I am not new to RV camping, but am new to T@bbing. I downsized from a bunkhouse-style Layton to a 320 S Boondock Lite in early December 2018. Most of my trailer camping is boondocking only one or two nights every other week or so in the forests of Northern Arizona during the summer months. Just because I was paranoid that I could not properly manage the Layton BW tank, it was only used for #1 during the nights. I previously just used an orange-colored enzyme-based BW treatment to keep odors down.
Now, as DW and I are getting older, the thought of digging a cat hole in the woods is becoming less and less appealing. So, I am considering the previously unthinkable – going #2 in the trailer toilet!
So, I have been looking over many of the threads on this forum and elsewhere. I know that plenty of water is part of good BW tank management, but I have become interested in the bacteria-based Happy Camper and RV Digest-It type of products. I saw that Happy Camper mostly gets good reviews, but I am wondering if it or any such product can dissolve solid waste in the smallish T@B BW tanks (8 gal) and with what is really only a short time to work (a night or two). Should I just consider the “Double-Duty” types of disposable bags as an alternative given my camping style?
This is a great forum and I look forward to seeing some of you at the T@bazona meet later this month.
Comments
I thought that the various treatments that are available deal with odor more than anything.
I defer to those who are more experienced...
2014 S Maxx
2011 Tacoma 4cyl ... edit: 2022 Tacoma 6cyl - oh yeah!
A_Little_T@b'll_Do_Ya
I think it does take some time to do it’s magic, but it does deodorize, too. With the limited amount of camping that you do, you may be better off (for the sake of time and convenience) using the bags.
2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014
But, I guess one of my other concerns was actually dumping solid waste before it had a chance to "dissolve." Does it ever get stuck in the outlet pipe or in the hose? I guess that is where using plenty of water comes in?
2012 Jeep Liberty KK a/k/a "Libby"
2021 T@B 320S Boondock “The T@B”
Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck”
2019 T@B 400 Boondock
We ''top up' the black water tank with water just before dumping, to make sure it has a fast exit.
2014 S Maxx
2011 Tacoma 4cyl ... edit: 2022 Tacoma 6cyl - oh yeah!
A_Little_T@b'll_Do_Ya
2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014
2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014
2012 Jeep Liberty KK a/k/a "Libby"
The others have a smell that’s “trying” to mask!
We also add Downy fabric softener and some liquid dish soap (as noted above) to coat the tank and create a slippery surface.
The real issue comes into play when you are parked in a location for an extended period of time and (this might sound disgusting) material begins to pyramid if you will. This is why you need to pay attention to the above details, make sure the tank has adequate water to dissolve waste via the tank additive, along with breaking up toilet paper, etc.
They do make a wand that attaches to a hose that allows you to power wash the interior of the black tank and another thing you can do is open the valve and pour a bucket of water into the stool to create force and break things up.
I use a short, clear add on section of pipe on the end of the dump pipe. This helps when dumping and rinsing the tank and allows you to see if the tank is clear, that things are working as they should and that all systems are working as anticipated.
That and a basic enzyme tablet should be all you ever need to do besides normal flush and dump.
We use Walex PortaPak in black tank and Elemonate in grey.
2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014