous amount of soapy liquid in the gray tank to clean the hose after dumping the black. Otherwise it can be open to allow as much shower time as people like. Learn the schedule that works for you.

[emm-dee]

If I’m at a full hookup site I don’t even bring out the sewer hose until it’s time to leave. Only had to hook up early for gray dump once during a nine night stay.

[Ree]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Correct... just like having a dump station at your site. Same hose (as long as it reaches) and you'll need the elbow that goes into the ground sewer opening. (required by law at many locations)

DO NOT leave the black tank valve open.
There are two different camps on the grey tank(s) but I leave ALL my valves closed and only dump when a tank gets full.

X2

[Freetyme]

I'll leave both closed. The gray fills faster, so sometimes I'll dump 1/2 the gray if needed and leaving the next day. Nice for flushing out the hose after black dump.

[formerFR]

Originally Posted by emm-dee

If I’m at a full hookup site I don’t even bring out the sewer hose until it’s time to leave. Only had to hook up early for gray dump once during a nine night stay.

agreed, unless you're going to be there for long enough to completely fill your tanks, over several days or a week, then taking out the hose and hooking it up when you first 'arrive' is premature... I find that waiting and doing it when I actually am ready to dump is easier. No hose to trip over. No hose for vermin to climb, etc.

it's your own private dump station, use it as needed.

[Hi Rider]

If you don't have one you will want to get a RV Sewer Hose Support system. Many RV parks require them and some parks are inspected by local authorities to make sure the RV's are using them. I also like the clear connections at one end or the other of the hose to occasionally monitor the discharge. I spend a lot of time in my RV and I like to flush the black tank once a week or so. I use a separate hose for that job.

[floridela]

Just a thought, I dont think anyone mentioned yet. You should include a rubber doughnut to your list to have as some sites dont have a threaded drain pipe. You put the donut ring into the pipe and the hose itself or if your setup has a coupler you wud put the hose with coupler into the ring. If you have a multi threaded elbow and it screws into the pipe you have it made. X2 on having a hose rack, a slinky or even a piece of gutter that you prop up, some campgrounds require it be off the ground.
Happy camping.

[Homebrew]

Originally Posted by formerFR

agreed, unless you're going to be there for long enough to completely fill your tanks, over several days or a week, then taking out the hose and hooking it up when you first 'arrive' is premature... I find that waiting and doing it when I actually am ready to dump is easier. No hose to trip over. No hose for vermin to climb, etc.



it's your own private dump station, use it as needed.

Yes x3 - my Valves are under my slide so I hook up all my hoses before extending my slide.

[Jakieboy]

At a full hookup site do not leave any of your waste tank dump valves open, black or grey, once you have connected your sewer dump hose to the sewer receptacle at the site. The sewer hose will connect you directly to the RV site's sewer system, just as if you were connecting your home toilet to,the city sewer system. All of the nasty things that flow into the sewer system at home will be present in the sewer system at your RV park. All of the nasty smells from that sewer system will percolate into your RV if you allow those dump valves to remain open. TRUST ME ON THIS!!

Only open your grey and black water dump valves when needed, or when you are ready to depart the site. Then make sure you flush and close all dump valve piping before you close them all.

Those who say it is Ok to open grey water dump valves with full hookups are wrong. All the grey and black water flows to the same sewer hookup and also allows the fumes and nasty gases from the RV sewer system to enter your RV.

[emm-dee]

Originally Posted by Homebrew

Yes x3 - my Valves are under my slide so I hook up all my hoses before extending my slide.

I like to wait until I close the slide just before departure, then pull out the hose and dump.

[mogman]

Originally Posted by emm-dee

If I’m at a full hookup site I don’t even bring out the sewer hose until it’s time to leave. Only had to hook up early for gray dump once during a nine night stay.

X2

[aceinspp]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Correct... just like having a dump station at your site. Same hose (as long as it reaches) and you'll need the elbow that goes into the ground sewer opening. (required by law at many locations)

DO NOT leave the black tank valve open.
There are two different camps on the grey tank(s) but I leave ALL my valves closed and only dump when a tank gets full.

x 3 Later RJD

[DouglasReid]

with our Tankless WH we can take long leisurely showers. 3 of them and the tank is full. We can go nearly a week before the black tank fills up. But I insure there is plenty in the grey tank to flush the hose after dumping the black tank first

[pnoft88]

Thanks for all the good advice! We will only be there 4 days, so I think I will keep the sewer hose stowed until we are ready to go home. Unless the wife wants one of her long showers...

Sam