A few questions on RV gray and black tanks.

[Wayfaring Gent]

Hello,

For context:

At the campground we are parked at for the year, the campground owner dumps people's tanks every Monday and Wednesday. We had our tank dumped on Monday. When we woke up this morning, the meter reads that the gray is full. We haven't been showering here as we are working on the bathroom, we haven't washed many dishes, but we have washed our hands a decent amount.

Is it possible that the tank is actually full already? We were hoping to take our first showers in the RV this morning instead of the community showers. But we are nervous about doing that with the meter reading.

Second question:

We have a drain in the ground beside our RV (see photo below). The owner says that we can draIn our gray directly into it, but we need an adapter that will allow our hose (I assume he means sewer hose) to connect to a garden hose. I can't seem to find what he is talking about. Any thoughts?



As always, thanks for your help and time in advance.

 

[Rene T]

Chances are your gray tank indicator is telling a lie. They are notorious for being inaccurate.

As far as dumping, I have never seen anything like that. It almost looks like the cover from a 5 gallon pail. I would go back to the owner and have him explain it a little better.
When I remove my sewer hose from the RV hard piping, I install a cover on the end of the pipe to prevent liquids from running out. These caps come either with or without a fitting which allows you to connect a garden hose to it. That may be what he’s talking about.

 

[Wayfaring Gent]

Chances are your gray tank indicator is telling a lie. They are notorious for being inaccurate.

My thoughts as well. I can't wrap my brain around the tank being full when we haven't done much besides washing our hands and a few dishes.

Maybe we will be risky and take a shower.

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

While my RV was inop for the past few months I was using it for pit stops, hand washing and break room when I was working on it and getting my nearby garden ready on weekends. I didn't think twice about the gray tank, figured I'd just do a dump run on the next trip out of town. At some point checked levels and the gray "full" light was just starting to flicker. So yeah, even "light" use over a long enough period of time is enough. Used the opportunity to test out my new rhino hose and watered the bushes next to the RV pad, it was honest to goodness full.

That "drain" looks like a 5 gallon bucket lid with a hole in it. Maybe just a weather cover, or perhaps it's a french drain made from a bucket? If so you may still be able to dump your gray in there but likely not all at once. In that case just a simple drain cap with a garden hose fitting on it will get you there from here.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[Rene T]

Maybe we will be risky and take a shower.

You’ll find out soon enough when the water backs up into the shower.
Read my previous post. I made a change to it.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

The tank level sensors in most RVs are notoriously inaccurate - they get coated with a bit of slime in the tanks and start giving false readings. The gray water will back up into the shower if its really full, so you will know.

You will want a sewer outlet cap with a hose fitting. Available wherever RV stuff is sold, probably even Walmart's RV section (in Automotive area). Here is an example.

Amazon.com: Camco Durable Sewer Cap with Hose Connection- Caps the Sewer Connection to Prevent Leaks, Easy Install and Simple Use (39463) : Tools & Home Improvement

Buy Camco Durable Sewer Cap with Hose Connection- Caps the Sewer Connection to Prevent Leaks, Easy Install and Simple Use (39463): Pipe Fittings - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[Wayfaring Gent]

So yeah, even "light" use over a long enough period of time is enough.

Thanks for responding.

I would agree it adds up over time, but my scenario is Monday morning to Wednesday morning.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

That "drain" looks like a 5 gallon bucket lid with a hole in it. Maybe just a weather cover, or perhaps it's a french drain made from a bucket? If so you may still be able to dump your gray in there but likely not all at once.

That's what it is, a "French drain" or drywell. We used those in a remote campground where I worked one summer - they are still legal in some areas where septics aren't practical. Just a 5 gallon bucket with lots of holes to let the water percolate out. Works fine if the soil drains well. You don't "dump" into it - you leave the gray valve open and attach a garden hose to the sewer cap.

 

[Wayfaring Gent]

That's what it is, a "French drain" or drywell. We used those in a remote campground where I worked one summer - they are still legal in some areas where septics aren't practical. Just a 5 gallon bucket with lots of holes to let the water percolate out. Works fine if the soil drains well. You don't "dump" into it - you leave the gray valve open and attach a garden hose to the sewer cap.

Interesting. There is no harm in the gray water percolating out and into the soil?

 

[Rene T]

Make sure that if you are going to use a garden hose, only use it for that. Do not use it for flushing or water supply because the end will be contaminated and you don’t want to connect it to the campground water spigot unless you sanitize it with a strong solution of bleach.

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

Technically it's no different than if you wash your hands under a hose outside, or dumping a dishpan into a bush when camping. Gary's right, you don't "dump" into it, you'd run your drain hose into it and whatever drainage you have goes into the dry well as you go, and over some period of hours will migrate into the soil. There's a limit how much you can put in there, it's not like a septic system with a giant leach field so doing loads of laundry or long showers is going to overload it. But intermittent use in small volumes it checks the box. Also, being responsible about it as in using "environmentally friendly" soap and such.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[Wayfaring Gent]

Also, being responsible about it as in using "environmentally friendly" soap and such.

Thanks for your answer. I appreciate your concern about being "environmentally friendly."

My wife and I are conscious of the products we use—non-gmo foods, organic/all natural soaps, shampoos, and products.

As a landscape photographer and a profound love for the wilderness, it pains me to see irresponsible practices adversely affecting the environment.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

There is no harm in the gray water percolating out and into the soil?

No different than what a septic tank does. As long as there are no drinking water wells or swimming holes near by, it's the natural manner of "waste water treatment". The soil acts as a strainer and the bits of food and oils from bodies or cooking dissolve fairly quickly from microbes in the soil.

 

[Wayfaring Gent]

Update: I took a shower. My wife reported some gurgling in the kitchen sink with a small amount of water coming up.

I still can't process how we used 40 gallons in two and a half days without showering here and washing very few dishes.

It will get expensive having the campground owner dump for us every two days.

 

[Rene T]

Update: I took a shower. My wife reported some gurgling in the kitchen sink with a small amount of water coming up.

That doesn’t make much sense. Water was comping up into the kitchen sink while you were taking a shower. The sink is about 2-1/2’ above the shower floor.

 

[Wayfaring Gent]

That doesn’t make much sense. Water was comping up into the kitchen sink while you were taking a shower. The sink is about 2-1/2’ above the shower floor.

Yeah, I agree. I am confused myself.

From what I have read, the water will come up through the shower because it is the lowest drain.

 

[NY_Dutch]

Hit the nearest Walmart and pick up an RV sewer outlet cap with the garden hose connection. Buy the shortest hose they have that will reach the "French drain" or at least the cheapest garden hose. I recommend only leaving the grey valve open just enough to allow a steady dribble into the drain so it doesn't get overloaded. The tank will likely empty overnight and then act as a buffer for daily usage. Check the hose a few times at first to make sure the valve is open enough to not be clogged by soap scum or food particles.

 

[NY_Dutch]

Yeah, I agree. I am confused myself.

From what I have read, the water will come up through the shower because it is the lowest drain.

That could have just been back pressure in the drain line pushing some of the trap water up into the sink. I've seen that happen when a near full tank covers the vent inlet.

 

[Wayfaring Gent]

That could have just been back pressure in the drain line pushing some of the trap water up into the sink. I've seen that happen when a near full tank covers the vent inlet.

Thanks for the helpful response.

If that is the case, do you think it is safe for one more shower or should we have the tank dumped before taking another shower?

Thanks.

 

[NY_Dutch]

Thanks for the helpful response.

If that is the case, do you think it is safe for one more shower or should we have the tank dumped before taking another shower?

Thanks.

That's a difficult question to answer since we don't know just how full the tank is. Worst case, you'll end up with some water sitting in the shower pan until the tank is drained as long as you keep an eye on it so it doesn't overflow. If the park has a store, they may have a suitable cap on hand, albeit it at a higher price.