RV Toilet and Black Tank Question

[RickV]

Originally Posted by poihths

On my rig it would be possible to just stick a rod of some non-absorbent, washable kind down the toilet drain, which drops straight down into the black tank, and get a measurement. A black tank dipstick. With a little ingenuity, you could figure out level what full is. Just keep some alcohol wipes handy to clean it with. It occurs to me as I write that an aluminum yardstick would do the job really well.

After a while I learned to tell by the sound the "Flush" makes to determine how full the Black Tank is.

[Rover Podder]

Originally Posted by Jodiwer

I'm curious how all you who use totes transport them? We found it very difficult.

I think it depends how close you are to the dump station. Many people using them are within campground and just tow it with their tow vehicle to the dump station. This obviously isn't a practical solution if you are at a remote site and the dump station is miles away. In that case, loading it (carefully) into the back of the truck seems like the only viable solution.

[Chaplain Kent]

Even when we were camp hosts without a full service site we never filled our black tank. The grey tank was a different story. We could fill that up in a day if we had enough company and being the camp host I had to follow rules which meant no midnight dumping and many trips with the blue boy. We now use a commercial 5 gallon water jug and do dishes outside. It appears it is OK to dump that water on the ground but never the grey tank. I strongly recommend Dawn Powerwash to clean dishes, it saves water and does a great job.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Jodiwer

I'm curious how all you who use totes transport them? We found it very difficult.

I purposely chose a 15 gallon tote tank so it could be loaded in my truck bed.

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[Jodiwer]

Originally Posted by bikendan

I purposely chose a 15 gallon tote tank so it could be loaded in my truck bed.

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15 gallons - seems like you'd be running to the dump pretty often. That's what we had and still found it difficult to lift into the back of our pickup truck (we are in our 70's). We are usually in the deep woods, at least 30 minutes (on the highway) from a dump station so using the hitch would not work! If you're camping in established campgrounds, I can see where the tote might be a good option. But still a lot of dumping.

Glad we decided to go with the composting. It suits us well. So little work and no special runs. But seems like not many folks camp like we do.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Jodiwer

15 gallons - seems like you'd be running to the dump pretty often. That's what we had and still found it difficult to lift into the back of our pickup truck (we are in our 70's). We are usually in the deep woods, at least 30 minutes (on the highway) from a dump station so using the hitch would not work! If you're camping in established campgrounds, I can see where the tote might be a good option. But still a lot of dumping.

Glad we decided to go with the composting. It suits us well. So little work and no special runs. But seems like not many folks camp like we do.

We can go at least 2 weeks before we need to dump our tanks, when dry camping. And in 16 years of having the tote tank, I've only used it one time for black water.
So no, I'm not running to the dump much at all. And I'm 68 years old.

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[RickV]

40 Gallon Barker Tote with room to spare pump to it, no lifting or dragging behind the truck.

[Jodiwer]

Yes, two weeks was what we were getting. But having to pack up the trailer, drive to the dump, drive back and then set up again, we thought that was a huge hassle every two weeks. We're usually camping in the woods in northern Arizona from May to October.

[SoCalAngler]

I read where the totes were ONLY for gray water...
NOT black.... due to chance of spillage on way to dump station or spillage at campsite.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by SoCalAngler

I read where the totes were ONLY for gray water...

NOT black.... due to chance of spillage on way to dump station or spillage at campsite.

Not sure where you read that. Never seen any such restrictions.

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[dedobias]

Dumping anything at your site is banned at almost all campgrounds including remote sites. Don't be that person.

[KyDan]

I was camped next to a dude in a big motor home. As I sat outside my trailer sipping my afternoon adult beverage he came rolling up in a golf cart pulling a 4 wheel dump tank. He proceeds to connect it and pulls the dump valve. A couple minutes later I hear loud cussing and I look over to see the hose has disconnected and it's spewing everywhere. It got on him and the ground and all over the top of the tank. Of course we were down wind. He just gets his hose and washes it all off and goes on with hauling his sh-- to the dump station. He made no effort to clean the area and he left the next day with tp and other "debris" laying on the ground right next to the power pole and water hook up.

I don't know what the lesson here is except be SURE you hoses are turned until they lock on AND don't over fill the dump tank. WAY better to go to the dump station with half a tank than to over fill it.

[Homebrew]

Feel bad for the next camper walking in that mess without knowing it was contaminated. Tracking all that in the Rv and truck.

[JWood422]

I’m not sure why this thread reminds me of this.

[Rover Podder]

Originally Posted by Jodiwer

Yes, two weeks was what we were getting. But having to pack up the trailer, drive to the dump, drive back and then set up again, we thought that was a huge hassle every two weeks. We're usually camping in the woods in northern Arizona from May to October.

Maybe two 15 gallon portable totes would work in this situation instead of one large one. Less weight individually but more capacity per dump trip saving you trips.

[Jodiwer]

Originally Posted by dedobias

Dumping anything at your site is banned at almost all campgrounds including remote sites. Don't be that person.

I don't know if you meant this for Chaplain Kent or for me. Chaplain is dumping dishwater with biodegradable soap, water and bits of food. I am dumping urine which is sterile and rich in nitrogen and phosphorus. It has been used for centuries to help plants grow. I don't know about Chaplain but we are not in established campgrounds around other people. It would be nice to hear other's opinions on this.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by dedobias

Dumping anything at your site is banned at almost all campgrounds including remote sites. Don't be that person.

Perhaps you should read the rules for most "Remote Sites" where no toilet or dump facilities are provided.

Dumping of waste water is allowed as long as it's not within a specified distance from lakes or streams and they do specify burying fecal waste. I believe the hole is specified as 8" in depth.

I certainly wouldn't recommend dumping a holding tank but the last Forest Service campground I stayed at that has a large number of tent campers definitely allowed the dumping and specified no restrictions. Just the requirement to dig a hole for any "direct deposits" of fecal waste.

[5er_tom]

Originally Posted by KyDan

I was camped next to a dude in a big motor home. As I sat outside my trailer sipping my afternoon adult beverage he came rolling up in a golf cart pulling a 4 wheel dump tank. He proceeds to connect it and pulls the dump valve. A couple minutes later I hear loud cussing and I look over to see the hose has disconnected and it's spewing everywhere. It got on him and the ground and all over the top of the tank. Of course we were down wind. He just gets his hose and washes it all off and goes on with hauling his sh-- to the dump station. He made no effort to clean the area and he left the next day with tp and other "debris" laying on the ground right next to the power pole and water hook up.

I don't know what the lesson here is except be SURE you hoses are turned until they lock on AND don't over fill the dump tank. WAY better to go to the dump station with half a tank than to over fill it.

I have a large 4 wheel tote that is larger than my black tank so I can not overflow the tote. I do have to be careful with the gray water.

[Homebrew]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

Perhaps you should read the rules for most "Remote Sites" where no toilet or dump facilities are provided.



Dumping of waste water is allowed as long as it's not within a specified distance from lakes or streams and they do specify burying fecal waste. I believe the hole is specified as 8" in depth.



I certainly wouldn't recommend dumping a holding tank but the last Forest Service campground I stayed at that has a large number of tent campers definitely allowed the dumping and specified no restrictions. Just the requirement to dig a hole for any "direct deposits" of fecal waste.

Yep in a hole , not on the ground.