RV Dump Station Tips That Every Camper Should Know
RV sewer dump anxiety is a very real thing. The memory of Robin Williams at the RV dump station in the 2006 movie RV truly haunts many newbies to the RV lifestyle.
Rest assured, in real life, dumping sewage at an RV dump station (sometimes called a sani-dump) is a very easy and uneventful process. The key is to be prepared and have the right tools. Here is how to leave your anxiety at the RV dump station once and for all.
What do you need to dump your RV waste tanks?
You don’t need much to dump your tanks, but here are the essentials you will want on hand at the RV dump station.
- RV sanitation gloves: These will protect your hands from icky germs and bacteria that can be on sani dump equipment.
- A sturdy sewer hose with end caps and a transparent elbow: Sometimes new RVs come with a flimsy blue RV sewer hose. These are a nightmare to use, so get rid of this one (small animal shelters and rescues appreciate these unused sewer hoses). A good RV sewer hose will prevent spills and RV sewer dump anxiety. We recommend using the Camco Rhinoflex Sewer Hose Kit.
- A dedicated black tank flush-out hose: This hose is usually orange and is used only for flushing your black tank or grey tank after you dump.
- RV holding tank treatment: You will want to add this to your black and gray tanks after dumping in order to keep odors at bay and everything flowing smoothly when it’s time to dump again.
A Forest River Forums member also recommends a tote to easily carry all your accessories at the RV dump station.
“You’re going to want a “tote” of some kind for accessories. Only the hose will store in a typical caddy.”
Be prepared at the RV dump station
What is the difference between an RV black tank and gray tank?
It’s important for RV newbies to know the difference between their RV holding tanks. The black tank holds the blackwater, including everything that you flush down the RV toilet. The gray tank holds gray water, which includes everything you flush down the kitchen/bathroom sink or shower. Check out these useful RV Gray Water Hacks if you are camping off-the-grid without access to an RV dump station.
What to do at the RV dump station
- Pull in to the RV dump station with the sewer outlets on the same side as the sewer dump.
- Put on your RV sanitation gloves.
- Attach the transparent elbow to the sewer hose.
- Firmly place the transparent elbow into the sewer dump inlet.
- Firmly attach the other end of the sewer hose to your RV’s sewer outlet valve.
- Completely open the black tank valve first by pulling on the handle. You should hear a “woosh” and then you will see the effluent moving through the clear elbow into the sewer dump. The black tank will be empty when you can no longer see effluent.
- Be sure to close the black tank valve.
- Completely open the gray tank valve. You will hear a woosh as the gray water runs through the clear elbow into the sewer dump. Leave the gray tank valve open until you can’t see the effluent moving through the clear elbow.
- Close the gray tank valve.
- Open the black tank valve.
- Firmly attach your dedicated RV black tank flush-out hose to your RV’s black tank flush intake. Attach the other end of this hose to the RV dump station water tap.
- Turn the water on. Keep flushing the black tank until the water runs perfectly clear through the transparent elbow.
- Turn the water off.
- Close the black tank outlet valve.
- Detach the dedicated black tank flush-out hose from the RV.
- Rinse the inside of your sewer hose with the RV black tank flush-out hose.
- Put everything away before you leave the RV dump station and congratulate yourself.
Popular Youtubers Long, Long Honeymoon shared their Top 10 Tips for Surviving the RV Dump Station in this video:
Get rid of black tank odors
Using an RV wastewater treatment will keep your tanks from getting stinky and will help keep everything flowing smoothly at the RV dump station. Most of them work with water, so add water to your holding tanks, and then add the treatment, as per instructions on the package. You may also want to try these tips from Do It Yourself RV.
Lynne lives, travels and works full time in the R-Pod 180 with 3 pointers and 1 small but vital corgi mix named Alice. Lynne began full time RVing as an experiment in 2019, but she quickly fell in love with the convenience, freedom and minimalist lifestyle offered by full time RV living. Lynne is a professional dog trainer, offering mobile and online dog training services through her website at www.mydoggeek.com. You can read about her travel adventures on her blog at: https://rpodadventure.wordpress.com/
I would agree with everything in the article. I would only add that a small bucket is handy for me. It seems on my coach, there is always a cup to a pint of water that seems to pour out when I remove the end cap. Placing the bucket under the sewer outlet catches those little spills and leaves no unpleasant surprises for the next guy. I also use the bucket to coil my black water flush hose while traveling.
One thing just occurred to me after reading this excellent article. Upon disconnecting the sewer hose from your rig, spray the rig’s sewer port with Lysol spray disinfectant. And then do the same with the sewer hose and elbow before storing everything back into your storage crate. I’ve never done this before, but I’m adding it to my routine.
Lippert WasteMaster ….. “Mic Drop”
“Firmly attach your dedicated RV black tank flush-out hose to your RV’s black tank flush intake.” A lot of older Travel Trailers do not have a hookup for a black tank flush. In my case, I just add about a gallon or 2 of water to the toilet and run that through the hose to flush it out. Usually 2 to 3 times is good. You can use the fresh water from the RV tank or just run a hose into the bathroom and use the hose to fill the toilet.
We always drain just a little of our grey water first, in order to be sure that all our connections are secure and there are no leaks. Then we proceed as this article describes.
I ALWAYS put on knee pads. It helps keeps my pants out of the gunk from any previous (careless) dumpers and is easier on the joints.
I agree with all of the process except opening the valve all at once. Too many horror stories about opening a valve completely instead of slowly. Everything gets old and sometimes loosens, then, comes the realization that slower might be better to begin letting out the black or gray water. I always start slow and then open fully.
If your RV does not have a black tank flush valve, you can insert your blades k tank flush hose directly into the toilet. Just flush the toilet and keep the foot flush depressed to hold open the flush valve and insert the hose while it is open. Once the hose is inserted release the pedal and turn on the water. Usually 2 to 3 minutes is adequate. If you have a clear 90 on your sewer hose,just watch it until the water runs clear.
I would make one suggested change to the steps shown… On Step 10-11, you should leave the Black Water valve CLOSED as you are flushing the Black Water tank. Flush it by filling roughly 3/4 full and then turn of the flush filling and open the Black Valve fully to dump it again. The water should be clear after this second dump. If you leave the Black Water valve open while you are flushing, you will never clean out the tank or the debris because the water runs out as soon as it enters the Black Water tank.
I would open the gray water and release a little to make sure there are no leaks in the system at the joints or pin holes in the hose. Better to have a gray leak on the ground than a black one. Once every thing checks out open the black and follow the rest of the steps.
Different strokes for different folks. The main thing is “Dump Station Etiquette”. Chances are there will be numerous campers at the dump station waiting to dump. This is the nature of the beast. Pulling up to dump is not the time to rearrange your camping gear in the pass-thru. Leave your phone in your vehicle. This is no time to be texting. Pat attention to the task at hand. When you pull up be ready to dump and flush. Have your gear ready. Lastly, if you make a mess clean it up! Don’t leave it for the next camper, and put your gloves in the trash can rather than throw them on the ground near the dump sump.
Years ago, I read a tip re flushing RV tanks. It stated that FIRST, for about 30 ~ 60 seconds, flush GREY water. That way, you can check for leaks, connections and, the grey water can “lubricate” the sewer hose. Once you know you have no leaks, shut the grey valve and open the black tank valve. Once the black tank is empty, THEN finish up by emptying the grey tank. I’ve followed this procedure for almost a decade and, it works great. Should I ever have a leak, the mess will be grey water instead of black water.