Dump station tips, tricks and mishaps.

[grayfox]

Originally Posted by dunnnc

Me too, with a clear elbow as a further check for possible leakage.

It looks like you have screwed the clear elbow to the black outlet pipe and added a cap... great idea. I like Herk's idea with the extra dump Valve a well. Combine the 2 we have a MAYBE a dummy proof system.

[mikewindjammer]

All the stories of dump station "blues" has me LMAO at 0550 on a Sunday morning. After a long day of boat work I used to hoist a cold one and watch the boat ramp across from my slip. It was both amazing and entertaining. I have since found that the dump station in a busy camp ground supplies the same fun and sometimes a little family style drama when the newbys complete with dealer places pull up and he is pulling out the hose and she is quoting, with both eloquence and volumn from the user's manual.

Great advice on this forum. Practice KISS and have a plan. Also, new camping guests should be advised. Don't put anything in the head that you haven't eaten first.

[grayfox]

Originally Posted by grayfox

It looks like you have screwed the clear elbow to the black outlet pipe and added a cap... great idea. I like Herk's idea with the extra dump Valve a well. Combine the 2 we have a MAYBE a dummy proof system.

Well, sorry I got that one wrong both have valves

[dwaynerz]

i got one of those clear plastic elbow things for draining. last weekend while rinsing the hose out, imagine my surprise when the rinse hose had enough pressure to disconnect my plastc elbow from my drain hose and i helplessly watched it slither across the ground and down the drain. thankfully, the black pc that attaches to said plastic elbow kept it from disappearing forever down the dump hole.

needless to say, chalk up another learning experience.

[OldCoot]

I added the twist on valve and used the cap like Herk and then decided I had enough ground clearance to add the clear elbow and to make sure it stayed on, I used 2 set screws to make sure and then added the cap. At least now, I can see if there is leakage and be prepared. Also with the added valve, I leave the galley tank valve open as well as the grey water tank open and let the two of them equalize. Just have to close the two grey valves before dumping the black tank.

[dwaynerz]

dont you dump the black tank first and then the grey tanks to rinse the hose before rinsing with clean water?

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by dwaynerz

dont you dump the black tank first and then the grey tanks to rinse the hose before rinsing with clean water?

Yes, I dump the black tank first, but when you open both grey tanks to equalize, it equalizes via the main dump pipe, so before dumping the black tank, I have to close both grey tanks, then open the black tank and when it stops flowing, flush the black tank while emptying the 2 grey tanks. When clear water is in the elbow, I shut the grey tanks offf and the black tank and let the flush continue for about a minute or less and shut off the flush. If getting ready to leave, will then go in and put some laundry soap, Calgon & about a cup of bleach with at least 2 full bowls of water and leave after shutting the water pump off.

[Herk7769]

Requested before and after pics of dump mast valve.

Valterra T58 Twist-On Waste Valve : Amazon.com : Automotive

[Grannyjaneb]

We need help. Bought used 2009 micro lite 21fb. Flagstaff. No manuals. Need dump instructions. What do i need to know or where can i go to find online manual. What is the clear elbow i see in picture? Thanks grannyjane

[GlacierGus]

Grannyjaneb - your 2009 Micro Lite is very similar to my Mini Lite. The clear elbow is an add on. You do not need to have one starting out. When you do a more thorough clean out of you black waste tank (more than just emptying it), the clear elbow allows you to see how clean the water is coming out or if waste is still coming out. That is a more advanced procedure. You do not need to do that starting out.

I don't think you need a manual. Emptying the tanks is pretty simple. Read this forum and learn from the mistakes of others.

Basically, you should have a set of disposable plastic gloves. Connect your dump hose to the TT. You may want to purchase a 90 degree elbow that you attach to the other end of the dump hose so it fits well in the dump drain hole. Once you have the house in the dump drain hole, open the valve to the black water tank first. Let the black water tank empty completely. Close the black water tank valve and open the gray water tank valve. This empties the gray water but since the gray water is usually not too dirty (dishes and showers) it also rinses out the dump hose.Then close the gray tank valve. Disconnect the drain hose and replace cover on TT. Often there is a hose at the dump station to rinse out the dump hose. Then return the dsump hose to it's storage. Throw away the plastic gloves. Wash your hands or use that hand sanatizer stuff. And you are done.

Welcome to the forum. You will find many answers to your quetions here. Enjoy your new Micro Lite.

[Triguy]

Glaciergus has a good writeup. I'll just include mine from a manual that I put together a few years ago for my wife (she has yet to dump the tanks so not sure why I bothered)...

Here is the cliff notes version ...

1. Warning - Do not open the valves until you are ready. Use disposable gloves.

2. Remove the holding tank outlet cap and connect the three-inch sewer hose to the outlet of the holding tank.

3. Extend the hose to the hole in the ground.

4. Insert the sewer hose into the dump station's hole a few inches. Use the hole's cover, a rock, or something heavy enough to hold the sewer hose in place so it doesn't pop out of the hole.

5. Open the black tank valve first. You'll hear the "stuff" flow. This will usually take a few minutes depending on how long you have been camping.

6. Close the black tank valve.

7. Open the gray tank valve. Drain until its stopped.

8. Close the gray tank valve.

9. Check both black and gray water tank valves and make sure they are closed.

10. Disconnect the sewer hose from the outlet and replace the outlet cover.

11. Rinse the hose with the Not-Potable Water Hose and store away in the bumper.

12. Its a must to add 3-5 gallons of water to the black tank by flushing the toilet and then add the water softener (we use the Geo Method).

Granny - That's the basics. There are a number of videos on youtube that might be worth watching, as well.

Some will flush the system if they are equipped with a flush. The clear plastic elbow you see in that picture is nice so that you can see when you are done. I have a clear elbow that allows me to flush so its useful to see how the flush is working as the water becomes clear.

[ritzyteach]

Interesting. Since none of you have mentioned connecting the hole to the black tank cleanout connection, perhaps that is not a feature on your rigs. There are few more steps my husband uses when rinsing the inside of the tank with this feature. Otherwise, I think I might copy your steps in case he is not around and I need to empty my tanks. Thanks.

[Terier]

It could be helpful to put the hose into the drain first and then attached the other end to the tank pipe just in case there is a "surprise" waiting when the cap is removed. The advantage would be that more of the sewer stuff can make it into the drain vs all over the ground by your feet.

[Grannyjaneb]

We just purchased our new to us 2009 tt. We knew there was a whole bunch of information and experience that we needed but had no idea the questions to ask. This thread has been invaluable and we have been laughing the past 2 days it has taken to get through 18 pages.

Thanks for all the posts. Hopefully we can now avoid some of the 'incidents' and become one of the newbie stories. We have already started making out procedure list. When we get it finished I will post so more experienced can point out what we have missed.

Thanks again, grannyjaneb in MO

[iluvlcy]

Nobody mentions this but my tip is to always open gray tank first just to make sure there is no leaking (for just a minute) at connection. We sometimes have a problem connecting to the 'nubs' we think we are on and we are not. Just bought a clear straight waste valve , it is great seeing when tanks are clean

[5thwheel]

We "try" to never wear any shoes inside out 5th wheel. Usually take them off just outside the door and put them near a mat that we carry. If we wear them inside we take them off at the door.

[TexasBBQ]

Originally Posted by 5thwheel

We "try" to never wear any shoes inside out 5th wheel. Usually take them off just outside the door and put them near a mat that we carry. If we wear them inside we take them off at the door.

X2. We've done this for both past 2 campers and the current one. Really keeps the inside to stay clean and looking good.

[Rmfithen]

A great tip-put a bag of ice in black tank along with calgon n bleach or what everit will slosh anything left loose!!

[tking01_2000]

Ok today pulled up in line to dump watched couple in front of us dumping. Sorry had to laugh and watch wife gross out. They were dumping and watched the man pull out 4 to 6 feet of hose out of ground no gloves hugging the hose to his clothes to see if it was done . Then wife helps both holding the hose against them while flushing it. then put all away no washing hands get b into truck and leave

[cmulvey]

Yuck! And talk about the opportunity for cross contamination. I wonder if at home they're wiping everything down every 5 minutes with those anti bacterial wipes?

Guess we all have to learn at some point. I was fortunete enough to join Good Sam and forums simliar to this almost 10 years beofre I got my trailer so by the time I did I pretty much had a handle on it. Gleaned much knowledge from those who've been there and did that. I'm not saying that I haven't done stupid things since, but that's half the fun isn't it?