Dump holding/sewer tanks - for new RVers

Since I don't have any experience on this, I figured I'd consult the experts.

Here are a few things I learned from the videos on You Tube.  Black Water is what comes out of your toilet and Gray water is what comes out of the shower and sinks.  There are different types and places on different types of RVs to empty out your water tanks.  Make sure the hose isn't kinked when you dump the sewage into the RV dumping station/ your own draining hole.  Make sure you always wear gloves - some usually leaks out when opening the valve.  Also dump the black water hose first and then the gray water hose to clean out the hose a bit.

You can buy a product called "Xtreme Vent" if you want a different design on the water tank so it doesn't stink up the cabin (if it does when toilet flushes and wind blows the wrong way).  It's designed to blow in the wind.  AP Products 006-79 White Powder Coated Xtreme Vent

I looked up more information on the subject and apparently many RV Park dump stations are closing because RVers have been abusing the right to use dumping stations by using formaldehyde and other harmful chemicals.  Make sure you have needed "couplings and connectors."  Also make sure you have 10' and 20' heavy duty septic hoses to make sure you have the right size when you need it.  Make sure that you wait to dump the holding tanks until they are 2/3 full - the draining uses gravity and works better when you do it that way.  This may sound odd, but apparently there's special toilet paper made for RVs that breaks down in the holding tank.  Here's some actually: Scott Toilet Paper, Rapid-Dissolving 4 ea  There's a lot more information in the article and if you'd rather read an article versus watch a video, or both, read the full article at: http://ezinearticles.com/?RV-Tips-for-Holding-Tanks&id=171532  Apparently, the author also has a website: www.rveducation101.com.  Looks like another excellent resource for beginning RVers!

If you'd rather watch a video, you have a couple choices -

The more boring, but also more informative video (click on the link for the correct video): http://www.youtube.com/

The fun, and tells you the basics video: http://www.youtube.com/

Good luck with this unpleasant yet necessary task :P