Dumping Black and Grey Tanks

[Baustin]

We have a 2018 Forest River Palomino Columbus 1492 Model F383 42’ 5th wheel with a bath and a half with a Sani-con macerater. We have used the RV 5 times and every time we have issues dumping the tanks. Does anybody out there have a how to video or step by step guide on how to dump properly. The tanks aren’t labeled so it’s a guessing as to which commode links to which black tank, etc.

[Baustin]

2nd photo

[bikendan]

There are many YouTube videos on dumping.
Too many to list.

[Baustin]

Thanks. We have watched several videos but nothing specific to our specific trailer

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Baustin

Thanks. We have watched several videos but nothing specific to our specific trailer

That you probably won't find.

[Iwritecode]

It should be pretty simple to figure out which toilet goes to which tank. Just get yourself a clear sewer Hose adapter something like this and run some water through your toilet. If you see water coming through the adapter, you know that's the one it's connected to.

As far as actually how to dump, you shouldn't need a video for your specific trailer. They are all pretty standard.

Hook up hose to sewer outlet on trailer, put the other end in the drain at the dump station and pull the valves.

[wrvond]

Thetford has the owners manuals and how to videos on their website:
https://www.thetford.com/product/sanicon-system/

[myredracer]

I don't think they had sewer connections in 1492??

No need to watch a video.

Know nothing about that unit, but assume more than one outlet/hose connection location and assume manually operated valves. Just connect hose to the outlet that has both black and grey handles to pull. Pull black first, then the grey. Then move hose to the next outlet. If both black and grey, pull black handle first. If just grey, you're almost done. You want the grey water to be the last one to flow through the hose so it helps rinse the contents out. There is a wye fitting available for hoses for multiple outlets - we bought one and only used it once. Easier to raise the end of the hose a bit and "walk" it over to the next one.

Valve handles should be color coded and there's really no need to know what's connected to what. If you look underneath tho., you may or may not be able to see the ABS waste pipes (black color). A 3" is for the black tank and a 1-1/2" is for grey.

For flushing black tanks, fill the tank(s) as full as possible before dumping. Helps flushing the contents out. A clear elbow really helps to see what's coming out. If little bits 'n pieces of "stuff" are still coming out, may need to repeat the process by filling the tank up again. Can take a while but if you want your black tank clean and trouble free, gotta take the time to do it. And use the in-tank rinser (if so equipped) to help clean it.

Tip of the day: Never skimp on water when you flush and add a few gallons before each use of the tank. If you don't, you can get the infamous pyramid of p**p and prematurely need to dump & flush the tank which can be a PITA.

Happy dumping!

[wrvond]

Originally Posted by Baustin

We have a 2018 Forest River Palomino Columbus 1492 Model F383 42’ 5th wheel with a bath and a half with a Sani-con macerater. We have used the RV 5 times and every time we have issues dumping the tanks. Does anybody out there have a how to video or step by step guide on how to dump properly. The tanks aren’t labeled so it’s a guessing as to which commode links to which black tank, etc.

The 383FB is a very nice looking camper, congratulations!

I can see that the half bath and the full bath are separated by the master bedroom, so I suspect the wet bay is located directly below the master bedroom slide. It looks to me like both bathrooms are plumbed to the single point in order to use the macerator with valves to control which tank is being emptied at any given point. It seems to me that by closing all valves then running water from one sink and opening/closing valves one at a time and observing the gray water bypass tube, you'll be able to identify which sinks (and shower) go to which gray water valve and label them yourself. I would then assume the valves closest to each would be the corresponding black water valves.

[hankpac]

Originally Posted by myredracer

I don't think they had sewer connections in 1492??

No need to watch a video.

Know nothing about that unit, but assume more than one outlet/hose connection location and assume manually operated valves. Just connect hose to the outlet that has both black and grey handles to pull. Pull black first, then the grey. Then move hose to the next outlet. If both black and grey, pull black handle first. If just grey, you're almost done. You want the grey water to be the last one to flow through the hose so it helps rinse the contents out. There is a wye fitting available for hoses for multiple outlets - we bought one and only used it once. Easier to raise the end of the hose a bit and "walk" it over to the next one.

Valve handles should be color coded and there's really no need to know what's connected to what. If you look underneath tho., you may or may not be able to see the ABS waste pipes (black color). A 3" is for the black tank and a 1-1/2" is for grey.

For flushing black tanks, fill the tank(s) as full as possible before dumping. Helps flushing the contents out. A clear elbow really helps to see what's coming out. If little bits 'n pieces of "stuff" are still coming out, may need to repeat the process by filling the tank up again. Can take a while but if you want your black tank clean and trouble free, gotta take the time to do it. And use the in-tank rinser (if so equipped) to help clean it.

Tip of the day: Never skimp on water when you flush and add a few gallons before each use of the tank. If you don't, you can get the infamous pyramid of p**p and prematurely need to dump & flush the tank which can be a PITA.

Happy dumping!

PERFECT.

[dkvoelter]

Pour food coloring, different colors, into the tanks to help decide which tanks are which when you open the valves and empty out the water. Then label the handles.