BoonDock777
New Member
- Jun 14, 2021
- 2
I recently bought my first pop up camper. It’s a 2016 forest river flagstaff HW 27sc. My question is how do you drain and flush your black tank without having to set up the whole camper at the dump station?
Black tank flush
- Thread starter BoonDock777
- Start date
WrkrBee
Super Active Member
All the dump valves are outside the camper. A black tank flush feature should have a port outside, also.
Dingit
Super Active Member
- Mar 8, 2017
- 2,183
You can drain it but flushing is another matter? Mine doesn't have a tank flush feature. I've thought about making a kid crawl in and hold down the foot-pedal flush on the toilet but haven't yet. 
I do set it up in the garage after a trip to clean and unpack and will usually run some extra water into the toilet tank to keep things wet but...yeah this is one of several flaws in having a built-in black tank on a popup.
I do set it up in the garage after a trip to clean and unpack and will usually run some extra water into the toilet tank to keep things wet but...yeah this is one of several flaws in having a built-in black tank on a popup.
My TT has a built in black tank flush. I do not use it. First, it takes a lot more time at the dump station. Second, you can flood your trailer if you get distracted.
I simply use plenty of water in the black tank and dont dump it until it's close to full. I follow up the black tank dump with a close to full gray tank dump when possible.
My TT's black tank is very clean. I know for a fact, because I have had my arm in it and looked all around in it with a mirror recently...I was trying to locate a dropped flashlight.
I simply use plenty of water in the black tank and dont dump it until it's close to full. I follow up the black tank dump with a close to full gray tank dump when possible.
My TT's black tank is very clean. I know for a fact, because I have had my arm in it and looked all around in it with a mirror recently...I was trying to locate a dropped flashlight.
I just run a bunch of water into the black tank by holding down the flush lever before we pop down. I figure it sloshes and loosens on the way to the dump station. Much better than a "too dry" tank. When we get home I put some water into the tank from the toilet and put in another deodorizing packet.
Yuck. Too much information! Lol.
If it's a standard black tank connection, the Valterra Hydroflush works great. We use it on our small TT, as long as there's a spigot to hook up the hose. It has the advantage of rinsing the tanks (we have a gray tank too, although it doesn't really reach that because of bends in the pipe) and the sewer hose too. After dumping, I close the valves so that it rinses the intersection of the pipes, then (after closing the outermost valve, rinses the sewer hose well. Once in a while, we find a dump site that we can't use it, but we usually can do so.
https://www.amazon.com/Valterra-F02...=1623695708&sprefix=hydroflush,aps,235&sr=8-2
Camco also has one: https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Rhino-...1623695766&sprefix=camco+sewer,aps,244&sr=8-3
https://www.amazon.com/Valterra-F02...=1623695708&sprefix=hydroflush,aps,235&sr=8-2
Camco also has one: https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Rhino-...1623695766&sprefix=camco+sewer,aps,244&sr=8-3
Not really any Yuck to it...lol...I put my arm in and felt all around for that light with my bare hand. Surprisingly, my hand came out clean.
BoonDock777
New Member
- Jun 14, 2021
- 2
Thank you, I’m going to try the Rhino Blaster I guess. Another person said they run a hose into the toilet before they close it up but I would be to scared the hose would come out and make a mess. In my opinion EVERY pop up should come with some kind of back flush system built so you don’t have to raise it up at the dump station and make everyone mad because it takes so long LOL
Even with the TT, I hated having to run in and out to flush the toilet to rinse better, before we bought the Hydroflush. Friends have a wand that goes through the flap from the top, but they can feed a hose in through a window next to the toilet in their Casita. Being able to do all the flushing from the outside is nicer.
[I did have my friend run water into the gray tank while I was dumping the other day, because I did it while set up in a FHU campsite (which is so much easier than in a dump station - no one waiting for me to finish). The trailer was just sightly off-level to the wrong side for the efficient draining of the gray tank. the KOA we use nearby has the road sloped just a bit at the dump station, so we get an efficient dump on both tanks.
[I did have my friend run water into the gray tank while I was dumping the other day, because I did it while set up in a FHU campsite (which is so much easier than in a dump station - no one waiting for me to finish). The trailer was just sightly off-level to the wrong side for the efficient draining of the gray tank. the KOA we use nearby has the road sloped just a bit at the dump station, so we get an efficient dump on both tanks.
WrkrBee
Super Active Member
Assuming that you did not find the flashlight.
Nope. I found it....After I pulled the flange, I spotted it with a mirror. I couldn't get any further than my bicep in the tank neck. The woman of the house went armpit deep and got the light out.
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I had pulled my toilet to replace it. A toilet flange looks surprisingly like a funnel and works just as well....lol
LilRed
Super Active Member
I have wondered if I could use the black tank roof vent to help flush while closed in my hw277.
i have seen some mods to the tank to add a sprayer to the side near the waste level terminals and a hose fitting near the gate.
other than that, I have found the only other way to flush it out is at a site with full hookups.
i have seen some mods to the tank to add a sprayer to the side near the waste level terminals and a hose fitting near the gate.
other than that, I have found the only other way to flush it out is at a site with full hookups.
DiamondGirl
Adventures with KODI in AZ
We have a regular Travel trailer so this doesn’t apply to other types of trailers that do not have the same option. Our KODI comes with a built in black tank flush for convenience. We use the black tank flush at the dump site each time. It prevents leaving any waste or tissue behind in the black tank (BT). If something is left behind, then it will dry up and become harder to remove later. It will also cause errors in the BT monitoring system.
Happy Camping…![[put&hy]](/smileys/smile_put_&_hy.png "Pickup Truck and Hybrid [put&hy]")
- Dump black tank and close the valve.
- Dump grey tank (Fill some water into the black tank flush while the grey tank is dumping) then close the valve.
- Dump black tank again and close valve.
- Fill some water into the black tank flush.
- Dump black tank again.
Happy Camping…
As long as you use put a bit of water in the tank before use and try to dump it when it's full or at least close to full than not, you shouldn't have much worry about anything being left behind. I dont use chemicals unless it's off the clearance rack and too cheap to pass up. I put a heavy squirt of dish soap in my black tanks primer water. That coupled with a tank full of gray water being dumped after the black leaves the tank soapy and eventually will be come slick with soap residue....My time at a dump station probably never exceeds minutes.
I have seen and felt inside my black tank from both ends twice in the past 6 years. It's pretty darn clean, especially for a 25 year old trailer.
I have seen and felt inside my black tank from both ends twice in the past 6 years. It's pretty darn clean, especially for a 25 year old trailer.
jonkquil
Super Active Member
- Jul 20, 2009
- 893
I have the HW27KS and have the same issue as you, about flushing the black tank. From what I can see there's no magic solution other that popping up and flushing out fully. We are all obviously not doing that, so here's what works for me. Firstly, we only do #1's in our toilet so we are not dealing with a super stinky mess!! I dump my tank after camping at the camp ground or my sewer outlet at home. I use a hose to flush out what I can by squirting into the black drain outlet, I will also leave the cap & valve open for a few days to air it out. That's the best I can do, with the chemicals I use, it doesn't seem to ever be smelly at all. If I'm staying at a camp ground with sewer hook up (I try to plan one at least twice a year) I dump, throw a bucket of water down the toilet, dump again, throw another bucket of water down the toilet, then add about a cup of dish washing liquid into the tank. Let this slosh around on the drive home, then dump at home. At the end of the season I pop up on the driveway & do a through flush/cleaning. So I only end up doing a through tank flush about 3 times per season & we never get any nasty smells from the tank at all.
Snow
Super Active Member
- Jul 19, 2007
- 12,274
Let me just say this when it comes to dump stations and tank flushing..
If there is more then 2 people in line behind you, dump and go, don't flush the tank.. Unless you want to be one of those guys..
Most campgrounds I have been to whether it is State, Provincial, Conservation area, ACOE, KOA or private all have 1 maybe 2 dump stations spots.. A few of our Provincial Parks have up graded to 3 or 4 but only a couple.. costs a lot to install new septic beds and tanks.. this said here is a story from the dump station, this happened a few years ago at the campground we held the Ontario Summer Rally at.. this was also back when we were the only ones attending who did not have a popup..
When we arrived at the dump station, we were number 5 in line.. this dump station could hold about 3-3,5 trailers and vehicles depending on trailer size. Since we would have completely blocked the road into and out if the dump station, I stopped short on the side of the narrow road (narrow as in for 2 trailers to pass both had to be over to the shoulder and trailers would clear by maybe 2ft. Dump stations itself was a small loop around that entered and exited at the same intersection, also the fresh water fill point was in the loop as well..
We sat on the side of the road and waited, and when the 1st rv in line finished and pulled out, line moved up, So did I, now due to all 3 rigs in front being so long, I knew we we over hanging the exit portion , Not an issue as by the time the exiting rig got to the exit, everyone would have moved up..
Well that is where a majority of campers soon found "that guy" .. he dumped his tanks, then flushed both tanks..Okay not a big problem.. then he flushed the black tank 4 more times.. twice using the built in tank flusher and then twice using his rhino flusher.. by the time he was done, the line up to use the dump station was about 40 or so rigs long.. many who were quite passed off by this time.. The gentleman 2nd in line commented to the guy that 1 flush was OK, but 2 and more were not required and he was really passing people off and the line was getting longer.. The "flusher" didn't care, said it was his trailer and the tanks were clean when he said they were clean and to basically go pound salt ( where the sun don't shine) he would take all day if he wanted too.
Well a short time later park staff arrive to see what is causing the line-up of traffic on the road.. Staff told the flusher, that if he wanted to rinse his tanks anymore he was going to have exit the dump station and go to the back of the line..
The flusher wasn't happy, but when the staff mentioned calling the cops and potentially have him charged with disturbing the peace of the campground, he finished his current dump and went to leave..
But the story isn't done yet....
As people moved forward, when the flysher had pulled up to exit, he discovered that due to another rig overhanging the exit point, the flusher could not make the required right turn to exit the park.. After a lot of yelling, and a lot of "colourful" words were exchanged, once again park staff returned.. now they realized the trying to get 40 plus trailers to back up on the curvey narrow campground road, wasn't going to work .. they held told the flusher he had 2 options, first was to wait until the guy dumping was finished, and when he pulled forward to leave and those already in the loop moved up, they would block the line up so both the flusher and the next guy could leave.. OR he could turn left and head away from the park exit and when he got past the waiting line up for the dump station, turn around and carefully head back up and exit the park, staff even said they would hold inbound traffic to allow this asshat to do the 2km drive on the wrong side of the road..
Well... he went with option 2, because his time was important, but the park would be hearing from his law firm (apparently he was a lawyer, ) .. well after taking 10 minutes just to get turned the other way, he was moving.. while all this was going on, I moved up to the dump point, dumped both tanks, and I was pulling out off the exit.. when who do I see coming up the road, being escorted.. the Flusher..
Took him almost as long to drive down the road, turn around and get back to the dump station loop as it took 3 if us to dump ( 2 rigs in front of me rinsed, once each).
Moral of the story... if you have a tank rinse, and there is a line up behind you, use it once and go.. if you are the only one at the dump station rinse all day if you want to.
So don't be "that guy" ..
If there is more then 2 people in line behind you, dump and go, don't flush the tank.. Unless you want to be one of those guys..
Most campgrounds I have been to whether it is State, Provincial, Conservation area, ACOE, KOA or private all have 1 maybe 2 dump stations spots.. A few of our Provincial Parks have up graded to 3 or 4 but only a couple.. costs a lot to install new septic beds and tanks.. this said here is a story from the dump station, this happened a few years ago at the campground we held the Ontario Summer Rally at.. this was also back when we were the only ones attending who did not have a popup..
When we arrived at the dump station, we were number 5 in line.. this dump station could hold about 3-3,5 trailers and vehicles depending on trailer size. Since we would have completely blocked the road into and out if the dump station, I stopped short on the side of the narrow road (narrow as in for 2 trailers to pass both had to be over to the shoulder and trailers would clear by maybe 2ft. Dump stations itself was a small loop around that entered and exited at the same intersection, also the fresh water fill point was in the loop as well..
We sat on the side of the road and waited, and when the 1st rv in line finished and pulled out, line moved up, So did I, now due to all 3 rigs in front being so long, I knew we we over hanging the exit portion , Not an issue as by the time the exiting rig got to the exit, everyone would have moved up..
Well that is where a majority of campers soon found "that guy" .. he dumped his tanks, then flushed both tanks..Okay not a big problem.. then he flushed the black tank 4 more times.. twice using the built in tank flusher and then twice using his rhino flusher.. by the time he was done, the line up to use the dump station was about 40 or so rigs long.. many who were quite passed off by this time.. The gentleman 2nd in line commented to the guy that 1 flush was OK, but 2 and more were not required and he was really passing people off and the line was getting longer.. The "flusher" didn't care, said it was his trailer and the tanks were clean when he said they were clean and to basically go pound salt ( where the sun don't shine) he would take all day if he wanted too.
Well a short time later park staff arrive to see what is causing the line-up of traffic on the road.. Staff told the flusher, that if he wanted to rinse his tanks anymore he was going to have exit the dump station and go to the back of the line..
The flusher wasn't happy, but when the staff mentioned calling the cops and potentially have him charged with disturbing the peace of the campground, he finished his current dump and went to leave..
But the story isn't done yet....
As people moved forward, when the flysher had pulled up to exit, he discovered that due to another rig overhanging the exit point, the flusher could not make the required right turn to exit the park.. After a lot of yelling, and a lot of "colourful" words were exchanged, once again park staff returned.. now they realized the trying to get 40 plus trailers to back up on the curvey narrow campground road, wasn't going to work .. they held told the flusher he had 2 options, first was to wait until the guy dumping was finished, and when he pulled forward to leave and those already in the loop moved up, they would block the line up so both the flusher and the next guy could leave.. OR he could turn left and head away from the park exit and when he got past the waiting line up for the dump station, turn around and carefully head back up and exit the park, staff even said they would hold inbound traffic to allow this asshat to do the 2km drive on the wrong side of the road..
Well... he went with option 2, because his time was important, but the park would be hearing from his law firm (apparently he was a lawyer, ) .. well after taking 10 minutes just to get turned the other way, he was moving.. while all this was going on, I moved up to the dump point, dumped both tanks, and I was pulling out off the exit.. when who do I see coming up the road, being escorted.. the Flusher..
Took him almost as long to drive down the road, turn around and get back to the dump station loop as it took 3 if us to dump ( 2 rigs in front of me rinsed, once each).
Moral of the story... if you have a tank rinse, and there is a line up behind you, use it once and go.. if you are the only one at the dump station rinse all day if you want to.
So don't be "that guy" ..
LilRed
Super Active Member
hey experts- am I missing something here?? when folks say they use their grey water to flush the black tank... how is that actually happening?? I can see it flushing the black hose 'downstream' only, but not the black tank itself...
