I got a question about the grey water tanks. Me and the Family are taking our first long trip for Turkey day "second trip ever". (6days 5nights). It will just be me, my wife, and my 5yr old son. Will we run into issues with the grey water tank becoming full. It is 45 gallons.
What tricks do you guys use to keep from filling the grey water tanks to fast. I know I have seen some people just let them drip on to the ground but I will be in the pound I am pretty sure that is not allowed.
Will we also run into in water issues 100gal fresh. We will really only use it for showers and cleaning a few dishes.
I'm not worried to much about black water.
Full Version: Questions With Grey Water And 6days Campin
Conserve and you should be okay on the fresh...
I learned a good trick from a friend on here... take a 5 gallon bucket and move some gray to the black tank if you start to fill the gray... of course only do this if you have enough black tank room...
I learned a good trick from a friend on here... take a 5 gallon bucket and move some gray to the black tank if you start to fill the gray... of course only do this if you have enough black tank room...
We can last that long, being very cautious with grey. Army showers, using mostly throwaway dishes, etc. I know peeps who scoop up dishwater and throw it down the black tank. 
Also, wash hands w/the outside shower, the water just hits the ground then.
If all else fails, the honey truck cruises the washes.
Also, wash hands w/the outside shower, the water just hits the ground then.
If all else fails, the honey truck cruises the washes.
not sure if the pump guy makes a trip to the pound but we usally use his services t-day weekend and it keeps the stress level down.think he charges 30 bucks
There are a couple of services that will drain your tanks for you depending on where ou are at. You might be able to get a few numbers from someone on here
oh yea wash up outside if its possible, it helps alot
QUOTE (BUSTINSAND @ Nov 18 2008, 08:26 PM) 
I got a question about the grey water tanks. Me and the Family are taking our first long trip for Turkey day "second trip ever". (6days 5nights). It will just be me, my wife, and my 5yr old son. Will we run into issues with the grey water tank becoming full. It is 45 gallons.
What tricks do you guys use to keep from filling the grey water tanks to fast. I know I have seen some people just let them drip on to the ground but I will be in the pound I am pretty sure that is not allowed.
Will we also run into in water issues 100gal fresh. We will really only use it for showers and cleaning a few dishes.
I'm not worried to much about black water.
What tricks do you guys use to keep from filling the grey water tanks to fast. I know I have seen some people just let them drip on to the ground but I will be in the pound I am pretty sure that is not allowed.
Will we also run into in water issues 100gal fresh. We will really only use it for showers and cleaning a few dishes.
I'm not worried to much about black water.
it also not allowed outside the pound..like stated before short shower...get in get wet turn water off soap up ..turn water back on and rinse off...dont wash dishes use plastic knives,spoons,forks paper plates,paper cups.you can also buy fresh water jugs for additional water capacity and also the poop trucks will also come service your rig out there too ...
Sounds good I didn't know that the poop wagon traveled up and down the wash $30 is not bad to give the me piece of mind.
I read about this trick also seems like it would work.
I opened the basement tank compartment and attached the sewer hose to the outlet and held the hose up in the air. I opened the gray valve and could feel the hose getting heavy, then I opened the black valve. The full tank will always flow to the empty one and try to evenly level out. Since the gray water was moving, no black water came into the hose. When I thought they were about even I closed the black valve then the gray valve and there was less than a gallon of gw in the hose that I had to dump. Ends up I made enough capacity in the tank for 3 more showers. I do this on a regular basis now before I need to and sometimes when I'm dumping to flush out the black tank with gw. There is a rhythm you have to learn with the valves to make it work smooth and clean. You could probably accomplish the same thing with the solid cap attached to the sewer outlet but, in my case, I'd get some dirty water in my compartment.
Caution, make sure your hose is in good shape and your clamp is tight. I use two clamps. If you don't you will be in competition with Robin Williams for a good laugh by the onlookers
I read about this trick also seems like it would work.
I opened the basement tank compartment and attached the sewer hose to the outlet and held the hose up in the air. I opened the gray valve and could feel the hose getting heavy, then I opened the black valve. The full tank will always flow to the empty one and try to evenly level out. Since the gray water was moving, no black water came into the hose. When I thought they were about even I closed the black valve then the gray valve and there was less than a gallon of gw in the hose that I had to dump. Ends up I made enough capacity in the tank for 3 more showers. I do this on a regular basis now before I need to and sometimes when I'm dumping to flush out the black tank with gw. There is a rhythm you have to learn with the valves to make it work smooth and clean. You could probably accomplish the same thing with the solid cap attached to the sewer outlet but, in my case, I'd get some dirty water in my compartment.
Caution, make sure your hose is in good shape and your clamp is tight. I use two clamps. If you don't you will be in competition with Robin Williams for a good laugh by the onlookers
I just hook up a hose to the grey tank and dump it around Robbies trailer. 
Works well every time!!!!....sometimes......I even fill his fresh water tanks with the grey!
Hope he doesn't find out!!
Works well every time!!!!....sometimes......I even fill his fresh water tanks with the grey!
Hope he doesn't find out!!
Showers? You'll be home in a few days!
I'm still out in Glamis, I think it's been about 12 days now, I can't remember.
I'm just over 2/3 on the grey tank, under 2/3 on the black, over 1/3 on fresh water.
The secrets are:
1. use paper plates and plastic ware, wash as few dishes as possible.
2. Use full face helmets and/or head socks to keep sand out of your face/hair, this way you can stay cleaner and take a real shower every other day. On the other days, you can do a sponge bath.
3. Teach everyone how to conserve water in the shower, there's an on/off valve on the shower head.
4. Turn off the water while brushing teeth, just rinse your mouth and brush at the end.
5. When washing hands, run the water at medium, you don't need full blast.
6. I installed a 3rd waste valve near the cap. If I fill up the grey tank early, I can open the grey valve, open the black, and excess grey will flow into the black, just like transferring with a bucket, only easier and with no smell. I only do this when the grey tank is full and the black is less than 2/3rds.
Between that, and solar panels, lotsa batteries, inverter, etc, I can stay out here up to the 14 day max easily, only using a 1/2 gal of gas per day in the genny.
I have 120 gal of fresh, and 50 gal of grey and black, ea. I often wondered where that other 20 gal of fresh water was supposed to go, but now I know. My dogs drink about 1 gal ea per day.
I'm just over 2/3 on the grey tank, under 2/3 on the black, over 1/3 on fresh water.
The secrets are:
1. use paper plates and plastic ware, wash as few dishes as possible.
2. Use full face helmets and/or head socks to keep sand out of your face/hair, this way you can stay cleaner and take a real shower every other day. On the other days, you can do a sponge bath.
3. Teach everyone how to conserve water in the shower, there's an on/off valve on the shower head.
4. Turn off the water while brushing teeth, just rinse your mouth and brush at the end.
5. When washing hands, run the water at medium, you don't need full blast.
6. I installed a 3rd waste valve near the cap. If I fill up the grey tank early, I can open the grey valve, open the black, and excess grey will flow into the black, just like transferring with a bucket, only easier and with no smell. I only do this when the grey tank is full and the black is less than 2/3rds.
Between that, and solar panels, lotsa batteries, inverter, etc, I can stay out here up to the 14 day max easily, only using a 1/2 gal of gas per day in the genny.
I have 120 gal of fresh, and 50 gal of grey and black, ea. I often wondered where that other 20 gal of fresh water was supposed to go, but now I know. My dogs drink about 1 gal ea per day.
QUOTE (socaldmax @ Nov 18 2008, 10:12 PM)
I'm still out in Glamis, I think it's been about 12 days now, I can't remember.
I'm just over 2/3 on the grey tank, under 2/3 on the black, over 1/3 on fresh water.
The secrets are:
1. use paper plates and plastic ware, wash as few dishes as possible.
2. Use full face helmets and/or head socks to keep sand out of your face/hair, this way you can stay cleaner and take a real shower every other day. On the other days, you can do a sponge bath.
3. Teach everyone how to conserve water in the shower, there's an on/off valve on the shower head.
4. Turn off the water while brushing teeth, just rinse your mouth and brush at the end.
5. When washing hands, run the water at medium, you don't need full blast.
6. I installed a 3rd waste valve near the cap. If I fill up the grey tank early, I can open the grey valve, open the black, and excess grey will flow into the black, just like transferring with a bucket, only easier and with no smell. I only do this when the grey tank is full and the black is less than 2/3rds.
Between that, and solar panels, lotsa batteries, inverter, etc, I can stay out here up to the 14 day max easily, only using a 1/2 gal of gas per day in the genny.
I have 120 gal of fresh, and 50 gal of grey and black, ea. I often wondered where that other 20 gal of fresh water was supposed to go, but now I know. My dogs drink about 1 gal ea per day.
I'm just over 2/3 on the grey tank, under 2/3 on the black, over 1/3 on fresh water.
The secrets are:
1. use paper plates and plastic ware, wash as few dishes as possible.
2. Use full face helmets and/or head socks to keep sand out of your face/hair, this way you can stay cleaner and take a real shower every other day. On the other days, you can do a sponge bath.
3. Teach everyone how to conserve water in the shower, there's an on/off valve on the shower head.
4. Turn off the water while brushing teeth, just rinse your mouth and brush at the end.
5. When washing hands, run the water at medium, you don't need full blast.
6. I installed a 3rd waste valve near the cap. If I fill up the grey tank early, I can open the grey valve, open the black, and excess grey will flow into the black, just like transferring with a bucket, only easier and with no smell. I only do this when the grey tank is full and the black is less than 2/3rds.
Between that, and solar panels, lotsa batteries, inverter, etc, I can stay out here up to the 14 day max easily, only using a 1/2 gal of gas per day in the genny.
I have 120 gal of fresh, and 50 gal of grey and black, ea. I often wondered where that other 20 gal of fresh water was supposed to go, but now I know. My dogs drink about 1 gal ea per day.
12 Days, if you can't remember maybe it's time to come home
when are you coming home?
QUOTE (BUSTINSAND @ Nov 18 2008, 09:26 PM)
I got a question about the grey water tanks. Me and the Family are taking our first long trip for Turkey day "second trip ever". (6days 5nights). It will just be me, my wife, and my 5yr old son. Will we run into issues with the grey water tank becoming full. It is 45 gallons.
What tricks do you guys use to keep from filling the grey water tanks to fast. I know I have seen some people just let them drip on to the ground but I will be in the pound I am pretty sure that is not allowed.
Will we also run into in water issues 100gal fresh. We will really only use it for showers and cleaning a few dishes.
I'm not worried to much about black water.
What tricks do you guys use to keep from filling the grey water tanks to fast. I know I have seen some people just let them drip on to the ground but I will be in the pound I am pretty sure that is not allowed.
Will we also run into in water issues 100gal fresh. We will really only use it for showers and cleaning a few dishes.
I'm not worried to much about black water.
Well here is the deal with my rig. I have one man, one woman and 3 teenage girls in our rig and we have NEVER ran out of water and we carry 100 gal fresh and 50 gray. Lots of bottled water for drinking of course. We have a 2 1/2 gallong of water (the kind with the little spicket) sitting on the tail gate of the truck. We use this for the quick, need to wash hands moments. We also take a BIG supply of Baby Wipes and use these to wipe our hands, face or what ever. When the hands and face are real dirty the wipes help get the bulk of the stuff off before turning on the water. If anyone wants to take a quick shower, do so but utilize the on and off valve to save water. If you want a decent shower, the Glamis store is a good option for $8.00 I think (i could be wrong) Usually send the teenagers up there every other day because I get tired of hearing "My hair is so dirty".
we have never ran out of water and have never filled up the gray or black tanks. You will be fine.
we have never ran out of water and have never filled up the gray or black tanks. You will be fine.
QUOTE (GLAMIS LOVER @ Nov 18 2008, 10:21 PM)
QUOTE (socaldmax @ Nov 18 2008, 10:12 PM)
I'm still out in Glamis, I think it's been about 12 days now, I can't remember.
I'm just over 2/3 on the grey tank, under 2/3 on the black, over 1/3 on fresh water.
The secrets are:
1. use paper plates and plastic ware, wash as few dishes as possible.
2. Use full face helmets and/or head socks to keep sand out of your face/hair, this way you can stay cleaner and take a real shower every other day. On the other days, you can do a sponge bath.
3. Teach everyone how to conserve water in the shower, there's an on/off valve on the shower head.
4. Turn off the water while brushing teeth, just rinse your mouth and brush at the end.
5. When washing hands, run the water at medium, you don't need full blast.
6. I installed a 3rd waste valve near the cap. If I fill up the grey tank early, I can open the grey valve, open the black, and excess grey will flow into the black, just like transferring with a bucket, only easier and with no smell. I only do this when the grey tank is full and the black is less than 2/3rds.
Between that, and solar panels, lotsa batteries, inverter, etc, I can stay out here up to the 14 day max easily, only using a 1/2 gal of gas per day in the genny.
I have 120 gal of fresh, and 50 gal of grey and black, ea. I often wondered where that other 20 gal of fresh water was supposed to go, but now I know. My dogs drink about 1 gal ea per day.
I'm just over 2/3 on the grey tank, under 2/3 on the black, over 1/3 on fresh water.
The secrets are:
1. use paper plates and plastic ware, wash as few dishes as possible.
2. Use full face helmets and/or head socks to keep sand out of your face/hair, this way you can stay cleaner and take a real shower every other day. On the other days, you can do a sponge bath.
3. Teach everyone how to conserve water in the shower, there's an on/off valve on the shower head.
4. Turn off the water while brushing teeth, just rinse your mouth and brush at the end.
5. When washing hands, run the water at medium, you don't need full blast.
6. I installed a 3rd waste valve near the cap. If I fill up the grey tank early, I can open the grey valve, open the black, and excess grey will flow into the black, just like transferring with a bucket, only easier and with no smell. I only do this when the grey tank is full and the black is less than 2/3rds.
Between that, and solar panels, lotsa batteries, inverter, etc, I can stay out here up to the 14 day max easily, only using a 1/2 gal of gas per day in the genny.
I have 120 gal of fresh, and 50 gal of grey and black, ea. I often wondered where that other 20 gal of fresh water was supposed to go, but now I know. My dogs drink about 1 gal ea per day.
12 Days, if you can't remember maybe it's time to come home
when are you coming home?When I run out of beer and gas.
cool 12 days for us and we never ran out of anything
can't wait to do it again
can't wait to do it again
We use Alpha out of Brawley on long trips. It is $75 for them to come out to wash 11, dump both tanks and refill our fresh water. Well worth the money in my opinion as it keeps Wash Wife happy.......... On our normal trips which go from Thursday to Sunday we have no issues running out of water or filling tanks as we do our best to conserve.
Glamis Dunes Storage right accross the street will come to the pound and pump out your tanks. Donr know how much but give them a call at 1-760-351-1301
buy some sort of outside shower or5 gallon jug with spicket and set outside somewhere. use this to wash hands, face etc after rides. does 2 things conserves water and water storage, and keeps from making a mess in TH when inside washing sand off in sink.
5 gallon water bottle with spicket, Lots of hand wips(the industrial kind) and sailor showers.
HAVE YOUR WIFE SHOWER OUT SIDE TELL HER IT SAVES WATER MAKE SURE EVERY ONE IS AROUND IN THE POUND WHEN SHE DOES THIS, ALSO YOU CAN DUMP THE BLACK OUT IF YOU DUMP THE GRAY RIGHT AFTER TO KEEP THE SMELL DOWN
If conserving doesn't make it you can always call 3-A sanitation service. 760-550-0304 I spoke with them early october and it was like $20 to dump gray and .75/gallon to fill up fresh. And he will come to the pound.
you should be able to do 6 days with conserving though.
you should be able to do 6 days with conserving though.
QUOTE (POWDER @ Nov 19 2008, 12:00 PM)
HAVE YOUR WIFE SHOWER OUT SIDE TELL HER IT SAVES WATER MAKE SURE EVERY ONE IS AROUND IN THE POUND WHEN SHE DOES THIS, ALSO YOU CAN DUMP THE BLACK OUT IF YOU DUMP THE GRAY RIGHT AFTER TO KEEP THE SMELL DOWN
I don't think I would ever get my wife back out there again. This is her first trip ever to the dunes I know the people in the pound will make her feel welcomed.
Thanks for all the dump numbers I will write them down and if i need we will use it. 20bucks to dump grey is a pretty good deal. Almost worth it to shower good. I know all about the PT showers but my wife
she is still in training.
Conserve.
If you're still worried about it you can pick up a portable holding tank from camping world or maybe even walmart or army navy store. We've got one and have used it on long trips.
If you're still worried about it you can pick up a portable holding tank from camping world or maybe even walmart or army navy store. We've got one and have used it on long trips.
QUOTE (Surf-n-Sand @ Nov 19 2008, 03:59 PM)
Conserve.
If you're still worried about it you can pick up a portable holding tank from camping world or maybe even walmart or army navy store. We've got one and have used it on long trips.
If you're still worried about it you can pick up a portable holding tank from camping world or maybe even walmart or army navy store. We've got one and have used it on long trips.
They tow nice behind a buggy and make wonderful Xmas gifts.....
Washing dishes seems to be what kills us. I've done 9-11 days solo without any trouble. 5 days with the wife and we have to get the tanks drained (hate the 40-50g gray tank). I've never come close to running out of fresh water or filling the black tank. I cant remember who we have come up but it runs $40 (drain tanks only; no fresh water for that price) and they will come to the pound no problem. Quick and painless.
We got one of these
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/produ...aste-tanks/6073
Its a waste tank with wheel and a handle... When we start getting full we just dump Grey / black into this and take it over to the port a potties. There is a trap door on the back of the porta potties that used for cleaning, you can use this door to dump your tank into the porta dump tank.
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/produ...aste-tanks/6073
Its a waste tank with wheel and a handle... When we start getting full we just dump Grey / black into this and take it over to the port a potties. There is a trap door on the back of the porta potties that used for cleaning, you can use this door to dump your tank into the porta dump tank.
QUOTE (mechengr1 @ Nov 21 2008, 12:55 PM)
We got one of these
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/produ...aste-tanks/6073
Its a waste tank with wheel and a handle... When we start getting full we just dump Grey / black into this and take it over to the port a potties. There is a trap door on the back of the porta potties that used for cleaning, you can use this door to dump your tank into the porta dump tank.
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/produ...aste-tanks/6073
Its a waste tank with wheel and a handle... When we start getting full we just dump Grey / black into this and take it over to the port a potties. There is a trap door on the back of the porta potties that used for cleaning, you can use this door to dump your tank into the porta dump tank.
That, my friend, is illegal. Don't get caught.
QUOTE (Yarder @ Nov 21 2008, 12:00 PM)
QUOTE (mechengr1 @ Nov 21 2008, 12:55 PM)
We got one of these
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/produ...aste-tanks/6073
Its a waste tank with wheel and a handle... When we start getting full we just dump Grey / black into this and take it over to the port a potties. There is a trap door on the back of the porta potties that used for cleaning, you can use this door to dump your tank into the porta dump tank.
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/produ...aste-tanks/6073
Its a waste tank with wheel and a handle... When we start getting full we just dump Grey / black into this and take it over to the port a potties. There is a trap door on the back of the porta potties that used for cleaning, you can use this door to dump your tank into the porta dump tank.
That, my friend, is illegal. Don't get caught.
Really? Bummer... Gonna have to run covert poo dumping missions at night now. No more day time dumping of dumps.
You guys should try having 8 gallon each black and grey. We can do a weekend with no showers.
Rob
Rob
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