HOW TO USE AN RV DUMP STATION

How to Use an RV Dump Station: A Step-by-Step Guide

Spending time in your RV can be an edifying adventure or even a lifestyle. But with every adventure and lifestyle also comes the unpleasant, unavoidable aspects of the modus operandi which we have to contend with. For instance, of course, solid and liquid wastes that accumulate inside of your RV during periods of travel and habitation do not just magically disappear. That’s what the black and gray water tanks are for. But just because you’re out on the open road or chillin’ at a campsite doesn’t mean you can just dispose of this wastewater anywhere. In fact, you can’t even dispose of it in your own home, if you have a stationary residence, without first checking with your local government to make sure such is permissible.

So in this particular article, we’re going to be looking at how to dispose of your black and gray water via specifically designated RV dumping stations, as most RVers tend to do. These can be found at numerous locations across the country, as listed in the Dump Site Near Me database. And no, doing so isn’t particularly a pleasant experience for any of us. But once again it is a necessary part of RV living, and this post will highlight the easy-to-follow steps in getting rid of your waste effectively and cleanly, as intended.

What You’ll Need Before You Start

✔ RV sewer hose
✔ Sewer hose support (optional)
✔ Clear elbow adapter (recommended)
✔ Disposable gloves
✔ Dedicated rinse hose (non-potable)
✔ Tank treatment
✔ Hand sanitizer
✔ Paper towels

Before You Head to the Dump Station

  • Empty your tanks only when they’re at least two-thirds full.
  • Keep your sewer hose separate from fresh water equipment.
  • Wear disposable gloves.
  • Make sure your sewer hose is in good condition.
  • Have everything ready before entering the dump station.

1. PREPARATION

First off, there are four basic items that will be needed on your part to not only clean out the tank but also keep yourself clean in the process, since we are after all dealing with sewage. These would be your sewer hose (to connect from the RV to the sewer), another like a conventional garden hose, plastic gloves, and some appropriate disinfecting wet wipes. Some people may also opt to wear something like a plastic apron or smock over their clothes to keep them from potentially being exposed to waste. This is advisable at first but once you become more experienced in following the procedure, may not really be necessary.

2. PUT ON THE GLOVES

You will be wearing gloves plastic throughout the whole procedure, once again in the name of safety.  The heavy-duty type may be recommended by some, especially once again in regard to newbies, but many campers just use those of the disposable, albeit quality, variety.

3. PROPER CLOTHING (NEWBIES)

Step 3 is especially geared towards newbies. If you aren’t experienced in RV dumping, then you should perhaps put on clothing that you don’t intend to wear beyond the site. Or as mentioned above you can wear something over your clothing which is better suited to the task at hand.

4. CONNECT THE SEWER HOSE TO THE SEWER INLET

We are first going to connect the sewer hose to the sewer inlet itself. This stage is very important because, in the name of avoiding any catastrophe, you want to make sure that the hose is properly and firmly connected to the inlet. Indeed some campers may actually carry around metal weights or something similarly heavy to use to keep the connected hose in place.

5. CONNECT THE SEWER HOSE TO THE RV OUTLET

And the same advice goes for Step 5. You would want to really, really make sure the sewer hose is probably attached to the RV’s black-water tank’s outlet before moving on to Step 6.

6. RELEASE THE BLACK-TANK WATER VALVE

This is the stage in which we actually commence the process of draining out the tank. In some cases you may have separate tanks for black water and gray water, meaning that you would have to do Step 6 again (though later on) to clean out the gray-water tank. If you do have two separate tanks, it is always recommended that you clean the black-water tank first. Then that way you can use the soapy gray water as a further means of cleaning the sewer pipe after the black water has already passed through it.

Pro Tip: Always open the black tank valve first. This allows the gray water to rinse the sewer hose afterward.

7. CONNECT THE GARDEN HOSE TO THE DUMP STATION FAUCET

The RV dump station will feature a faucet that emits white water that you can use for cleaning purposes. It usually has a hose connected to the nozzle that you can use to connect to your own garden hose.

8. FLUSH OUT THE BLACK-WATER TANK

Next, you connect the other end of the garden hose into the inlet of the black-water tank. Then comes turning on the facet, so that the whitewater can flow through and clean out the tank itself. This is done while the waste is simultaneously flowing out through the sewer hose and into the sewer.

9. TURN OFF THE WATER FAUCET

Once you’re convinced that the black-water tank has been properly cleaned out (if time allows), then you can turn off the dump station facet.

10. DISCONNECT THE GARDEN HOSE

Next, you would want to disconnect the garden hose from the dump station facet.

11. DISCONNECT THE SEWER HOSE FROM THE BLACK-WATER OUTLET

If you have a dual-tank vehicle, then you would now disconnect the sewer hose from the black-water tank outlet and connect it to the gray-water outlet, open the valve and allow that tank to drain out also.

12. FLUSH OUT THE SEWER HOSE

Before packing the sewer hose up for transport, it would be advisable to use the dump station’s whitewater to flush it out. This is an important step because ultimately a clogged hose (in the future) can prove to be just as problematic as a loose connection.

13. DISCONNECT THE SEWER HOSE

Now finally comes the stage where you can disconnect the sewer hose from the sewer inlet.

14. PAY THE PIPER

Perhaps we should have put this one first. But usually, there is some type of fee involved, within the $20 range, that you must pay to the dump station. In the long run you can bring this cost down though by purchasing membership at dump stations that offer such deals to patrons.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Dumping gray water before the black tank
  • Forgetting to close the black tank valve
  • Using your drinking water hose for rinsing
  • Driving away without adding water back into the black tank
  • Leaving the dump station dirty
  • Not checking for leaks before opening the valves

RV Dump Station Etiquette

  • Keep the station clean.
  • Be considerate if others are waiting.
  • Don’t perform lengthy maintenance at the dump station.
  • Return hoses to their proper place.
  • Follow posted rules.
  • Clean up any spills immediately.

Safety Tips

  • Always wear gloves.
  • Never use the potable water hose for rinsing.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly afterward.
  • Keep children and pets away.
  • Store sewer equipment separately from drinking water supplies.

What to Do After Dumping

  1. Add a few gallons of clean water back into the black tank.
  2. Add your preferred tank treatment.
  3. Store the sewer hose separately.
  4. Remove gloves safely.
  5. Sanitize your hands.
  6. Double-check that all valves are closed.

CONCLUSION

Now that you know exactly how to use an RV dump station, you’re ready to empty your holding tanks safely and efficiently. Before hitting the road, use our RV Dump Station Finder to locate the nearest dump station along your route and avoid unnecessary detours.