Kampfirekid
Northern Illinois
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Joined: 08/16/2007
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The DW and I are considering doing a last hurrah this coming weekend, but "electric only" sites are about all I find locally. I just seem to have a phobia about dry camping. The last few times we have camped, I spent an hour each trip backflushing the black tank because of clogs, and I can't seem to figure out what it is. I keep telling the kids to cut down on the TP quantity, and hold the flush valve to the count of ten to ensure enough water, but it seems useless. Maybe its the darn RV toilet paper. I haven't been able to find Calgon to try the GEO Method, but that may be my last resort.
Anyway, I envision a long line of people waiting behind me at the dump station, and me going crazy trying to clean out without ticking off everyone. I have considered buying a macerator and dumping at home just because we'd probably dry camp frequently, but $250 for a pump is a little steep.
I assume all State Park type campgrounds have a place to fill with fresh water on the way in, correct? Or should we just fill up and take it from home. Three hundred pounds of water seems like excessive weight - of course a local 40 mile pull is probably not a big deal.
Okay boondockers, help me out here. We're missing out on some great state park camping, I am sure, just because of my worries. Any validity to them?
2009 North Trail 31BHD
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wayne_tw
South Dakota/Georgia
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Joined: 07/21/2007
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If it is such a problem, just make everyone use the comfort station, then all you would have is a little gray water from the kitchen sink and handwashing in the bathroom. Problem solved.
The problem is usually too much toilet paper and not enough water. Sorry ladies, but it doesn't take thirty sheets all waded up to make one blot to dry.
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pamvanw
southeastern pa
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Joined: 03/17/2005
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We always drag our water from home. That way we know what we're getting - no surprise upset stomachs. We also take a case of bottled drinking water. So far we've only had to wait behind one person dumping, which is amazing because we go to alot of state parks, and in the summer they can be 100% full. It really makes me wonder if everyone is actually dumping at the park. Maybe some dump at home? With kids it might be hard to make the water last through the weekend unless you have them use the bath house for showers. As long as we have electricity I'm a happy camper  ...well, at least for a weekend.
Pam
2006 Sunline 2753
2007 GMC Sierra 2500 D/A
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2oldman
WA
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Joined: 04/15/2001
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All state parks should have water, yes. Or, most small towns have water access somewhere, like filling stations or convenience stores or city parks.
As for the clogging, I suggest you keep vigilant on the water, and use Scott single ply paper. There's no reason for clogs unless there's either too little water or too much tp. You can always fill with plenty of water before hitting the dump station. If you can't dump, just pack it home.
Sometimes the water takes time to soften the poop enough to drain it.
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Mike and Tamara
Agassiz,British Columbia,Canada
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Joined: 11/21/2006
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The clogs could be from how it is plumbed? Try to fing someone with a "ridgid see snake" and have look up the plumbing, make sure the tank is empty though. On the waits at the pooper dump, I would not worry to much, if they ask, tell them that you have a clog, throw them a beer and finish you dumpin.
Mike
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MarionMedic
Marion, MS
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Joined: 06/01/2007
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Last trip out we had only water hookups.
But we didn't connect cause we were running a "test".
I had about 5 gallons of clean water in the black tank to begin the trip.
And we filled the FW tank to 3/4 at home.
We made the ENTIRE weekend with no problems.
We used about 1/3 of the FW.
We also ADDED as much water to the black as we could before leaving the CG.
We had about 3/4 full on black for the trip home.
Dumping at home does NOT require a "macerator pump" if you are close, or can get close enough, to your outside sewer cleanout to hook up.
Just hook up as you would to the dump station.
Sounds like too little water and too little "soak time" for the black tank contents.
(or too much cheese in the diet) LOL
1997 Chevy 3500 LWB Crew-Cab Dually 6.5 turbo-diesel
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nny12972
NY
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Joined: 10/25/2006
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It dosen't sound like the issue is boondocking----sounds like you need to sort out the black tank & dump problem.....
J
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cenley
NJ
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Joined: 09/18/2006
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For what it is worth you can buy the sewer solution from CW for about $100.00 and it will pump your sewage out when you get home. I pump mine about 75 feet to my clean out that is located between the sidewalk and the curb no problem. It is fairly level ground with perhaps a slight decline but it is advertised to be able to pump uphill also. Now when I leave the CG I bypass the dump line and dump at my pace when I get home, I am very happy with the purchase of the sewer solution, I only use it at home and at full hook up CG's I use my 3 inch hose.
Carl
04 X Limited V-10 3.73 Bilsteins,Timbrens,30mm Sway Bar,Reese Dual Cam
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MAJESTYPOINTERS
MONROE, MI.
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Joined: 04/08/2008
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I would say that you don't have dry camping problems either.....Electric only....go for it....
As other posters sugested dumping problems might be water amount or soak time related....I don't normaly dump at the camp grounds....at the end of a week end I will pump most of the water left (still leave alittle for potty stops)in my fresh water tank into my black tank before I leave the sight and then stop at a dump sight (Flying J or others) on my way home after the tank has had a chance to get shook up from driving. The extra water and bummpy roads should get you a fast clean dump.
If it don't the "Beer" sugestion should work well....Just please no drinking and Dumping....Statistics show that most dumping related injurys are linked to "drunkin dumping"
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Okie in Wyoming
Wyoming
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Joined: 02/22/2007
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We fill up fresh water before leaving. We camp in State parks or Forest Service areas 99.9% of the time. The places in the parks where fresh water is available are usually a good distance away so filling up in the parks is not an answer for us.
As far as waiting on you at the dump station, we will wait while you do what is necessary. The only time I have ever seen my DH upset (mad) while waiting in line was because the guy in front stopped all activity to talk on his cell phone. Why? - we don't know. Our friend (in line behind us) finally went up to the guy and asked if he had called for help. If so, he would be glad to help him, if not - get off the phone and finish up so we could dump too!
We are still laughing about how quickly he hung up and got with the program and scrammed out of there.
So, just go and have a good time. Leave your worries at home.
Happy Trails, Okie
TT bumpersticker:
"I go where I am towed to"
Darling Husband
2 Wonderful Dogs
And Me
2007 Dodge 2500 Quad Cab(Diesel)
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