Emptying your RV’s black and gray tanks can be intimidating. Before I knew how to empty RV waste tanks, I was worried about making a mess, getting covered in a weekends worth of poop, and holding up the line at the dump station. I got through the first weekend and have lost most of the nervousness I felt the at the dump station the first time. Maintaining your RV’s waste systems is a crucial part of responsible RV ownership. By following proper dumping procedures, you not only contribute to a clean and sanitary environment but also prolong the lifespan of your vehicle’s waste systems.
Necessary Equipment
Before you begin the dumping process, ensure you have the following equipment on hand:
- Gloves: Disposable gloves are essential to protect your hands from any potential contact with waste materials.
- Sewer Hose: A high-quality sewer hose is essential for connecting your RV to the dump station’s sewer inlet.
- Sewer Hose Support: A sewer hose support helps create a downward slope, ensuring efficient waste flow.
- Tank Rinse Hose: This hose is used to rinse and clean the tanks after dumping.
- Clear Elbow Fitting: Attaching a clear elbow fitting to the end of your sewer hose allows you to monitor the waste flow during dumping.
Preparing the Tank for Dumping
- Prepare the Tank: Nothing fancy here, I like to run a bunch of water down my toilet to help make sure things flow out easier. I figure that I need to empty any extra water anyway and it seems to help.
- Know the Dump Station Location: I always like to find the dump station before I need to use it. It’s as easy as walking around the campground or driving to it without your trailer attached. This helps me plan my approach and know if there are any tricky areas to avoid on my way there.
- Park Strategically: Position your RV in a way that allows easy access to the dump station’s inlet.
Emptying the Black Water Tank
1. Connect the sewer hose to the tank drain outlet and the dump station’s inlet.
2. Open the black water tank valve, allowing the waste to flow out. Using a clear elbow fitting will help you monitor the progress.
3. After emptying close the valve on the black tank.
Emptying the Gray Water Tank
- After the black tank has been emptied, leave the hose connected and open the valve for the gray tank.
- The gray water will flush any remaining sewage out of the drain hose.
Flushing and Cleaning
- After the gray tank is empty, close the valve and you can disconnect the sewer hose from the RV.
- Most of the dump stations I’ve been to have a hose for flushing and cleaning up. Use the hose to rinse any wastewater from the hose and any accidental spillage into the dump tank.
- If your RV has a built in tank rinser use the hose to connect to it and rinse before you empty the gray tank.
