Tilting the coach to help with dumping

Topic: Tilting the coach to help with dumping (Read 868 times) previous topic - next topic

Tilting the coach to help with dumping

December 05, 2012, 01:12:04 pm

I've read in many threads where folks say they tilt their coach while dumping to enhance the outflow...

I am wondering if that really helps much. Having had the opportunity to see the waste tank set up outside of the coach (how's that for lemonade from lemons!), it's clear that the tanks are designed with a built in slope to speed the dumping/flushing process. The wedge shape of the bottom of the tanks and the fiberglass platforms that they sit on also is what makes it possible to get the tanks in and out without cutting any waste pipes or vents. Naturally, I have taken a few pictures...
Don

Re: Tilting the coach to help with dumping

Reply #1 – December 05, 2012, 01:19:19 pm

We've been tilting for years. Not faster but seems to get the last of the gunk out. When we're sitting and hooked up, if the sewer hose isn't too long a run, we leave the valves open and have had to trouble with either tank staying empty. Certainly easier than having to go out in the rain when you didn't check the tank level before starting your shower or any other business.

Re: Tilting the coach to help with dumping

Reply #2 – December 05, 2012, 01:20:13 pm

Don,

The only reason I tilt the coach is when working on the dump valves. Tilt toward the dump with valves open, then tilt the other way before removing a valve. That way you only spill a drop or two.

Brett

Re: Tilting the coach to help with dumping

Reply #3 – December 05, 2012, 01:25:02 pm

Quote from: acousticart – December 05, 2012, 01:12:04 pm

I've read in many threads where folks say they tilt their coach while dumping to enhance the outflow... I am wondering if that really helps much. Having had the opportunity to see the waste tank set up outside of the coach (how's that for lemonade from lemons!), it's clear that the tanks are designed with a built in slope to speed the dumping/flushing process. The wedge shape of the bottom of the tanks and the fiberglass platforms that they sit on also is what makes it possible to get the tanks in and out without cutting any waste pipes or vents. Naturally, I have taken a few pictures...
Don

If I did not see this degree of slope I would not believe it. If I do not tilt my coach I will not get all the solids outs without back flushing many times. I can see down into the tank with the toilet open. I believe it is due to using a macerator allowing all the fluid to drain first and then the solids settling at the bottom because of the 1 inch hose. Now after going back to the 3 inch hose I see the it is a lot better. I use dawn and calgon in the tank after every dump.

Re: Tilting the coach to help with dumping

Reply #4 – December 05, 2012, 02:57:47 pm

Thanks for the pictures. I would not have expected such a shape.

I saw a coach tilted while dumping at FOT. It appeared to be operated by service folk. I figured it wouldn't hurt and might help. In spite of the nice slope on the bottoms of the tanks, I plan to continue to tilt the coach when dumping.

I use a third valve. I dump the black waste tank, then do a "valve shuffle" to flush the black tank with water from the grey waste tank. I flush the black tank three times with grey water. I use a Polychute hose with a "sight glass." I can see that by the third iteration, the effluent from the black tank looks just like the effluent from the grey tank.

I add Dawn to the black tank after dumping the tank. We use a whole house RO system, so I do not add Calgon.

Re: Tilting the coach to help with dumping

Reply #5 – December 05, 2012, 03:11:25 pm

I tilt...It makes me feel better...

Re: Tilting the coach to help with dumping

Reply #6 – December 05, 2012, 03:16:39 pm

Oh, the other reason I tilt when dumping is if the dump site slopes uphill toward the dump side. Such is the case at Foretravel.

Re: Tilting the coach to help with dumping

Reply #7 – December 05, 2012, 03:17:45 pm

Quote from: Peter & Beth – December 05, 2012, 03:11:25 pm

I tilt...It makes me feel better...

Me too

Re: Tilting the coach to help with dumping

Reply #8 – December 05, 2012, 03:37:07 pm

I tilt too but I just do it because I see all the cool guys do it.

see ya
ken

Re: Tilting the coach to help with dumping

Reply #9 – December 05, 2012, 04:10:06 pm

No reason really not to tilt, especially since it's so easy with our airbag suspensions. I just figured you all would be interested in seeing another seldom seen outside of the factory detail about our coaches. For all I know, it maybe standard industry practice do that wedge platform system... It does make a lot of sense especially for ease of installation. You simply pull those wedges out from the curbside, the tanks can then drop down and be pulled out from streetside, with just a little bit of finagling around the main waste pipe grommets. Most difficult part is the plumbing that's in the way of pulling out the tanks and the wedges including the maniblock. When I finally figured out that those platforms were wedges though, it sure eased my mind because I did not want to cut those waste pipes or vent pipes!
Don

Re: Tilting the coach to help with dumping

Reply #10 – December 05, 2012, 04:17:57 pm

I tilt .... makes me feel like I'm playing at the pin ball machine ... last dump scored 50,000 points.

Re: Tilting the coach to help with dumping

Reply #11 – December 05, 2012, 04:20:36 pm

Pin ball machine. now that's BAD!!!

Re: Tilting the coach to help with dumping

Reply #12 – December 05, 2012, 05:50:11 pm

I don't believe the tilted bottom is industry standard, or even industry common. I have seen a few SOB motorhomes and trailers, and none of the non-Foretravels had it.

Re: Tilting the coach to help with dumping

Reply #13 – December 05, 2012, 06:28:09 pm

Well this is all very interesting, but I don't believe my holding tanks have the wedge shape on the end with the drain, just straight up and down, but the fresh water tank has the wedge end. Maybe I will pull the cover on the other end and see if they have a base that is higher on that end. Foretravel may have changed that on later models.

Last week for awhile I thought I had a broken valve that would not open on the black tank. I was going to dump it for winterizing and didn't feel or hear anything come out. Oh darn the rod pulled out of the slide, I thought. Bought a new valve, but before I did anything stuck a thin wood stick down the toilet to see how much was in the tank. Stick was dry, then I had one of those "duh" moments. Realized I had precharged the gray water tank with about ten gallons of water instead of the black tank. Toilet had only been used a few times. So now, I have a spare valve if it really does happen.

Re: Tilting the coach to help with dumping

Reply #14 – December 05, 2012, 06:38:35 pm

Quote from: Barry Beam – December 05, 2012, 01:25:02 pm

If I did not see this degree of slope I would not believe it. If I do not tilt my coach I will not get all the solids outs without back flushing many times.

We tilt, because there's quite a length of horizontal waste line between the sewer hose outlet and the black tank valve in our coach where "extracurricular material" may remain.

Grey tank is on left, black on right (you have to expand the photo to see the gap)

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Re: Tilting the coach to help with dumping

Reply #15 – December 05, 2012, 07:06:58 pm

I have heard that some coaches have one holding tank bottom exit hole on curb side that then flows around the back of the holding tank to the street side. The cable controlleld dump valve is also on the curb side for this tank. So tilting with street side low on this coach will hamper the flow from this type of tank. I have no idea why Foretravel built coaches with this holding tank drain flow.

Re: Tilting the coach to help with dumping

Reply #16 – December 05, 2012, 07:24:24 pm

We tilt too, but usually after too much wine at dinner.....

No actually, I do tilt the coach to dump. Just seems to clear up faster.

D&D

Re: Tilting the coach to help with dumping

Reply #17 – December 05, 2012, 09:55:53 pm

We tilt as well but only after a few Manhattan's.

Re: Tilting the coach to help with dumping

Reply #18 – December 05, 2012, 10:00:55 pm

Quote

You simply pull those wedges out from the curbside, the tanks can then drop down and be pulled out from streetside, with just a little bit of finagling around the main waste pipe grommets.

Don,
Thank you for the explaination. I've always wondered how I would pull the tanks with the pipes inserted in the top.
It seems like when removing the tanks gravity is your friend. For installation it seems like it would be your enemy - let us know what tricks you learn after you get them back in.
I'm sure you'll figure it out in no time - you've done a fantastic job so far on your coach.

Re: Tilting the coach to help with dumping

Reply #19 – December 06, 2012, 05:46:34 am

Great pictures Don. As to tilting when dumping dont pay any attention one way or another, just dump flush out and go. However we use our coach at least every 2 weeks, and never store it without flushing and dumping the tanks. Every now and then on the way out we fill the black and gray about half full add a little dish soap and dump when we get to th CG.

Re: Tilting the coach to help with dumping

Reply #20 – December 06, 2012, 07:47:26 am

I won't/can't speak for everyone but it seems that as the unit ages... more tilting is needed.

Re: Tilting the coach to help with dumping

Reply #21 – December 06, 2012, 12:09:16 pm

John,
Fortunately the tanks are amazingly light weight. In our coach the black tank was that of a struggle because of a slight angle in the toilet waste pipe. I found that removing the great tank first, I was able to tilt the black tank to create enough clearance to ease it out. All in all, seems to me a very elegant design... If the word elegant can be use to describe waste removal

Don

Quote from: JohnFitz – December 05, 2012, 10:00:55 pm

Don,
Thank you for the explaination. I've always wondered how I would pull the tanks with the pipes inserted in the top.
It seems like when removing the tanks gravity is your friend. For installation it seems like it would be your enemy - let us know what tricks you learn after you get them back in.
I'm sure you'll figure it out in no time - you've done a fantastic job so far on your coach.

Re: Tilting the coach to help with dumping

Reply #22 – December 06, 2012, 03:00:22 pm

This entire discussion is tilted!

Re: Tilting the coach to help with dumping

Reply #23 – December 06, 2012, 05:25:38 pm

Quote from: J. D. Stevens – December 05, 2012, 02:57:47 pm

Thanks for the pictures. I would not have expected such a shape.

I use a third valve. I dump the black waste tank, then do a "valve shuffle" to flush the black tank with water from the grey waste tank. I flush the black tank three times with grey water. I use a Polychute hose with a "sight glass." I can see that by the third iteration, the effluent from the black tank looks just like the effluent from the grey tank.

We use the same procedure as Dave but we don't tilt unless we are on uneven groudn. The third valve makes it so easy.

Quote from: lgshoup – December 05, 2012, 01:19:19 pm

When we're sitting and hooked up, if the sewer hose isn't too long a run, we leave the valves open and have had to trouble with either tank staying empty. Certainly easier than having to go out in the rain when you didn't check the tank level before starting your shower or any other business.

I think you have been very lucky. I speak from experience as well as watching a number of other comedy routines freeing up the "road block" in their black tank. Your good experience of leaving the valve open may be due to the tilted tanks but my U225 sure gave me a rude surprise. Thank goodness I was able to accumulate enough gray water to back flush the "Road Block" and allow the black tank to empty without sharing our essence with the entire campground. I had a substantial crowd very disappointed at the sanitary outcome. I guess they all had seen Robin Williams in RV.

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