Cool Canuck
Winnipeg, MB, Canada
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Joined: 08/18/2003
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OK, I park some place warm every winter. This means a month or two in one spot. I leave my black tank closed, however I leave my gray tanks open. I just got called clueless for this act. Am I in the minority?? Do you leave your gray tanks open for an extended stay or do you close them??
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sclark
Minnesota
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Joined: 03/11/2005
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I leave the tanks closed until I am ready to empty. I use the gray to flush out the sewer hose. After dumping the black tank, I add a couple of gallons of water back in the tank. Good luck.
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skipnchar
Topeka Kansas USA
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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I leave either my galley tank OR my gray tank open all the time. The only tank that NEEDS to be kept closed is the black tank. If you flush a lot of garbadge down the galley tank it probably would help to leave it closed also so it will flush solids out when you dump but we're pretty careful about not allowing solids down the drain. If you can plan ahead enough to close the gray for a day or two prior to leaving so you have some flush water to help clean up the hose it can be beneficial.
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Maintcpo
Central California
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Joined: 11/26/2004
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While there is nothing wrong with your current procedure, I would close the grey the day before or 2 maybe to get some backup to flush the stinky stuff out of the hose. This may not do much, but will help make sure you dont have anything resting in the hose. Just a thought.
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Krusty
Calgary, Alberta,Canada
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I leave mine closed. If the tank is getting full and I want to take a shower, I may open it up partially, but generally not until tank is full.
Krusty
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The Texan
Summer: A Cool Climate Winter: A Warm Climate
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Joined: 01/16/2004
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I have had a RV with holding tanks since 1972 and do exactly what you do, dump black when full and leave grey valve open all the time while parked. I use a tornado system to flush the black tank, so no need to hold the grey for flushing. I have never had a problem with the grey or black tank, in the 36 years I have been doing it this way.
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DutchmenSport
Indiana
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If I have full hook-up, I dump when the gray is full (and do the black also, even if it is not full). Why? Both tanks drain into the same outlet. With a third valve attached, I drain all I can out of the black, then close off the 3rd valve. Then open the gray and let it back flush into the black for a few seconds. Then close off the gray and open the 3rd again to flush the black until empty. I repeat back flushing the gray into the black until there's virtually nothing left in the gray. This REALLY cleans out the black, forcing water in and then out. Doing this, there's never any need for chemicals. Soapy dishwater and bath water back flushes into the gray, keeping it nice and CLEAN! That' just the way I do it. Might be a lot of work for some people, but I don't mind. It works!
DutchmenSport
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robatthelake
Vancouver Island
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Joined: 08/24/2003
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The danger of leaving the Grey open is that Critters can crawl up it and cause grief by Dying inside or laying eggs and feces! Where We often Camp there are sewer Iguanas as well as snakes!
Personally I just Dump when ever it needs to be done and keep the Hose Off the Ground!
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othertonka
Stockton, CA
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Joined: 11/15/2003
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Since you asked for opinions, I leave both valves closed until it is time to dump. That way the gray tank does not collect food particles in the bottom of the tank because there was not enough water to flush them out. And the gray tank is not exposed to the sewer smells from the park sewer coming back up the hose because the valve is Closed. I have done it this way for over 30 years and it works for me. Which way is right? Only you can answer that question after being armed with all of the opinions offered. If you want to leave the valve open, do it, If you don't, don't do it.
Othertonka
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MI Director
Michigan
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Same as othertonka. If you have never seen a soap and particle built up in a gray water tank your in for a treat. Friend got a unit from a snowbird who left his gray valve open all winter down south every year and it had the worst odor out of the gray tank you've ever smelled. Went over with a pressure wand and opened the valve and started to flush the tank. I would say we washed out at almost a bucket full of hard white soap scum with black chucks mixed in. The smell was worst than any black water tank.
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