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Old 04-15-2017, 09:45 AM   #1
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Am I Missing Something? - Unable to Flush Black Tank at Sani Station

Hi All,

This is our second trip to a dump station where we have been unable to flush our black tank (using the black tank sprinkler flush that is accessed from the exterior hose connection of our travel trailer).

We are attempting to use the red water supply right next to the sewer connection hole. This is the red wand that sticks straight up into the air.

The end of the want appears to have a small want attachment at the end, but no way to attach our black tank flush hose to it.

As a result, we haven't been able to flush our tank.

Thanks for your help,
Erica
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Old 04-15-2017, 10:18 AM   #2
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Not likely to be able to use a tank flush at a dump station.

Someone else will chime in.



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Old 04-15-2017, 10:31 AM   #3
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Trailers went for years without black tank flushers and did fine. Prior to disconnecting and leaving fill your black tank full (if it isn't already) and then dump. Also make sure you put 3-5 gallons of water back in the black tank after you empty it and you won't have problems. Use the flush where you can hookup your hose when you can.
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Old 04-15-2017, 10:34 AM   #4
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Every dump station is different and has different amenities so without a better description or photos it's hard to understand what this "red water supply and red wand" is. I've never seen that.

The black water flush (garden hose) connection on the outer wall, in my case, leads from the wall to the top of the BWT and is just a filler. I've followed the plumbing for it under my bathroom sink so I know that for sure. It is higher than the toilet and has a one way check valve on it.

Perhaps that wand you are referring to is to stick up the discharge pipe, but then you won't have a hose connected and the contents will fall onto the ground. Photos help.
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Old 04-15-2017, 10:38 AM   #5
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[
The black water flush (garden hose) connection on the outer wall, in my case, leads from the wall to the top of the BWT and is just a filler. I've followed the plumbing for it under my bathroom sink so I know that for sure. It is higher than the toilet and has a one way check valve on it.


more then likely where that hose connects to the top of your tank there is a nozzle mounted in the tank.
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Old 04-15-2017, 10:50 AM   #6
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At a few PA state parks they purposely removed the threaded connections to prevent the use of black tank flushers. Nothing worse on a Sunday afternoon at checkout time when 20 rigs are in line and some bozo decides his tank needs to look like the day it was made inside.

I usually do a final flush at home. The small amount of residual fertilizer once diluted with 25 gallons of water sure does make my grass green.
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Old 04-15-2017, 10:59 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ebell619 View Post
Hi All,

This is our second trip to a dump station where we have been unable to flush our black tank (using the black tank sprinkler flush that is accessed from the exterior hose connection of our travel trailer).

We are attempting to use the red water supply right next to the sewer connection hole. This is the red wand that sticks straight up into the air.

The end of the want appears to have a small want attachment at the end, but no way to attach our black tank flush hose to it.

As a result, we haven't been able to flush our tank.

Thanks for your help,
Erica
You would need one of these....

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-22484-2.../dp/B000EDOSKG
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Old 04-15-2017, 11:47 AM   #8
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Most campground dump stations I'm familiar with don't have threaded connections. I believe it's to stop folks from auto flushing your black tank (takes too long).

Most truck stops do have a hose connection so as long as there is no line behind you, you can flush all you want.

We usually just wait till we are home and then I can take as long as I want. I use the sewer cleanout of the house.
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Old 04-15-2017, 11:55 AM   #9
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Hi,

I bought a Water Thief (Google it) to use as an adapter at dump stations without a standard threaded fitting. It has helped me get a good flush numerous times.

FWIW.

Rich Phillips
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Old 04-15-2017, 12:01 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by Mr Havercamp View Post
Nothing worse on a Sunday afternoon at checkout time when 20 rigs are in line and some bozo decides his tank needs to look like the day it was made inside.

So true...

I'm always amazed at how many people (even on this site) thinks it is OK to hold up a line while flushing for 5 or 10 minutes.

At least they aren't hogging up the left lane on the interstate while they are flushing... LOL!
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Old 04-15-2017, 12:12 PM   #11
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If the wand is what I have seen, it is for rinsing your drain hose and the surface if there is any spillage. Like others have wrote, some parks discourage the black tank rinse because they do not want waiting lines and they do not want gallons of extra water going into the septic system.
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Old 04-15-2017, 01:12 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ebell619 View Post
Hi All,

This is our second trip to a dump station where we have been unable to flush our black tank (using the black tank sprinkler flush that is accessed from the exterior hose connection of our travel trailer).

We are attempting to use the red water supply right next to the sewer connection hole. This is the red wand that sticks straight up into the air.

The end of the want appears to have a small want attachment at the end, but no way to attach our black tank flush hose to it.

As a result, we haven't been able to flush our tank.

Thanks for your help,
Erica
I know what you're talking about. That wand is not for flushing the black tank. It's normally connected to a non-potable water source and is there for sewer hose rinsing and general clean-up of the dump basin should some spillage occur. Like others have said, nobody appreciates folks tying up dump station while they perform a rinse. That can get pretty aggravating for those that want to get on the road.
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Old 04-15-2017, 03:18 PM   #13
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I think another reason many do not have hose connections is to prevent someone filling their potable water tank with water that could be contaminated.
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Old 04-15-2017, 05:33 PM   #14
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We always carry an extra garden-type hose that we use solely for flushing the black water tank at a dump station. We also carry the white fresh-water hoses used strictly for connecting to potable water. If the dump station does not have a garden-hose threaded connector, then you are out of luck. In 40+ years of RV camping we have never passed up the opportunity to flush our black water tank at a dump station when leaving the campground. The great majority of RV-ers we come across in line at dump stations understand this, and we have never been confronted by someone who is so impatient that they object to our flushing for a few minutes.
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Old 04-15-2017, 05:38 PM   #15
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Quote:
. In 40+ years of RV camping we have never passed up the opportunity to flush our black water tank at a dump station when leaving the campground. The great majority of RV-ers we come across in line at dump stations understand this, and we have never been confronted by someone who is so impatient that they object to our flushing for a few minutes.
So...You are THAT guy!!!!!
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Old 04-15-2017, 05:39 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by Jakie-Boy View Post
We always carry an extra garden-type hose that we use solely for flushing the black water tank at a dump station. We also carry the white fresh-water hoses used strictly for connecting to potable water. If the dump station does not have a garden-hose threaded connector, then you are out of luck. In 40+ years of RV camping we have never passed up the opportunity to flush our black water tank at a dump station when leaving the campground. The great majority of RV-ers we come across in line at dump stations understand this, and we have never been confronted by someone who is so impatient that they object to our flushing for a few minutes.


That is because everyone else is more polite than you. Making the line wait while you flush is chicken-chit.
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Old 04-15-2017, 09:36 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by Jakie-Boy View Post
We always carry an extra garden-type hose that we use solely for flushing the black water tank at a dump station. We also carry the white fresh-water hoses used strictly for connecting to potable water. If the dump station does not have a garden-hose threaded connector, then you are out of luck. In 40+ years of RV camping we have never passed up the opportunity to flush our black water tank at a dump station when leaving the campground. The great majority of RV-ers we come across in line at dump stations understand this, and we have never been confronted by someone who is so impatient that they object to our flushing for a few minutes.
The idea is that you be considerate of others and not make them feel the need to confront you. If no one is waiting then take your time.
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Old 04-15-2017, 10:11 PM   #18
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Sounds like several people here have the luxury of being able to flush at home. Many of us do not. If there are only a couple waiting I will flush quickly and get going. Having everything ready to go and two of us doing the task, it take us no more than about 5 - 7 minutes total to dump both tanks and do a quick flush. Any more than 2 waiting in line and I won't flush, just dump and move along. If there are FHU sites available, we always pay the extra to avoid the rush on departure day.
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Old 04-15-2017, 10:13 PM   #19
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At a few PA state parks

I usually do a final flush at home. The small amount of residual fertilizer once diluted with 25 gallons of water sure does make my grass green.
Ditto. Downhill from our trailer the lawn is beautiful. And my tanks are like new every trip. I leave camp with about five gallons of water and half pint or so of dawn. Or Awesome from the 99 cent store in a 40 gal black tank.
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Old 04-16-2017, 08:49 AM   #20
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Originally Posted by Mr Havercamp View Post
At a few PA state parks they purposely removed the threaded connections to prevent the use of black tank flushers. Nothing worse on a Sunday afternoon at checkout time when 20 rigs are in line and some bozo decides his tank needs to look like the day it was made inside.

I usually do a final flush at home. The small amount of residual fertilizer once diluted with 25 gallons of water sure does make my grass green.
X2 !!!
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