Toilets and Tanks - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Hazel · RV-Dreams Family Member

Toilets and Tanks

RonC · RV-Dreams Family Member

I think you'll work it out. How does your partner feel about it?

Hazel · RV-Dreams Family Member

HE doesn't care! LOL

igotjam · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you stay in rv parks you can continue to use the campground facilities.

Neil and Connie · RV-Dreams Family Member

My wife hates campground facilities…toilet is out of the question and she'll only use the shower in an emergency and if it meets her ridiculously high standards…so maybe one campground out of 10 would even be eligible. We can make it 10 days on our internal tanks if we have no sewer connection and use the campground shower…otherwise probably 4-5 days max, so we just don't stay at a camp without sewer more than 4 days then dump on the way out.

Hazel · RV-Dreams Family Member

We all have our hang-ups, don't we?

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

We always try to start any extended travel with tanks empty - that gives us at least 10 days before we have to dump. Since we never travel 10 days straight, we don't worry about it. What is the problem with having wastes in the tank - better for the tanks to have some fluid in them, keeps sloshing around and keeps things dissolved. If your seals on the toilet are good, then no odor will enter your rig - provided you make sure to close all vents and windows.

Dave Buck · RV-Dreams Family Member

My wife has never used a campground shower or toilet facilities since we started full time over four years ago. She says we have our own and that's what they're for. It helps that we can go about 10 day without dumping. We rarely boondock so dumping is usually no problem.

Rob and Cheryl O · RV-Dreams Community Member

Hope you don't mind me popping in with my couple of cents. We have been here at the RV resort for about 3 weeks. I use the RV ALL the time, hubby does his morning business at the bath house before I even wake, we both shower in here. We learned from a fellow full timer here to keep the black tank closed for the week, then drain it, so that it helps to dissolve everything (with the packets in it) and keeps it "fresher". I have a reminder set on my phone to dump it on Fridays. Seems to be working out fine.

I have even turned the shower stall into a dual use area :) I bought a cheap shower rod and it fits perfectly across the top to hang my clothes I do not dry. Easy up, easy use, easy put away!!

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

There is absolutely no need to use any other 'chemicals' in the black water tank other than plenty of water when you flush. Once every couple of weeks I poor some vinegar into the bowl and let it sit - - helps to dissolve any calcium/magnesium build up on the seals. And I use baking soda as a mild abrassive to clean the bowl. Both of these will help to buffer the water, which will increase the activity of natural bacteria in the wastes. Add water, dump when the tank is 2/3 or more full, which is 10-12 days for us.

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

One consideration is to replace the toilet with an RV toilet that is designed more like a residential toilet. They even use residential toilet seats. My wife and I find a normal RV toilet to be too short so we added a tall residential style RV toilet.

If the toilet and seals are properly maintained and the holding tank has clear ventilation at the roof you will rarely have smells from the black holding tank. I will add a packet of thetford deodorizer with enzymes. after I dump the tank along with 2-3 gallons of water. I feel this helps clean the tank as we drive along and the water sloshes around. I've done this with every RV we've owned and our tanks remained like new even after 22 years on our current RV.

That being said I will use the restroom facilities at a campground/resort from time to time provided they are kept clean.

-- Edited by The Bear II on Friday 9th of September 2016 12:05:02 PM