Separate hose to flush the black tank?

Jay_and_Kat

Camper:  2022 400 Boondock
We're planning to make our first camping trip late next month and I got thinking about flushing out the black tank when we're packing up.  Would it be sensible to pack a separate hose, maybe one of those garden hoses that "collapse" when not in use, to hook up to the black water flush out fitting?  I'm mentally picturing the possibility of a bit of "backwash" of water (and other things) from the tank during the flush-out into the hose as a reason to not use the fresh water hose.

Or am I overthinking this / there's a backwash valve / as long as the drain for the black is open and hooked up it's not going to happen?

Dutch061

You are overthinking it; I know that people will gasp but I use the same hose to flush as I use to fill. I have done this for 15 years without an issue. If you were paranoid, you could use a Clorox wipe to wipe of the threaded area of the hose.

On our 400, it seeps unless I really cinch it down which even lessens my concerns. There is a 1-way valve, plus the "sprayer" inside the tank is at the top.

Brad

Deb55

We toss in an old garden hose--one of those curly hoses that were popular years ago. We use it for the black tank flush, but also for rinsing out the sewer slinky and connecting elbow after flushing. A lot of dump stations only have non-potable water for rinsing as well, and I'm not sure I'd want that water in my drinking water hose. 

qhumberd

We too bought a short green garden hose for the black tank flush simply to keep things separate. Ours is only about 8 feet so takes up little space in the tub and is right along side the gloves and wipes we use when dumping. We keep our fresh water hose in the back storage.

Dutch061

Sorry, I failed to clarify that I NEVER use non potable water in my drinking water hose. More often than not, the dump stations I frequent either have a potable tap I can reach with my hose or there is a hose at the dump station.

Brad

ScottG

On a tangential but related note, I'm always skidgy of potable water taps located at dump stations. This started when I saw a guy rinsing his sewer hose by sticking it over the potable water tap. Blech!

I'm pleased the campgrounds in my region keep the potable water fill stations well separated from the dump stations.

Denny16

There is a check valve in the black water flush line between the black tank and the fill point on the outside of the TaB400, so water from the black tank is not going to back up into the hose.  That said, I use a small separate hose, because I’m use it to wash down the blank tank sewer hose, which can be a point of contamination.  Even then running fresh water through it, would eliminate any cross contamination after you are done.

How you want to clean the black tanks system is more down to personal choice and what makes you feel comfortable.
 Cheers