Newie and first time with full hookups.

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ROBIN52

Active member
Joined
Oct 17, 2020
Posts
39
Location
Chunchula, AL.
My question is whether to leave the gray and black tanks open while hooked up or to leave closed. My thinking is to leave close and when ready to leave, open the black first and them the gray to wash out the hose. Thanks
 
Never leave the black tank open! Liquids will drain out, leaving solids behind. Both tanks should be at least 2/3 full before dumping. I’ll hold the toilet valve open to fill the tank with fresh water if needed.
 
Some folks will leave the gray open, because with unlimited water supply you can fill up a gray tank relatively quickly taking showers and stuff. But then you may not have enough gray to wash out the slinky so per above, I don't open valves (or even hook up the hose) until I'm ready to to do both.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM
 
I am fairly new as well but from what I have seen on here as well as other sources you are spot on. One mentioned that liquids will drain and leaving solids behind which could cause issues. I also think odors could be an issue. Hopefully you have a black tank flush and you should do that before draining your gray tanks as well.

If you are somewhere for a longer stay the tank might get to the level where you want to drain it during your stay. You could do that and close it up after.
 
As A side note...
When leaving the camper to go sight seeing I always turn off the water/water pump. But I may be a little paranoid.
 
We always,left black closed, grey open until the last night. Close it then to allow grey to fill. To dump, open black, drain, flush using toilet and or tank clean out. Finally open gray. Finish by rinsing using a garden hose. Put everything away.
 
If you have a wife or a woman with you you will go through a lot a water. So you better leave the gray valve open or you be opening it every 8 hours or so. Or you may find you rv flooded I seen it coming out of the shower pan and on floor LOL.
 
That’s exactly how to do it. The only thing I do differently is I leave my gray tank valves open. I just have to remember to shut my gray tank valves a couple of days before I want to dump my black tank.
Another thing I did was install a Valterra spin on valve on my sewer pipe outlet. This valve serves two purposes. 1) it is a backup valve in case one of your tank drain valves are leaking a little. Nothing worst than removing the sewer end cap and finding 3 or 4 gallons of you know what waiting to greet you. 2). After dumping my black tank and leaving the black tank drain valve open, I shut that spin on valve then open my gray tank valves. This water will end up in the black tank and you can go through the process of dumping your black tank again. I can do this 2 or 3 times then whatever water is left in my gray tanks, I use that to flush out the sewer hose.
Just Google Valterra spin on valve and you’ll find it
 
If you have a wife or a woman with you you will go through a lot a water. So you better leave the gray valve open or you be opening it every 8 hours or so. Or you may find you rv flooded I seen it coming out of the shower pan and on floor LOL.
Isn't that how you know it is time to empty it?
 
Do you have your water pump on when you are hooked to their water?
Depends on pressure of the site. But as a general rule It's one or the other.

But my point is ...
Out TT is entry level and the plumbing fixture are on the cheap side. Add to that bouncing down the road and normal wear and tear. It's just a matter of time before something breaks. I would prefer to NOT come back to a flooded camper.
 
No. No need to.
If I’m going to be gone all day, I may shut off the water spigot from the CG if I think of it so I usually always forget to do it.
That is what I thought as well. I have never thought about shutting off the spigot but might not be a bad idea. I probably will forget as well though. We did stay at one campground this year that had low pressure. We liked it and will probably go back. I might fill up my fresh tank and use the water pump if we do.
 
As A side note...
When leaving the camper to go sight seeing I always turn off the water/water pump. But I may be a little paranoid.
I'm with Gizmo on this, so I must be paranoid as well🤔
 
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