Emptying the Holding Tanks in an Oliver

[jd1923]

Got to love the flat tank design of the Oliver! The Sunoco at Cedar City UT offers free dump station plus potable water with any fill-up. You have to back in slightly uphill to the facilities.

Edited May 9 by jd1923
Edited pic

[MAX Burner]

2 hours ago, jd1923 said:

The Sunoco at Cedar City UT offers free dump station plus potable water with any fill-up.

We sure would like to see that catch on across the country....

[HDRider]

3 hours ago, MAX Burner said:

We sure would like to see that catch on across the country....

That would be a game changer 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

There may be two dump stations in Burns, Oregon.  The Chevron (IIRC)  and the Shell (or is it a Texaco?) across from McDonalds.

[Ronbrink]

8 hours ago, jd1923 said:

You have to back in slightly uphill to the facilities.

I always make use of the Air-Lift system on my TV when the Oliver takes a dump; especially beneficial when on an uphill grade. 

[John and Debbie]

1 hour ago, HDRider said:

That would be a game changer 

I think Camping World offers free dump services.  Not as convenient as a gas station, but just fyi, at least one in Oregon offers that.  

John

[rideadeuce]

We do not have a dump station within a 20 min drive of my house in South Nashville. SO I am always trying to keep the kids and wife from using the toilet once we leave our last RV campsite with sewage connection. A real pain when I get home stressing how to empty and/or lubricate the tank valves, etc. Future plans are to connect a clean-out just outside the garage for a sewage dump station at the house. Along with 30 amp service at some point. 

I have used a Rv sewage macerator to empty the tanks once or twice. It will move things along pretty well even up hill. But it is a hassle and is only used when I have to do something to the system.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007HRMYLC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Edited May 9 by rideadeuce

[topgun2]

7 minutes ago, John Welte said:

I think Camping World offers free dump services.

Yes, if they have the facilities.

After all - they have to get their reputation for "good service" from somewhere.😉

[Steve Morris]

1 hour ago, rideadeuce said:

I have used a Rv sewage macerator to empty the tanks once or twice. It will move things along pretty well even up hill. But it is a hassle and is only used when I have to do something to the system.

That's what I use every time I'm not on an extended trip. I can take my time at home, and rinse the black tank several times. Disconnected I can point the nose at the sky to get every drop out. No messy dump stations, no long lines, and no burst hoses. (There was a long back up at David Crockett State Park when we picked up our trailer as someone's hose burst during black tank dumping.)

EDIT: I do not recommend the 45° fitting shown with the swivels. Both ends leaked between the orange and translucent parts. 🤢
I've also stopped using the gate on the end of the 10" extension. Without it, I can get the 45° fitting and pump a little closer to the trailer, allowing the nose to go a bit higher before the motor touches the ground.

Edited May 9 by Steve Morris

[jd1923]

2 hours ago, Ronbrink said:

I always make use of the Air-Lift system on my TV when the Oliver takes a dump; especially beneficial when on an uphill grade. 

Air-lift would be nice! Without it I bring ramps. At this location, I started at 7" down (reading on the LevelMate) to 3"+. Surprised to get 10" net, but you can see it in resulting the TV angle, since the drive was lower at the front wheels of the TV.

We had a free dump station just down the street from home. What was for decades, our local "Affinity RV" became "Blue Compass RV" last year and they charge $10 to use the dump station.

[Geronimo John]

12 hours ago, jd1923 said:

free dump station plus potable water with any fill-up. You have to back in slightly uphill to the facilities.

I do the same thing.  

With air bags, it also helps to get-er-nose high!

GJ

[Ronbrink]

11 hours ago, rideadeuce said:

I am always trying to keep the kids and wife from using the toilet once we leave our last RV campsite with sewage connection.

We do the same to the extent possible; rather than soiling a cleaned black tank we found an alternative, used to line the wet bath head. However, if the drive home is several days with nightly boondocks then a trip to a local dump station is warranted once home.

Edited May 10 by Ronbrink

[MAX Burner]

10 hours ago, rideadeuce said:

Future plans are to connect a clean-out just outside the garage for a sewage dump station at the house. Along with 30 amp service at some point. 

This is a game changing plan you've got!  

We did the same thing - just make sure you've got good quality dump hoses.  After a couple of disaster dumps at our place, we've got the CAMCO Rhino hoses and haven't looked back ever since.  We can dump from either inside the shop or from the driveway - no issues.  Plus the 30amp service box on the outside shop wall allows visitors to use their AC in during warmer months in Placitas.

You'll be a happy camper when this plan is executed, brother!

[jd1923]

1 hour ago, MAX Burner said:

This is a game changing plan you've got!  

We did the same thing - just make sure you've got good quality dump hoses.

For sure, good plan @rideadeuce if you are able to do so, on your property. I pulled a Class-A into this spot several times, but after the shed that maneuver may not work. Found a used 10x20' Tuff-Shed 4-5 years ago for $4K and only $400 to bring it home (tipped the guy another C-note and these cost ~$12K today). We ran 125' of 8 AWG (correct gauge for 30A at this length) direct burial cable. Added a sub-panel for lights and power in the shed as well. LOVE doing electrical work, residential or automotive 12VDC!

Have shore power, when we need (mostly in the summer for A/C) and when we return from a trip, everything in the bed of the TV goes into the shed on commercial pallet racking. We are coded for gray water into a gravel bed, but it's on the edge of our 3/4 acre within the city of Prescott. Not going to have our own dump, but very happy as-is. Love when a project is done! Pretty pic to follow...

[Wandering Sagebrush]

17 hours ago, topgun2 said:

Yes, if they have the facilities.

After all - they have to get their reputation for "good service" from somewhere.😉

I see what you did there… and approve.🤐

[Golfnut]

Thats cool about the Shell station. i know Camping World has free dump, not all have dumps.  Here in Ohio the Pilot /  Flying J  are shutting down dumps.  You would think with the explosion with camping in the last 5 to 10 yrs. it feels like there is less free dump.. i dont mine paying if you can find it. We always dump before leaving CG.  It just seems like when you need one can’t find one..

[MAX Burner]

10 hours ago, jd1923 said:

Pretty pic to follow...

Still a bit of the white stuff in Prescott?  Cool project, for sure...  We've got dibs on that spot, ha!

[jd1923]

4 hours ago, MAX Burner said:

Still a bit of the white stuff in Prescott?  Cool project, for sure...  We've got dibs on that spot, ha!

Heck no, getting home from our trip, we are knee-high in weeds, weedwhackers going. Art, whenever you visit, yes that is your spot. I'd move ours to a less level spot w/o shore power. Not much in level land here. Here is a picture take just now from the other direction, our living room window. Five years ago, Adam and I hand-excavated the 10x20' yard area to allow the shed to be level, with pickaxes, shovels and rakes.

[MAX Burner]

40 minutes ago, jd1923 said:

with pickaxes, shovels and rakes.

...and maybe a Pulaski or two?