Flushing tanks

[jagpot]

Do you flush your tanks each time you unhook? Do you flush both black and gray? How often do you clean tanks with something like Dawn or Cascade?

 

[Neal]

Typically YES and I also typically travel with a full fresh tank BECAUSE getting to the next location is never a guarantee in these machines and I'm prepared to boondock at all times. So black/gray empty, fresh full, is my MO.

 

[jagpot]

Typically YES and I also typically travel with a full fresh tank BECAUSE getting to the next location is never a guarantee in these machines and I'm prepared to boondock at all times. So black/gray empty, fresh full, is my MO.

Thanks Neal. I know you use the Cacade. How often do you do that?

 

[Neal]

First off, I don't know what you mean "flush" - I was referring to EMPTY. My coach has a black tank rinse system, I do it as often as I can but not always. As to the cascade or dawn tank treatment, I'd say monthly at most. I think routine tank dumping is cleaning sufficiently but I think adding a cleaning agent from time to time "may" help. No way to know.

 

[jagpot]

First off, I don't know what you mean "flush" - I was referring to EMPTY. My coach has a black tank rinse system, I do it as often as I can but not always. As to the cascade or dawn tank treatment, I'd say monthly at most. I think routine tank dumping is cleaning sufficiently but I think adding a cleaning agent from time to time "may" help. No way to know.

I watched a video from National Indoor Rv Center and she used the term "Flushing" the tanks. I think rinse would also be appropriate. She dumps the tanks,closes them fills the tanks again, hits the macerator and dumps again. Both Black and Gray. All this is done in the Wet bay by switches.

 

["EZ"]

I "rinse" my black tank every time I unhook to leave. I want to keep that thing as clean as possible when it's empty so I don't smell it.

 

[osuallen]

I watched a video from National Indoor Rv Center and she used the term "Flushing" the tanks. I think rinse would also be appropriate. She dumps the tanks,closes them fills the tanks again, hits the macerator and dumps again. Both Black and Gray. All this is done in the Wet bay by switches.

The high end Newmars have a gray tank flush. The lower or mid range do not. I think it is only the Essex and KA, but might also be LA.

 

[FL-JOE]

When I empty my black tank I always use the "black water flush" to backflush it several times. On 90% of the RVs out there you have to do something a little different to actually flush your gray tanks.

Valterra makes a assembly called FLUSH KING. It attaches to the end of your sewer outlet and has it's own gate valve. You simply connect a garden hose up to it, close the gate valve, and back flush your sewer line and up into the gray tank. They work very good and you would be shocked at what comes out of your RVs pvc sewer line and gray tank. Many places sell the Flush King and prices are from around $36 to $60.

 

[Psphilibin]

Do you flush your tanks each time you unhook? Do you flush both black and gray? How often do you clean tanks with something like Dawn or Cascade?

 

[Psphilibin]

We've had our Fleetwood flair for 5 years. We flush both grey and black water out each time we leave a campground with plain water till it's clear. We have NEVER used any kind of soap in these tanks only sanitizing tabs you get at Walmart or RV dealers. They are bacteria tabs that are safe for septic systems and for odor control in your RV. I would think that much dawn or cascade to clean the tanks out would destroy the new bacteria tabs you would put back in the tanks. Just my thoughts, hope it helps.

 

[sanda]

When I empty my black tank I always use the "black water flush" to backflush it several times. On 90% of the RVs out there you have to do something a little different to actually flush your gray tanks.

Valterra makes a assembly called FLUSH KING. It attaches to the end of your sewer outlet and has it's own gate valve. You simply connect a garden hose up to it, close the gate valve, and back flush your sewer line and up into the gray tank. They work very good and you would be shocked at what comes out of your RVs pvc sewer line and gray tank. Many places sell the Flush King and prices are from around $36 to $60.

I hope this has a vacuum breaker/backflow prevention built in.

 

[AbdRahim]

I use dawn when there is a odor in the tank or when circumstances force me to do #2 in the coach. It helps to keep it from sticking to the bottom of the tank. I usually do # 1 only. Lots of water is essential.

Be careful how much you use. Too much Dawn will take the lubrication off of the dump valves.

I also use Blue Power if extra odor control is needed.

Also keep the paddle that slides open to let the water go down clean. Sometimes the odor results from residual #2 deposits on the paddle.

 

[Retired]

My owners manual says to keep a few gallons of water in the black tank and never let it dry.

 

[JRS]

We have a Sanicon Turbo and when it's turned off, it limits the draining of the tank/s (when valves are open) which allows me to back flush the grey water into the black tank (after it's emptied). I don't use our black tank rinse unit. We'll go with dawn (in empty tanks) and a few gallons of water prior to moving to the next park. We'll also use Happy Camper once and awhile. So far so good with smells and tank level readings.

 

[NWIP]

I’m not sure I understand how you are back flushing grey to black tank can you elaborate?

 

[JRS]

I’m not sure I understand how you are back flushing grey to black tank can you elaborate?

Turn on SaniCon(I like to do this to make sure it's working). Open blk tank valve and empty tank. Once empty, turn off the SaniCon. Keep blk tank valve open and open grey tank valve. Grey tank affluent will flush into blk tank. When you hear that the grey water is no longer going into the blk tank, close grey tank valve and turn on SaniCon to empty the blk tank. While keeping the SaniCon on and when blk tank is empty, close the blk tank valve then open the grey to finish emptying it.
When the grey tank is 80-85% plus full you can hear the grey water flushing into the black which helps keep it clean. Was taught this during Newmar Factory Pickup.

 

[NWIP]

Thanks for the explanation, never heard of that before but understand