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Holding Tank Drain
NOTE: LOCAL OR STAH REGULATIONS MAY
PROHIBIT HIGHWAY TRAVEL UNLESS THE
HOLDING TANK OUTLET IS SECURELY CAPPED.
When you want to drain the holding tanks:
• Attach the sewer hose to holding tank outlet. In-
sert 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 between the line and the inlet.Ar-
range the sewer hose so it slopes evenly.
* Dump 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.
*
Allow enough time for the tank to drain complete-
ly. Rinse and flush the tank through the toilet. When
the tank is empty, push the handle in to close the
valve. Reset the locking device. Even if you are park-
ed at a site with a semipermanent sewer hookup,
keep the black water knife valve closed to allow
the waste to build up. The outlet will probably clog
if you leave the knife valve open continually. Run
enough water into the tank to cover the bottom.
This will aid the break up of solid wastes.
• To dump the gray water tank, repeat the steps
above for the small knife valve. This tank is dumped
last to aid in flushing the outlets and hose. The
gray water knife valve may be left open in a
semipermanent hookup.
* Remove the sewer hose and replace the cap.
* Rinse out the sewer hose with fresh water and
remove the sewer hose from the dump station.
* Replace sewer or dump station covers.
* Remove the sewer hose, cap the outlet, and store
the hose.
PLEASE . . . PRACTICE GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
WHEN DRAINING WASTES AT A CAMPSITE OR
DISPOSAL STATION. LEAVE THE SITE IN GOOD
ORDER. ABOVE ALL, DO NOT POLLUTE.
29
Holding Tank Care and Maintenance
Since holding tanks don't rely on any sophisticated
mechanical devices for their operation, they are vir-
tually troublefree. The most common problem is also
an unpleasant one - clogging. You can minimize the
chances of clogging by keeping the following con-
siderations in mind;
* Keep the black water tank knife valve closed. Fill
tank to at least
3/4
full before dumping. Be sure
to cover the tank bottom with water after dumping.
*
Use only toilet tissue formulated for use in septic
tank or RV sanitation systems.
* Keep both knife valves closed and locked, and the
drain cap tightly in place when using the system
on the road.
• Use only cleaners that are approved for use in sep-
tic tank or RV sanitation systems.
*
Use a special holding tank deodorant chemical ap-
proved for septic tank systems in the black water
holding tank. These chemicals aid the breakdown
of solid wastes, and make the system much more
pleasant to use.
• Do not put facial tissue, paper, ethylene glycol-
based or other automotive antifreeze, sanitary
napkins, or household toilet cleaners in the holding
tanks.
• Do not put anything solid in either tank that could
scratch or puncture the tank.
If the drain system does get clogged:
• Use a hand-operated probe to loosen stubborn ac-
cumulations. Seriously clogged P-traps may require
disassembly. Be careful not to overtighten when
reassembling.
* Do not use harsh household drain cleaners.
• Do not use motorized drain augers.
• Sometimes the holding tank valve will get clogg-
ed. In this case, a hand-operated augermay be
necessary. Be ready to close the valve quickly once
the clog is cleared. If the seal gets damaged, it is
easily replaced .
WATER SYSTEM WINTERIZING
Read this section completely before performing
winterization.
If the motor home is to be stored unheated in
temperatures below freezing, the fresh water and
waste systems should be winterized. A detailed
storage and winterization procedure is outlined in the
"PREPARING THE MOTOR HOME FOR LONG TERM
STORAGE" section.
CAUTION: DRAINING THE WATER SYSTEM
ALONE WILL NOT PROVID!: ADEQUATE COLD
WEATHER PROTECTION. IF THE MOTOR HOME
IS TO BE UNHEATED DURING FREEZING TEM-
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