Clear waste cap

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dcrbtt

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Jan 29, 2019
Posts
166
Location
California
Since hearing so much about issues when opening wast cap and getting covered with $#!?. Is there any disadvantage of a clear waste cap?
 
The best thing to do is install a Valtera twist on valve. This serves as a backup valve in case one of your tank drain valves is leaking a little. I still put a blank cap on mine . I don’t get any surprises using a valve.
 
How about using one of these:
cam39562_11_100.jpg


However when my black tank valve failed I did buy the twist-on valve Rene recommended. It allowed me to continue our trip.
 
Since hearing so much about issues when opening wast cap and getting covered with $#!?. Is there any disadvantage of a clear waste cap?

In 10-11 years of RV ownership, I never had that happen. Dump valves/seals can fail, but I wouldn't call it a common occurrence. Sometimes a bit of liquid seepage would be in there behind the cap, but nothing too crazy. That said, I did have and use a clear elbow attachment (with backflushing ability by hooking up a hose) that I always used while dumping, so I could see when the tank contents were clear and reduced to a trickle. But that was attached after the main cap was already off.
 
In 10-11 years of RV ownership, I never had that happen.
With exception of a 3 year period, I have owned some type of self contained RV since 1980. In that time I have never had serious valve leakage like that. A clear cap isn't on my list but if you are concerned it sure couldn't hurt to use one.
 
My own 20+ years of RVing expereince strongly agrees with Scott & Kirk. The need for a clear cap or extension is primarily one of avoiding user mistakes. Waste valves don't get opened mysteriously or fail regularly. But if having ones gives you a sense of well-being, by all means do it. It's not a matter of great concern either way.
 
So far my only negative experience with removing the cap happened last spring leaving a state park campground, where apparently someone had pulled the gray tank handle while we were parked, so when I pulled the cap gray water rushed out. That taught me to check to make sure the pull handles are pushed in before removing the cap.

I am just glad it was gray water, and not black water, though if it was intentional I don't think whoever did it was expecting it to be gray water as our gray tank valve has a black handle, and our black tank valve has a gray handle.
 

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