Last Updated on October 19, 2022 by Douglas
Some RV owners have found that they have to empty their holding tanks more often than they would like. This can be due to the quality of the water, the amount of use, or just how much it has been used. Whatever the case may be, there are a few different ways that you can go about emptying your holding tank.
How do you drain a camper holding tank?
First, put on a pair of rubber gloves. Hook up one end of your sewage drain hose to the black tank valve on your RV. Pull the valve to empty the black tank, allowing it to drain completely. Flush the black tank with water to clean it.[1]
How do I drain my holding tank?
Get a 5-gallon bucket, and place it under the discharge line. Open the valve slowly, and fill the bucket with waste. Close the valve when the tank is done emptying or when the bucket gets close to being full. Unscrew the cap from the sewer cleanout.[2]
How often do you empty holding tanks?
Generally, a holding tank requires pumping every 6-8 weeks. Contrast this with the recommendation for septic tank pumping, which is every 2 to 3 years (depending on factors such as household size and occupancy numbers).[3]
How often should you dump your black tank?
How Often Should I Dump My Tank? When your black water tank is about 2/3 of the way full you should dump. You should try and minimize how often you dump because more time means the waste will be able to break down more. Try to dump about every 3-4 days or once a week.[4]
How long can black water stay in RV tank?
Some RVers report that a 40-gallon black tank will last two people about 10 days before needing to dump, but again, this all depends on toilet paper usage, water usage, and the number of people using the water systems. Another technique is to always dump when your tanks are two thirds or three quarters full.[5]
Can you travel with black tank full?
Should You Travel With Your Tanks Full? For black and gray tanks, the answer is a clear “no.” But you may want to have a little water in there for cleaning purposes.[6]
How do I know when my holding tank is full?
Most holding tanks have an alarm which will alert you to the holding tank being full, assuming that they have been kept in good repair. Some holding tanks also use (often improvised by the owner) dip sticks to determine how full the holding tank is, especially when no working alarm is present.[7]
How do you get rid of the poop pyramid in RV black?
To eliminate a poop pyramid, you need to get water into your black tank. The first thing you should do is close the black tank valve and get as much water into the black tank as possible. If the poop pyramid prohibits you from putting water into the tank, get some tank cleaner to pour down into the sewer drain.[8]
Should I leave a little water in my RV black tank?
Freshwater tanks should be emptied after each trip. It’s always a better practice to fill your freshwater tank just before you leave for your trip instead of letting freshwater sit in the tank for long periods of time until you’re ready to use your RV again.[9]
Can I put bleach in my black water tank?
Cleaning your black water holding tank is best done when you’re fully hooked up and have both a water and sewer connection. Avoid using bleach or antifreeze for your deep clean, as both of these can dry out rubber seals and ultimately ruin your sewage system.[10]
How long does a 30 gallon black water tank last?
A forty-gallon, black water tank will last a few days past two weeks for a single person and you can safely cut that down to about 7 days for a family of four. Dropping down to a thirty-gallon tank, you will get about 11 days for one person and 5 days for a family of four.[11]
Can I put bleach in my grey water tank?
When it comes to the grey tank, bleach again is the key. First scrub the shower and sink drains thoroughly, and then dump the grey tank at an appropriate facility. Then pour one cup of bleach for every 15 gallons of waste water into the grey tank.[12]