Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-27-2017, 12:17 AM   #1
Member
 
Usmarinecorps05's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 45
Black tank flush

Just wondering how the blank tank flush works. Can I use the same white hose that is used for the main water?? When using the black tank flush, is the black tank valve suppose to be open or closed???? And should I keep the water pressure regulator on when hooking up to black tank flush line?
Usmarinecorps05 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-27-2017, 08:12 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 13,688
The black tank flush is a sprayer head that sprays water to help flush stuff out of the tank. I would NOT use the drinking water hose on the blank tank flush. Even with a check valve in the loop I would fear contamination. Open the valve and let the water run until it's running clear. Having a clear elbow like the one below helps. Close the valve and let the sprayer run for a while to add about 3-4 gallons of water to the tank. Then open the gray tank valve to flush out the sewer hose.
3" Valve Hose Adapter - Valterra T1026-1 - Sewer Fittings & Adapters - Camping World
Wiscampsin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-27-2017, 08:16 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
SeaDog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: x
Posts: 12,423
If you are going to use your black tank flush make sure you have the black tank drain valve open. there are many stories on the site of folks that forgot to open the drain valve with nasty results. I would advise you get yourself a gray colored hose and use it only for the flush and cleaning your waste hoses.
__________________
Retired Navy
Jake my sidekick (yellow Lab) 10/04 - 05/20
2017 RAM 2500 CC 4X4 Cummins Diesel
2016 Flagstaff 26 FKWS
AF&AM & El Korah Shrine of Idaho
SeaDog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-27-2017, 11:34 AM   #4
Member
 
Usmarinecorps05's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 45
Thanks guys should I leave the water pressure regulator on or off I don't know if it will mess up the lines
Usmarinecorps05 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-27-2017, 12:00 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
tmfaulksr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Vermilion Parish, LOUISIANA
Posts: 330
This is my experience for 90% of last years 8 weekends camping.
--------------
I flush at a dump station as i exit the campsite.
All of the stations had hoses available to use in the flush port
and or to just to wash off flushing components.
Before i had the flush port, i purchased the clear connector
that had a built-in port for the hose &
but now i have a flush port so i just added a short clear connector
as was recommended earlier so i can see what is happening.
__________________
the faulks & prince
2012 Nissan Titan CC
Roadmaster Active Suspension, Firestone Airbags
2015 Rockwood 8289WS Diamond Pkg
2015 Puma 253FBS (sold)
2013 BMW R1200GSW
tmfaulksr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-28-2017, 10:11 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Jack Larson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: El Cajon (Crest)
Posts: 143
I leave the water pressure regulator on while flushing. Dump black first followed by gray then start the flush process. I due it several more times than the directions say. I also watch carefully at how fast the tank fills, and time it. With the dump valve closed. When about 2/3rds full, pull the valve to drain black tank again. Repeat until clear. WATCH CAREFULLY plenty of people have had stuff blow out inside from toilet.
Jack Larson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2017, 09:15 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Payson, AZ
Posts: 3,859
I use a separate hose for flushing. it is one of those lightweight collapsible ones. I do not put a pressure regulator on it as it is not going into the internal plumbing lines. watching the clear plastic outlet elbow will tell you how to proceed. I let it flush a bit and then close the drain valve and build up a bit of water in the tank. then open the valve and let the built up water push out what is left. also, I find that the action of closing and opening the valve dislodges various wastes that are held up at the valve itself.
__________________
2015 cardinal model 3825fl
2015 dodge ram 3500 dually
CHICKDOE is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2017, 09:27 AM   #8
Pickin', Campin', Mason
 
5picker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,051
I too use a separate hose for the BT flush.
Not really because I fear back-flow contamination but when I'm flushing the black tank, I am usually handling other things (sewer hose, valve handles, etc.) that 'may' have been subject to something I don't want on my fresh hose.

The black tank flush is usually one of the last processes I do so I usually already have unhooked the fresh hose and put away before flushing. I connect to the spigot without a regulator. The black flush is an open ended plumbing system. No pressure builds up in the internal plumbing so a regulator isn't needed and besides, I want the best pressure and flush I can get.

I also put a 1/4 turn shut off on the end of the hose where it attaches to the black tank port on the side of the camper. That way I can turn it on and off while standing right there at the black tank dump valve and not have to run back and forth to the pedestal.
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2017 Ford F-Series SCREW 4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA

Days Camped '19=118 '20=116 '21=123 '22=134 '23=118 '24=64
5picker is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2017, 09:52 AM   #9
Just as confused as you
 
Scrapper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: south central Wisconsin
Posts: 5,108
I have a black rubber nylon cord reinforced hose I've had for over 20 years. I do the same as 5picker does. With the quarter turn valve closed it will swell about 10 to 15% more than normal. When you open the 1/4 turn valve you can hear an extra boost in the pressure for a few seconds. I got the hose from my dad and remember drinking water straight from it as a kid.
No ba baraine malfuntione ere. I jst hav ta remind wre eye lefft my camp, wait itswre thee trailr is.
__________________
Richard & Jill
2014 Flagstaff 832IKBS Classic Super Lite
2018 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab Z71 4WD All Star Edition
Camping since 1989, Seasonal since 2000.
Car Shredder Op/Tech, Scrap Metal Recycling - retired
Scrapper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2017, 01:02 PM   #10
Member
 
mac.dblues's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Lower Arkansas (L.A.)
Posts: 87
Most of our camping is done at Corp of Engineers. On Degray Lake, the dump stations have wash out water hoses on spring loaded racks. The hoses have threaded ends. I screw their hose directly into the black tank flush and open the valve as I start to dump. Once the bulk of the black matter has slowed to a trickle, I close the dump valve and let it fill a bit and then dump more. Repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat and so on until the water appears to be clear. Then I dump my grey tank. I'm sure people get annoyed at the dump station, but oh well. The clear elbow mentioned above is a definite must have when dumping.

Once, I'm done dumping all tanks I add a little treatment and a couple of gallons of water to each.
__________________
2017 Cherokee Grey Wolf 26RL Dragged around by a 2004 Ford F-150 FX4 5.4L
2018 Nights Camped 05 : 35 total booked
2017 Nights Camped 37
2016 Nights Camped 23 (3 in popup)

Laissez les bons temps rouler!
mac.dblues is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2017, 01:24 PM   #11
Canadian Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Eastern GTA, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 6,229
Here is a video that shows how the black tank flush works. In the video at about 17:42 he shows how the Tornado flusher (the same as your blank tank flusher) works. You can see in the video how it compares to other flushing products.



I have a separate pressure regulator for my dedicated black tank flushing hose. Some places have exceedingly high pressure and the water line to the flush nozzle is no different that the rest of your RV's piping so I use one.

When I flush my black tank, I leave the valve closed and fill the tank. I do not let myself get distracted. This is critical! I dump, fill with the flusher, dump again, let the flusher spray in the tank for a couple of minutes and then re-fill again and dump again. I use a clear adapter to see if the water is clear or not. There's usually very little waste coming out after the 2nd fill and flush.

If there is a line up of more than 1 camper behind you at the dump station, be nice and forego the flush or don't do it more than once.
__________________
2023 Rockwood Signature 8262RBS
2016 Ford F-250 XLT SuperCrew, 6.2L, 4x4, 6'9" bed
2019 Rockwood Signature 8290BS (2019 - 2022)
2011 Rockwood Signature 8293SS (2015 - 2018)
2010 Rockwood Roo 23SS (2012 - 2014)

itat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2017, 06:10 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
nc-canuck's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 220
Quote:
Originally Posted by 5picker View Post
I also put a 1/4 turn shut off on the end of the hose where it attaches to the black tank port on the side of the camper. That way I can turn it on and off while standing right there at the black tank dump valve and not have to run back and forth to the pedestal.

Been doing this a long time and never thought about this simple solution. Great idea.
__________________
2016 Rockwood Windjammer 3029W
2013 F350 Lariat Longbed 6.2L
nc-canuck is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2017, 06:23 AM   #13
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Waynesville
Posts: 14,428
Also before you remove the "Water hose" close the black tank valve and allow "2-3 Gallons" of water to Stay in the Black tank,use whatever Mixture you desire for the Black Tank! Youroo!!
__________________
youroo is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
black, black tank, black tank flush, flush, tank

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:52 PM.