Draining The Holding Tanks - Fleetwood Southwind Owner's Manual

Draining the Holding Tanks

The holding tanks terminate in a valve arrange-
ment that permits draining each tank separately.
The valves are called knife valves. A blade
closes the opening in the sewer drain pipes.
The blade is connected to a T-handle and cable
assembly mounted in the utility compartment.
Do not pull the holding tank knife valve open
when the protective cap is installed on the
pipe. Pull the T-handle to release the contents of
the tank(s).
Gray Holding Tank Dumping
Black Water Tank Dumping
During self-containment use, the sewer line is
securely capped to prevent leakage of waste
material onto the ground or pavement. Always
drain the tank into an acceptable sewer inlet or
dump station.
Drain the holding tanks only when they are at
least ⁄ -full. If necessary, fill the tanks with
3
4
water to ⁄ -full. This provides sufficient water to
3
4
allow complete flushing of waste material into
the sewer line.
Plumbing Systems and Holding Tanks
Whenever possible, drain the holding tanks before
traveling. Waste water and sewage in the holding
tanks reduce the carrying capacity of the motor
home. See the Motor Home Loading chapter.
During extended or semi-permanent hookups to
sewage systems, waste materials will build up in
the tank and cause serious plugging if the tank
valves are continuously open. In these cases,
keep the valves closed until the tanks are
and then drain into the sewage system.
The holding tank drain valve outlet is to be used
with a removable termination fitting that locks
onto the outlet with a clockwise twist. Clamp the
sewer drain hose to this fitting. A protective cap
should remain in place when you are not drain-
ing the tanks.
Holding tanks are enclosed sewer systems and as
such must be drained into an approved dump sta-
tion. Both black and gray water holding tanks must
be drained and thoroughly rinsed regularly to pre-
vent accumulation of harmful or toxic materials.
NOTE
3
Local or state regulations may prohibit highway travel
unless the holding tank outlet is securely capped.
To drain the holding tanks:
1. Attach the sewer hose to the holding tank
outlet. Insert the end of the hose into the
sewer or dump station inlet, pushing it
firmly far enough into the opening to be
secure. In some cases, adapters may be
necessary or required between the line
and the inlet. Arrange the sewer hose so it
slopes evenly.
2. Drain the black water holding tank first.
Grasp the handle of the black water knife
valve (the large one) firmly and slide the
valve open with a quick, steady pull.
!
WARNING
⁄ -full,
3
4
07-5