justRich Posted April 12, 2015 Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 Does the water evaporate from the black, gray and/or fresh water tanks in a dry climate when not in use? We're in our Arizona winter home and using the facilities there. The camper has not moved or been used in a month. My feeling is that I should be adding a little water to the black tank. But how much? And is it necessary? Anyone with experience on this topic? Recommendations? ~Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jblscooper Posted April 12, 2015 Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 Why not just dump tanks and not worry about it? Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HamRad Posted April 12, 2015 Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 Good question Rich. I've wondered the same thing. Looking forward some more responses. We always try to dump before putting the unit away for a few months but there is always a little material in the black tank. While we can dump when we arrive home it is a bit of a chore. I know water will leak and evaporate from the toilet bowl but don't know about the tanks. Dennis Trailer: Montana 5th wheel, model 3582Rl, model year 2012 Truck: Ford 450 PSD Super Duty, 2002 Crew Cab, Long bed, 4:88 rear end, last of the 7.3 engines, Automatic Transmission. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don&penny Posted April 12, 2015 Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 Since water evaporates from the 'P' traps under the sinks and shower and the tanks are vented through the roof to atmosphere, I'd say the probability is - yes, the water will, over time, evaporate from the tanks. Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted April 12, 2015 Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 The tanks are closed so there would be limited evaporation, but since they do have a vent up to the roof and are not air tight there would be some amount of evaporation. Ambient temperatures would also play a part as the higher they are the more evaporation will take place. Most of us find that the biologic activity that becomes rampant with partially full waste tanks that are left for a long period is a bigger problem than is evaporation. High temperatures tend to encourage the anaerobic bacterial growth, and that is the sort that makes the really nasty, sulfuric odors that can become very powerful. If you are thinking of tanks that are devoid of waste, then I'd doubt that evaporation would be the cause of material drying up on the tank bottoms and walls as long as you keep them half full or so, but it could be if left long enough, just as Don has indicated. I would not leave waste in them for long periods but more from concerns about the bacterial issue than from evaporation problems, but if you do so then it could also dry up if left long enough. A few weeks is probably not a major evaporation problem, but months probably could be. At the least, it would make the materials become more concentrated and might cause a sludge problem in the bottom of the tank. Dump and flush your waste tanks well and I'd just leave them empty, or perhaps half or more filled with fresh water. Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXiceman Posted April 12, 2015 Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 The tanks are vented to atmosphere, so there will always be a slight amount of evaporation. It should not be enough to worry about unless you let the RV set for a couple of years, Ken Amateur radio operator, 2023 Cougar 22MLS, 2022 F150 Lariat 4x4 Off Road, Sport trim <br />Travel with 1 miniature schnauzer, 1 standard schnauzer and one African Gray parrot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AFchap Posted April 12, 2015 Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 The black & gray tanks have an open air vent, so they will dry out/evaporate liquid over time. Even in fairly humid east Texas, a stick house toilet bowl will evaporate dry in 5 months or so. The sides of the tank (think sensors) will dry out fairly quickly. They do this even quicker when driving, one reason why the sensors are notoriously unreliable, and the reason some rv waste system experts recommend you don't dump tanks on departure, but rather on arrival at the next location. We use our rig normally once a month, so manage to keep the liquid level "refreshed". Paul (KE5LXU), former fulltimer, now sometimer... '03 Winnebago Ultimate Advantage 40E '05 Honda Odyssey Escapees, FMCA, WIT, SMART http://www.pjrider.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris-n-Dennis Posted April 12, 2015 Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 Personally, I would and do keep a gallon or so sloshing around in both tanks. Yes, it could evaporate eventually but with no moving air it is very, very slow. By keeping a bit of water in the tank I raise the relative humidity in the tank which in turn helps slow or prevent concretion of solids. Berkshire XL 40QL Camphosting and touring Our blog: cndtravels.blogspot.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skp51443 Posted April 12, 2015 Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 We used to have a weekend RV in southern Arizona and found that over a couple months a couple gallons left in the tanks was enough to keep them wet. We didn't want them to dry out because getting them clean was very difficult (black) or nearly impossible (gray) due to the plumbing routing. We also got tired of the toilet and drains drying out which was a frequent problem at 100 degrees and 10% humidity, adding a drain cover or Saran Wrap took care of that issue. Don't forget to stick a piece over the overflow drains too. First rule of computer consulting: Sell a customer a Linux computer and you'll eat for a day. Sell a customer a Windows computer and you'll eat for a lifetime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandsys Posted April 12, 2015 Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 When storing my van for the summer months in Minnesota, I poured some mineral oil into the toilet bowl to keep the seal from drying out. Linda Sand Blog: http://sandcastle.sandsys.org/ Former Rigs: Liesure Travel van, Winnebago View 24H, Winnebago Journey 34Y, Sportsmobile Sprinter conversion van Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justRich Posted April 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 We dumped at the Cave Creek Regional Park a few weeks ago before returning home. The dump station there is graded in the wrong direction! So we had to make the approach from the "wrong" side to keep the drain outlet on the low side and drape the dump hose over the curbing. I'm pretty sure that it was a complete dump. But that sort of thing puts a nagging worry in mind that it could have been better. So to be on the safe side, I'll put a couple extra gallons in it and not worry until the next time. Thanks for the advice. I think that we're good. ~Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skp51443 Posted April 12, 2015 Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 We have seen a couple of the off-level dump sites, used a few wood blocks to jack up the low side of the rig so we'd get a good tank dump. First rule of computer consulting: Sell a customer a Linux computer and you'll eat for a day. Sell a customer a Windows computer and you'll eat for a lifetime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandsys Posted April 12, 2015 Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 The dump at our nearest park is on a grade. We go to Cabela's instead. Linda Sand Blog: http://sandcastle.sandsys.org/ Former Rigs: Liesure Travel van, Winnebago View 24H, Winnebago Journey 34Y, Sportsmobile Sprinter conversion van Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justRich Posted April 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 We have seen a couple of the off-level dump sites, used a few wood blocks to jack up the low side of the rig so we'd get a good tank dump. That one at Cave Creek Regional Park was too far off level. . .I gave up with the wood blocks and swung the rig around to the opposite direction (easy to do with a TC). What gets me about that park is that they now charge $20. to anyone who just wants to dump!!! ~Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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