Marvin Bryant, Littleton, Colorado
When my RV is not being used, I have found it advantageous to leave the sewer open and the cover off to allow the tanks to be vented. I was concerned about insects or whatever getting in the tank.
Using a couple of cable tie wraps, or a hose clamp, I fastened a small piece of screen to an extra sewer hose connector and this has worked out great.
If you found this tip helpful, find more great tips from RVers like you in Ten Minute Tech, Volume 3
phillykeith
Any tips on keeping mice out while in storage?
Stan Lebiednik
Check for dead mice in your burner section or in your duct work.
Jim Zachary
When I turn on my furnace in my class “A” motorhome, I get a order that isn’t so pleasant. Any suggestions?..Thanks
Andi Helgen
When I first got my rig in 2007 (a hardly used 2005) I was told by my neighbor to do the dish detergent (Dawn) routine. Sure seems to work.
marianj
It is a good idea try it if it works for you use it. To each his own.
D. Mac Farlane
Personally, I think we ALL spend too much money on a lot of this stuff. The method my brother used before me, and I have used for ~30 years is this. After you throughly drain and clean your tank, just put a a quart or so of windshield washer fluid into the tank. I also leave some in the toilets and all the drain traps. This keeps the seals wet, and the traps also sealed. This is easy to find almost anywhere, it’s inexpensive and does the job without fear of freezing. I figure if it’s compatible with the rubber and plastic in my windshield washer, it will also work with the toilet. So far (30 years) it’s been doing just fine.
However, before I store my rig after a trip, on the way home and AFTER dumping holding tanks, I always put a couple gallons of water in each tank, and a helping of liquid dish detergent down into the tanks. Then during the rest of the trip it will wash ALL the rest of the residue from the tanks and lines. I then drain this out when I get home (not enough or bad enough to deal). I just collect it in a bucket and then dispose of it in my house drain system. After draining I proceed as noted above.
My tanks have never smelled and I have never had any seal or valve problems. “Happy Septic System”
Roger
Some local LAWS MAY NOT allow this…….Better check first……Good idea though….
Skinner
To each his own. If it works for him then all is good. The most important idea was that he had and idea was was willing to share. If you dont like it and only have negative thoughts, it only makes you look silly.
To: Mr. Bryant, I’m willing to listen to any ideas, thanks
John
This is a terrible idea. You need to talk to experienced RVers or refer to your owners manual. You should store the rig with some water in the tanks and the valves closed. This keeps the seals moist. The tanks are vented thru the roof. This keeps odors out and allows them to be dumped.
David Lester
It seems to me this would allow the residue in the tank to dry out. I do not think this would be a good idea. I always leave a little water with chemicals in the tanks to sanitize them.
Charles
I too wondered what the advantage for this to be as the tanks are vented through the roof on most units, if they were not vented flushing would be difficult at the least. However my concern about this very neat way fo protecting the sewer releash area, is that it seems it would tend to dry out the rubber seals for the release valves quite a bit fasteer than if they were to be kept moist. Whos to say?
I hope it works out ok over time, for you. Certainly a creative idea for a ventilated cover.
Darrel
WHY would even find it “advantageous” to leave the sewer open and the cover off to allow the tanks to be vented in the first place? In 40 years of RVing, and years of reading RV magazines and forums I never heard of this ridiculous idea before.
You solved a problem that YOU created in the first place.