Dump station tips, tricks and mishaps.

[DoubleDD]

1. Wear disposable latex gloves
2. Spray all connections and taps at station with diluted bleach solution (before starting). You never know what the person did prior to you.
3. Spray all sewer hoses ends after dumping with diluted bleach solution and store away
4. Spray all hoses, connections and taps with diluted bleach solution (after dumping) connect both ends and store away
5. Keep fresh water hose and black water flush hose separated while stored in RV

 

[flyrotor]

Worst mishap, I borrowed the inlaws trailer before ever purchasing a trailer, stayed at a nice campground but didn't have full hookups, as we left we stopped at the dump station hooked all fine pulled the plug, all good… for a few moments anyway… the dump station was plugged, what a mess, it all backed up all over the ground, at least there was a containment ring, talk about disgusting… well without a super size plunger I packed up quick and left… cowardly now as I look back but I think I was in the next state before I stopped anywhere, more cautious now

 

[RubenZ]

I don't use anything. I hate gloves. I just wash my hands after its all said and done

 

[Rod Johnson]

I picked up a glove box holder from Harbor Freight, it keeps the gloves right at easy reach in the front pass through storage.

I have a clear elbow I got from Camping World. I don't know why, I thought it would be cool to see 'it' go down. But actually, I know when its really done dumping, and when its flushed clear with clean water.

I just boondock, so I dump when I get home. I have 2 cleanouts in the main sewer line to the street behind my house where I park the trailer. I don't spill. I don't make a mess. And its only my 'stuff' back there. And I have a little spot where I hang the hoses when I'm done.

Where do you guys keep your hoses? Do most trailers have a sewer hose storage standard? Mine has one, but it isn't deep enough to hold even my shortest hose, and then I have the clear elbow and the clean-out adapter rattling around in there, right where I put my freshwater hose.

 

[SaskCampers]

What comes out of the trailer is no worse than cleaning a diaper from a kid with the runs or power vomit or any other one of the dozens of things that happened with our 4 kids. Same goes for cleaning our horse corral etc. So if you get splashed clean up no big deal. I wear nitrile gloves like I use when working on anything mechanical. They are cheap for a box of 100. Take your time and use a check list, saving 2 minutes now can cost you an hour later. And remember you computer keyboard and cell phone are probably more unsanitary.

 

[Chicken Legs-FRF]

I think some of the stupid mistakes that happen at the dump station for some folks is that they may feel rushed when there's a line of campers waiting for their turn to dump at get home.

 

[Triguy]

Where do you guys keep your hoses? Do most trailers have a sewer hose storage standard? Mine has one, but it isn't deep enough to hold even my shortest hose, and then I have the clear elbow and the clean-out adapter rattling around in there, right where I put my freshwater hose.

Have always stored the hose in my trailer's bumper. I put retaining screws in the rubber caps to keep them from falling out.

The hardware like elbows go into a plastic trash bag (after cleaning) and into a storage compartment.

 

[Triguy]

After dumping the black tank and while the gray tanks are draining, my wife adds 3 gallons of water back into the black tank.

X2 on the extra water down the toilet. I also like to place a little Calgon and whatever ice cubes we have left over into the toilet so that they have a chance to knock off crud and toilet paper that seems to stick to my BS tank sensor.

 

[Crusader-FRF]

X2 on the extra water down the toilet. I also like to place a little Calgon and whatever ice cubes we have left over into the toilet so that they have a chance to knock off crud and toilet paper that seems to stick to my BS tank sensor.

Sounds like an R.V. cocktail..........

 

[rkswyo]

I boondock 95% of the time. I always put plenty of water into the black tank before I head home. This lets everything get "mixed" up during the trip home. I also use one of the clear elbows before I put the hose on. I keep flushing the tank with my Tornado rinser until it runs clear.

 

[Lostdog-FRF]

That's my biggest fear that one of my kids will accidently do that. I am going to puchase one of these in an effort to avoid that. Sewer Spill Eliminator

I think it would be easier to have a clear cap and then you could see what was behind there before you opened it to a "surprise' but I have yet to find such a thing.

This is exactly what we did. Bought another valve and installed it at the outlet. Even if (and it has happened to me) the black or gray tank valves leak it is captured by the last valve at the outlet.

 

[Labzy]

I have definitely gotten some ideas on how to improve my dumping experience

Someone mentioned how we feel rushed because others are waiting behind us and this is so true, but I think those people would be appreciative of us taking the time to clean up properly after ourselves.

I never thought to: bring a spray bottle with a bleach solution, use wipes, use a rock or brick to hold open the drain cap, to clean up around the drain even before we dump out or spray all the ends of the hoses pre and post dumping, so now using all those suggestions, I have a rough draft of what my routine will be

I might also get just the helmet portion of the suit Iggy suggested, just in case

 

[rkswyo]

That's my biggest fear that one of my kids will accidently do that. I am going to puchase one of these in an effort to avoid that. Sewer Spill Eliminator

I think it would be easier to have a clear cap and then you could see what was behind there before you opened it to a "surprise' but I have yet to find such a thing.

I have never seen a clear cap either. Instead I use a clear 45 degree elbow on mine. It stays on all the time. One end to the valve, the other end gats capped. That way I always have a clear window if the valve was accidently opened.

 

[Oakman]

I have never seen a clear cap either. Instead I use a clear 45 degree elbow on mine. It stays on all the time. One end to the valve, the other end gats capped. That way I always have a clear window if the valve was accidently opened.

So with that clear elbow, what do you do when you get to the dump station and you notice it's full of brown liquid? Honey, can you come here and hookup the sewer hose for me while I....

 

[rkswyo]

So with that clear elbow, what do you do when you get to the dump station and you notice it's full of brown liquid? Honey, can you come here and hookup the sewer hose for me while I....

Too funny! Not a lot you can do about it but at least you know its coming!

 

[dezolen]

What a great idea. A clear cap would prevent many surprises.

 

[rthrbelsewhere]

Yup.
Clear 45 to see when its done draining. Thicker than standard hose, less likely to get pinholes. Gloves, hand wipes, and the such. Finally I wasn't lucky enough to have a bumper storage area or another place to store the nasty hose, so I mounted the 4" square vinyl fence post under the frame and capped off both ends...one permanent, one removable, and painted it black. Nobody even notices its there until I open it up. #2 best upgrade I have done (besides the tire/wheel upgrade).

Hah! I can't get myself to share the mishap I had last summer with the extended stay blue box on wheels, but I showered for an hour and tossed all my clothes including the shoes. My favorite summer shorts that I can't find anymore too...ugh!

Joe

 

[Taranwanderer]

#2 best upgrade I have done

I think someone made a poop joke as it pertains to the sewer hose! remember kids: poop-always funny.

 

[Labzy]

Hah! I can't get myself to share the mishap I had last summer with the extended stay blue box on wheels, but I showered for an hour and tossed all my clothes including the shoes. My favorite summer shorts that I can't find anymore too...ugh!

Joe

Oh come on......you just can't just hint at it and then not tell the story; we know the ending, tell us the beginning.
It can be an example for us of what NOT to do.

 

[Whiteknight]

I don't use anything. I hate gloves. I just wash my hands after its all said and done

I'm with Ruben, I figure since I don't wear gloves, shoe covers, face sheilds, etc when I put the "stuff" in the tank, not much since in worrying too much about it when I empty it out.