19
Holding Tanks & Drainage
System
Travel trailers and fth wheels are equipped with two or
three separate holding tanks to accommodate waste. One
holding tank accommodates toilet drainage. The tub/
shower, and sinks have a separate drainage system. Both
systems terminate at the waste valves outside the trailer.
TOILET & TOILET HOLDING TANK
Proper toilet instruction and maintenance is explained in
the manufacturer’s manual supplied with the toilet.
·
The toilet operation is designed to minimize the use of
water needed to ush it.
·
It is advisable to instruct children and strangers of
proper toilet use because of the unusual operation of
this type of toilet.
Before using the toilet’s holding tank, prime the tank with
ve (5) gallons of water to discourage waste solids from
settling directly under the ush valve.
Add a holding tank
chemical (available from your local RV supplier). Follow
instructions on the package. If required, an anti-freeze
solution can be added at this time. It will not harm the
plastic holding tank material.
The holding tanks will more effectively drain solids when
the tank is relatively full of uids. When the toilet’s holding
tank is ready to be emptied, locate a proper disposal station
to prepare for drainage.
To empty or dump the toilet holding tank, remove
1.
the cap at the 3" drain connection.
Securely attach a 3" hose adapter and hose.
2.
Connect the hose to a sewer connection at the
3.
disposal station and pull the toilet holding tank drain
valve handle out in a straight line.
After draining, close the valve handle, rinse the tank
4.
with several gallons of water, and drain again.
NOTE: After draining the holding tank, a false
reading may sometimes occur on your monitor
panel due to debris or tissue hanging on the
sensor probes in the tank. Most debris clinging
to the monitor probes will dislodge during travel
by maintaining holding tank uid levels of at least
1/3 capacity.
GRAY WATER HOLDING TANK
The sinks and tub/shower wastewater will drain to a
separate holding tank. This holding tank will be referred
to as the gray water holding tank.
·
Drain unheated, gray water holding tank(s) after the
toilet holding tank. This will help ush the drainpipe
and valve. Simply pull the 1 1/2" pipe valve handle
to empty the gray tank(s).
·
Drain gray water holding tank(s) by pulling the valve
handle labeled “WASTE” to empty the gray tank(s).
·
Continuous draining for the galley, tub & sinks is
possible without draining the toilet holding tank.
NEVER leave the drain valve open continuously
on the toilet holding tank. Instead, use it as on self-
contained operation, and then drain it periodically
as required.
·
Add all necessary chemicals after draining the tank.
·
The tank must contain fluid to operate and drain
properly.
·
Dumping stations are found at most RV campgrounds,
RV parks, and some automobile service stations.
Lists of these stations can obtained through sources
such as Camping World, Woodall’s, etc., and other
recreational/camping publications.
·
Whenever possible, dump the holding tanks before
traveling. Wastewater and sewage in the holding
tanks reduce the carrying capacity of the trailer. See
“WEIGHING AND LOADING” section.
·
Dump holding tanks only when they are at least ¾ full.
If necessary, ll the tanks with water to ¾ full. This
provides suf cient water to ensure complete ushing
of waste material into the sewer line.
C
AUTION: Do not use any chemical additive
that is not approved for recreational vehicle use.
Consult your dealer for any clari cation.
WARNING: Holding tanks are enclosed sewer
systems and must be drained into an approved
dump station. All holding tanks must be drained
and thoroughly rinsed regularly to prevent
accumulation of harmful toxic material.
HOLDING TANK DO’S AND DON’TS
·
DO clean holding tanks with an approved cleaner
·
DO add a special chemical additive to sanitize and
improve tank action.
·
DO guard the tank against freeze up.
·
DO keep the dump valves closed to allow the tanks to
ll to facilitate drainage.
·
DO keep dump valves closed and drain caps in place
to allow use of the system while traveling.
·
DO use any soft, single-ply toilet tissue.
·
DO open the bathroom vent to dispel condensation.
·
DON’T put facial tissues, paper, automotive type
antifreeze, sanitary napkins, household toilet cleaners,
or any other foreign objects in your holding tank which
may clog or damage the system.
